AC Hydraulics engine crane

[gsxr]

Since I needed to replace the Harbor Freight crane I sold, and another forum member reported he liked his Denmark-made ACH crane, I went on the hunt for a deal on AC. Turns out these things are stupid expensive, in part because they are ~200 lbs and must be shipped freight. Very few vendors carry ACH in USA so you don't have much choice on where to buy. Most only carry the WJN5 model. Two vendors I checked both wanted $950 delivered: RME is ~$600 (link) and quoted me $350 freight (!!), Pelican was $750 (link) but 'only' $200 freight. Ouch.

I discovered "AZtool1" which is a confusing website that almost looks like a scam, but it isn't. This is actually the commercial tool division of AutoZone. The catch is, you must order & pick up from a local AutoZone store, *and* you must have an AutoZone commercial automotive account. If so, you can order the ACH WJN5 crane from your local AutoZone for $299 with allegedly free freight to the store. This has gotta be at or below cost, if you have an account or a friend with an account, you're golden. I found an old AutoZone Pro (commercial) ad showing their regular price had been $799 for this crane, screenshot below for posterity.

AC Hydraulic WJN5 Hydraulic Workshop Crane

AC Hydraulic WJN5 Hydraulic Workshop Crane

www.aztool1.com

After getting dissed by the dude at my local AutoZone, I figured I'd try another place that a friend sent me a link to, which had almost the same price. They charge $190 freight but discount code HELLOMDS knocks 20% off the price, which helps offset the freight cost. Seems to be a flat $190 freight charge regardless of zipcode entered... AND regardless of quantity ordered. Find a friend locally who wants a nice engine crane, and maybe you can save an extra $100 if you buy two. Their order tracking is useless, I never received a ship notification or tracking number, just a call from FedEx Freight a week later wanting to schedule delivery. [Update: FedEx dinged me with a $75 bill in the mail a week later because the delivery driver used the lift gate. Wth!] The pallet shipped from Great Neck Saw in Memphis, TN:

AC Hydraulic WJN5 Hydraulic Workshop Crane

AC Hydraulic WJN5 Hydraulic Workshop Crane

www.mobiledistributorsupply.com

The ACH WJN5 crane (specs here) takes up literally half the floor space when folded, compared to the typical Harbor Freight-style folding 2-tonner (link). Many other Chinese-made cranes appear identical to the HF design, but the ACH design is unique. It is REALLY nice quality. I need to get better photos to upload to my website, but a teaser is below. I assume this is a fire sale by the importer to dump inventory, so YMMV, yadda yadda...

 

[500AMM]

Not to kill the fun, but does that tiny crane really carry 550 kg on a fully extended jib and have stability to be safely rolled around on the floor without tipping over? The M119 may not be that heavy, but be careful!

 

[gsxr]

The weight limit gradually reduces as the arm is extended. See photo below. Fully extended, it is rated for 350kg / 770 lbs. A fully loaded M119 should be under 550 lbs, and under 500 lbs without accessories (AC compressor, etc).

Also, I suspect ACH may either accurately rate their tools, or under-rate them, compared to the typical Chinese/Harbor-Freight crane. While the HF crane claims 4000 lbs not extended and 1000 lbs fully extended, I wouldn't want to get anywhere near those limits with HF. It's interesting that the HF crane drops off in rated capacity dramatically as it extends (100% --> 25%) while ACH does not (100% --> 64%).

 

[500AMM]

Take those calcs with a grain of salt, because one thing is a static load - while moving the crane around loaded is a different thing. Does the instructions say that the crane can be rolled in any direction fully loaded with a fully extended jib?? I bet my SuperMerc on that it is not clarely stated anywhere in the user manual. The crane will be flexing and twisting, so be careful!

 

[gsxr]

Good question about static vs moving! I don't think they published specs for load when rolling, only a warning to not have the load lifted high when rolling:

 

[ace10]

Under 5 bills for a quality, name brand hoist seems like a steal!

I've had this AC high-lift floor jack for nearly 20 years. It's been rock solid. Wouldn't hesitate to buy something made by them.

 

[gerryvz]

That Stertil Koni address on your AC jack is about a mile or so from where I moor my boat. Interesting!

 

[gsxr]

Anyone who missed the party, you're out of luck. The deal was still active through spring 2023, but Mobile Distributor Supply has removed the engine crane from their catalog now. It is also removed from the AutoZone tool catalog as well.


You can still get the Harbor Fright 2-tonner for a hundred bucks more though!

2 Ton-Capacity Foldable Shop Crane

Amazing deals on this 2T Foldable Shop Crane at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[gsxr]

Pelican is having a "clearance" sale on their VL6 under-hoist / high-lift transmission jack. $420 is the lowest price I've seen anywhere. Shipping cost varies widely, as low as $50 to SoCal, as high as $135 to Montana. Most areas are probably $75-$100 shipping.

You'd want to pair this with the matching AS-1 saddle, sold separately, $420 delivered from RME (link) or $499 from Pelican. Total would be around $1k for both, but this is really nice stuff made in Denmark, not SuperChinaSpecial.

AC Hydraulic Transmission Jack TOL.VL6 TOLVL6 TOL VL6 | Pelican Parts

AC Hydraulic Transmission Jack 1300 pound capacity InStock Ships Today! $523.00. Call (310)626-8765. May Qualify For FREE SHIPPING. Parts# TOL VL6 TOL.VL6 TOLVL6.

www.pelicanparts.com

 

[Alphasud40]

I purchased this transmission jack a while back. I prefer a 2 stage because it makes it easier to offload if you are working solo. I have a hydraulic load table that I can raise and slide it from the jack to the table.

Weaver® W-1200 2-Stage Transmission Jack

This Weaver W-1200 2-Stage Transmission Jack comes with a universal saddle, quick action foot pump, & quick release valve. 1 person operation. Shop now!

www.derekweaver.com

 

[gsxr]

I purchased this transmission jack a while back. I prefer a 2 stage because it makes it easier to offload if you are working solo. I have a hydraulic load table that I can raise and slide it from the jack to the table.

Excellent point... I also have a hydraulic load table. I need to compare the lowest lift of the VL6 to the highest of the table and see if they line up or not. Based on the specs of both, I think it will be close.

The Weaver W-1200 looks really nice overall, except for the universal saddle. My previous jack had a nearly identical saddle with the 4 adjustable metal "ears" and chains. It was awful to use, at least with 722 transmissions on Mercedes. The low-rise feature of the Weaver is pretty slick.

The AC AS-1 saddle is $$$ but I am hoping it will work better. I should find out in a few months, I have to pull the transmission out of my wife's E420. You could probably use the AS-1 with the Weaver jack, if the Weaver post is 30mm or 60mm diameter. Note the AS-1 is HEAVY... almost 40 pounds, just for the saddle! It's a seriously beefy unit. I was very surprised by that when I received it.


Weaver saddle:



AC Hydraulic AS-1 saddle:

Gearbox saddle - AS1

Gearbox saddle for passenger vehicles. Can be mounted on all Ø30 and Ø60 mm pistons. Fitted with 2 straps and 2 rubber cushions with magnets.

www.achydraulic.com

 

[Alphasud40]

I agree the saddle sucks. I removed the ears for a flat surface and I use a ratchet strap to cinch it down. Sometimes sketch if I’m dropping a transmission transfer case combo.

 

[jnes]

Take those calcs with a grain of salt, because one thing is a static load - while moving the crane around loaded is a different thing. Does the instructions say that the crane can be rolled in any direction fully loaded with a fully extended jib?? I bet my SuperMerc on that it is not clarely stated anywhere in the user manual. The crane will be flexing and twisting, so be careful!

View attachment 156473

Old thread but, I think that AC knows what they are doing. I have this lift also and I pulled out my ex daily driver engine-tranny-subframe triplet and move it without any issues. Can't remember anymore if the jib was fully extended or not but the lift was rock solid.

I bet that if you're pulling out the engine there is no need to move the lift or turn it much. I think that the idea is that when the lift is fully extended you just pull off the engine and then lower it to engine stand or cargo pallet. If you need to move more lift than usually, then lower it. It is same as forklifts do in the warehouse. They don't drive fully extended hoist when the pallet is loaded on.

Good question about static vs moving! I don't think they published specs for load when rolling, only a warning to not have the load lifted high when rolling:

View attachment 156475

Dave, have you used that lift for pulling the engine+transmission out?
Any issues with using that?

 

[gsxr]

Dave, have you used that lift for pulling the engine+transmission out?
Any issues with using that?

Jnes, I have not yet used the WJN5 lift to pull an engine out of a car. I only got the lift fairly recently, and haven't done any engine swaps.

Also, for the W124, I drop the transmission out the bottom separately, then pull the engine out the top. I find it's not much more work to do it this way, and this eliminates the steep angle needed to pull engine+transmission out together. I think it was Steve Geyer who schooled me on that trick? Works great.

Side note - I wish the WJN5EUR was available here in the USA. When both the lift AND engine stand have V-shaped legs, they don't go together nicely. The WJN5EUR has wide, square legs designed to go around a wooden pallet, but this should also wrap around V-legs of an engine stand. I'm 99.44% certain I could just swap the "square" legs to my crane, but I have a feeling buying the legs separately would cost more than I paid for the entire crane.




This photo shows the problem with Harbor Fright units, but the concept is the same with the WJN5 crane trying to lower an engine onto any stand with V-legs:

 

[500AMM]

Old thread but, I think that AC knows what they are doing. I have this lift also and I pulled out my ex daily driver engine-tranny-subframe triplet and move it without any issues. Can't remember anymore if the jib was fully extended or not but the lift was rock solid.

@jnes, that's a good testimonial!

I guess it's just me, I'm a bit paranoic when seeing such equipment. After working with welding & materials my entire life, you learn that the word "trust" doesn't exist in that business - it is all about solid proof and documentation...but even though...