OTC 1784A 2-Ton Folding Shop Crane with Load Leveler
Professional-grade cherry picker. Load leveler included — tilt the engine before you pull.
2-ton professional shop crane with load leveler included. 6-position boom 46–73 inches, 33-inch wide caster stance, 150% safety factor hydraulic cylinder.
- 2-ton (4,000 lb) rated capacity
- Load leveler included — tilt engine nose-up/down without repositioning
- 6-position boom: 46 to 73 inches — longest reach in class
- 33-inch wide caster stance for stability on uneven floors
- 150% safety factor hydraulic cylinder
- Heavy-wall square tube steel frame
- Folds flat for storage without tools
- 360° swivel casters (two locking)
✓ In Stock — Ships in 5-10 business days
| Frame | Heavy-wall square tube steel |
| Model | 1784A |
| Casters | 4 × 360° swivel, 2 locking |
| Lift Height | 8 in (min) to 78 in (max) |
| Unit Weight | 116 lbs (52.6 kg) |
| Load Leveler | Included — fine-angle adjustment |
| Manufacturer | OTC Tools & Equipment |
| Boom Positions | 6 — from 46 to 73 inches |
| Certifications | ASME PALD-2009 |
| Rated Capacity | 2 ton (4,000 lbs) at min boom / 1,000 lbs at max boom |
| Caster Stance Width | 33 inches |
| Hydraulic Safety Factor | 150% above rated capacity |
Multi-angle views of the OTC 1784A 2-Ton Folding Shop Crane with Load Leveler. Click any image to zoom.
See this class of lift in action. The video below shows installation, real-world operation, and the kind of shop this lift belongs in.
Engine hoists (cherry pickers) use a foot-pedal or hand-pump hydraulic cylinder to raise a chain-hung load from the boom hook. The 6-position adjustable boom lets you set the reach before lifting — shorter for higher capacity, longer for reaching over fenders.
🔧 Boom Position Selection
Select the boom position before lifting. Shorter boom settings provide higher lifting capacity; longer settings reduce capacity proportionally. Verify your engine's total weight (engine + accessories + brackets) against the capacity chart on the boom before attaching the chain.
⬆️ Hydraulic Pump
Foot-pedal or hand pump builds hydraulic pressure to raise the cylinder. Pump in smooth, even strokes. The cylinder rises and lifts the chain load. Stop pumping at your working height — the pressure holds.
⬇️ Precision Release Valve
The release valve controls descent speed. Open slightly for controlled, slow lowering. For engine installation (lowering an engine onto mounts), half-turn increments on the release valve provide inch-per-second descent — precise enough to align engine mounts without a second person.
🔗 Load Leveler Operation
If your hoist includes a load leveler, attach it between the hoist hook and the engine lifting bracket. Turn the adjustment wheel to tilt the engine nose-up or nose-down while airborne. Set the angle before lowering into the engine bay — it's much harder to adjust under load once the engine is partially installed.
⚙️ ASME PALD-2009 Compliance
All shop cranes and engine hoists must comply with ASME PALD-2009 (Portable Automotive Lifting Devices) standard, which specifies minimum capacity ratings, safety factors, test loads, and marking requirements. Look for the ASME PALD marking on the boom's capacity chart decal — it confirms the capacity ratings have been independently verified.
🔗 Rated Chain & Hook Inspection
Inspect the lifting chain and safety hooks before every use. Replace any chain link showing visible deformation, cracking, stretching, or corrosion pitting. The chain should be rated to at least the hoist's maximum capacity. Safety hooks must latch fully closed — a hook with a broken latch is immediately unsafe and must be replaced before use.
⚠️ Capacity Chart Compliance
Never exceed the capacity listed on the boom position decal for your current boom setting. Capacity decreases as the boom extends — typically 2,000 lbs at minimum extension drops to 500–1,000 lbs at maximum extension. Weigh your engine package (engine + transmission if combined) before attaching the chain. Exceeding rated capacity causes hydraulic seal failure and sudden load drop.
🛡️ Load Leveler Safety
When using a load leveler, ensure the attachment points on the engine lifting bracket are rated for the engine's weight at the angle being used. Angled loads create higher forces on the attachment hardware than vertical loads. Never exceed the load leveler's rated capacity, which may be lower than the hoist's own rated capacity — always use the lower of the two ratings.
How does this compare?
The OTC 1784A premium is the load leveler. Budget hoists force you to lower the engine, adjust the chain attachment point, and re-lift — on a tight extraction, that costs you 15 minutes per adjustment. The load leveler does it in 30 seconds with the engine in the air. If you're doing 2+ engine pulls per week, the leveler pays for the price difference in your first month. The wider 73-inch maximum boom reach is also the reason dealership techs choose OTC — Chevy Suburbans and full-size truck engine bays require extra reach that 60-inch budget hoists can't provide.