Sunex SUN2011A 3-Ton Heavy-Duty Shop Crane
Three tons. For the work the 2-ton can't touch — big V8s, diesel engines, transmissions.
3-ton (6,000 lb) heavy-duty shop crane. 2×4-inch tube boom, 2,000 lb at max reach, powered descent hydraulic cylinder, 44-inch base spread. For diesel engines and transmissions.
- 3-ton (6,000 lb) rated capacity at shortest boom
- 2,000 lb capacity at maximum boom extension
- Double-acting hydraulic cylinder — powered lowering (not gravity)
- 2" × 4" heavy-wall rectangular tube boom construction
- 44-inch wide base spread — maximum caster stability
- 6-position adjustable boom
- Anti-shock bumpers on casters
- Ships fully assembled — no setup required
✓ In Stock — Ships in 5-10 business days
| Model | SUN2011A |
| Casters | 4 × 360° locking swivel with anti-shock bumpers |
| Assembly | Ships fully assembled |
| Boom Type | 2" × 4" heavy-wall rectangular tube |
| Base Width | 44 inches |
| Lift Height | 9.5 in (min) to 78 in (max) |
| Unit Weight | 157 lbs (71.2 kg) |
| Manufacturer | Sunex International |
| Boom Positions | 6 |
| Certifications | ASME PALD-2009, CE |
| Hydraulic Type | Double-acting — powered up and down |
| Rated Capacity | 3 ton (6,000 lbs) at min boom / 2,000 lbs at max boom |
Multi-angle views of the Sunex SUN2011A 3-Ton Heavy-Duty Shop Crane. 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?
3-ton vs. 2-ton: the capacity jump matters most for diesel drivetrains and combined engine-transmission lifts. A 6.7L Powerstroke with accessories and flex-plate: ~1,400 lbs. Add a 6R140 transmission: ~350 lbs more. At 1,750 lbs combined, a 2-ton hoist at extended boom reaches its rated limit. The SUN2011A does it with 250 lbs to spare. The double-acting cylinder is the other differentiator — it powers the lowering stroke, which matters when installing an engine into tight mounts where you need precise sub-inch positioning during descent.