2nd Hand Engine Cranes?

[Mole]

Sorry for it not being a direct car question, but its related to engine work as such.
Anyone ever bought a 2nd hand one?
Obviously theres not much to go wrong with one, i guess the hydraulic ram can start leaking, or get damaged.

Reason I ask is there is someone local to me selling a 2nd hand one for £50 and when HSS Hire cost £30 a weekend, I'll benefit from having one on hand all the time, as I have got to pull my engine out again.
Only problem is they don't give much of a description, they just say its a one tonne engine crane.

I'm guessing it'll just be the 'cheapie' clarke one thats in machine mart, so if anyone has used one before and its broken, please let me know, I don't want to spend out £50 and end up with a pile of expensive scrap metal.

Cheers

 

[Djw John]

When me and Djw Dave got our workshop we found an engine crane just sitting in it! We thought it was knackered as you could pull it down quite easily, filled it with new fluid and it works really well, just the same as a trolley jack but bigger! Best bet is get along and see what it looks like, ours is ancient!

 

[Mole]

Yea I'll go have a look at it tomorrow, to be honest, as long as its not pissing out fluid from the ram seals i'll no doubt have it, as I've got to get the engine sorted asap

 

[Mole]

Right, just spoken to the bloke again, its 18 years old, made by a company called Viking and has been used 8 times in its lifetime.

Anyone ever heard of a company called Viking that used to make cranes, and are they good quality

Thought of a good way to test it aswell, i'll take a strap with me and try lifting the front end of my mums car up, and see if it leaks or doesnt hold it for long at a height.