An engine crane is a common repair tool used in vehicle repair shops to remove or install gasoline or diesel engine

Diesel engine

A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...

s in small and crowded vehicle engine compartments. It uses a heavy cantilevered support structure to hold the engine in mid-air so that the mechanic can carefully connect or disconnect fragile hoses and wires on the engine to the frame of the vehicle.

Engine cranes are typically mounted on large casters so than an engine can be lifted straight up out of an engine compartment and then rolled away from the immobile vehicle frame.

The engine crane is commonly used in combination with the engine stand

Engine stand

An engine stand is a tool commonly used to repair large heavy gasoline or diesel engines. It uses a heavy cantilevered support structure to hold the engine in midair so that the mechanic has access to any exposed surface of the engine....

so that the removed engine can be rotated in midair to provide access to underside surfaces of the engine.