T-REX XL360 Series II 800kg Electric Hoist Crane: Workshop & Vehicle Lifting Guide
The T-REX XL360 Series II is a 12V electrically powered lifting crane designed for installation on a suitably engineered vehicle, frame, plate or fixed workshop mounting.
Its headline 800kg figure requires the double-pulley configuration. The maximum published single-pulley capacity is 500kg.
The crane also provides a telescopic boom, manual 360-degree rotation and an electric winch controlled through a wired hand controller.
The most important buying consideration is not simply whether the crane itself is rated to lift the intended load. The mounting structure, fasteners, electrical supply, lifting accessories and load-control system must all be suitable.
Testing statement: Firebusters has not personally tested, installed or operated the T-REX XL360 Series II. This guide is based on the current supplier listing, product manual and Australian lifting-safety guidance.
Verified Specifications
| Brand | T-REX |
| Model | XL360 Series II |
| SKU | LFTHSTTRXB0XL |
| Power supply | 12V DC |
| Single-pulley capacity | Maximum 500kg |
| Double-pulley capacity | Maximum 800kg |
| Maximum lift height | Manual lists 1940mm base-to-hook; retailer material commonly describes this as approximately 2m |
| Maximum reach | Manual lists approximately 1490mm from centre of rotation |
| Rotation | 360° manual |
| Control cable | 6.6m retailer-listed switch cable |
| Winch cable | Manual lists approximately 4.8–5.4mm diameter and 4.5m maximum length |
| Product weight | Current supplier lists 56.3kg; manual states approximately 60kg |
| Current supplier dimensions | Approximately 25.2 × 167 × 120cm |
| Overload protection | Protection interrupts operation following overload or overheating; manual states it generally resets after about 30 seconds |
800kg Requires the Double-Pulley Configuration
The crane should not be described simply as an “800kg crane” without explaining the pulley arrangement.
The published limits are:
- Single pulley: maximum 500kg
- Double pulley: maximum 800kg
The double-pulley arrangement mechanically increases lifting capability by gearing down the winch. The trade-off is reduced cable movement for each rotation of the winch motor.
The manual also instructs the operator to position the boom extension and secondary pulley according to the weight being lifted.
The Mounting Structure Is Part of the Lifting System
This is probably the most important part of the guide.
The T-REX manual says the crane must be mounted to a suitable:
- plate
- frame
- or solid concrete floor
before it is used.
It further states that the mounting surface must be capable of withstanding the stresses produced by the crane and supporting a minimum of 1000kg.
That does not mean that any ute tray labelled “1000kg payload” is automatically an acceptable crane mounting point.
Vehicle payload capacity and local structural capacity at a crane base are different engineering questions.
The manual also warns installers to check for hidden components, including brake lines, before drilling or fastening the crane.
Mounting Bolts Are an Important Detail
Current retail specifications state that high-tensile fasteners are required to secure the crane and are not supplied.
This means “mounting hardware included” should not be used as a blanket statement.
The crane itself contains assembly hardware for its components, but the fasteners connecting the crane base to the vehicle, structure or foundation need to suit the particular installation.
Do not substitute general-purpose bolts simply because they fit the holes.
12V Does Not Mean Low Electrical Demand
This crane operates from 12V DC, but it is a high-current electrical load.
There is an important documentation difference:
- The product manual lists the winch motor as 12V DC / 90A.
- Some current Australian retail listings state approximately 125A.
Because of that difference, Firebusters would not recommend sizing wiring, connectors, protection or a battery installation from an assumed current figure taken from one advertisement.
The manual specifies connection to an appropriate 12V DC source such as a vehicle battery or suitable power supply.
No Published Conventional Duty Cycle Was Found
The generated draft correctly identified duty cycle as something that needed verification.
We could not locate a conventional published duty-cycle figure such as “5 minutes on / 10 minutes off” or an S3 percentage in the available XL360 Series II manual.
The manual does, however, say that its overload protector can interrupt the crane when:
- the crane is overloaded, or
- the winch becomes too hot for safe use.
The protector generally resets after approximately 30 seconds.
For frequent production lifting, ask the supplier to confirm the intended operating cycle before purchase.
360-Degree Rotation Has an Important Limitation
The boom can rotate manually through 360 degrees.
That makes it possible to position the boom towards different loading or unloading areas around the mounting point.
However, the manual specifically warns against rotating the boom during lifting because of the risk of serious injury.
In other words, 360-degree rotation should not be interpreted as permission to freely swing a heavy suspended load while simultaneously raising it.
Follow the manufacturer’s exact positioning and rotation procedure and keep suspended loads controlled.
Cable and Hook Inspection
The manual specifies a steel winch cable approximately 4.8–5.4mm in diameter and states that it must not be extended beyond the red warning line.
Before each use, inspect for:
- fraying
- kinking
- broken strands
- corrosion
- damage to the hook
- loose fasteners
- misaligned or binding components
- abnormal winch operation
The manual also instructs users to lubricate the cable when first using the crane and keep the pulleys appropriately lubricated.
Use Rated Slings, Shackles and Other Lifting Gear
The crane’s load rating is only one element in a safe lifting system.
The manual instructs operators to attach loads securely using lifting equipment such as:
- chains
- shackles
- hooks
- lifting slings
with a rated capacity suitable for the load being lifted.
Do not use unmarked ropes, general-purpose straps or unknown hardware simply because they appear strong enough.
Keep People Clear of Suspended Loads
WorkSafe Victoria warns that lifting and suspended-load incidents can result in fatal and serious injuries.
For workplace use, lifting tasks should be planned so people do not stand or pass beneath a suspended load.
Practical controls include:
- establishing a clear lifting area
- keeping unnecessary people out of the load path
- planning where the load will be landed before lifting
- knowing the load weight
- using appropriate rated lifting attachments
- keeping the load under control
- never placing yourself beneath a suspended load
The wired controller provides some separation from the winch itself, but it does not remove the need for an exclusion zone.
Vehicle Installation vs Fixed Workshop Installation
| Installation | Main considerations |
|---|---|
| Ute or truck | Tray/subframe strength, connection to vehicle structure, payload effects, stability, electrical supply and load position |
| Fixed steel frame | Frame capacity, foundation, fasteners, local reinforcement and load path |
| Solid concrete mounting | Concrete capacity, thickness, condition, edge distances and suitable anchoring system |
A crane rated to 800kg does not automatically make the structure underneath it capable of safely supporting an 800kg suspended load.
Who Might Consider the XL360 Series II?
Potential fit
- Engine and machinery handling
- Farm or rural-property loading
- Workshop lifting from an engineered mounting
- Ute or truck installations designed for the crane loads
- Users needing 12V-powered lifting rather than manual winching
Think twice if
- your tray or structure has no verified lifting capacity
- you expect 800kg capacity in single-pulley mode
- you need continuous production lifting
- your electrical system cannot support high-current 12V equipment
- you need greater than approximately 2m lift height
- you need to move suspended loads freely around people
Maintenance
The manual recommends checking the crane before each use.
Items include:
- loose hardware
- cracked or damaged parts
- binding or misalignment
- winch operation
- frayed, kinked or damaged cable
The boom tube should also be lubricated periodically, particularly if rotation becomes difficult, and the winch’s moving components and cable require appropriate lubrication.
Repairs beyond the maintenance procedures described by the manufacturer should be carried out by an appropriately qualified technician.
Before You Buy
- Confirm the exact model: XL360 Series II / LFTHSTTRXB0XL.
- Know your maximum load: 500kg single pulley or 800kg double pulley.
- Check boom and pulley configuration: Follow the load-position instructions supplied with the crane.
- Verify the mounting structure: The manual requires a suitable surface capable of supporting at least 1000kg and the stresses generated by the crane.
- Plan the fasteners: High-tensile crane-to-structure mounting bolts are not necessarily supplied.
- Check electrical supply: Documentation differs on exact operating current, so use the requirements supplied with the actual unit.
- Assess lift height and reach: Manual figures are approximately 1.94m lift height and 1.49m maximum reach.
- Consider frequency of operation: No conventional duty-cycle rating was located in the available documentation.
- Plan the exclusion zone: Nobody should be beneath or unnecessarily close to a suspended load.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact model?
The current unit is the T-REX XL360 Series II, SKU LFTHSTTRXB0XL.
Can it lift 800kg on a single cable?
No. The maximum published single-pulley capacity is 500kg. The 800kg maximum requires the double-pulley configuration.
How high can it lift?
The manual states approximately 1940mm from the crane base to the hook. Current retail advertising commonly rounds this to approximately 2m.
How far does the boom reach?
The manual lists approximately 1490mm maximum reach from the centre of rotation.
Does the boom rotate 360 degrees?
Yes, manually. However, the manual warns against rotating the boom during lifting. Follow the specified positioning and rotation procedure.
Can I simply bolt it to a ute tray?
No assumption should be made. The manual requires a suitable mounting structure capable of supporting a minimum of 1000kg and the stresses generated by the crane. The tray, subframe and vehicle structure all need to be suitable.
What current does it draw?
The available documentation is inconsistent. The manual lists 12V DC / 90A, while some current Australian retail listings state 125A. Follow the electrical specification and wiring supplied with the actual unit.
Does it have overload protection?
Yes. The manual states that the protection can interrupt operation during overload or excessive temperature and generally resets after approximately 30 seconds.
Is that a 30-second duty cycle?
No. The overload-protector reset time should not be interpreted as a published duty-cycle rating.
Has Firebusters tested the crane?
No. Firebusters has not personally tested, installed or operated the XL360 Series II.
Final Assessment
The T-REX XL360 Series II offers a useful combination of electric winching, telescopic reach and manual boom rotation for vehicle or workshop lifting.
But the headline 800kg figure needs context. It applies to the double-pulley configuration, while single-pulley capacity is limited to 500kg.
The installation is equally important. The manual requires the mounting surface to support a minimum of 1000kg and withstand the stresses generated during lifting.
The electrical system also deserves attention. This is high-current 12V equipment, and published documentation does not completely agree on the exact current figure.
Our recommendation: consider the XL360 Series II where the lifting task, mounting structure and electrical system can all be properly verified. Do not purchase it on the assumption that an 800kg crane can simply be bolted to any ute tray or workshop bench.
Research Sources
- T-REX XL360 Series II product manual
- Edisons current T-REX XL360 Series II product specifications
- Current Australian retailer specifications
- WorkSafe Victoria guidance on lifting and suspended loads
- Safe Work Australia crane and vehicle-loading-crane guidance
Research checked September 2026. Specifications and supplier information can change.
General information only. Firebusters has not personally tested this product. Installation, workplace use and lifting operations should comply with the current manufacturer instructions and applicable Australian requirements.
