I've used engine hoists to move all sorts of things. One was a complete front axle assembly: A Dana 44 for a Dodge, complete with rotors and calipers.
I had an engine hoist failure ONCE! I was pulling my first Big Block Mopar... a 400 from a 72 Newport. The motor was nearly complete and the 727 was still attached. Just as I had the whole thing out and past the core support, the ram BENT like a boomerang and the whole shebang slammed to the ground! The trans case cracked along the bellhousing and the oil pan was smashed. I was lucky to be clear of the freefall.
At the time I thought that the motor was a 440, which is what I wanted. When I pulled the A/C pump, I found out that it was a 400. Standard bore too. It was the desireable 0230 thick wall 400 block! I paid $175 for the entire car. I sold the bare block for $400!