EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
   
  We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts", and the
use of our reports dated May 15, 1998 in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-53759) and related Prospectus of Columbus McKinnon
Corporation for the registration of $200,000,000 of its senior subordinated
notes.     
 
  We also consent to the incorporation by reference therein of our report
dated November 21, 1997 (except Note 11, as to which the date is February 13,
1998) with respect to the Consolidated Financial Statements of LICO, Inc. and
Subsidiaries included in the Current Report dated April 9, 1998 (Form 8-K) of
Columbus McKinnon Corporation filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.
 
                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Buffalo, New York
   
June 30, 1998