Exhibit 23.1


                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in (a) the Registration  Statement
(Form S-8 No.  333-3212)  pertaining to the Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation 1995
Incentive  Stock Option Plan, the Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation  Non-Qualified
Stock Option Plan, the Columbus McKinnon  Corporation  Restricted Stock Plan and
the Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation  Employee Stock  Ownership Plan  Restatement
Effective  April  1,  1989  of  Columbus   McKinnon   Corporation  and  (b)  the
Registration  Statement  (Form  S-8 No.  333-81719)  pertaining  to the  Options
assumed  by  Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation  originally  granted  under  the GL
International,  Inc.  1997 Stock Option Plan and the Larco  Industrial  Services
Ltd.  1997 Stock Option Plan of our report  dated May 12, 2000,  with respect to
the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  financial  statement  schedule of
Columbus McKinnon Corporation included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended March 31, 2000.

                                                     /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Buffalo, New York
June 29, 2000