CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in 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 of our report dated November 21, 1997
(except for 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
this Current Report (Form 8-K) dated April 9, 1998.


                                        /s/Ernst & Young LLP



Kansas City, Missouri
April 9, 1998