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 G.L.
International Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan and the Larco Industrial Services Ltd.
1997 Stock  Option Plan of our report  dated May 17,  1999,  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, 1999.


                                                    /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Buffalo, New York
June 29, 1999