Handling a Cycle Lift

[sign216]

I am buying a motorcycle lift in preparation for a garage that's  being built. I'm wondering how to handle the 500 pound lift, re moving it about beforehand.

The lift is being delivered by truck with a tailgate and I was going to have them put it onto a dolly. But the dolly's caster wheels are small, it might be rough going over my driveway, since the surface isn't smooth and level.

Any better ideas?

[pyoungbl]

Lay out 3/4" plywood for the dolly to ride on.  Two furniture dollies would work just fine and spread the load across eight points of contact.  I have moved a TR6 and an MGB-GT using four furniture dollies...on concrete.

[Cam3512]

2-3 guys should handle it.  Just tip the drivers some cash to move it where you want.

[Spuddy]

MGB-GT

What a beautiful car.  Better looking than the roadster...

Spud

[biking sailor]

If you have a pickup or trailer, just have the truck lift gate drop it to trailer or truck bed level, slide it off in there, then move to garage. Once near garage you can unload it one end at a time, uncrate it, and finish putting together.  Is it the portable type with wheels?

[Moto]

2-3 guys should handle it.  Just tip the drivers some cash to move it where you want.

 :1: That's what I did when taking delivery of my Handy Lift, which is claimed to weigh 316 lbs. What lift weighs 500 lbs?

[redrider]

I assembled mine in the driveway and rolled it into the garage.

[sign216]

I've decided on a Redline "light" duty lift:  http://www.redlinestands.com/catalog/motorcycle-lifts-lifting-tables-c-290_110_111/redline-ld1k-light-duty-motorcycle-lift-table-p-1142

Shipping weight is 380 lbs.  The weight sounds sort-of-manageable, but the small wheels on the castors can be a bear on anything but the most perfect of surfaces.  And my driveway is rough.

I've haven't placed the order yet.  Redline lifts seem okay to all of you?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Looks like my HF with a good vise and a different cylinder. <shrug> Structure appears to be the same, though. Wonder if they sell the vise separately?

[sign216]

Looks like my HF with a good vise and a different cylinder. <shrug> Structure appears to be the same, though. Wonder if they sell the vise separately?

Harbor Freight was a consideration, but I decided the price difference vs dealer support, etc, wasn't worth it for a embedded, in cement fixture.

[Noguzznoglory]

I unloaded mine off a trailer by myself by putting a couple of lengths of 2" pvc pipe under it and using them for rollers.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yeah, gravity is a big help with unloading.. 

[acogoff]

     I hear there are these people they call neighbors and most work for beer. Myself, I help neighbors for walleye fillets and deer sausage and beer. All depends on their ability. This week he brought me some cobs of sweet corn, I'm sure there is a project coming up he wants a hand with. All in good fun.

[sign216]

I unloaded mine off a trailer by myself by putting a couple of lengths of 2" pvc pipe under it and using them for rollers.

Isn't that how the Egyptian moved the stones for the Pyramids?   

[jas67]

Isn't that how the Egyptian moved the stones for the Pyramids?

The Egyptians invented PVC pipe?   

[sign216]

The Egyptians invented PVC pipe?   

Yea, I think I saw it on the History Channel. 

[Silver Goose]

Sign 216, Nice lift and a real back saver.  I own two of these lifts and have had them for some time. I will pass along some insights that I have found to be helpful.

1. Apply grease to every moving part. Grease is very expensive in some countries.

2. Make sure you have dry air going into the lift piston, Inexpensive inline units do a very good job.

3. When the lift is down, for loading, it is possible that the front of the lift will move. The movement is caused by the over center of the lift top in relation to the frame. The first time I loaded my bike the lift table dipped down throwing me slightly off balance, almost dropped the bike. I installed two 5" casters to the bottom of the lift table, now the table cannot drop while loading.

4.I changed the tire lock for one that I can drive into and it locks the front wheel. The tire lock style will hold the bike until you can secure the straps.

5. I use plastic car wheel ramps on either side of the lift when loading or unloading the bike, that table can seem, and is, very narrow.

Hope you can use some of the tips and you will discover your own.

Good Luck   

[tool flinger]

I've haven't placed the order yet.  Redline lifts seem okay to all of you?

You might want to check this one out.  It looks sturdier than the Redline and dealer isn't too far from you.

http://www.garybloomsales.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=37

[sign216]

You might want to check this one out.  It looks sturdier than the Redline and dealer isn't too far from you.

http://www.garybloomsales.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=37

Looks like they are selling lifts by Ranger, which I think are chinese.   For a similar price the Redline lift is American made with a 1 yr warranty.

[Noguzznoglory]

yes,gravity was a big help unloading but i have since moved it all around with those same rollers without the aid of gravity.
and yes, even though they didn't have pvc, simple machines(lever,wheel,inclined plane) IS how the egyptians built the pyramids:    that and a lot of slave labor the modern equivalent of which may be the neighbors/beer paradigm.

[Chuck in Indiana]

yes,gravity was a big help unloading but i have since moved it all around with those same rollers without the aid of gravity.
and yes, even though they didn't have pvc, simple machines(lever,wheel,inclined plane) IS how the egyptians built the pyramids:    that and a lot of slave labor the modern equivalent of which may be the neighbors/beer paradigm.

I was thinking maybe they had help from the aliens.. 

[twhitaker]

aliens..

They had problems with Mexico too?