Table lifts

[Macmatic]

I just wanted to 2nd twr1776's choice of the lift from Greg Smith Equipment. I bought four of those in 2008 when I was fitting out some shop trailers and was very impressed with the quality. Very strong and stable even at full height with a near capacity load and they also have a very positive, solid safety lock.

On the other hand I finally got to look at the 1000 pound unit from HF in person and it looks pretty good too for the money. I'm thinking about one for myself since it would only be up and down a few times a week, not many times a day. It also costs significantly less than the others and is locally available where the GSE lift would require a truck rental and a trip to MD...of course then I could get one of their kick butt Atlas air compressors too. hmm...

/\/\ac

[renobruce]

If any of you go with the Harbor Freight lifts, make sure you sign up with them to get their internet deals. They will send you a 15% off anything coupon that you can print. That will save you 75.00 of the 1200 lb. lift.

One of these days I'll get the 1200 lb. one. I'll wait until it's on sale and then use the coupon.

[Nessism]

Cycle World magazine has a 20% off coupon for HF in the back, not sure if it can be combined with sale prices though but I think so. The magazine also shows that 1000# unit on sale so now might be a good time to get one.

[BIKERTUCKER]

Bought mine yesterday 1200 lb. air lift with extenions. Total cost with tax
$697.48. They had the 1000 lb units in stock, had to order mine. Then I pick it up from them in a week. Im sure I could have done a little better on price did'nt know about the on line 15% deal. Bought extenions because I have it as a goal to ride the bike onto the lift. God willing... I'll still be enjoying this twenty years from now and can't see myself in my 70's jogging a 700+ pound bike onto a lift table. Also wanted to keep it quick and easy to remove and hang assesory's on the wall, lower table and drive my four wheel drive truck over the top of it so the truck can keep it's place in the garage most of the time.( Son in-law's Idea).

Take Care

Tim

[tas850g]

i'm trying to justify why i need one of these. Yes, it would make working on the bike much more convenient but the space it takes along with not using it much makes it a hard decision. I'd rather put the $300+ into the bike than buying a lift.

[renobruce]

i'm trying to justify why i need one of these. Yes, it would make working on the bike much more convenient but the space it takes along with not using it much makes it a hard decision. I'd rather put the $300+ into the bike than buying a lift.

From your signature it looks like you have 2 projects? I would say that would justify one.

[jwegman]

During these past holidays, I was set on getting a Harbor Freight 1000lb lift ($275 w/coupon). Most of the people who've seen them, say they are one of the better motorcycle tool bargins out there.

My nearest HF store is an hour and a half away... As the lift come crated, would have required a trailer to pick it up (my neighbor offered as he was interested in seeing the store). However a week prior to the planed trip to the store, I found an 8 year old Handy airlift table (which are made in Marshalltown, Iowa) for the same money as the HF 1000lb. No brainer for me, I went with the used Handy considering it's beefier construction. The airlift does require an aircompressor...

The lift, combined with a table scissor jack has been a fantastic thing for my needs. My friends are planning on briging their bikes over for wrenching now :O

The typical sentiment of people I've seen after getting a lift is 'why did I wait so long'!

[twr1776]

Yesterday 04:38 PM tas850g i'm trying to justify why i need one of these. Yes, it would make working on the bike much more convenient but the space it takes along with not using it much makes it a hard decision.

If you had a lift you would use it more than you think. I use mine for just about everything.

Yesterday, 08:45 PM jwegman The lift, combined with a table scissor jack has been a fantastic thing for my needs. The typical sentiment of people I've seen after getting a lift is 'why did I wait so long!

+ 1000, with a scissor jack and some good tie down straps you can just about do anything on the lift and the bike will stay stable.

[tkent02]

From your signature it looks like you have 2 projects? I would say that would justify one.

By your logic I need three.
Thanks, Bruce!

[BIKERTUCKER]

Thought I'd write a final small report on the Harbor Freight 1200 lb air lift table I purchased a week ago. I will have to agree with those who say, why did I not do this sooner. In the last three days I have repaired the starter push button assembly. Re- soldered wires on the kickstand switch, removed and hardwired alternator reg/rectifier connector. It is wonderful being able to adjust the bike to the level I want to preform the needed repairs. Sure beats laying/ kneeling on the floor or the combination of floor/ knees/ stool to do the same work. As far as the lift goes, so far I am very pleased. The lift is strong and stable even with my old 1980 fully dressed Goldwing on it. My eighteen year old compressor has no problem preforming it's task of powering the lift. The old goldwing I'm guessing weighs around 640 lbs and the lift could raise it with less than 90 lbs of pressure in the compressor tank. My goal of riding the bikes on the lift using extension wings works very well also. Just like riding them onto my trailer. After a few small modifications that allow me to easily install and remove extensions I can install the extensions and ramp ready to ride up onto the ramp in less than four min. Tear down and ready to park my truck over the top of the lift once again converting the space back into a garage works well also. As of now I'm pleased with quality and function of this lift and expect many years of use.

Take Care

Tim

[Joe Nardy]

Thanks to everyone for the info in this thread. I did some research and purchased the Complete Hydraulics TCMLW lift this weekend. many thanks to twr1776 for spending the day transporting me and the lift. I wanted Tim to check this lift out as he owns the Greg Smith lift and I wanted his opinion on this one vs. the Greg Smith model. He was impressed with the Complete Hydraulics setup and gave his approval. Tim also priced out a similar setup at Greg Smith and it was $200 more than the Complete Hydraulics lift. I guess I'm now, in the words of bwringer, 'sophisticated':



Thanks,
Joe

[Ponderosa]

Alrighty!

Thanks to everyone for the info in this thread. I did some research and purchased the Complete Hydraulics TCMLW lift this weekend. many thanks to twr1776 for spending the day transporting me and the lift. I wanted Tim to check this lift out as he owns the Greg Smith lift and I wanted his opinion on this one vs. the Greg Smith model. He was impressed with the Complete Hydraulics setup and gave his approval. Tim also priced out a similar setup at Greg Smith and it was $200 more than the Complete Hydraulics lift. I guess I'm now, in the words of bwringer, 'sophisticated':



Thanks,
Joe

Nice looking lift! That's the same one I have been drooling over for the last year.. Shipping costs and room have me at a loss.. So as I lie on my garage floor putting the exhaust clamps on, I will look with envy at your new lift... Enjoy! Can I ask what the total cost was with you hauling it? They were right at $800...

[Joe Nardy]

Nice looking lift! That's the same one I have been drooling over for the last year.. Shipping costs and room have me at a loss.. So as I lie on my garage floor putting the exhaust clamps on, I will look with envy at your new lift... Enjoy! Can I ask what the total cost was with you hauling it? They were right at $800...

Ponderosa,

The price was $799 and I had to pay sales tax of $56. My personal transporter, Tim, was impressed with the jack that was included with the lift so I bought him one as payment for his gas, time, and effort. The jack was $59.99 plus sales tax. With sales tax my total bill was just over $900. Not cheap, but my back and knees feel better already!

Thanks,
Joe

[Ponderosa]

Shipping...

Ponderosa,

The price was $799 and I had to pay sales tax of $56. My personal transporter, Tim, was impressed with the jack that was included with the lift so I bought him one as payment for his gas, time, and effort. The jack was $59.99 plus sales tax. With sales tax my total bill was just over $900. Not cheap, but my back and knees feel better already!

Thanks,
Joe

Shipping would cost me another $100, thats what kills my purchase. I am too far away for a pickup, cost me more than that in fuel for a run to an outlet.. I think there is one in Dallas, but that is still 700 miles from me... Oh yea, you will love it, I had a old homemade lift years ago, it was not very portable, and a pain to move around, it had a foot powered hydraulic jack, and very heavy! It was not wide enough to hold my four wheelers either..Sold it, kind of wish I still had it, didn't expect to be working on as many bikes as I am... May rob the wifes stash and get one anyway, but then what is better to have, a motorcycle lift, or my cohones?????

[twr1776]

Ponderosa, Rapid City SD any closer, they have Direct Lifts? http://www.bencostuff.com/

Today 10:19 AM Joe Nardy I guess I'm now, in the words of bwringer, 'sophisticated':

Don't worry Joe we have always thought of you as "sophisticated" with a side order of Krusty.

Seriously though, Joe's lift is very nice and will the included accessories is an excellent deal for what you get IHMO.

Yes the lifts are not cheap to buy but as Joe and I discussed in our 13 hours of "quality" time together Saturday with the amount of time and effort we put into these bikes the last thing I need to enter my mind is the thought of losing a bike off the lift. Either the Complete Motorcycle Lift or the Direct Lift units are both very good heavy duty units IMHO so I would shop them for the best deal and on the accessories they include. The one thing Joe got that I wish I would have when I got mine is the drop table for rear wheel removal. I have since used some "Hoosier "Ingenuity to come up with a good system for dropping the rear tire but it is a nice option to get from the start.