Harbor Freight Ramps

[bikerbillone]

These Harbor Freight ramps look good for greasing the ujoints on the Road Smith and under machine inspection. Anyone tried doing the diff (pumpkin) oil change with the HF ramps.? The filler plug looks very tight under there. I think it would not work since the machine would not be level. Obviously wouldn't work for a wheel pull.

http://m.harborfreight.com/magnum-16...ock-67722.html

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks to you. Jim, I didn't know, I'll be making a trip there myself. Another item I can put in Road Smith barn.....Just what I need, can't find half the stuff in there now.

 

[Lucky]

Think I will get a set of these. Looks like a reasonable price for a useful product. ThumbUp

 

[Shimpy]

I made 3 of those to elevate the trike and keep it level. The one on the front wheel has a stop to keep from going too far forward and I use a block on the rear of that wheel to keep it from going back. I made these to do oil changes because since triking my pan didn't fit under due to the rake kit lowering the front.

It doesn't help though for lubing the u joint because the drive shaft has to be turned and that moves the trike several feet.

 

[Woody7]

I have the Harbor Freight steel ramps. They are about 1 inch higher than the one's shown.

 

[bikerbillone]

I made 3 of those to elevate the trike and keep it level. The one on the front wheel has a stop to keep from going too far forward and I use a block on the rear of that wheel to keep it from going back. I made these to do oil changes because since triking my pan didn't fit under due to the rake kit lowering the front.

It doesn't help though for lubing the u joint because the drive shaft has to be turned and that moves the trike several feet.

If the wheels are chocked and the hand brake on, can't you put it in neutral and spin the drive to expose the grease fittings?

 

[Mick]

With my Lehman up on ramps and the front tire chocked I use a scissor jack on one side of the axle to raise the tire to spin the driveshaft until the grease fitting is clear. The scissor jack works well under the engine if you need more clearance while changing oil also.

 

[bikerbillone]

I'm beginning question the value of the ramps. I have the roll floor jack I can run up one wheel at a time to do whatever. No problem working oil change with the floor jack either. Maybe someone can convince me the ramps will be some practical use. Even if I use them on the car, then the front end it high and the oil may not drain completely.

 

[Mick]

With the ramps I guess its all in the perspective on how you would use them. I have a straight axle so I use the ramps for differential oil changes and drive axle greasing. I also get underneath her in the spring and fall and check out the kit for any leaks and issues. Along with the ramps I also have a set of hydraulic jack stands that once on the ramps I put her up on the jack stands to raise her when doing brakes and brake bleeding. Im getting too old to be crawling all over the floor so I bring her up so I can sit while working. With my cars I never had a draining issue for oil with the ramps so in my case the ramps have always been a good tool to have around.

 

[Ed Hobgood]

I've used these type of ramps all my life. I only change oil on my trike now but I really like the two piece ramps. I use my ramps mainly before I go out on a long ride to check out everything underneath.

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks Mick, I'll never know until I get these ramps and give it a shot. It may work fine with the car and the drain will be good. Would also mean I'd get the machine up high enough to check the underside, maybe even figure out how to get to that fill plug. I have the 20% discount, so it's not the end of the world if they don't work out. Hey, to get that bad boy a little even, if necessary, the roll jack under the front end could pretty much accomplish that. So maybe you have convinced me, thanks again.

 

[Phu Cat]

I've seen ramps real similar at Wallyworld for about the same money. They look like you could park a mack truck on them. I had built my own a few years back to get under the back to the Tglide. Also it makes draining the oil filter easier with the right rear tire up on a ramp. My bike also has the engine oil drain plug near the left front corner. If Mother Harley knew they were making something this easy for us they'd have done things differently.

PC

 

[slick rick]

I'm beginning question the value of the ramps. I have the roll floor jack I can run up one wheel at a time to do whatever. No problem working oil change with the floor jack either. Maybe someone can convince me the ramps will be some practical use. Even if I use them on the car, then the front end it high and the oil may not drain completely.

Bill my friend it's according to how much gut you have I have to use ramps or get stuck

 

[Phu Cat]

Even if I use them on the car, then the front end it high and the oil may not drain completely.

Bill, would it help to raise the rear end of the car at the same time so you're back to level again? We never get all the old oil out an oil change any way.

PC

 

[Mick]

The one thing I forgot to add in my other post is the nice thing about the plastic ramps is because theyre not as heavy as wooden ones I have them hanging on hooks on the wall out of the way. And I want to say theyre 3 ton ramps so I dont worry about the trike on top of them.

 

[bikerbillone]

Bill my friend it's according to how much gut you have I have to use ramps or get stuck

Good one slick.....I bit the silver bullet and got the ramps this morning, looks like a good investment. At 20% off I figured it wasn't gonna get any better, also got a free LED which will come in very handy. I'll be out there soon with two of the three wheels on those ramps, see how it works in the real world.

- - - Updated - - -

Even if I use them on the car, then the front end it high and the oil may not drain completely.

Bill, would it help to raise the rear end of the car at the same time so you're back to level again? We never get all the old oil out an oil change any way.

PC

Hmmm Phu, interesting concept, maybe get another set of the auto ramps for the rear later if this doesn't work for the auto.

 

[Shimpy]

If the wheels are chocked and the hand brake on, can't you put it in neutral and spin the drive to expose the grease fittings?

Won't work because the drive shaft is still connected to the rear end and if you turn it the wheels turn. Putting it in neutral only disconnects it from the the other end.

- - - Updated - - -

With my Lehman up on ramps and the front tire chocked I use a scissor jack on one side of the axle to raise the tire to spin the driveshaft until the grease fitting is clear. The scissor jack works well under the engine if you need more clearance while changing oil also.

I'm going to try that next time to spin the driveshaft........thanks.

 

[bikerbillone]

Well, that screws the pooch.

 

[garyloos]

I just bought 2 sets today so I could also raise the front to level the trike. Haven't used them yet but put them together and ready.

 

[Big Juice]

And you can use the 4th one to "get off, or get on" your trike when it's on the ramps (at least that is what I would use it for, I got short legs and a fat gut).

 

[ymxbgnf]

I have been using a set for a while, work great just had to put down some old carpet to keep ramps from sliding on concrete when diving up on

 

[desertclassic]

Would love to see a picture of a trike on the ramps. I am not sure how it would be getting the triglide on the ramps. Jim

 

[Shimpy]

Would love to see a picture of a trike on the ramps. I am not sure how it would be getting the triglide on the ramps. Jim

I made mine with a long slope angle making it a gradual angle to get it up. My slopes are removable so to make them not in the way for maintance, especially the front wheel, and easier storage. Mine rise 5" and is plenty for me to do oil changes. The front ramp has a stop on the end so as not to go too far.

 

[desertclassic]

Thanks Shimpy. I think I need something, just not sure what. I will explore things a bit. Jim