Homemade Lifts

[jjvw]

Not all of us can afford a $1000+ lift.

Let's see what the more imaginative of us have come up with in homemade lifts. Even if it’s 2x6s and cement blocks or 2x4s and plywood. Maybe our ideas can help save a few of us from laying down on the job.





Heres mine. Just some square tubing and angle welded together, powered by a Harbor Freight hydraulic cylinder. Originally with a plywood deck, later replaced with scrap diamond plate. Deck pieces can be removed for better access. Original cost in 2015 was $300 including a $99 HF flux Wire Welder. Diamond plate added another $150.

I’m lucky we have a used metal place within 15 miles that also sells discounted steel at wholesale prices.







If I did it again, I would do a scissor design



It might even be possible to just bolt it together but the welder came in handy so often, I upgraded to a $300 Eastwood.

 

[CrystalPistol]

I looked at lifts, but I didn't have the place to put one. I wanted something to use where I parked the trike in the "Trike Room" … so I built three blocks to put under the tires that are 6" high, I also made "ramps" for the two larger rear ones that are detachable once in place if desired. The front block is 6" wide and has a area in the center with strips on the edges to locate the tire dead center. 6" higher is like doubling ground clearance, makes for easy oil changes and even cleaning access underneath, I usually jacked the trike to put up onto blocks, but used ramp for backing rear off once front wheel was on the ground. If pulling wheels off, I used jack stands so the suspension was dropped anyway.

 

[kodiak198]

Good idea for a thread. As you say, might help some of us with ideas.

A question for the OP, not being critical by any means, how did/do you determine the lift weight capacity? Maybe I am overthinking this?

 

[BIG DENNY]

Trike Dollie

I went to Harber Freight bought 3 furniture dollies put trike on them and can now work on trike and move it were ever I want with ezee.

 

[jjvw]

I leave the trike parked on the lift and my truck sits outside. The HF lifts are only 26 x 86 x 29 high, made out of stamped china steel, foot operated and are rated at 1000# . Mine is 1/8 inch steel, 56 x 100 and raise 38 inches, powered by 8000# air/hydraulic. Even with my amateur welds it should be good for more than 1500#.

I can remove panels or use a center jack to raise either end to change wheels or get more clearance.

 

[kodiak198]

Ok, I think I understand. You simply used better/stronger material etc., therefore your lift should exceed the weight ratings at HF. Thanks for reply. BTW, I like your lift. I wish I had welding abilities. I do well glueing two sticks together.

 

[jjvw]

Here are a couple more threads on lifts.

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/26004-Trike-Lift-Table-Opinions-Please

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/45179-Goldwing-Trike-LIfts

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/45179-Goldwing-Trike-LIfts

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/34039-MC-lift-table

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/34039-MC-lift-table

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/10569-lift-table

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/32321-Jacking-a-Tri-Glide

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/16702-New-Lift-for-my-Tri-Glide

 

[jjvw]

Ok, I think I understand. You simply used better/stronger material etc., therefore your lift should exceed the weight ratings at HF. Thanks for reply. BTW, I like your lift. I wish I had welding abilities. I do well glueing two sticks together.

Easy and cheap with a wire welder and flux core wire and 110V power.

 

[GrandpaDave]

This is what I use to service my trike and it's worked well. When driving on I place a wooden block on the cement blocks just for safety while driving on. Once on the ramps I can remove the drive up ramps to make service easy.

 

[GClev]

GrandpaDave, this is a great design! Most lifts lift the trike but don't provide clearance between the lift floor and the underside of the trike. For trikes with ground effects, it's even more difficult to gain access to change oil, etc.