Help with building a lift table 1

[henrydavid]

My new workplace has a couple of Pentalift hydraulic lift tables in their warehouse. I am planning to build something like that myself in my garage. My purpose is to lift my Harley-Davidson for maintenance and checkup. I am looking for some advice and suggestions for doing that. What all safety measures must be added when building something like that for lifting a heavy motorcycle?

 

[Jboggs]

No 1 safety rule: Buy it from someone who has already been through the failure and rebuild process enough times to refine their design to be reliable. You're talking about the potential for very significant human injury here, and not just yourself. Do you have kids? Do your neighbors?

 

[IRstuff]

eBays sells lifts for relatively cheap:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-...911?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4196f63467

Your cite seems to be gross overkill for what you've described as the application.

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[Dougt115]

Guessing you want this to be your project or as mentioned you could just buy one.

Here are a few safety issues to think about:
1) Stability, either a wide base or bolted to the floor.
2) Plenty of overhead room.
3) Access ramp to get the bike on the ramp. Don't expect to drive it on or you may end up on America's Funniest Videos.
4) Rugged fixture for the bike, not only to keep the bike in position but allow you to push and pull while working on it.
5) Positive position lock, assume it will collapse. But not so accessible as to be disengaged by accident.
6) Factor of safety of at least 2X of max load (bike, you and your future bike) if your bike weighs 2000lbs build for 4000 lbs.
7) Positive safety lock, when not in use no one else can activate it.
8) Simple control design, if you need help you don't want to have to explain it or mistake up for down.
9) Controls and locking device accessible from a safe distance.
10) Emergency shutoff, if powered.
11) Travel limit indicators, so that you do not exceed the safe range of operation.
12) Pressure indicator on the bottom face, to prevent crushing.

 

[SnTMan]

Well, you could buy one of these,

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/lifts-stands.html

and as a project, keep it functioning

Regards,

Mike

 

[KENAT]

Does it have to be a lift or can it be a hoist of some kind?

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[1gibson]

SnTMan beat me to it. Harbor freight, step 1 take out of box, step 2 re-tighten all the bolts.

 

[BrianPetersen]

Never design or build something that you can buy pre-engineered off the shelf. Someone else has already dealt with all the design issues; why re-invent the wheel?

 

[KENAT]

Gee, maybe because if your time is free, and it might be a chance for you to play with your power tools...?

Don't get me wrong, on something like this the safety needs to be carefully considered but there are reasons to consider doing so.

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[IRstuff]

If the OP is just dead set on building something, there are plans for sale:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-...RZR-/121667320016?hash=item1c53eff8d0&vxp=mtr

Supposedly, the seller has been selling since 2008

TTFN
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