Wood elevator

[J_J]

I looked at those in HF, but the lift I need has to be wider, to lift the mower wheels on a Dixie Chopper, and be open in the center to change out blades, and belts. My other option was to lift the mower, and slide a 4 legged frame under it.

 

[BHD]

go to Northern and look at lift tables,

Lift Tables | Material Handling | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[smiley]

There was a very simple lift near my house in Fla. that was built with a (measurements are all approximate ), 3" pipe on each side and a 3 ft cage between them that looked like a closed manbasket used with cranes, with larger rings around the pipe welded to the cage as guides. It was raised with an electric winch from the ground floor to a second floor deck. They used it for several years but I noticed it was gone last year. It was probably billed as a materials lift but I have seen people in it and would rather suspect codes might have had something to do with it's demise, as it was easily see from the road

 

[CurlyDave]

On a vein similar to BHD, look at the HF lift tables also. There are two capacities available, 500 lb and 1000 lb. $150 and $200. Use a coupon to get 20% off.

The lower capacity table lifts more quickly, and has a few inches less height.

Pump it up with a foot pedal.

I have one of each capacity and they are great for loading heavy things into the bed of a pickup. And, the older I get, the lighter something has to be to be called "heavy".

 

[spurlocktool]

spurlocktool,
I would like to build something similar to lift Zero turn mowers up to working height. The base would have to be wider than shown. Do you have any basic plans, and detail descriptions?

JJ, I've just posted lots of pictures with descriptions here: Photo Sharing by MyPhotoAlbum :: billspurlock's MyPhotoAlbum Gallery :: Home built electric lift

Click on slideshow, and select a slower speed if you like. Or from the main album view if you click on individual thumbnails they will display full size with descriptions at the bottom. Not sure if this could be adapted for your use but maybe there is some idea here that might be useful. Have fun,

Bill

 

[spurlocktool]

Spurlocktool, Does your lift have any brakes? The reason I ask is that I was a juror on a case where a person was injured on a similar but larger scale lift. MikeD74T

Hi Mike,

No, no brakes on this one. I understand safety concerns (especially liability where commercial products are concerned). In this case I made the lift as a gift to help out a long time friend in need. We both use much more dangerous machinery than this all the time and understand the need for common sense, maintenance and awareness. So, I would just say that if anyone doesn't feel comfortable using something like this just don't build it or else don't ride on it. Personally, I feel much safer on this any day than zooming along on the freeway at high speed surrounded by tailgaters and distracted drivers. But would I want to take my chances selling one commercially in our litigious society? Heck no.

 

[Willl]

Nice job Bill, very impressive.

 

[smiley]

JJ, I've just posted lots of pictures with descriptions here: Photo Sharing by MyPhotoAlbum :: billspurlock's MyPhotoAlbum Gallery :: Home built electric lift
Bill

Bill,
Nice looking job and I'll bet your friend is very happy and grateful for it. It's looks like a smaller scale of the 2 story one I mentioned near my house in Fla, except that one was fully enclosed with a door and only had a single attachment point in the center of a yoke for the cable.
Smiley

 

[RoyBrooks]

check out:
Woodwaiters, Conveying Systems, Residential Elevators and more...

I'm pretty sure they use threaded rod for the lifting mechanism, I would think that would be a little safer as there is less chance of the thing free falling if a cable were to break.

 

[J_J]

spurlocktool,

Thanks for the pictures. Nice job on the lift. I am sure your buddy appreciated it.