I’m in the market for a lift table. Most of the ones I see that are affordable without chocking are rated at 1000 lbs. is that enough for a 18 Ultra? Seems that would be pushing the limit. However it’s 500+ or more bucks for a 1200 or 1500 lb lift rating. What are y’all using?

 

There are a few threads about this. Do a quick search

 

There is a ton of options. I'm sure this next statement will spark a debate; I've seen enough pics off the web of bikes on tipped over Harbor Freight table lifts to know I'll never use one for my HD.
https://www.blackwidowpro.com/motorcycle/lifts/c/120/
https://www.handyindustries.com/

 

Thanks y’all!

 

I have a Handy SAM 1200 that I got in late November 2020, right after a production run by them (had to wait on the production run so I could get it). It uses the airbag (which I really like) and the lift is rated at 1200 pounds TOTAL. So with my bike in "full dresser mode" and with the side extensions and chock on the lift, that's easily now up to 1100#... and after a little work on the table, because of a "design issue" it lifts my Road Glide Ultra just fine. For an Ultra I'd get at least a 1200# rated lift, because anything you add to the lift is part of the weight you're lifting... side extensions, chocks, etc. The SAM1200 weighs less than their 1500# rated lift, so its more easily moved when not in use. If I had a designated space for the lift and wouldn't be moving it all the time, I'd gone with the higher rated lift...

I just mention this because IF a person got one of those lift table out of the same production runs as mine, and if you lifting near its design maximum.... might want to check this out

I got my lift, put my bike on it, with the side extensions, and lifted the bike.... did this a few times and was checking everything out... being sure it was stable, safety locks working, bike was secured good etc...
then about a month later I noticed this...

Called Handy and asked if it was "designed to bow" and explained it appeared to be bowing at the "reliefs" they had cut into the airbag mounts....
The guy asks me to send him some pics so he can see what I mean. So I snap a few and send them to him.... literally a minute later he's calling me back...
He asks me to please lower the bike, and not to use the lift again until he gets me replacements....
The plates bowing in my pics were actually the "revised" plates. They had been changed to add the 2 steal bars, front to back, because the previous version was bowing the C-channels front to back on either side.
They fixed that with their revision, but by cutting the plates, and not fully welding in the added steel bars, to close the "reliefs", they just changed the place the bowing issue showed up...
This all happened on a Tuesday morning... Friday morning I received their newly revised plates, that still had the 2 steal bars welded in, but just "notched" and welded closed inside, not full open cuts in the plate....


Now that the problem has been fixed, and it was a pretty easy fix, I love the lift... stable as hell and no hydraulics to worry about.

Most tables are rated at whatever, but remember to add all the accessories weight to what you are lifting too... because its not just the bike thats getting lifted.

 

I have lift from Direct Lift. Couldn’t be happier and no issues! Love how the whole back half completely comes off for easier rear tire removals, rather than just a small cutout section.

 

The Handy is the standard for table lifts... used in many shops around the country... you could never go wrong with a Handy lift...

I was torn between a Handy and the K&L MC625R...

I ended up finding the K&L. with ramps, at the same price as the Handy... so I went with the K&L...

I went with K&L because:

1) Dual lifting cylinders..... being an oceangoing boat guy, I like back-up systems and redundancy.

2) 1750 lbs. capacity..... I have a '16 bagger and two softails.. I wanted to have a good safety margin above the baggers 900 lb weight.. I've cranked on a compensator bolt and the lift table is rock solid with the bagger on it extended to max height.

3) Maximum raised height is 40".... not all lifts go to 40", some 30", and some 32". That extra 8" of height can matter when working on the lower portion of the bike, especially on an old back..

4) The scissor lift mechanism, rolls on frame rails, and the Handy just rolls on the floor... I had just built a new little shop with really nice epoxied floors... I was afraid the Handy may wear ruts in the epoxy/concrete over time..

Good luck with your decision.... whatever table lift you get, you will wonder how you ever got along without one...





Fun you can have with a lift:

 

I have a Pro-Cycle lift and love it. Very stable.

 

I have the HF that was mentioned earlier in the thread, Had the 2007 Ultra Classic up on for 2 different winters doing stuff and never had a problem that even looked like the lift was unstable has no problem lifting it fully dressed.
Have the 83 V-45 Magna on it now but that's a toy compared to the Ultra.
I have no complaints with this lift I bought it used twice by a friends brother and got it for a song. My two cents is you had to be doing some serious stupid to tip one over or there was an issue that was not detected from previous lifting.
Good luck with which ever brand you choose.

 

Harbor Freight. It's had many different heavy bikes on it with zero problems.