Table Lift Loading Issue
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
Likes: 12,706
From: South Carolina
I ride the bike onto the lift with the side extensions installed, after the bike is tied down I remove the extensions.
Non skid tape on the ramp sections and also on the side extensions.
Non skid tape on the ramp sections and also on the side extensions.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 131
Likes: 64
From: Cleveland
Just a heads up to the ride up crowd, OP has a bike that's inoperable at the moment, so he's asking for ideas on making that easier.
OP, the only real option is to use a longer ramp to lessen the slope if yours is too steep without that earlier idea of digging out the floor to make the table flush with the ground. I use a 5ft, straight ramp on my table because when I built it, that's what I had (the platform is just an 8" high top with a vise style tire clamp on it that I lift with a two post car lift.). I was worried about getting a heavy touring bike on it, but standing next to the bike and pushing it up wasn't hard with a rolling start. Just getting the bike moving pretty much lets momentum take it's course. Not different really than pushing the bike back up a small incline, to me anyway.
OP, the only real option is to use a longer ramp to lessen the slope if yours is too steep without that earlier idea of digging out the floor to make the table flush with the ground. I use a 5ft, straight ramp on my table because when I built it, that's what I had (the platform is just an 8" high top with a vise style tire clamp on it that I lift with a two post car lift.). I was worried about getting a heavy touring bike on it, but standing next to the bike and pushing it up wasn't hard with a rolling start. Just getting the bike moving pretty much lets momentum take it's course. Not different really than pushing the bike back up a small incline, to me anyway.
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Advanced
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 85
Likes: 15
From: Virginia
Just a heads up to the ride up crowd, OP has a bike that's inoperable at the moment, so he's asking for ideas on making that easier.
OP, the only real option is to use a longer ramp to lessen the slope if yours is too steep without that earlier idea of digging out the floor to make the table flush with the ground. I use a 5ft, straight ramp on my table because when I built it, that's what I had (the platform is just an 8" high top with a vise style tire clamp on it that I lift with a two post car lift.). I was worried about getting a heavy touring bike on it, but standing next to the bike and pushing it up wasn't hard with a rolling start. Just getting the bike moving pretty much lets momentum take it's course. Not different really than pushing the bike back up a small incline, to me anyway.
OP, the only real option is to use a longer ramp to lessen the slope if yours is too steep without that earlier idea of digging out the floor to make the table flush with the ground. I use a 5ft, straight ramp on my table because when I built it, that's what I had (the platform is just an 8" high top with a vise style tire clamp on it that I lift with a two post car lift.). I was worried about getting a heavy touring bike on it, but standing next to the bike and pushing it up wasn't hard with a rolling start. Just getting the bike moving pretty much lets momentum take it's course. Not different really than pushing the bike back up a small incline, to me anyway.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 1,153
From: Oklahoma
After the first time I put my bike on the lift, and was about to pull it back off of it, I removed the straps and loosened the wheel vice just enough I'd be able to pull the wheel out of it, but it was still enough to hold the bike upright. Then I marked a white line on the slide tubing of the wheel vice with a paint pencil... Now I just close the clamp to the white line, ride on easing the front wheel in, shut it off in gear, get off and put a couple self retracting straps on and snug the wheel vice up. I do have some extensions.... I couldn't push my bike up by myself if the bike was not running, would need to phone a friend 
and I do not feel comfortable enough walking beside a 850# bike and trying to load it using its own power... that probably would end ugly for me. Smaller bikes sure, but not for me, alone, after about 500-600#. So I just ride it on.
If the bike was not running, and it was a bigger bike, I am getting somebody to help push on. If I HAD TO DO IT BY MYSELF... I would be sure my security cameras are turned off... I don't need video of that
If you have a wheel chock instead of a wheel vice, even easier. Also, This is the only "mod" I added to my Handy Lift, and I really like them. Mounted these self retracting straps towards the front corners of the table, and use 12" soft straps with them... Seems silly, but use them a couple times and they become a very nice tool to have.
and I do not feel comfortable enough walking beside a 850# bike and trying to load it using its own power... that probably would end ugly for me. Smaller bikes sure, but not for me, alone, after about 500-600#. So I just ride it on.If the bike was not running, and it was a bigger bike, I am getting somebody to help push on. If I HAD TO DO IT BY MYSELF... I would be sure my security cameras are turned off... I don't need video of that
If you have a wheel chock instead of a wheel vice, even easier. Also, This is the only "mod" I added to my Handy Lift, and I really like them. Mounted these self retracting straps towards the front corners of the table, and use 12" soft straps with them... Seems silly, but use them a couple times and they become a very nice tool to have.
Last edited by Ssitruc; Dec 27, 2022 at 08:32 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,217
From: San Diego, CA
That's actually a good idea Hatt, and I have received more than one pm asking me what's involved in doing this.
I've been in the concrete business going on 40 yrs, and yet I haven't done this in my shop because I have extensions and it's easy to ride bikes on the lift.
IF you do decide to do it, find out what type of slab you have, post tension cable or typical rebar slab. Typical rebar slab it's pretty much a non issue, but there's still things to consider. Just make sure whoever cuts into your slab knows what they're doing. When you repour the bottom you need to drill and tap rebar to connect the recessed slab with the original slab. Otherwise your bottom is just floating and any kind of settling or movement can cause your floor level lift to not be so level anymore.
If it's a post tension slab THAT'S another can of worms. Sawing and thus cutting the cables that hold your slab together can be dangerous, and can damage the structure it's supporting, and probably void any homeowners insurance. Make sure what the slab is. I can tell by looking at the outside exterior of the slab if it's PT, but I have an experienced eye.
I've been in the concrete business going on 40 yrs, and yet I haven't done this in my shop because I have extensions and it's easy to ride bikes on the lift.
IF you do decide to do it, find out what type of slab you have, post tension cable or typical rebar slab. Typical rebar slab it's pretty much a non issue, but there's still things to consider. Just make sure whoever cuts into your slab knows what they're doing. When you repour the bottom you need to drill and tap rebar to connect the recessed slab with the original slab. Otherwise your bottom is just floating and any kind of settling or movement can cause your floor level lift to not be so level anymore.
If it's a post tension slab THAT'S another can of worms. Sawing and thus cutting the cables that hold your slab together can be dangerous, and can damage the structure it's supporting, and probably void any homeowners insurance. Make sure what the slab is. I can tell by looking at the outside exterior of the slab if it's PT, but I have an experienced eye.
Thanks for the advice.... the guy who would be helping me (actually doing the work and I would be his helper) is the guy who built my shop. He poured/finished the slab... It's a rebar slab..
I was going to try to build in the lift box during construction, but at the time I didn't know what lift I was going to get or where I was going to put it...
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
I usually just run them up in that case. As in pushing the bike while running.
A HF electric winch with the long control box cable will let you pull any bike up onto the lift while controlling it from the handlebars.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,143
Likes: 12,706
From: South Carolina
You could get someone to help you push the bike...
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 131
Likes: 64
From: Cleveland
He did say in the opening post he wasn't interested in riding the bike up. Guess the current crowd just assumes the only reason to put a bike on a lift is routine maintenance?
Thanks Capt Obvious. Hadn't thought of that.
Thanks Capt Obvious. Hadn't thought of that.
I you don't have extensions, a friend uses 2 x 10s blocked to the level of his table, then move them out of the way. I like my extensions because of the room they give me for tools and parts. I plan to recess mine in the slab either this sumer or next. I have a rebar and wire slab, still a mess and work, but I think it will be worth it. Big space saver.
Last edited by TSheff; Dec 27, 2022 at 10:45 AM. Reason: Spelli