Harbor Freight lifts...again, please.. -UPDATED

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:57 am

I've read posts on lifts, some have HF lifts, some don't. I have the $299.99 cupon, good till July, 2012. How many of you with HF lifts have no complaints, glad you bought it? Who has a HF lift & wishes you'd waited and saved another $400-500 & bought something else? I want to get the right lift the first time around... Thanks!

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:49 am

Hi Hog, I recently purchased the HF lift. I've been using it for the last month and have no complaints. It does what it is designed for. A Goldwing might be a stretch since the deck is not made of a heavy gauge. Yes it would be nice to have it go up and down hydrolically. On the other hand I can use the exercise. For the price it's terrific. One item you should consider, the front wheel clamp is not the best possible design. I purchased and installed a different unit.http://www.derekweaver.com/update/W-Vise_Motorcycle_Lift_Accessories_Product.aspx?id=41

Chico

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:26 am

hogwild113 wrote:

I've read posts on lifts, some have HF lifts, some don't. I have the $299.99 cupon, good till July, 2012. How many of you with HF lifts have no complaints, glad you bought it? Who has a HF lift & wishes you'd waited and saved another $400-500 & bought something else? I want to get the right lift the first time around... Thanks!

I have two HF lifts. One Hyd only and one air over Hyd. I've had them for at least 5 years with NO problems. I really like them both. Be sure and get the one with the better tire vise not the cheap little one.

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:58 am

I have had one for gotta be 4-5 years now,foot pump. Love it. Biggest bike I use it for is my 11 but it could handle some more. Unless your bike is a lot bigger and heavier or bikes go up and down on it all day long. You'll be happy with it.

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:34 pm

I've put my 07 Street Glide on it to change oil with NO problems at all.

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:47 pm

I have been waiting to find one of the $299 coupons. Where are you getting them???

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:00 pm

djhurayt wrote:

I have been waiting to find one of the $299 coupons. Where are you getting them???

most motorcycle mags have a page ad for HF that usually includes the lift.

also don't forget to look at craigs list, that's where i got my Direct Lift table for $400, used once

CB1100F Joined: May 13, 2005 Posts: 3217 Location: NE OHIO

djhurayt wrote:

I have been waiting to find one of the $299 coupons. Where are you getting them???

I have one I got out of Cycle World. After this discussion , I might just go get one. There is a HFabout 12 miles from me, so hopefully won't have to pay for the freight from Cal . I've seen people selling just the coupon on Ebay . Shocked

CB1100F Joined: May 13, 2005 Posts: 3217 Location: NE OHIO

NV900F wrote:

djhurayt wrote:

I have been waiting to find one of the $299 coupons. Where are you getting them???

most motorcycle mags have a page ad for HF that usually includes the lift.

also don't forget to look at craigs list, that's where i got my Direct Lift table for $400, used once

I've been watching craigslist in all areas around me for over a year and the closest thing to a good lift ( Handy or Direct lift ) was $900 . I would jump on a $400 good used quality lift .

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:28 pm

Luckysox wrote:

NV900F wrote:

djhurayt wrote:

I have been waiting to find one of the $299 coupons. Where are you getting them???

most motorcycle mags have a page ad for HF that usually includes the lift.

also don't forget to look at craigs list, that's where i got my Direct Lift table for $400, used once

I've been watching craigslist in all areas around me for over a year and the closest thing to a good lift ( Handy or Direct lift ) was $900 . I would jump on a $400 good used quality lift .

i did jump, a little wd40 polish and it looks beautiful in my garage. and it is a drop tail and atv setup, i did get a smoking deal. dude was moving and needed it out of storage.

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:34 pm

back to the ? though, i was about to get the HF one with coupon before i found my craigs list special. i would have no problems with that lift.

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:33 pm

The April 2012 issue of The Horse (issue#118) has the coupon on page 35. There's a book store about 1.5 miles from my house. I went there & paid $5.99 + tax for the mag to get the coupon...
Coupon good till 7/12/12.

Thanks for all the feedback, helps a lot. I'm going to make some room in the shop & get me one soon...

Thanks again!

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:05 pm

The timing for this thread is perfect since I'm about ready to buy one for my new shop. I was thinking along the lines of a Handy or something similar, but based on all the great feedback, the $299 deal with the better wheel vice is the way to go and a hell of a lot cheaper. I even have a 20% off coupon that I can use on top of the $299 coupon. Both coupons are in the April 2012 issue of MotorCyclist magazine.

I've been watching CL for months hoping to find a good used one, but no luck to date. It's funny how many people are selling "motorcycle lifts" that are no more than glorified jacks like the one I got at Sam's Club.

CB1100F Joined: May 13, 2005 Posts: 3217 Location: NE OHIO

tomk1960 wrote:

The timing for this thread is perfect since I'm about ready to buy one for my new shop. I was thinking along the lines of a Handy or something similar, but based on all the great feedback, the $299 deal with the better wheel vice is the way to go and a hell of a lot cheaper. I even have a 20% off coupon that I can use on top of the $299 coupon. Both coupons are in the April 2012 issue of MotorCyclist magazine.

I've been watching CL for months hoping to find a good used one, but no luck to date. It's funny how many people are selling "motorcycle lifts" that are no more than glorified jacks like the one I got at Sam's Club.

There is a small problem with using 2 coupons, They won't let you do it. It even states that on the coupon if you read the fine print . Sorry Tom Crying or Very sad

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:35 pm

Got the HF lift myself about 2 months ago now. The $299 coupon makes it a deal. Love it. Works great ever time. The front wheel clamp is crap, bolted on wheel chock instead. I did not bother 'clipping' on the ramp either, I just hook it on and off as needed. It does weigh 600 lb in its crate though and was a bit of stretch getting it home in my wifes Pacifica.

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:42 am

Got mine for christmas this year w/ the $300 coupon. Yes, the front wheel vice is junk. Other than that it is the best $300 I ever spent. It works great and a nice feature for me is the wheels, some models don't have wheels but this one does. I can even roll the table around with the bike elevated in the air. I am sure the more expensive ones are better but I don't know if they are that much better. I made my own front wheel vice with a trailer tounge jack and some scrap steel. I have $20 in it and it works GREAT. Let me know if you want details.

CB1100F Joined: May 13, 2005 Posts: 3217 Location: NE OHIO

Went to buy one this evening at the local HF. They had 4 of them but were being held for Rain Checks, so I filled out the slip for a Rain Check for one also. Already ordered the front clamp listed by Chico ( Thanks ) Sometime in the future I'll get one of these. Cool

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:15 am

Luckysox wrote:

Went to buy one this evening at the local HF. They had 4 of them but were being held for Rain Checks, so I filled out the slip for a Rain Check for one also. Already ordered the front clamp listed by Chico ( Thanks ) Sometime in the future I'll get one of these. 8)

You'll have to do some drilling to the deck to accommodate the clamp. The deck steel is soft and not harder then drilling in hardwood.
Chico

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:43 pm

Luckysox wrote:

There is a small problem with using 2 coupons, They won't let you do it. It even states that on the coupon if you read the fine print . Sorry Tom Crying or Very sad

Yeah, I realized that after I put my coupon under the giant magnifier in our lab. (super fine print) They told me that I could use it toward an extended warranty if I want. I'm going to pick one up tonight after work, since they just got a few in today's shipment. Does anyone recommend an extended warranty? ($79 for 2 years vs. only 90 days) I read the reviews on the HF web site and a couple people mentioned having premature hydraulic failure after a short time. One guy said that the pump was low on fluid, too, so I'll check mine before I even use it.

Thanks for the tip on the wheel vice Chico. I'll order one of those and then I'll be good to go.

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:46 pm

tomk1960 wrote:

Yeah, I realized that after I put my coupon under the giant magnifier in our lab. (super fine print) They told me that I could use it toward an extended warranty if I want. I'm going to pick one up tonight after work, since they just got a few in today's shipment. Does anyone recommend an extended warranty? ($79 for 2 years vs. only 90 days) I read the reviews on the HF web site and a couple people mentioned having premature hydraulic failure after a short time. One guy said that the pump was low on fluid, too, so I'll check mine before I even use it.

NO extended warranty needed, I've never had a minutes trouble. I've had mine 5 and 3 years.

CB1100F Joined: May 13, 2005 Posts: 3217 Location: NE OHIO

I had a rain check for one at the Canton HF, but they had 15 people in front of me, so I called the Akron store and got on there list for one. They called yesterday and said they had one for me. I got it home but haven't gotten it off the truck yet. Waiting for the son in law to come over and help. The total box weighs 330 lbs, so I took the lid off and at least took out the loose plates and parts to make it lighter. Fed Ex came today also with the front clamp from Weaver. I have an extra coupon if somebody needs one. Experation date of 5-3 12

Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:18 pm

i'll take it, pm sent

CB1100F Joined: May 13, 2005 Posts: 3217 Location: NE OHIO

djhurayt wrote:

i'll take it, pm sent

It is yours . Just need the address to send it to.

CB1100F Joined: May 13, 2005 Posts: 3217 Location: NE OHIO

Talked to my brother and he sent me 4 more coupons from Cycle World. for these $ 299 HF lifts. If anybody needs a coupon let me know.

Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 3:29 am

I bought my lift just over a month ago when construction on my new shop was just starting. Now in the final stages, I finally opened the box today and set it up. Installing the good wheel vice that Chico recommended wasn't too bad of a job and it's a thousand times better than the one that came with the lift.

Several of the reviews I read suggested checking the hydraulic fluid level. I checked mine and sure enough, it was low. I'll top that off tomorrow after a trip to the hardware store.

Next time you see this in a picture, there will be a bike on it!

MB-5 Joined: May 07, 2012 Posts: 23 Location: Cape Cod

wow for 300 bucks that looks solid ... looks like i will be taking a trip to HB soon..

Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 10:32 pm

Can you raise the lift for any height? Or must it be fully down or fully up?

CB1100F Joined: May 13, 2005 Posts: 3217 Location: NE OHIO

Any height. And it is on rollers so you can move it around.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 5:08 am

Hey Tom, I noticed you added the rear tie-down gizmo. I did the same. How do you check the fluid level?
Chico

Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 5:16 am

Hi Chico - you get the prize for been a keen observer. Yes, I added a second pair of tie-down u-bolts. Seems like they saved about a buck and a half by not throwing them in the box!

Lift up the "trap door" on the back and put it aside. Now look at the bottle jack and you'll see a rubber plug on the top. (look close at the picture above and you can see it) Just remove that and look inside for the fluid level. Chances are that yours needs oil too. I bought a quart of standard hydraulic jack fluid at the local hardware store and poured in approx a pint to top it off. It seemed to work fine before I topped it off, but that was with nothing on the lift.

Tom