what do you use to lift your trike for service and inspection

[chads920]

there are not many shops that have a means to lift a trike for general service and maintenance. I have been considering digging a service pit of a size that matches my trike wheel base but ... is there a simple way (not that i'm allergic to shovels but)

[Kurt J]

I would think a set of car drive up stands would work better.....

[terryt]

For my Trike I built a hydraulic lift. it lifts the trike up 23" from the ground rear wheels are free moving so can check front can be jacked up to checked steering.
basically you can do a full service with out laying on the floor.

when its not in use the trike parks over it so not taking up any more floor space.
Its the best thing I built apart from my trike

[chads920]

now that is perfect! I am now suffering from garage/hoist envy. Living in a Park model (RV) trailer (50 sq Meters) I don't have a covered area in which I could locate this jacking sys but....
Thank you for the idea and pics, your device certainly provides access to some of the currently inaccessible parts.

[WingAdmin]

For my Trike I built a hydraulic lift. it lifts the trike up 23" from the ground rear wheels are free moving so can check front can be jacked up to checked steering.
basically you can do a full service with out laying on the floor.

when its not in use the trike parks over it so not taking up any more floor space.
Its the best thing I built apart from my trike

That's a fantastic lift!

I am always complaining about my 2 1/2 car garage, and a lack of space for things. I looked at your pictures and instantly said, "I bet he's in the UK." I checked...and yup. You guys over there do amazing things with tiny little garages (compared to what we have over here).

I know someone over there who did dig a pit in his garage, then shored it up and poured concrete, so he has a concrete-walled and floored pit in which to do work on his TVR.

[terryt]

Thanks WingAdmin. It make life a lot easer with this lift. I got a bike lift bench but it was a pain moving it getting the bike of and the trike on and off. now the bike can stay on the work bench. and this live under the trike taking up no extra space. when I need it pull the arms out. pump it up. Now I can do a full service check all brakes and bearing fluids all at a comfortable working height

[chads920]

its an air cylinder that you use .. correct? Do you have a "safety" loc out in case of air pressure loss? I'm looking at your photos to try and figure material type and size etc. as I think that I could replicate your hoist.. if thats ok.
You have a background in metal and mechanics I'm guessing.
Great job by the way!

[dadztoy]

I have my HandyLift recessed into the floor and added to 1/4" steel Diamind plates to supprot the Tow Pac trike wheels... Lifts with no problems...

[CrystalPistol]

I use either jacks & stands or / and ramps.

[terryt]

its an air cylinder that you use .. correct? Do you have a "safety" loc out in case of air pressure loss? I'm looking at your photos to try and figure material type and size etc. as I think that I could replicate your hoist.. if thats ok.
You have a background in metal and mechanics I'm guessing.
Great job by the way!

Hi Thanks for you comments.
I have used 60mm x 40mm x 5mm rectangular box for the main lift and 60mm x 10mm for the lifting arms. A 2.5 ton hydraulic ram and hand pump. Yes there are two safety locking bars. No back ground in metal or mechanics. The trike weights about 550kg.

[chads920]

cost of steel is somewhat expensive these days but I think I will do a drawing and mat list for costing.
This may be a good project for this winter when I'm in Arizona as I have a garage there and a friend that can assist with the fabricating. I'll keep an eye out for recycling opportunities to cut the cost. Your 'low profile' design is perfect for the space available. What did you decide on for the 'lock out' ... a brace, arm and pin. ?

[terryt]

cost of steel is somewhat expensive these days but I think I will do a drawing and mat list for costing.
This may be a good project for this winter when I'm in Arizona as I have a garage there and a friend that can assist with the fabricating. I'll keep an eye out for recycling opportunities to cut the cost. Your 'low profile' design is perfect for the space available. What did you decide on for the 'lock out' ... a brace, arm and pin. ?

Hi Thats why i designed this one. it don't take up any more floor space it is only 4" high when closed. I have fitted lock out braces on each side held in place by wing nuts.

i will post some photo

[rlward56]

I've been looking at getting a toy hauler for our reversed trike and while reading these posts about lifts, something came to mind. I wonder how those plastic leveling blocks might work. I'm sure you couldn't lift the trike as high as with a lift, but it might get it high enough to do some basic maintenance tasks. I don't have room for a metal lift in my small shed. If I go this route, I'll let you know how it turns out.

[n9700b]

This is what I use to lift my trike. Works great.
Couple of brackets to pick up the crash bars and and a truss bracket to go into receiver hitch.

[targhee dick]

I bought a 1300 lb trike lift last year from www.bestbuyautoequipment.com. It will lift the trike 38 inches, dont know how I managed without it.

[chads920]

Best buy auto equip has some good products and I'm tempted but TerryT's lift has impressed me and I think that I will pursue that as a project this Winter. Having access to the underside of a Trike is my focus and many of the lifts provide limited room through a drop down deck section. The addition of a centre positioned jack (Terry has done that) allows for jacking up to chg the front tire or general work on the front end. I think the hight adjustment makes standing and or sitting comfortable and viewing some of the video on the Best Buy site provided options for a safety blocking.

[Ghostman]

I use ramps and hydraulic jackstands. If I need to raise the front of the trike I have a 1500 lb ATV jack I utilize for lifting under the engine. With the jackstands I can raise them up to 26 inches to work underneath.

[chads920]

Well that works. I'll look up the hydraulic jack stands.. hadn't seen that device before.