Harbor Freight Lift 1000 lb Lift - Fatal Flaw - Read This

[thirtythreeandathird]

Another thing that I discovered, is that the 1" steel rods which the jack pivots on, is unsupported by the frame, because it falls short by about 2 inches, as shown in this picture:

[Sidecar Bob]

That would cause the stress to be concentrated at the end of the bar, which probably contributed to the problem.

[thirtythreeandathird]

Sidecar Bob, that is my thought too. I will probably be replacing them with longer rods in the near future, after I replace the tubes...but then, it may not be necessary:
Overkill?

[sgwilly]

I’m guessing they shorted the rod due to warping of the pipe when it was welded. That way they wouldn’t have to machine it round again. There’s a reason it can sell for $300 (and yes, I bought one too for my Dad).

[desertrefugee]

Year #8 with my constantly-loaded HF lift. Never held a motorcycle less than 500 pounds. But has held a motorcycle of some sort for virtually 99% of the time I've owned it.

I'm guessing that the infant mortality issues discussed here are just that. Not unheard of with any product. All I can say is that I have had a good service with mine. Is completely unmodified except for the front wheel chock, and I have had no issues whatsoever.

I feel compelled to continue inject my comments on this topic. There have been reported issues with this unit as with ANY product. But how many thousands of satisfied customers, like me, do you suppose are out there silently enjoying and using their lifts?

[thirtythreeandathird]

"I'm guessing that the infant mortality issues discussed here are just that."
"I feel compelled to continue inject my comments on this topic."

Do you have an agenda here?

[desertrefugee]

Lol. None, other than the message conveyed in my post above.

[CYBORG]

I have one that has had a bike on it , Goldwing, for a couple of years. No problems. However, I know there has been several versions of this lift over the years. I think it is good value for the money. Bought mine for $300.

[thirtythreeandathird]

These lift tables are a good value for the money. Can they hold up to the advertised 1000 lb capacity? Your mileage may vary.
Thanks for listening.
33.3

[Sidecar Bob]

I wonder if there was maybe a problem with the material used in a batch or 2 of them?

[05c50]

OK, so I had to read this thread the whole way though...... again, just to refresh my memory and then I had to get down on my hands and knees and take a look at the product number on my lift. My lift is about as old as this thread and it has served me well. There is always a bike on it and sometimes a big bike (Gl1500, Streetglide....).It's been mentioned that there is two models of this lift, one being the "early" and one being the "late" model. I don't think that's the case, I think that both are still being sold according to location. There does seem to be different variations of each model, some better mods and some worse. I'd be interested to know who had good luck with theirs and what model number it was. I've been told that the 68892 has the better channel frame, but Im not sure that it matters.

...........Paul

[CYBORG]

I looked at the pictures of the failure area, and then looked at mine. It is constructed differently, and has no points of failure. Different model no doubt

[05c50]

I looked at the pictures of the failure area, and then looked at mine. It is constructed differently, and has no points of failure. Different model no doubt

Doug, is yours a 68892 or a 69904 and about how old is it?

.......Paul

[CYBORG]

Not sure of the model number, but I've had it about two years. Might be able to find a number if it's stamped in the frame

[05c50]

Mine has a sticker on the bottom left corner of the frame.

.......Paul