Snowmobile Lift--which type?

[SaskAttack]

Handy BOB 1500 lift, love it for working on anything. Makes a great work /welding table also

 

[CaptCaper]

That lift in the ebay link doesn't have enough wheels in front. And not large enough or strong enough rear tunnel supports and padding. Also I have a chain lift setup and use it but these sissors are my first choice. you can wheel them around for one. Two.. no strain on the bumpers. Very fast to lower them and raise them with the drill ( Eazy Move's one comes with both hand crank and drill adapter) .

 

[Teamblue4]

Check out Ground up lifts in Sun Prairie Wi. I have 3 of there lifts work great for cleaning and working on sleds.

 

[DooZ]

Option 1 for me because I like to run the sled while lifted, and it allows easier adjustment to shock springs, etc. I've had several different lifts through the years, but the best I've found is J&S Jacks https://jsjacks.com/product-category/snowmobile-lifts/. For you WI guys they are located in the Fox Valley, Little Chute to be exact. They are very heavy duty and can be operated pneumatically or foot pump. They are a little pricey, but you certainly get your monies worth.

 

[rtx moose]

TRICK LIFT ALL THE WAY GUYS!!!!!The guy who builds these lives 15 minutes from my house...definitely rock solid build and he does all the welding himself..my old one was a piece af $hit...He also paints them in a variety of colors..bull dog jack is what is on these too...

 

[maim]

mine is #1 style built from the plans in the tec pages. i can get the suspension out pretty easy on them and the oil changes are not too bad either when you place it correctly. i like that it gets it up high enough that i can sit on a stool to do clutch and chaincase maintenece and not bent over when i end up pulling the headlight assembly off.

 

[Dave W]

The J&S lift with the pneumatic lift looks awesome! Trick out of MN has some nice stuff too. Ground Up out of Sun Prairie is close but seems a little pricey as compared to Trick?

Great responses guys! I’ve been in and out of the sport so many times over the years and my last break has been over ten years. Is nice to have you guys around!

 

[alswagg2]

I have a variety of lifts and stands. But the one we use the most is an overhead hoist and a home custom made stand. You can see in my avitar. I use a three point strap system to pick up the sleds and then place onto the work stand, which is very stable enough to set on and run if needed. Also the work stand is optimum height to place a plate over the for removing the rear suspension. As for the other lifts we also have type 1 which does work in a pinch, but really only good for changing wear bars ect.

 

[cnybrian]

Whatever you do, DO NOT get the Black Ice lift from discount ramps. It is a POS.

The supplied bolts are not grade 8 or better. Something I would want lifting a 750 lb sled.
The socket adaptor on original jack broke the pin repeatedly.
The jack failed after 1 year of mild use. Replaced with a sturdier 5,000 lb Bulldog. Need to modify socket adaptor to fit new jack.
The rear lifting lugs are TINY, maybe 1.5" wide. I replaced mine with hockey pucks.
The wheel kit is junk. My kids fan cooled Skidoo Formula even bends the wheel brackets. They wont support an Attak.

 

[CaptCaper]

The only thing about the J&S air lift is you can't change oil. The front air lift assembly will not let you set the lift back further to avoid the oil pan bolts. With my easy move lift stand I can set it back and lift clearing the bolts about an 1/2 in but still in a secure position . My 1/2 drill is a pain but lifts it no problem. Going down is easy. The airlift one you have to use the release valve under the sled like any other hydraulic jack .. harder to do then using my 1/2 drill .. This is for going down.

 

[Budweiser]

Rockerdan has a long thread on sled lifts that is very informative. I think its in the Sidewinder trail forum. Using that thread, I chose the Lift-a-sled and think it works great.

http://whiplashpowersports.com/Lift-A-Sled-Aluminum-Snowmobile-Lift_p_822002.html

 

[CaptCaper]

Yes those are nice... lift a sled.. but I worry about Aluminum. They fracture so easy.. don't trust them.

 

[DooZ]

The only thing about the J&S air lift is you can't change oil. The front air lift assembly will not let you set the lift back further to avoid the oil pan bolts. With my easy move lift stand I can set it back and lift clearing the bolts about an 1/2 in but still in a secure position . My 1/2 drill is a pain but lifts it no problem. Going down is easy. The airlift one you have to use the release valve under the sled like any other hydraulic jack .. harder to do then using my 1/2 drill .. This is for going down.

What model sled can't you change the oil on the J&S, your Attak? I didn't realize that because I can change the oil of my Doo 1200, and Cat Turbo's while on the lift.

 

[CaptCaper]

Yes for a Apex like in the video.. I'm not positive on it. And I shouldn't of posted "The only thing is you can't change oil". Never owning one but in the video you can see were the cross support is when he starts to lift the machine. It seems ahead of the rear pan bolts. And he has the jack right up against the nose of the Apex. So I assume you can't get those rear pan bolts off so I'd be aware of that when thinking of dishing out money for the jack.
On my EasyMove I can slide the lift way under so the cross member just misses the rear oil pan cover bolts allowing me to take it down to drain the oil pan.

 

[thetoymechanic]

I have had a Trick Lift for 3 seasons now. Very well built. I can easily roll the Vector or Attak around the garage when it is at full height. I highly recommend it.