Hardtop Hoist Usage Question

[Brad]

I finally mounted a hardtop hoist and figured out how it works! My question is:

Do you lift it directly from the hardtop stand (vertical position) or do you have someone help you lay it flat (horizontal) on the ground prior to lifting?

[kcroxton]

I place mine on a blanket flat on the floor and then lift.

[jayred1]

Horizontal ... but the easiest way is to hoist it directly off the car (if you can position the car under the hoist). I back my car into the garage directly under the hoist and take it off without the need for anyone to assist - same way to place it back on the car.

[Brad]

I place mine on a blanket flat on the floor and then lift.

When I asked my wife to help me put it on the floor she didn't understand why we didn't just lift it on the car instead.

[FEsTbird]

The top should be horizontal before hoisting it. I do has jayred1 says when putting the top on the car or lifting it off the car. However, I have a top cover over it, for protection, during the time that the top is stored on the hoist. To install the cover, I lower the top down to the floor after I have taken it off the car and get the cover in place. This processed is reversed when I am installing the top on the car. Lower the covered top to the floor and remove the cover. Then put the straps back in place and hoist the top. Drive the car in place to position it under the hoisted top and lower it into position. I am finding that it is easier to have two people to position the top correctly when lowering it all the way down.

[JohnA]

I hoist directly on to and off of the car. John A

[John Byron]

I hoist directly on and off the car. I use the second pulley. This slows down the up/down action and makes the process quite easy to do smoothly.

[BillyL]

I also lift the top directly on and off the car, always keeping it in the near horizontal position (slight tilt toward the back of the top for stability). I use a lifting beam made from 3/4" PVC pipe placed through the window openings and a 2" wide nylon strap over the back of the top to make a three point lifting harness. This makes for a one person operation removing and installing the top. The top stays suspended in the harness while in storage in the garage.

[02-T-Bird]

I also lift the top directly on and off the car, always keeping it in the near horizontal position (slight tilt toward the back of the top for stability). I use a lifting beam made from 3/4" PVC pipe placed through the window openings and a 2" wide nylon strap over the back of the top to make a three point lifting harness. This makes for a one person operation removing and installing the top. The top stays suspended in the harness while in storage in the garage.

Would it be possible to see some pictures of your lifting harness?

Thanks. Ted

[DavidA]

He asked about lifting it off the stand, not the car. The answer is to lay it flat on the floor then lift.

[jayred1]

David - You are correct ... this time (that's where it is now); however, his wife commented about lifting it from the car so it sounds possible for the car to be positioned below the hoist. If that is the case, future removals would be a lot easier if done directly from the car rather than removing it to the stand (or to the floor).