OT: problems with a certain wheelchair lift

Beware of the Harmar Access vertical platform lift. Nice looking, sturdy, simple but sloppily made. Simple design but welded and assembled so out of square that it has taken days of work for what was indicated as a locate and drill holes in concrete for the anchoring. Lift platform was so off level that the lift tower has to be a half a bubble off just to get a smooth transition from the platform to the deck. This board is pretty broad in the experiences and skills and as we all are ageing, we may need a lift some time, so I decided to share my experience with this one particular lift. Bought it off the net, no assembly required, was competitively priced, no bargain. Shipped (500 lbs) with out damage, followed their instructions on handling to the letter, installed in indoors in a solarium/breezeway newly built. Lift 35 inches but a real safe, back saver trying to get grandfather out of the house. Of course I didn't ask the local listed dealer for a quote...I am a real smart, capable guy, I'll just buy off the net and have the fun of doing this myself : ). Several telephone calls, wait on hold, tele-tag, friendly, guarded folks trying to "understand" my problem. Made in Sarasota, FL but now(?) tech calls are handled in Kansas City. When I decided to take the abuse from local dealer (expected) to warn him to add several hours to his future quotations on this unit, he informs me he never sells this line, just the others they carry!!! I hope this is not classified as a rant. Just a real joke on me who didn't want to pay a "professional dealer". But I am sore that their careless manufacturing brings back all the hard lessons I learned after 40 years of designing, supervising and trouble shooting mechanical products! There are other small grievances with their lack of a good manual I will not go into. Leonard

HI Leo,

Interesting Post: did you purchase?

PL400 premium lift: 28" 52" or 72" Height kit?

PL400VL Economical lift: 28" 52" or 72" Ht. Kit?

Was the Verticle platform wall or the Platform or the Car Assy the welding the biggest problem?

I get the Idea that between the both being not square was your biggest obstical. looking at the Exploded diagram of the Car Assy could create a real problem if it were twisted in the Welding process. Was the car Plumb or Twisted?

Now that you got the unit working are you satisfied it will do the Job without being compromised?

Spendy little product!!

Hi Leonard !
We sell and install chair lifts and in home stairlifts . Also carry platform lifts , not sure what brand though. I personally have not installed any yet . Bruno lifts for chairs ,and Ecell for stairlift ,,very nice units and not bad pricewise .

Yes, I bought direct, a PL400. Nice basic design with outdoor capability. Once I over come the alignment problems, it will work fine. Simplistic instruction/installation manual did not alert me to look for simple "watch-out fors" that they created during manufacturing. They just did not control the welding/assembly and there were no slotted bolt holes or instructions on how to compensate for for their variations. Challenging on getting it off the pallet and onto the floor. But I am long winded. Will be satisfactory, just thought at the 4K price and slick online advertising the unit would be a easy to install as a stove or a dishwasher! Leonard