Customer Reviews
got the job done with modifications 
2008-04-11
Bought lift to store overhead a motorcycle cargo trailer, approx weight 170lbs. Initial install was pretty straight forward, except ceiling being 9.5 feet high, cables too short, so bought new cables. Now AOK, I thought.
Two sides of the heavy wire "platform" has rectangular tubing for rigiditity, two sides do not, so it sagged a lot. Bought 1/2" ID plumbing pipe 4' long and used U-bolts to attach to other two sides of "platform". Now AOK, I thought. Lifted trailer part way up to ceiling, look up and noticed the "T" brackets which hold the crank shaft have twisted 45 degrees. As lowering lift back to floor, gear box has significant click and the lift platform "drops" about 1/8" with each turn when the click occurs. Call Racor, they send new gear box and "T" bracket (very quick service by Racor by the way, well pleased with their response.)
Now, I get in attic and add additional bracing between ceiling joist in area of where the "T" bracket is located. Drilled additional holes in "T" bracket for more lag bolts to be screwed into the added bracing in the attic. NOW AOK...with some re-engineering it does what I wanted to accomplish. As stated in other post, it is a slow lifting process, so not something you would want to use frequently. For my money, even with the re-work, it is worth what I paid.
A friend bought one also at the same time for his trailer, we know exactly what to do now at the beginning of the install to make it work the first time.
Works great once you install it 2008-04-08
I read several comments on the difficulty of installing this lift, I am usually very handy and don't have a difficult time installing products. However, the first unit I put together was a pain, the bars that attach to the wire framing with j-bolts is a terrible design as the bar wants to twist over the frame. It took me a few tries to get it together, putting the second lift together took no time. Also, I was not able to mount directly to my joists I had to mount 2x4's accross my joists and then attach the lift. Once installed these lifts are great, easy to lift up and down.
Does the job. 
2008-04-05
Installs very easy although the instructions are not very clear as to sequence of steps. But it isn't a complicated installation so it is fairly easy to complete. The Pro Lift works very well with no glitches so far.
Great Product 
2008-03-31
I purchased this product to store some heavy winter sporting equipment (total 175-200 lbs) during the summer. The product is well-built and extremely solid. The installation was quite simple and the installation instructions were well-written. I am very happy with this product and would highly recommend it.
Storage relief - easy to get to. 2008-03-20
Although it took my husband (by himself) about 4 hours to install - it is great. The ability to use the crank and lower the lift is great. It gets a little harder once it is full - but - I can still do it by myself. It holds a lot more than we had originally thought. It was a great purchase. Free shipping was a saver - they are so heavy the shipping would have been a huge expense. Yeah for free shipping.
randycw 2008-06-13
I find this to be a pretty good product. The installation wasn't too difficult, although it did take several hours.
When the rack has near 200 lbs on it the difficulty in cranking it upward is fairly high. I have overcome this by leaving the plastic handle off of the bottom and attaching a heavy duty drill in its place. The drill make raising and lowering the platform a breeze.
I do wish it came with longer cables. My garage ceiling is a bit tall so in the lift's current setup when it is fully lowered it is still 3.5 - 4 feet off of the ground. I will eventually replace the the provided cables with longer ones.
True garge saver 2008-06-11
The installation of this unit is not near as hard as some of the reviewers are claiming. I did my install alone.
It might be that I am lucky having my joists 48" apart (16" spacing), but after the install I measured things and there is quite some play on the axle, certainly to accommodate odd spacings.
The lag bolts are ok, people twisting their heads off should keep in mind you don't have to torque them to 200lb! Moderate force is sufficient since it is the beam supporting the weight not how hard you torque them in! Plus you have 6 or 8 (forgot how many) there for each arm.
The only problematic thing for me personally was the length of steel cable. I was 2-3 inches short on each side and could not reach the ground. One side has sufficient excess of cable so that after reworking ties I was able to reach the floor, for the other I used some spare cable I had left over after installing dog tie out, exact same gage lucky me :)
You don't need to re-do the crank to use a drill to raise/lower it. Just don't assemble it and use the "hook" end only. The diameter of rod is just small enough to slip into the drill and keeping it and reasonably low speed will do all the work for you without excessive jiggling.
I am using my unit to hold lawnmower, power wash, and couple small items, can't be more happy with it!
Racor Pro Heavy Lift 4by4 cable-lifted storage rack PHL1R 2008-05-25
Excellent product however a quick connect ie. snaps which could be used with eye bolts would be a benefit instead just the cable attached to the eye bolt. Complete satisfaction.
This thing is so cool 2008-05-14
I just put two of these up in the garage. Everyone else has covered the process very well. I used 3 inch stainless self taping wood screws with the square drive heads instead of lag bolts. Amazon has the best price one these anywhere on the net and free shipping.
great product but... 2008-04-15
The product seemed a terrific solution. I read user reviews about how best to install it rather than use the manufacturer's instructions. Turns out I have a false ceiling in my garage and it would have been too difficult and expensive to install. I had to return the product, much to my dismay. I was pretty bummed. Thank you, Amazon, for your seamless and quick and easy return process.
