Burr handi lift problem to avoid
I installed a Burr handilift lift platform on my new class A three years ago and have been very satisfied with it.. About half way through a 3 week stay in New Orleans the motor went bad,,,the parts and instructions from the manufacture made allowances for this by including a crank handle to manually operate. Since I was operating it several times a day, I removed a drive gear to allow the use of a portable drill to raise and lower efficiently. Temp fix worked good until time to get on the road.
The platform was properly locked in the travel position. Road vibration and the weight of the platform was enough to rotate the worm drive until the platform became unlatched and flopped out 30 inches into the adjacent lane on the interstate. A very nice person flagged us down and the platform was raised back and very securely lashed up with straps. A major accident was avoided.
The drive gear removal is somewhat sanctioned by the operating instructions where it says the power head could be removed to facilitate manual operation. The high reduction drive gear to motor torque prevents unwinding of the lift during normal travel.
Moral of the story,,, modifications can fix the apparent problem, bad motor, but can also lead to unsuspected problems.
I will probably install a permanent tie back for this lift even after replacing the motor as I do not want to ever suddenly occupy 3 feet of the adjacent lane.
The platform was properly locked in the travel position. Road vibration and the weight of the platform was enough to rotate the worm drive until the platform became unlatched and flopped out 30 inches into the adjacent lane on the interstate. A very nice person flagged us down and the platform was raised back and very securely lashed up with straps. A major accident was avoided.
The drive gear removal is somewhat sanctioned by the operating instructions where it says the power head could be removed to facilitate manual operation. The high reduction drive gear to motor torque prevents unwinding of the lift during normal travel.
Moral of the story,,, modifications can fix the apparent problem, bad motor, but can also lead to unsuspected problems.
I will probably install a permanent tie back for this lift even after replacing the motor as I do not want to ever suddenly occupy 3 feet of the adjacent lane.
