When it comes to boat lifts, you may be in the market for a new lift or maybe you’re not quite sure how exactly a boat lift functions. Whether you are going to purchase the lift or not, it is always good to know how a boat lift operates.
When looking at a boat lift, there are quite a few parts that make up the lift and lucky for you, the folks here at Boat Lift Warehouse have put together a little list of the parts and what they do. Now let’s kick this off!
Top Beam
Most boat lifts that you see will have a top beam. This will either be made of steel or aluminum. There are a few unique designs of top beams based upon producer and model. The top beam traverses between a few pilings depending upon the lifting limit. The reason for the top beam is to span the weight of the vessel between the pilings. It additionally has the drive units and link winders connected to it.
Drive Units
There are a few unique types of drive units made dependent upon producer and model. The drive unit goes about as the transmission of the pontoon lift. As the engine turns, it pivots the riggings inside the drive unit which pivots the drive shaft. As the drive shaft turns it wraps the link onto the cable winder, moving the support and bunks.
Cable Winder
The cable winder is utilized to store the lifting links as the winder shaft is turned. Most cable winders are notched to enable the link to rest perfectly along the drive shaft.
Cables
The cables leave the winder and hurried to the supports. As the cable winder is turned by the drive unit, link is wrapped onto the cable winder. This then lifts the support and bunks.
Sheaves
Sheaves are utilized as a component of the pulley framework that lifts the watercraft. Sheaves are added to expand the limit of the pontoon lift. For each sheave you include, you decrease the heap the engine and drive unit down the middle. The sheave should be routinely lubed and ought to dependably be turning when the pontoon lift is being raised or brought down.
Support Cradles
Support Cradles are the bottommost bit of the lift and traverse the width of a boatlift. They are made of electrifies steel or aluminum. There is one support in the front and one in the back. The supports are what the links pull on to lift the watercraft.
Bunks
Bunks are mounted on the supports. Bunks traverse between the front and back support. This is the portion of the lift that is in contact with the watercraft while being lifted. Bunks are either made of wood wrapped with cover, or expelled aluminum and an elastic best embed. Bunks can be acclimated to each watercraft to attempt and boost the body catch. Structure catch is the measure of surface zone of the body touching the bunks.
Guide Poles
The guide shafts are set to each pontoon particularly. They are utilized to adjust the base of the vessel to the bunks. They are white PVC pipes appended to the support, and when legitimately set will delicately touch the side of the watercraft.
Well there ya have it! Now you know a little more about boat lifts and are more than likely ready to purchase one for your craft. Check out our inventory and contact us today to get your boat lift!
