Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack
by Racor
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack
Customer Review: Good, but could use some improvements
Summary: 3 Stars
Overall, I'd say that this was a good product. It's the only one I've found on the market like this and appears to do what it is designed to do, but it could definitely use some improvements...
The instructions have quite a few mistakes (e.g. incorrect diagrams, missing parts in list, etc.), but despite that fact I was still able to complete the installation. The instructions could also be improved. For instance, I have no idea how the manufacturer expected anyone to install the bolts that go onto the ends of the brackets without removal of the pulley wheels (which I found in a review here). In addition, they don't explain how to adjust the level of the rack from front and back (which, BTW - you can do by adjusting how high the nuts are on the bolts that attach the cable to the rack). I could definitely see how someone would get frustrated/confused when following the instructions.
I too recommend upgrading the lag screws (like the other reviewers), as I also broke one of the included screws. You can either get ones made of a stronger metal or go with a bigger size. I used 1/4" lag screws which still fit into the holes in the bracket. I would also make sure that you pre-drill all the holes as well as put wax onto the screws so that they go into the joists easier.
I noticed that the holes drilled into one of the parts was a tad off, but not so much that I couldn't make adjustments. Again, something that would frustrate/confuse some people.
Their customer service seemed to be pretty good. I was missing one of the hooks, so I gave them a call. Within a couple days, I received an entire set of screws, nuts, bolts and washers.
As far as the weight maximum, I would not recommend going over 200 lbs. I have approximately 200 lbs loaded onto it, and it gets tough raising the rack up. In fact, I noticed that this amount of weight causes the bracket where the winch is installed to torque a little bit. I doubt the rack would ever fall from the ceiling, but over time, the winch might not last. Also, with that much weight, I don't think you'd be able to use a cordless drill to raise/lower the rack (as shown in one of the pictures).
Customer Review: Simple design, get new hardware and it's ROCK solid
Summary: 4 Stars
Wow there's a lot of confusion here about the install. First let me say the included lags are a joke and I used a 2x4 transverse support. I installed 4 of these by myself in 5 hours without breaking a sweat (although I did take one kit apart first, realized hardware sucked, and went to the hardware store and got 20 4" lags w washers and 40 1" lags w washers, some additional cost).
First step, find your joists. NO, you cannot trust builders to stay 24" OC, use a stud finder then drill a small hole to make sure. I make a few actually, then patch it. Or climb up if you can and push a finish nail through, then you know you have 1.5" left. Nothing better then knowing where the center is. I installed my 4 lifts in 2 garage stalls, each falls between the opener track and door track on 9' doors. It's snug but perfectly clears. Snap a line on each center of each joist.
Next step is to snap a perpendicular line to the joists, in my case it was 22'. Then do it again 4' away, and you have your installation grid. Run a line of 2x4 along "long" snap, perp to joists, and hold in place w drywall screws between joists. Don't start early with the lags, those go THROUGH the supports in to the joist, much cleaner.
When 2 rows of 2x4 are up, just follow instructions. Hang the round side by the door, and square side (the side with the lifter) inside. Use center slot first to hold bracket, using 1" lag. I went through the bracket into the joists (hold in place, center punch, then drill on a bench - overhead metal drilling causes a lot of burns!). Use 4" lags for joists, through the 2x4 then drywall then joist, I predrilled 3/16" for
For a handyman, this job is a snap. I was worried about the cheesy hardware on the center bracket and the J hooks, but when put together it's no sweat to lift 250lbs, I go almost that much and held on to sides as it lifted me up.
BTW, I would use on old drill and dedicate it to the lift, the manual option sucks. I hang an old 12v makita on the wall with the lift extension in it for my wife and kids to use.
Customer Review: a challenge to install but worth every ounce of effort
Summary: 5 Stars
I am probably the least mechanically inclined dude reviewing this sucker but despite repeated missteps, errors in judgement, failure to grasp the nuances of the instructions, after six hours of screwing around, it is up and works really, really well.
First...I did in fact purchase larger lag bolts...did not need or use them...pilot holes in the joists worked fine for the supplied bolts...had no trouble as reported by other reviewers with them sheering or not grabbing. Second, my joists were not close to a full 48 inches apart...no problems nudging everything together...bear in mind here, we are NOT assembling a piano, and in the end, the lift was pretty forgiving for my eyeballing and guesstimating.
I do recommend following other reviewer's suggestion to mount the center sections first...wrestling with the full assembly will definitely require two sets of hands, which I did not have available...just remember to hang them loosely to allow fine tuning the arm assemblies locations. Also, I had to slip the axle in with both sets of cables attached, since the joists were less than 46-inches apart. First in the gear box side, then into the free wheel side....but it worked fine.
Take your time, do not rush, be prepared to screw up, as I did, on several steps, since the instructions are written for much more mechanically inclined folks than I am. But rest assured, in the end, the results are worth the time and expense.
Errors I made: first I mounted the side rails for the wire grid on opposite side...one on the front, one on the back. Then I used different mounting holes for each center section when I loosely attached them to the ceiling joists...stupid. Then I installed the grid upside down. Totally stupid. And yes, I even failed to run the cables through the pulley's and could not understand why the grid was not level when cranked up. So in my case, lots and lots of assembly, disassembly, and reassembly. But in the end, the sucker really works well and I am seriously considering buying a couple more units.
Customer Review: Heavy lift
Summary: 4 Stars
If you want to make this product work without fail or doubt purchase two 2x6x12 (I hung side by side heavy lifts), find center of boards and pre-drill either a 5/16 or 3/8 inch hole and measure out 16 inches from center which is where your studs will be. Then use either the 5/16 or 3/8 size 5 1/2 or 6 inch steel lag screws. Secure the 2x6x12 into the ceiling with lag screws and then use the smaller screws provided to add some "extra insurance". I ended up with 8 lag screws into the 2x6x12. I also had to drill (3) 5/6 inch or 3/8 inch (which ever size lag screw you choose)holes into each pulley/arm assembly to get the lag srew through the metal arm assembly (there are slots where the manufacturer wants you to put the small screws through and into the joists). I mounted the center of the board lag into the stud and then measure out 16 inches on each side and drilled my 5/16 inch hole for another lag. So, with some real simple modification you can make this a great item, otherwise I wouldn't hang my coat on the heavy lift with the screws they supplied. I couldn't believe it when I read in the instructions to "wait one hour" to make sure it was going to hold. I assure you that if you attach with the screws provided it will fall to the floor if you hang 250 pounds from it. By using long lag screws that are hefty in size you are really adding some strength to it. I would recommend using some lock tite on the nuts just to keep you from having to "check" the nuts and bolts. The crank works great. To give you an idea of the strength you gain by using the large lag screws, I hung a small sears craftsman pushmower, a gas powered edger, a bag with logging chains, four gas cans, a weedeater, gas powered blower, and a chainsaw (all on one heavy lift). I probably could have added more but didn't have anything else to add. If you secure it "right" you won't have to do something stupid like pick all you crap off of the garage floor because you used the rediculous screws they send with the kit. Otherwise, pretty cool item.Customer Review: Almost excellent
Summary: 4 Stars
This hoist is rated to carry 250 lbs. That seems like a lot but it turns out to be very easy to overload this. Be careful how much you put on it.
Several reviewers complained about the quality of the lag bolts provided so I initially started pre-drilling the holes for them. Since everything was going well I tried using them without predrilling and I was able to use them without incident. I suspect that it depends on the density of the joists you are screwing too and possibly also the smoothness of deployment. I drove them with a high power drill with a hex socket so they probably didn't get jerked around as much as with a socket. That said I agree that these aren't the highest quality bolts.
Be careful to put lag bolts not only in the long arms but also under the torque tube which rolls up the cables. With a heavy load there is some flex in the tube and also the central section that the the tube is mounted to during cranking.
The lock on the crank gearbox is a clever idea but it is a little hard to use using the pole. Also, when under load there is enough flex in the system that the lock does not deploy smoothly and must be smacked hard with the end of the pole to completely lock the crank.
I bought two but have only installed one so far. I'm still considering whether to install the other (and possibly more) over the top of the door. The issue is that the garage door and the hoist will interfere with each other. This also means that the hoist can only handle a shorter load over the door.
Overall a good product and a great solution but don't expect to lift too much weight. This is not the storage solution for that spare small block chevy engine you're saving for a kit car!