Poll questions for those with a riding mower

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I was thinking about a device that would help you store a riding mower better, and came up with the idea that if you park your mower next to this device, it will lift the mower and hold it X feet up in the air securely, so you can use that floor space for something else, like bicycles, other lawn equipment, etc.

Depending on the price of the device, it might have a motor to take care of lifting it and lowering it, otherwise a crank attached to some gears to make it easy to do.

This is just out of curiosity, and a quick Google search didn't bring up a solution, so if there is one that you know of, let me know.

 

[jlee]

Wouldn't it be easier to lift the bicycles?

 

[olds]

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/

I browsed around and didn't see something specifically for lawn equipment, and it seems to require your vehicle to be raised to be right under it, and so it requires moving things out of the way.

Am I understanding it right? Are these available through any retail stores?

 

[TheVrolok]

I know a guy who has a lift for his car. If I had ceilings high enough in my garage it wouldn't be a terrible idea for my riding mower. Basically, I'd buy a lift if I A) Had the clearance and B) was cheaper than building/buying a small garage for my yard.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: JLee
Wouldn't it be easier to lift the bicycles?

Yep, assuming that's what you have there. Here are the people who would benefit from this solution:

1. Those with many small items that they don't want to raise up, like something to spread fertilizer with
2. Those who pull their mower out once every week or two, and use the things below it more often
3. Those who want something easier to park - right now, parking against the wall in a corner requires a few minutes because of things around it that I have to move

 

[geoffry]

I have a fear of things falling on me....the heaviest thing I have hoisted in the garage are bicycles during winter.

At mechanic shops I stay away from the lifts, I stay a couple metres away from fork lifts.

Irrational fear I know but I reckon getting crushed would be one helluva way to go.

 

[ponyo]

I just pile things on top of my riding mower. I haven't used or moved the thing in about 3 years.

They make lifts for cars. I don't think people care too much about riding mowers to buy one for it. I would probably buy a storage shed before I bought any kind of lift for the mower.

 

[mugs]

I just store stuff above it

 

[waggy]

i have a 15X15 shed and a 8X12 shed. so i have plenty of space.

but yeah i think for most that might be a good idea.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
I was thinking about a device that would help you store a riding mower better, and came up with the idea that if you park your mower next to this device, it will lift the mower and hold it X feet up in the air securely, so you can use that floor space for something else, like bicycles, other lawn equipment, etc.

Depending on the price of the device, it might have a motor to take care of lifting it and lowering it, otherwise a crank attached to some gears to make it easy to do.

This is just out of curiosity, and a quick Google search didn't bring up a solution, so if there is one that you know of, let me know.

God another idiot reinventing the hammer! Snapper rear engine riding mower, built to set upright on it's own rear stand. Great way to clean the deck, remove and sharpen the blade. Takes up a 2' by 3' space against a garage wall.

 

[DrPizza]

I think it'd be pretty hard to implement - too many different sizes of riding mowers. Also, every time you wanted the riding mower (presumably once or twice a week) you'd have to move everything else around to get it out. Seems like too much trouble to me. (But, it doesn't matter to me. I could have a dozen riding mowers and have space for them all.)

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Thanks for the feedback guys, keep the comments coming

 

[GeekDrew]

I suppose that it would be a good idea, if implemented properly, for those that have very limited storage space. I, and everyone I know, however, have more than sufficient space for our riding lawn mowers. But as far as that goes... how would you spec this thing out? Some riding mowers are extremely light-weight, and others are *extremely* heavy, even if there isn't much size difference.

Overall... doesn't sound like a good idea to me. :-\

 

[Descartes]

I don't have one anymore since we just have someone take care of the landscaping now, but yes, I would love to get more space. It seems like there's never enough space in the garage.

That being said, I have a hard time seeing how something like that might be implemented and still have usable space. For me, the value would be in getting it completely of the way, like how we have our bikes mounted on the wall. Anything less than that and I wouldn't get much value out of the added space.

Based on what you're saying though, maybe it's simply a lift that's mounted against the wall. You drive the mower up to it and it lifts it out of the way, high enough to where you could park your car underneath it if you wanted. Not sure that's feasible with the height of most garages though.

Overall, I probably wouldn't pay more than $500 for such a thing. I have this weird fascination with garage organizational products though, so who knows.

 

[Sluggo]

Would your idea work anything like this one?

http://www.garagestrategies.com/loftit.htm

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Sluggo
Would your idea work anything like this one?

http://www.garagestrategies.com/loftit.htm

I think it would be similar, however this one would be side loading and so you don't need to remove the things below it at all.

To respond to GeekDrew: I'm not sure on the specs, it was an idea I had yesterday and wanted some feedback. If I go further with it, I'll post pictures and detailed information.

Thanks for everyone's feedback

 

[Chryso]

Originally posted by: mugs
I just store stuff above it

DING DING DING! Shelves!

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: Sluggo
Would your idea work anything like this one?

http://www.garagestrategies.com/loftit.htm

I think it would be similar, however this one would be side loading and so you don't need to remove the things below it at all.

Explain that to me because I don't see how you are going to load and elevate it without either moving something or giving up some storage space.

Maybe you need to look at a design more like a NASCAR hauler where your storage platform is stationary and your loading platform moves (and then stows out ofthe way).

 

[Abe Froman]

I have a three car garage, so it isn't really an issue for me. However if I lived in a house with a 1 or two car garage, I would consider it.

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: Chryso

Originally posted by: mugs
I just store stuff above it

DING DING DING! Shelves!

Why that's just so crazy it might work!