gramey
Active Member
Glynn,
Did you buy one of these and if so how are getting on with it and what else do you need to buy with it to be up and running?
R129 Hardtop Hoist - Anybody used/using one?
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Glynn,
Did you buy one of these and if so how are getting on with it and what else do you need to buy with it to be up and running?
OP
OP
Vintage Racer
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- 2001 Mercedes R129, SL320......1959 Triumph TR3a......2010 Discovery 4.
Have not used it yet, as still in Spain.
I'm not back until the end of April, so will connect it all up and be using it as soon as I can.
Everything should be with it (I did also order the electric winch), but I will need to modify the mounting to suit my specific garage.
I have no doubt that it will do everything that we need and at a much lower price than the SL Shop!
I'm not back until the end of April, so will connect it all up and be using it as soon as I can.
Everything should be with it (I did also order the electric winch), but I will need to modify the mounting to suit my specific garage.
I have no doubt that it will do everything that we need and at a much lower price than the SL Shop!
As an aside, I had to pick up the hardtop for my R129 the other day. I was mildly surprised this was possible ... it wasn't as heavy as I was expecting/remembered. I certainly wouldn't attempt to put it onto the car (or remove it) single-handedly though 
Mine is the standard one however - the panoramic is a fair bit heavier.
Mine is the standard one however - the panoramic is a fair bit heavier.
gramey
Active Member
As an aside, I had to pick up the hardtop for my R129 the other day. I was mildly surprised this was possible ... it wasn't as heavy as I was expecting/remembered. I certainly wouldn't attempt to put it onto the car (or remove it) single-handedly though
Mine is the standard one however - the panoramic is a fair bit heavier.
It's not particularly heavy just cumbersome and then you have the spigots sticking out of the back to catch your paintwork if you don't get it right so better to do it with two of you, at least until my hoist arrives.
On the subject of which so far I've found Motorform's customer service to be appalling. I've emailed them twice and even tried to call them to get an update on when my order will be despatched and they don't answer either, emails or phone.
Doodle
MB Enthusiast
It can be done single handed, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it!
[YOUTUBE HD]Hz7u1seTtlc[/YOUTUBE HD]
[YOUTUBE HD]Hz7u1seTtlc[/YOUTUBE HD]
As an aside, I had to pick up the hardtop for my R129 the other day. I was mildly surprised this was possible ... it wasn't as heavy as I was expecting/remembered. I certainly wouldn't attempt to put it onto the car (or remove it) single-handedly though
Mine is the standard one however - the panoramic is a fair bit heavier.
I've moved mine around ( also standard version ) on my own before .
Although I don't have a garage to fit a hoist in , or anywhere to keep the hardtop at home , and my mum's garage now so full of stuff I can't reverse the car in there , although I do store my top in there , the photos a few posts back did give me the idea that I could cobble something together using one of these hoists attached to my engine crane to fit or remove the top on my own .
Having just gone through another winter with just the soft top on , I doubt I'll use the hardtop again .
I'd thought of doing that before but didn't fancy the potential for damage .
Mind you , I suppose the main concern is those rear pins marking the paintwork - I suppose a thick piece of carpet or similar could be placed over the back of the car for protection , once the top is loose .
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Lotiman
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I'd like to see him try that with an R107 hardtop. They are seriously heavy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TYewGvprTI
Hoovies Garage - He does it with a 107 Roof
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Lotiman
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Maybe I should rephrase that then..........I'd like to see him try that with an R107 hardtop when he's as old and arthritic as the rest of us!
He did struggle to stand up with it at first. I used to take mine off with the help of a mate or my 6'-4" son. My wife just couldn't lift her side at all, but the hoist makes very light work of it, so was a jolly good purchase.
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gramey
Active Member
So my hoist finally arrived, the winch they sent didn't have the removable handle their website states it should, I'm waiting for them to come back to me on that. As I only have a single garage and limited space due to my motorbike I had to position it so it wouldn't be hit by the garage door when it went up or hit the light behind it. Consequently it was between two joists so I had to put a piece of wood between the two, I'm just hoping it stays up.
OP
OP
Vintage Racer
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- Dordogne, France
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- 2001 Mercedes R129, SL320......1959 Triumph TR3a......2010 Discovery 4.
Nice job....................have not installed mine yet, but now inspired to get on with it!
Yep - think I might have loaded it with a couple of bags of sand , and left it hanging for a day or so , before risking my fragile hardtop , or more to the point , parking my car underneath !
gramey
Active Member
[YOUTUBE HD][/YOUTUBE HD]
Well it took my 90kg hanging on it so I figured it should be good for the 12 - 15kg whatever it is for the hardtop. I double up two pieces of 18mm marine ply to 36mm thick so hopefully it should be strong enough.
Well it took my 90kg hanging on it so I figured it should be good for the 12 - 15kg whatever it is for the hardtop. I double up two pieces of 18mm marine ply to 36mm thick so hopefully it should be strong enough.
Lotiman
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On my R107 hardtop I've adopted a belt and braces approach to ensuring it stays up in the air by putting a nylon webbing strap under the hardtop and over the rafters - just in case!
I very much doubt the winch or nylon rope will fail but well, you just never know for sure.
I very much doubt the winch or nylon rope will fail but well, you just never know for sure.
IIRC it's 55kg for the panoramic top (45kg for the standard one) so 90kg is good but maybe not as much of a stress test as you thought!
[YOUTUBE HD][/YOUTUBE HD]
Well it took my 90kg hanging on it so I figured it should be good for the 12 - 15kg whatever it is for the hardtop. I double up two pieces of 18mm marine ply to 36mm thick so hopefully it should be strong enough.
I'd say more like 50Kg for the top ...
gramey
Active Member
50Kg, really??? That sounds awfully heavy for a bit of aluminium and glass and it certainly doesn't feel like 50Kg.
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Glass is heavy stuff - that's why the pano top is 10kg heavier than the standard one.
