Odd Travel Lift

[Midnightsun]

Thought some of you here would like to see the weird looking travel lift we have at my former marina and where I store the boat for winter. I do believe this is a one of a kind. Gas engine which operates the hydraulic drives and rams. shorten, widen, the vertical legs can be moved up or down as well as vertical travel on each wheel section. Different from the normal variety is this is purpose built for launching on a ramp.

Backed under boat adjusting the slings,



Off the blocks and ready to roll



On the way to the ramp



A few photos by the staff



Backing down the ramp



Picture of a sail boat once the rig is in the water.

[Viper]

They're not as common but I've seen them before. Kropf, who makes the regular hydraulic trailers also makes those hydraulic sling lift trailers. They're not as common because they're limited for the yard only and can't be used to transport on the road. The regular hydraulic trailer serves both purposes so they're more desirable. Many ways to skin a cat, there's several designs out there for getting boats out of the water for commercial applications.

It's amazing how small that unit looks considering it's a 30 ton. Thanks for sharing the pics.

[RGrew176]

I guess as long as it works and accomplishes the task at hand that's all that really matters. Got to admit this is the first time I have seen one like that. Thanks for sharing.

[km1125]

Cool trailer but it would have scared the crap out of me watching that boat be backed down the ramp. There's a LOT of boat hanging out past that back sling and the balance had to be just forward of that sling. Seems like both slings should have been 6-8' farther aft, especially if backing down a ramp.

Nice boat btw!!

[Midnightsun]

Source of the post Cool trailer but it would have scared the crap out of me watching that boat be backed down the ramp. There's a LOT of boat hanging out past that back sling and the balance had to be just forward of that sling. Seems like both slings should have been 6-8' farther aft, especially if backing down a ramp.

Nice boat btw!!

Larger boats are marked where the slings are designed to be by the manufacturer and those slings are on the marks. If you look at the shafts, any farther back and you would be lifting on the shafts causing damaged to them. What you do not see is when the operator starts going down the ramp he keeps the boat level at all times by either raising the rear or lowering the front or a combination of the 2.

Take a look at this picture where you can see the sailboat is level with the water even though he is on the ramp.

[SplashyLady]

That's a Knopf Conolift all right. They are more popular in Canada (where they are made) than in the US. Travelifts are more popular in the US, but the Conolift does not require the overhead structure and can go down a ramp into the water. Originally built as trailers that required a tractor or other tow vehicle, Conolift started making self-propelled models years ago. If I remember right, prices are around $80,000 for a 30 ton self-propelled. I like the design in some ways better than the Travelift, but for some reason you don't see Conolifts much in the US.

[Viper]

Source of the post That's a Knopf Conolift all right. They are more popular in Canada (where they are made)...... for some reason you don't see Conolifts much in the US.

Don't know why not, with the exchange rate it would only cost you $5k US