Straight answers
What can't a Smartlift do?
The SL609 will not lift more than 1,320 lb with the arm in, or 330 lb at full reach, and it will not set anything above 13 ft 11 in. It cannot hold a piece the pads cannot seal on, like a wet or dusty face, or one too curved to seal, and it never lifts people. It does not work in the rain, it lifts only on level ground, and it is not a crane.
Hard limits from the machine.
From the SL609 data sheet, the user manual and the rental agreement.
- Weight1,320 lb with the arm in, 860 lb at 4.1 ft from the front wheel, 330 lb at full reach. Wind cuts each of those.
- HeightThe pads lift to 13 ft 11 in. A set 15 ft up is out of reach.
- The sealAll four pads have to seal airtight on a flat, smooth face. Clean and dry the face first. A rough face may not seal at all, and a curved one needs curved-glass cups we don't carry today.
- Four pads, alwaysThe vacuum yoke works on all four pads, spread as wide as the piece allows. A piece too small for four pads needs another tool.
- WeatherNo rain, no lightning, no strong wind. The manual rates it from -4 to 104°F.
Jobs it is not built for.
Some of these are in the manual and the rest are in the rental agreement.
- PeopleIt never lifts or carries a person. Nobody rides on it or stands under a raised load.
- Crane workIt does not lift anything above 13 ft 11 in or swing loads over a building. The manufacturer says it must not be compared to a crane or a forklift.
- Pushing and draggingNo pulling, pushing or dragging loads, and no towing. It lifts and sets.
- SlopesIt lifts only on level ground. It drives on up to 6 degrees empty, and less with a load. Never left loaded or parked on a slope.
- A night outsideAt the end of each day and whenever your crew leaves the site, it goes inside a locked building or container with the key and remote out.
If your piece is too heavy, send it anyway. We can source a larger unit for heavier lifts.
Not sure? Send the job.
A few fields. We answer within two hours, 9 to 5, seven days, and quote as soon as we have your job details.
The follow-ups.
The five questions that usually come right after this one.
Can it lift curved glass?
The standard pads are made for flat, smooth pieces, and all four have to seal airtight. Smartlift makes curved-glass cups and crossbars that handle curves down to about a 39 to 59 inch radius. We don't carry them today, so send the radius and a photo and we'll tell you what your job would take.
Can it set glass above 13 ft 11 in?
No. That is the top of its lift. For a set 15 or 16 ft up you need a different machine, and we will tell you so on the first call.
Can it ride a building elevator?
Sometimes. The elevator or construction hoist has to be rated for the machine's 2,090 lb plus the load. The car has to fit the machine folded for transport, about 7 ft 9 in long, and it drives through at 32.7 in. Checking the rating is on you.
Can it work in the rain?
No. Rain stops the work, and the manual bans lifting a wet face. When rain starts, set the piece down and get the machine under cover. Overnight it goes inside a locked building or container.
Can it carry a piece across the site?
Yes, on firm ground. Keep the piece low and close to the machine while you drive, as the manual says. On a slope the loaded limit drops fast, to nothing at 6 degrees.
Where to next.
The pages this answer leans on, and the other questions.
Got one on the calendar?
Tell us the weight and the zip. We answer within two hours, 9 to 5, seven days, and quote as soon as we have your job details.