What is a drywall lift?
A drywall lift or sheetrock lift is an ergonomic machine that can lift large pieces of drywall, gypsum and plasterboard to the ceiling. They are also commonly referred to as panel lifts. The most popular machine size is a 16 foot drywall lift with a lifting capacity of 150 - 250 lbs. A hoist can help prevent jobsite injury so workers do not have to climb ladders with large drywall on their back, shoulders or head. Sometimes a drywall cart is used to move heavy pieces of sheetrock around the job site but it is not capable of lifting.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to operate a drywall lift?
✅ Step 1: Assemble the drywall lift which usually has three parts: a base, mast and cradle (sometimes called an "A-beam"). Slip the arm of your crane into this assembly once everything is in place before attaching one end with fasteners so that there's no rocking back forth when lifting heavy materials like wallboards onto their respective panels.
✅ Step 2: Roll the lift underneath a wall or ceiling and set it at an angle of about 10 degrees with respect to vertical.
✅ Step 3: To make sure you don't mess up your wall, set one side of the drywall on a hook and then place it facing forward. Avoid jerking or shaking when hanging this piece because if done correctly no damage could occur.
✅ Step 4: Turn the cradle to the right angle and lift the drywall into the proper position using the crank. When you are close make sure to adjust the angle accordingly so that the sheetrock is in a perfect angle. Once it is keep lifting until it is firmly against the studs.
✅ Step 5: Ascend up a ladder or man lift and screw the nails into the sheetrock using a cordless tool such as a drywall screwdriver and then lower the cradle down once the panel is secure.
Is a drywall hoist worth it?
This depends on usage as it is not inexpensive and a drywall lift rental maybe the better route if hanging drywall is not part of your daily routine. To find the best drywall lift for your application, you must determine what size gypsum you will be lifting, what the weight of each piece will be and how often you will use it. A sheetrock jack is compact and breakdown into 3 portable sections which can be easily stowed in a car or truck. If you are looking to purchase one we recommend looking at a Sumner or a Telpro lift. A cheap lift can often times fail resulting in injury and slow project completion times.
Can you use a sheetrock lift on a vaulted ceiling?
Yes and this is one of the best reasons to own a sheetrock lift, most machines have a built in tilting mechanism that allows you to place the lift next to a wall or ladder and you can angle the drywall towards the ceiling. Once in place, lower the piece down so the bottom slides onto the lift table. Once in place, press down on the handle and slowly raise to ceiling.
Helpful Hints
Having trouble lifting drywall when stacked or near the bottom of a wall? Take a look at a drywall foot lift, they are an inexpensive lift that gets the drywall off the floor believe us your back will thank you. Cutting sheetrock requires a drywall saw so make sure you have the tools necessary to complete the project as efficiently as possible.