A Step by Step Guide to Trus-T-Lift™

The Onboard Controls

Purpose: Easily navigate the Trus-T-Lift to the next landing.

Our Patented “Soft Touch” Controls make driving your Trus-T-Lift a breeze!

Let’s face it. Not all lift controls are made equal. Some are too small to see properly. Some are too hard to push for any length of time. Some are just simply too uncomfortable to use, period.

Not everyone riding a lift has the same dexterity, eye sight, strength or maneuverability to use the controls of many lifts on the market today.

It almost seems that the makers of this product did not consider the variety of riders that would use the product. We can’t be sure.

At RAM we took all that into consideration when we designed our controls.


We oversized our controls to a full 2” x 8” for each Up and Down function.

Large Bright Direction Arrows help you determine which control to use.


Problem with your Strength?  Once again, No problem at all!

Our “Soft Touch” Controls are so easy to push they are Practically Effortless to use.

1 Finger Control, Slap it with the Back of your Wrist, Use an Elbow, or a Pointing Stick!

No matter how you choose to operate your Trus-T-Lift controlling it is the easiest thing you may do all day. Considering the average speed of any platform lift, you could be holding that control for quite a while if you are travelling more than porch height (up to the top of a stair case or tall deck). Why not be as comfortable as you can? After all, you do have a choice.

Choose a Trus-T-Lift and enjoy the ride!

Wheelchair Lift Components | Vertical Platform Lift


Trus-T-Lift Control Panel Door

(where the controls are mounted)

Purpose: Emergency Stop. Provide access to the electrical connections, relays, and fuse replacement. Lock Out the unit.

The large Red Emergency Button mounted on the control panel door is used for stopping the lift in the event that you have to stop and power down the lift quickly. Pushing the button in deactivates the lift immediately. Pulling the button out resumes normal operation.

There is nothing worse than having to dismantle an entire machine to get at components. Most competing lifts on the market require that you have a host of tools at your disposal before even attempting simple procedures. Changing a fuse for example.

The Trus-T-Lift has easy access to fuses and electric connections.

There are 2 key slots mounted side by side on the Control Panel Door.

Open the Control Panel Door (typically the bronze colored key). (We use a spring loaded weather seal on that door, so be sure to push in firmly while turning the key.)  Inside you will find, Extra Fuses and an Extra Set of Keys. You will be able to access wiring connections should you have to trouble shoot the machine.

You will see a second slot to the left of the control panel door lock. That is the Power Off Key Slot. (Typically the silver colored key.) This feature allows you to turn the power off to the unit. You may want to disable the lift if you are away. This will stop the lift from being used in your absence.


The Drive System

See our Video

This is the heart of a lift and it is used to safely raise and lower the platform and rider safely between landings. There are a number of different ways to lift a platform. (That’s the part you are riding on.) We thought it best to use the Simplest, Most Reliable Method available. Why? Let’s take a look at a breakdown of the components to discover why.


The Synchronous “Geared” Belt Drive

Unlike conventional belt drive systems (used on other lifts). The Trus-T-Lift Synchronous Belt Drive will not stretch or slip. If you are in a climate that has drastic temperature fluctuations, our belt will always retain its tension and work as efficiently as the day it was installed at the plant.

Why is that important? RAM uses a ½ hp motor to accomplish the same thing everyone else uses a larger motor to accomplish. That means less energy requirements, which in turn translates into being less expensive to operate. That saves you money. At today’s energy costs that can add up to a tidy savings every year.


The ACME Worm Screw

This is a critical component that the platform rides up and down on. There are a set of Drive Nuts that the screw passes through. The easiest way to relate is to think of a nut and bolt. (Turn the nut one direction and it travels up the bolt. Turn it the opposite direction and the nut travels down the bolt.) The ACME Screw is driven directly by the Synchronous “Geared” Belt Drive. There are other types of screws on the market. However they are overly complex in their design and are prone to damage or breakdown due to that same complexity.

RAM chooses to use the ACME Worm Screw due to its Durable, Simplistic, Robust design. That means the opportunity for failure is minimal.

Which once again, saves you money, especially as the lift ages.


The Drive Nuts

By now you know that the platform of your lift rides up and down the screw on Drive Nuts. 2 of them to be exact. The first drive nut is the work horse and does the daily lifting. The second nut “spins freely” and does not bear any load. It’s job is to act as a Safety Back Up. Should the first drive nut fail, the second drive nut takes over. You will then receive 1 trip in the up direction and the lift will not operate further from that point on. This is for your safety. At this point both Drive nuts should be replaced to provide you with years of trouble free, reliable service.

The drive nuts are made of Bronze. We also do that for a reason. Once again, for your safety and replacement cost savings. With time, everything wears out. Including the screw. There is no way to predict which will wear out first if both pieces are steel. It could be the screw, or it could be the drive nut.

We wanted some predictability so we chose Bronze Drive Nuts. Why? Bronze is a softer metal. It will wear out slightly quicker than the steel screw. That is important because if the drive nut wears out before the screw does, the replacement cost is minimal. A drive nut replacement costs less than a drive screw replacement. Dealing with a worn out drive nut is safer than dealing with a worn out drive screw. It also encourages the service person to inspect the unit thoroughly once the lift trips onto the backup safety nut.


Zero Load Start

Another RAM patented invention is the Zero Load Start feature.  This is especially important in colder climates. Competing lifts attempt to lift the full load as soon as you engage the up function.  This more often than not results in failure to lift you. Why is that? Those lifts were simply not designed to work properly in cold weather.  Our patented design allows the motor to briefly spin up to speed, BEFORE it attempts to lift you. This action allows the motor to reach full power before engaging the weight of the platform. What does that mean to you? The Trus <T> Lift will work in colder climates, when other lifts will not. That means you either get back into your house or get out of your house when you need to. Not when the lift decides to work. We have tested this down to a bone chilling 40- below.  Be confident that your lift will work when you need it to. Insist on Zero Load StartOnly on the Trus <T>Lift.



The Folding Access Ramp

Purpose: Helps the rider gain access to the top of the lifts platform from ground level.  Acts as a wheel stop to prevent rolling off the platform while in transit.

Think of it as a Draw Bridge. When the Access Ramp is in the down position, it provides you a smooth transition from ground level to the top of the platform.

Once you engage the controls for upward travel, the Access Ramp folds into an upright position. Creating a barrier that prevents rolling off the platform by accident.

The Access Ramp remains in the upright position until you return to ground level. The Access Ramp will never open while the lift is in transit or at the top landing. The Access Ramp is not designed to withstand abuse or to act as a crash barrier.

Never impact the ramp with Electric Wheelchairs or Scooters. We recommend the installation of a Platform Gate if you are using powered equipment.

For more information and other options see Trus-T-Lift Options and their purpose.

TTl Options Images 4


The Platform

Purpose: Provide a stable surface to transport you to the next landing. Allow a choice of on/off configuration.

Your platform lift needs may differ slightly from that of your neighbor. You may require a platform that allows you to enter on one end and exit on the other. They may require a platform that allows them to exit at a 90 degree angle to the entrance of the lift. It all depends on how your landing is setup and where the lift would be situated.

Review your layout carefully before deciding how your platform is configured. The easiest and most common layout is the Straight Through platform.

You have other choices as well. What type of surface will the platform have? That decision comes down to regulations in some parts of the country.

How do I know what platform surface is allowed? Ask! Most likely your local building code department will have the answer for you. They may also have a list of other required equipment that you are obligated to purchase.


There are 2 styles of platforms available.


Non-Skid Expanded Metal Platform

This type of platform is suitable for private residence applications. Typically a good choice it allows you to see what is below you as you travel in a downward direction. If you see an obstruction you can simply release the controls and ask someone to remove the object.

The Expanded Metal Platform offers excellent traction in slippery conditions. The see through mess pattern allows rain and other debris to fall to the ground. This helps reduce slippage (loss of traction) due ice and water build up.

Mesh Platform

Note: the expanded mesh platform may not be allowed due to your local codes. Check with you authorities to confirm acceptability.


Solid Metal Platform

Your local code may require a Solid Metal Platform for your lift and in every commercial building application this will be required. Unlike the previous platform you will be unable to see an obstruction under lift. You will also be required to install a Safety Pan underneath the solid platform. The safety pan contains sensors that stop the lift if there is an obstruction under the platform.

Anti-Skid Traction Pads are fixed to the solid platform surface to reduce slippage during inclement weather. Should you live in an area that receives snow and you have this type of platform, leave the lift at its lowest point to reduce build up under the platform.


Solid Platform


The Power Cord

Purpose: Provide an adequate flow of electricity to the lift.

If you own a residential model Trus-T-Lift you will notice that the cord end has a plugin head attached to it. Commercial versions do not. We do not recommend using extension cords, should you choose to do so refer to the wire gauge size printed on the power cord and purchase an equal or greater gauge extension. Your total length including the original cord on the unit should not exceed 15ft. If you experience difficulties after installing an extension cord, run the unit on the original cord length to determine if the problem persists. If after doing so the problem disappears the issue is likely with the extension.