Floe VSD7500 User manual

Visit our website at www.floeintl.com
Read and follow all safety rules and operating instructions
carefully before attempting to install or operate lift system.
ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION
OWNER’S MANUAL
VSD6000, VSD7500 & VSD10000
24 Volt DC / 120 Volt AC
Boat Lift Systems
(patented Easy-Level leg system)
Retain this manual for future reference.
03/27/14

Please retain this manual for future reference
CONTENTS
Important Safety Information............................................ 2
Letter from Wayne Floe .................................................. 2
Important Safeguards ...................................................... 4
Boat Lift Capacities .......................................................... 5
Is your lift’s capacity adequate for your boat? ............ 6
Boat Lift Dimensional Specifications................................ 7
Drive Train & Ball Screw .................................................. 8
Power System.................................................................. 8
Electrical Connection Panel ............................................ 8
Batteries & Charging Options .................................... 9-10
Wired Remote & Optional Wireless Remote .............. 12
Lowering Lift Manually ................................................ 13
Leveling Boat Lift ............................................................ 13-14
Boat Lift Installation & Removal Options ........................ 15
Boat Lift Wheel Kits .................................................... 15
Float & Roll.................................................................. 16
Full Length Bunk Set Up.................................................. 17
Determining Proper Width .......................................... 17
Determining Proper Height.......................................... 17
2
Vertical Guide-In Selection & Adjustment ........................ 18
Selecting Guides ........................................................ 18
Adjusting Guides ........................................................ 18
Boat Placement/Motor Stop ............................................ 19
Proper Canopy Frame Positioning .................................. 20-21
Canopy Fabric Installation .............................................. 20-21
Canopy Wind Precaution ................................................ 21
Canopy Fabric Removal .................................................. 21
Canopy Fabric Folding Instructions ................................ 22
Canopy Fabric Care & Cleaning ...................................... 22
Optional Canopy Lighting Package ................................ 23
Inspections & Maintenance.............................................. 23-25
VSD pre-installation check list ........................................ 27
VSD-7500 Exploded View................................................ 28-29
VSD-7500 Parts List ........................................................ 30
Warranty .......................................................................... 31-33
It may also be beneficial to view the lift portion of FLOE’s
marine video, “A Look Into FLOE Dock & Lift Systems.”
Dear Friend,
Congratulations on the purchase of your new FLOE Boat Lift! Like
you, I enjoy many kinds of waterfront activities, and I know that to have
fun I need to keep my boat secure, protected, and accessible. Through my
years of experience, I’ve learned how boat lifts should not only protect
your watercraft investment, but also be convenient and easy to use -
and I have developed them accordingly.
The fact that you purchased a FLOE boat lift tells me that you
research a product thoroughly. You will find a FLOE boat lift has many innovative features that will ensure
years of dependable service, satisfaction, and enjoyment.
Because your FLOE boat lift is engineered to lift and support a tremendous amount of weight, it is
critical that you operate it safely. Anyone who operates this lift must read the entire owner’s manual before
operating the lift to make sure they are able to operate it properly and enjoy all of its features to the fullest.
See you on the water!
Wayne Floe , CEO - FLOE International
DOCK & BOAT LIFT SYSTEMS

3
While operating the lift, keep all body parts ,long
hair, loose clothing and jewelry away from all
moving parts, including (but not limited to) the
drive-train mechanism, cables, pulleys and lift
platform.
Be sure the lift cradle is completely lowered
before any adjustments or repairs are made to the
winch or drive-train mechanism.
Always keep all people clear of the boat lift
support structure and lifting cradle. Never swim or
play near a boat lift, even if it is not being
operated.
Make sure the boat lift is completely clear of
people or other obstructions prior to operating. Do
not operate a boat lift with people inside the boat.
Never operate a boat lift with protective cover
removed from drive train system.
Never allow anyone on or under this lift system,
especially while it is being operated, or it is
supporting the weight of a watercraft.
Stay clear of boat lift when someone is entering
or exiting the lift with a boat. Never try to assist
the boat’s direction while it is in motion (either
from inside or outside the boat).
Never work on or make adjustments to boat,
boat lift or boat lift accessories while the lift is
supporting the weight of the boat.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
Read and follow all safety rules and operating instructions carefully
before attempting to install and operate lift system
DANGER CAUTION
WARNING
You will be killed or seriously injured if
you don’t follow instructions.
You can be killed or seriously injured if
you don’t follow instructions.
Failure to take appropriate action
could result in mechanical failure,
product damage and/or
cause serious injury or potential death.
Your safety and the safety of others is very important. We have
provided many important safety messages in this manual and on
your lift system. Always read and obey all safety messages.
If you do not understand any of these instructions,
please ask your dealer or call FLOE Customer Service at
218-426-3563 or toll free 800-336-6337.
This is the safety alert symbol. This symbol alerts you to
hazards that can cause serious injury or potential death to
you and others, plus damage to the lift system. All safety
messages will be preceded by the safety alert symbol and
the word “DANGER”, “CAUTION” or “WARNING.”
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
All safety messages will identify the hazard and tell you how to reduce the chance of injury.
DANGER
CAUTION
WARNING

Lift must be assembled and installed properly or
mechanical failure and possible injury may occur.
Never overload a boat lift. See
capacities/specifications for important
information regarding the boat’s actual weight
and boat lift capacity limitations.
If watercraft is open to the accumulation of rain
water, be sure boat’s drain plug is pulled.
Additional water weight may cause the maximum
lift capacity to be exceeded, resulting in potential
lift damage or bodily injury.
Never operate a boat lift that is not level. Under
normal conditions a boat lift operates under
extreme force. When the lift is not level, these
forces are greatly multiplied and bodily injury or
damage to the lift can result.
Perform all inspections and maintenance on a
regular basis. Replace any worn parts
immediately to avoid potential lift failure. Ensure
all pulleys are operating properly and that all
cables and their attach points are secure and free
of excessive wear and fraying. See Inspections &
Maintenance section for all important details.
Never lift a tour boat with water filled ballast bags.
This extra weight will overload the lift.
WARNING
Bodily injury or damage to lift system may result
if installation or removal of this lift is attempted
without first reading and understanding the
installation and removal section of this manual.
If this unit is equipped with a canopy, severe wind
damage may occur if the lift is not securely held
down to the lake bottom by screw anchors or by
some other means.
FLOE lift systems have not been tested in
brackish or salt water conditions. Lift failures due
to installations in brackish or salt water locations
will not be covered by FLOE’s warranty. FLOE
will not be responsible for incidental or
consequential damages resulting from these
installations.
Never install the lift system in a body of water
whereas either the rising water or wave action
will not always flow under the main lift beam. For
example, do not install lift in bodies of water with
significant water fluctuation or large water bodies
that have excessive wave action.
The electrical system is not designed to be
substantially saturated, immersed or submerged
in water. FLOE will not be responsible for
incidental or consequential damages resulting
from electrical damages in these situations.
This manual is intended to serve as an owner’s use and maintenance guide for a lift that has been
properly assembled by a qualified, trained professional. Detailed assembly instructions
are packaged with the lift systems.
If the boat lift system is not assembled, installed, or operated properly, mechanical failure,
as well as serious injury or death, could result. See to it that all users understand
that this lift system is a piece of heavy equipment that requires the use of good
judgement and the knowledge of its dangers and limitations.
4

All dealers should have reviewed the checklist below with retail customers upon
purchase of a boat lift. If they did not cover this, retail customers must review
thoroughly and understand the statements below.
Certificate of
Boat Lift Pre-Delivery
Date of Purchase ______/______/______ Boat Lift Model ______________________________________
Customer Delivery: Each item must be initialed by the selling dealer upon sale.
______ I understand that the boat lift must be properly assembled and must be tested prior to use with a boat.
______ I understand that a serious injury or death could occur if a boat lift is overloaded, not correctly assembled,
installed, maintained or not used properly.
______ I was given an owner’s manual and I promise to read and understand it before using the boat lift.
______ I understand that it is my responsibility to get clarification on anything in the owner’s manual that I don’t fully
understand before using the lift system.
______ I understand that I must educate all persons who will be around or using my boat lift as to how to do so safely.
______ I understand that people must stay clear of the boat lift when it is supporting the weight of the boat. No one
should ever swim under it, be on it, in the boat, or in any position that could cause harm to them if the lift were
to suddenly drop.
______ I understand safe operation of the lift requires people to stay clear of moving parts and pinch points.
______ I understand that a boat lift should never be overloaded under any circumstance. A boats published dry weight
is usually substantially lower than its actual loaded weight. Your boat should be weighed with fuel, water,
batteries and contents in order to know its actual weight.
______ I understand the total capacity of the boat lift is equal to the combination load limit of the two main end lift
beams. For instance, a lift with a 5,000 pound capacity has a load limit of 2,500 per lift end beam.
______ I understand that a 5,000 pound total boat weight could easily over-load one of the main lift beams on a 5,000
pound capacity lift. For instance, if the boat was positioned so that one main lift beam supported
3,000 pounds and the other only supported 2,000 pounds, the lift would be over-loaded. For this reason, FLOE
recommends that your total loaded boat weight doesn’t exceed 85% of the lifts rated capacity and that you
locate and place the boat’s center of gravity (balance point) in the center of the two lift beams.
______ I understand that the boat lift needs to be installed level and must be kept level while it is in use. A lift that isn’t
level will have a reduced lifting capacity of 5% per 1” of being out of level.
______ I understand that I need to pull the drain plug on my boat if it is subject to water accumulation as this could
easily overload the boat lift.
______ I understand that I should never lift my boat if it has been swamped or has any significant additional water
weight in it that will overload the boat lift’s capacity.
______ I understand that if my lift is equipped with a canopy it must be properly secured or it could blow over and
cause damage not covered under warranty.
______ I understand that I must discontinue using the lift immediately and contact my FLOE dealer if any unusual
sounds or functionality are present.
______ I understand I must follow all inspection and maintenance procedures as outlined in my owner’s manual.
Selling Dealership Name__________________________________________________________________________
Selling Dealership Signature_______________________________________________________________________
Print Name
Customer Signature______________________________________________________________________________
Print Name
5

LIFT CAPACITIES
It’s recommended that the total loaded weight of the water
craft doesn’t exceed 75 to 85% of the total lift capacity.
The total capacity of a lift is the combined capacity of each
of the boat lifts two main lifting beams.
Never exceed the weight capacity of either main lift beam.
For instance a 5,000 `lb capacity boat lift is limited to 2,500
lbs for each main lift beam. It is very easy for a 4,000 lb
boat to exceed the capacity of a 5,000 lb boat by not
parking on the lift in the correct position.
BEFORE PUTTING A BOAT ON THE LIFT YOU NEED
TO KNOW THREE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS:
1. Determine the total loaded boat weight?
Weigh your boat loaded with fuel, water and everything in
that you could ever have in it when it is parked on the boat
lift. Not all manufacturers published boat weights are
accurate because they don’t account for motors, gear, fuel,
water, etc.
2. Determine the boats center of gravity or CG?
A boat’s CG is the location under the boat hull which the
boat will balance if sitting on a narrow object. Your dealer
or the manufacturer of the boat should be able to help you
locate the boat’s CG. Be sure that the motor and gear
weight have been taken into consideration.
See Illustration A.
Illustration A: above shows the boat’s balance point of
center of gravity (CG).
3. The boat should be parked so that the boat’s CG or
balance point is centered between the two main lift beams.
See Illustration B.
Illustration B: shows the boats center of gravity (CG)
centered between the two main lift beams the fact that
each of the lift beams is supporting the same amount of
weight.
Once you know that your boat is well within the boat lifts
rated capacity and the location of the boat’s CG develop a
positioning method that will ensure that all users of the
boat lift will park with the Boat’s CG in the center of the lift.
Here are a couple of suggestions to do this consistently:
· Use a motor stop.
· Note the proper location of the boat on the lift
and use some sort of marking system or labels.
· If equipped with canopy, center the canopy over
the boat when the boat’s CG is in the center of
the lift, park with the boat centered under the
canopy.
· You can even hang an object such as a tennis
ball so it just touches the windshield when the
boat is properly positioned.
If your boat is not positioned properly, you can extremely
overload one of the main lifting beams. See Illustration C.
Illustration C: shows a boats center of gravity improperly
positioned so that it extremely overloads one of the main
lifting beams.
Never exceed the lift’s rated capacity. Doing so
could cause structural/mechanical failure and
serious injury or death.
WARNING
6

The best and most accurate way to determine
whether the lift’s capacity is adequate is to log
onto FLOE’s website, www.floeintl.com, and click
on the Boat Lift Selector program. This program
will calculate optimal boat positioning and guide
you to the best lift selection for your boat. It even
has a link that will help you determine the weight
of your craft. Your dealer can also assist you in
making the best choice.
The following simple exercise is a second, but
less accurate way, to manually determine the
lift capacity needed for your boat:
1. Obtain the boat’s actual total weight including
motor, fuel, water, equipment, accessories,
etc.
2. Subtract the weight of the motor and fuel from
this number.
3. Take the boat’s weight, (the result of step 2),
divide it in half and add the weight of the
motor and fuel to that number. This number
is the approximate weight that the rear lift
beam will need to support.
4. Take this number and multiply by two. This
will equal the approximate minimum rated lift
capacity needed for the boat.
For instance: If the boat is an I/O that has a total
loaded weight of 2900 lbs. and the fuel, motor and
lower unit weigh approx. 800 lbs. it would be
calculated as follows:
• 2900 - 800 = a boat only weight of 2100 lbs.
• 2100 / 2 = 1050 lbs. This is the approximate
boat weight that will be supported by each lift
beam (not including motor and fuel).
• 1050 + 800 = 1850. This is the approximate
actual weight that the rear beam will need to
support.
• 1850 x 2 = 3700. This is the minimum overall
boat lift capacity needed.
This example does not include any additional
hardware or accessories that would affect the
capacity needed.
CRADLE
LIFT BEAM 1
VSD-7500
Each lift beam has a total
capacity of 3750 lbs.
Fig. 1
If watercraft is open to the accumulation of rain water, be sure
boat’s drain plug is pulled. Additional water weight may cause
the maximum lift capacity to be exceeded, resulting in potential
lift damage or bodily injury.
You must weigh your boat fully loaded, including fuel, gear, etc.
to get its accurate weight. It is common for published dry
weights to be considerably lower than actual loaded weights.
Lift and/or boat damage due to overloading is not covered by
your warranty.
EACH LIFT BEAM IS RATED TO SUPPORT ONE-HALF
OF THE LIFT’S TOTAL CAPACITY.
CRADLE
LIFT BEAM 2
WARNING
WARNING
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOUR
LIFT’S TOTAL CAPACITY IS
ADEQUATE FOR YOUR BOAT
This is a guideline only. It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure capacities are not exceeded.
VSD-7500
Each lift beam has a total
capacity of 3750 lbs.
VSD-10000
Each lift beam has a total
capacity of 5000 lbs.
VSD-6000
Each lift beam has a total
capacity of 3000 lbs.
7

Top of Main Cradle
Lift Beam lowers
down to 11.5” (6000)
11.5” (7500) or
15” (10000) above
the lake bottom with
legs fully retracted.
LIFT DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
Max. Inside Width of Guide-ins
6000 = 115.5” / 7500 = 103.5” / 10000 = 115”
Max. Inside Width of Guide-ins with
Double Vertical Style Only
7500 = 107” / 10000 = 119”
6000 = 119”
0 - 35”
Leveling Leg
Travel with
Extensions*
* Deep water extensions available. **Does not include the weight of the bunks, guides, or other accessories.
Bed travel for
6000 = 60”
7500 = 60”
10000 = 52”
Leveling Leg
Travel with
Standard Legs
Frame Length
(from one main lift
beam to the other)
6000 = 126.5”
7500 = 126.5”
10000 = 162.5”
MODEL/ DRIVE BUNKS BED INSIDE OUTSIDE FRAME
CAPACITY TRAIN TRAVEL WIDTH WIDTH LENGTH
VSD-6000 Screw-Drive Cradle Pads 60” 132” 140” 126.5”
VSD-7500 Screw-Drive Cradle Pads 60” 119” 128" 126.5”
VSD 10000 Screw-Drive Cradle Pads 52” 132” 140” 162.5”
MODEL/ LEVELING TRAVEL CANOPY GUIDE-IN MAX INSIDE WEIGHT**
CAPACITY LEG WITH OPTION OPTIONS WIDTH WITH
TRAVEL EXTENSIONS* GUIDE-INS
VSD-6000 0 -35” 21.5 - 48.5” 24’, 26’, vertical 115.5” 747 lbs.
28’, 30’, 32’ double vertical 119”
VSD-7500 0 - 35” 21.5 - 48.5” 24’, 26’, vertical 103.5” 731 lbs.
28’, 30’, 32’ double vertical 107”
VSD-10000 0 - 35” 21.5 - 48.5” 28’, 30’, 32’, 36’ vertical 115.5” 1,010 lbs.
double vertical 119”
21.5 -
48.5”
Outside Frame Width
7500 = 128” / 10000 = 140”
6000 = 140”
Outside edge of sandpad to
outside edge of sand pad: VSD
7500=135”, VSD10000=147”
8

ADVANCED SWITCH CONTROL (ASC)
The Advanced Switch Control (ASC) (Fig. 4) is located on a
separate box. It is designed to allow for easy hook up of
standard and optional components as well as the resetting
of tripped circuits.
• The black wire is for the limit switch.
• The blue wire is for the wired remote/key switch.
• The yellow wire is for the wireless receiver.
The resetable circuit breakers are designed to trip if there is
a short in the wires. The DC version has one reset for the
radio remote receiver and the optional flood lights. The AC
version has two resets, one for the radio remote receiver
and optional flood lights and the
other reset is for the drive motor.
If one trips you can reset it by
pressing in the reset button. If it
continuously trips refer to the
trouble shooting section of this
book. (Fig. 5)
Fig. 4 Advanced Switch Control (ASC). Top image is a 24
volt DC powered unit.
Fig. 2
Drive Train
(Power Unit &
Ball Screw)
When operated, the motor turns the ball-screw, allowing the
ball-nut to travel back and forth along the screw. This raises
and lowers the lift, as shown in Fig. 3.
Rotating
Screw
Ball Nut
Stainless
Steel Lifting
Cable
The drive train simply spins the
screw so that the ball nut travels
back and forth as it pulls the
lifting cable.
DRIVE TRAIN & BALL SCREW
This boat lift is equipped with FLOE’s exclusive Vertical
Screw Drive (VSD) drive train technology. The VSD system
replaces the common winch style drive-train common to
most boat lifts. It uses DC or AC powered, high-torque
electric motor along with a ball-screw and ball-nut
mechanism. See Fig 2.
Maintenance and trouble-shooting tips for the exclusive
drive-train system are addressed later in this manual.
This efficient drive train has enabled FLOE to design a lift
for mid-sized boats that is easily powered by a 24-Volt
battery system or a 120-Volt AC power system, and to
develop a line of optional accessories to keep the
batteries charged effortlessly.
To prepare your VSD lift for operation, you should first
understand the basics for setting up the electrical features
of the lift, and especially the importance of the limit switch
safety feature.
24 volt DC
DC
Limit Switch Magnet
Reset
BLUE WIRE
Wired Remote
BLACK WIRE
Limit Switch
YELLOW WIRE
Wireless Receiver
Fig. 5
9

CONNECTING THE BATTERIES
The DC lift comes standard with two battery trays and
plastic battery boxes as well as the wiring kit to connect
them to the lift’s control panel.
The two 12-Volt batteries connect together in series to
create a 24-Volt system. It is important that the two deep-
cycle batteries are connected to the cables leading from the
electrical connection/circuit breaker panel exactly as shown
in Fig. 7 below. This 24-Volt system will reduce the
amperage draw on the batteries, and maximize battery life.
CHARGING THE BATTERIES
In order to achieve peak lift performance and maximum
battery life, the batteries must be properly charged and
maintained. If batteries are run down or faulty, the lift
system will either move very slowly or not at all.
Fig. 7 - 24 Volt System
All battery and motor connections must be corrosion free
and tight. If not maintained properly, excessive heat will
be generated which can melt the connections.
WARNING
Batteries that are improperly connected can cause
damage to the lift system, the batteries, and a potential
explosion.
WARNING
SELECTING THE BATTERIES
FOR 24-VOLT DC MODELS
Batteries are not
included with the lift
system. The
recommended batteries
(Fig. 6) are two 12-Volt,
deep-cycle, Group 27
(case size), with 600 cold
cranking amps and stud
post terminals with wing
nuts (lead top posts). An
Interstate SRM-27 meets
this criteria. Fig. 6 Recommended Battery
Fig. 8 Battery
Boxes & Trays
(Note how cabling
from drive train
control panel is
neatly stowed and
completely
contained within the
battery boxes.)
Keep the cables from the connection panel inside the
battery boxes by running them through the first box, and
then into the second. The white battery interconnect
wire should also be contained within the boxes.
120 VOLT AC WARNING
For the AC
power
connection
please
contact a
licensed
electrical
contractor
to ensure
a safe
connection.
You must have
120v/20amp service to the connection on VSD drive train.
CHECK THE FOLLOWING TO ENSURE PROPER
OPERATION OF THE ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE...
Electrical System:
1. Power wires to the batteries & motor are properly
connected, corrosion free & tight.
2. Batteries are fully charged. When tested a 12 volt
battery will have between 12.7 and 13.8 volts.
3. Limit Switch is connected to 13-in. plug.
4. Wired Remote/Key Switch is connected to 10-in. plug.
5. Wireless Receiver (optional) is connected to 7-in. plug.
Important: • Test the upper & lower limit switches before
initial use and seasonally to ensure the drive motor shuts
off automatically before coming to a hard stop. Test by
approaching the upper & lower cradle positions cautiously
with quick on/off triggers of the remote.
• If any portion of the electrical system is submerged,
please refer to the owner’s manual for corrective action.
Cable Note: Ensure that cradle travels freely to the
bottom of the lift and keeps tension on lifting cable at all
times.
10