Drive 13240 Battery-Powered Electric Patient Lift

A Linak Motor and a Lifetime Frame Warranty at This Price.

The Drive Medical 13240 is a 450 lb battery-powered electric patient lift that earns its place in our lineup through a combination that’s hard to find at this price: a Linak motor — the same actuator brand used in many institutional-grade lifts — a limited lifetime warranty on the frame, and a charging system that requires nothing more than plugging into a standard wall outlet. No battery to remove, no separate cradle, no extra steps. The low battery alarm triggers at 50% rather than at critical low, giving caregivers generous advance warning before a transfer is at risk. It’s one of the most straightforward lifts in our electric patient lift lineup — and one of the best-warranted.

At a Glance

HCPCS Code E0635 — may be relevant for private insurance reimbursement. See insurance details in FAQs below.

Why We Like This Lift

We like the Drive 13240 because it doesn’t ask the caregiver to manage charging logistics. Plug it in, walk away, come back to a fully charged lift — the CHARGE light goes out when it’s done. No battery to swap, no cradle to find, no extra parts. For families who don’t want to think about the lift between uses, that simplicity is worth a lot. The Linak motor and lifetime frame warranty tell you it’s built to back up that simplicity with durability.

Best for…

• Caregivers who want the simplest possible charging routine — plug in, walk away, done
• Home care situations where a dependable everyday lift with a strong warranty is the priority
• Caregivers who value brand-name motor quality — Linak is a recognized name in institutional lifting equipment
• Patients under 450 lbs who need full-body lift support for daily transfers
• Settings where the high 76” maximum lifting height matters — reaching elevated hospital beds or high surfaces
• Caregivers who use existing 2-, 4-, or 6-point slings and need a lift compatible with all three

Feature Highlights

Linak Motor — Institutional-Grade Actuator in a Home Care Lift

The Drive 13240 is powered by a Linak motor — a Danish-manufactured actuator brand that’s a standard component in many institutional and clinical-grade patient lifts at much higher price points. Linak actuators are known for smooth, quiet, reliable operation over high cycle counts. It’s the same motor inside many lifts that carry significantly higher price tags. Drive Medical specifies it by name because it’s a genuine differentiator worth knowing about.

Plug-In Charging — No Battery Removal Required

Most patient lifts require the caregiver to remove the battery pack and place it on a separate charging cradle — an extra step that’s easy to skip or forget. The Drive 13240 charges in place: plug the charge cord directly into the controller and a wall outlet, and the lift charges without any other action required. The CHARGE light on the front of the unit turns off automatically when the battery is fully charged. The lift will not operate while plugged in, so plan charging time around the transfer schedule. Charge time is approximately 4 hours from 50%, up to 6 hours from fully depleted.

Low Battery Alarm at 50% — Generous Advance Warning

The Drive 13240 sounds an audible warning when battery power drops below 50% — well before the lift is at risk of failing mid-transfer. Most lifts in this category warn only at critical low battery, which can leave a caregiver with very little time to respond. The 50% threshold gives enough time to complete the current transfer, lower the patient safely, and plan for a charge before the next use.

27.5” to 76” Lifting Height — One of the Highest Maximums in Our Lineup

The Drive 13240 has a boom height range of 27.5” to 76” from the floor — confirmed from Drive Medical’s own spec sheet. The 76” maximum is one of the highest in our electric lift lineup, making it well-suited for transferring to elevated hospital beds and high surfaces. The 27.5” minimum, combined with the low base height, supports positioning for floor-level transfers. The sling lays flat under the patient first; the straps do the lifting work from the hook-up point.

6-Point Cradle — Works With the Slings You Have

The Drive 13240 uses a 6-point swivel cradle that accepts 2-point, 4-point, and 6-point slings. That’s the broadest sling compatibility in this class of lift. If you already own slings from a previous lift — chain-style or webbing loop — there’s a good chance they’ll work here. Drive Medical’s sling guide explains how each attachment type works and how to select the right loop combination for the patient’s position.

Quick Release Emergency Lowering — Patient Safety If Power Fails

If the battery completely fails while a patient is suspended, the Drive 13240’s jumbo actuator pump includes an emergency button that switches the lift to manual mode. The Quick Release push/pull system retracts the actuator under load, allowing the caregiver to lower the patient safely without electricity. This mechanical failsafe is an important safety feature for any caregiver working alone.

Limited Lifetime Frame Warranty — Drive Medical Stands Behind the Build

The Drive 13240 carries a limited lifetime warranty on the lift frame — the strongest frame coverage of any lift in our lineup at this price point. Electronics, motor, actuator, and battery are covered for 1 year. For a lift that will be used multiple times daily in home care, the lifetime frame warranty is a meaningful assurance of long-term value.

See It in Action

Your Options at Checkout

Sling (Choose One, or Order the Lift Only)

The Drive 13240 works with Drive Medical slings in 2-, 4-, and 6-point configurations. You can purchase the lift without a sling if you already own compatible Drive Medical slings, or add one at checkout:

No Sling

Choose this if you already have compatible Drive Medical slings in the correct size for your patient.

Full Body Mesh Sling

Supports the patient from head to thigh in open mesh fabric. A versatile everyday sling suitable for most standard transfers. The mesh construction allows air circulation and is comfortable for extended use.

Full Body Sling with Commode Opening

Full-body support with an opening at the base that allows the sling to remain in place during toileting — eliminating the need to remove and reattach during bathroom transfers. A practical choice if commode transfers are part of the daily routine.

Divided Leg Sling with Head Support

Separate leg sections create a more secure fit and reduce the chance of the patient sliding forward. Includes head support for patients with limited neck strength or stability. Preferred when more positional control is needed throughout the transfer.

Which Sling Should You Buy?

Drive Medical Sling Sizing Guide

Proper sling fit is critical for safe transfers. Drive Medical recommends a full risk assessment before selecting any sling. Weight is a starting point, but height, body shape, and support needs all matter. Download the complete Drive Medical Sling Size Guide (PDF, opens in new tab) for detailed fitting guidance.

If you’re not sure which size to choose, call or chat with us before ordering — proper fit is important for both safety and comfort.

Setup and Safety Notes

The Drive 13240 ships in one carton at 122 lbs. Assembly requires an allen wrench (included). Watch the assembly video above before beginning — the step-by-step process is straightforward but the bolt length and placement matter.

• Verify the emergency stop button is in the OUT position before operating — if pushed in, rotate to reset
• Base legs must be fully open during all transfers
• Keep rear casters unlocked during lifting — allows the lift to stabilize naturally as the patient is raised
• The lift will not operate while plugged in for charging — disconnect charger before use
• Do not roll caster base over raised carpet bindings, door frames, or uneven surfaces while patient is suspended
• Use steering handles at all times to maneuver the lift — do not push on the mast or boom
• Use a sling recommended by the patient’s physician — Drive Medical slings are recommended; third-party slings should be confirmed compatible before use
• Never exceed the 450 lb weight limit
• This lift is for transfer only — not for transporting a patient from one location to another while suspended
• If power fails while patient is suspended, press the emergency button on the jumbo actuator pump to switch to manual mode and lower the patient safely using the Quick Release push/pull system

Pair It With

• Compatible patient lift slings — Drive Medical slings in full body, divided leg, and commode-opening styles in multiple sizes
• Hospital bed — adjustable height simplifies positioning the lift and reduces caregiver strain during setup
• Commode chair — pairs naturally with the commode-opening sling for bathroom transfers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a Hoyer lift?

Hoyer is a brand name that has become a widely used term for any full-body electric patient lift — similar to how Kleenex is used for tissue. The Drive Medical 13240 is a battery-powered electric patient lift that does everything most people mean when they say Hoyer lift: it uses a sling and spreader bar to safely lift and transfer a patient who cannot bear weight on their own, powered by a rechargeable battery and controlled by a hand pendant.

What is a Linak motor and why does it matter?

Linak is a Danish manufacturer that makes electric linear actuators — the mechanisms that raise and lower patient lifts. Their actuators are used as standard components in many institutional and clinical-grade patient lifts that cost significantly more than the Drive 13240. Drive Medical specifies the Linak motor by name because it’s a genuine quality signal. Linak actuators are known for smooth, quiet, reliable operation over high cycle counts — which matters in a lift that will be used multiple times every day.

Do I need to remove the battery to charge it?

No — the Drive 13240 charges in place. Plug the charge cord into the controller and a standard wall outlet, and the lift charges without any other steps. The CHARGE light on the front of the unit turns off automatically when the battery is fully charged. Note that the lift will not operate while plugged in, so plan charging time around your transfer schedule. Approximate charge time is 4 hours from 50%, up to 6 hours from fully depleted.

Will insurance cover this lift?

Medicare covers manual hydraulic patient lifts as durable medical equipment, but not electric lifts. If you’re set on an electric lift, there’s a path worth knowing about: Medicare may reimburse you for what it would have paid toward a comparable manual lift, and you pay the difference. Any Medicare benefit requires the purchase to go through a Medicare-enrolled DMEPOS supplier — which ADHME is not. If maximizing your Medicare benefit is the priority, we’d recommend going that route instead.

Private insurance: Many private insurers cover electric patient lifts when prescribed as medically necessary by a physician. ADHME doesn’t bill insurance directly, but provides a detailed paid invoice with the HCPCS code that you can submit to your private insurer for reimbursement. Contact your insurer before ordering to confirm your coverage and any required documentation.

HSA and FSA: Patient lifts are generally eligible expenses under Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. The paid invoice ADHME provides serves as your documentation for reimbursement.

Use HCPCS Code E0635 when submitting to your private insurer for reimbursement.

Owner’s Manual

For full assembly and operating instructions: Drive Medical 13240 Owner’s Manual (PDF, opens in new tab)