Description
When 400 Pounds Isn’t Enough
Some care situations call for more capacity, more durability, and a lift that works as hard as the people using it. The Protekt® 500 (Model 33500) by Proactive Medical is a battery-powered electric patient lift rated to 500 lbs — the highest capacity in the Proactive lineup outside of the bariatric 33600.
With a 6-point spreader bar, floor-lifting capability, and a modular design built for easy parts replacement and long-term service, it’s a lift that fits comfortably in both a home care setting and a small facility. It’s one of the most versatile lifts in our full lineup of electric patient lifts — and one of the few in this price range built to handle both environments.
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At a Glance
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They answered all my questions before I placed an order. Received my equipment within 48 hours and it works exactly as it’s supposed to. Would purchase again and have recommended to others.
Why We Like This Lift
The Protekt 500 sits in a category of its own within the Proactive lineup — more capacity than the Transformer and Take-A-Long, without jumping to bariatric territory. What we appreciate most is the modular design. In a facility setting or a demanding home care situation, the ability to replace individual parts rather than the entire lift is a practical and cost-effective advantage. The clip-free sling hookups are a genuine improvement over traditional hook systems — faster, simpler, and less fumbling during a transfer. And at 500 lbs, there’s enough capacity margin that the lift is working well within its limits for most patients, which matters for longevity and safety.
Best for…
Feature Highlights
500 lb Capacity — Room to Work Safely
The Protekt 500 is rated to 500 lbs — verified from the Proactive Medical owner’s manual. That’s 100 lbs more than the Transformer 33400HE and Take-A-Long 33400P, and puts it within reach of patients who need more than standard capacity without requiring a dedicated bariatric lift. A 500 lb rating also means that for patients in the 350–450 lb range, the lift is operating comfortably within its limits — not at the edge of them. That matters for both safety and the long-term life of the equipment.
Clip-Free Sling Hookups — Faster and Simpler
Traditional patient lift slings attach to the spreader bar with metal hooks or clips that can be awkward to connect under pressure, especially with a patient in the sling. The Protekt 500 uses a clip-free hookup system that simplifies attachment and reduces the chance of incorrect connection. For caregivers doing multiple transfers a day — whether in a home or facility setting — this is a meaningful time and stress saver.
6-Point Spreader Bar — Works With the Slings You Have
The 33500 comes standard with a 6-point spreader bar that accepts 2-, 4-, and 6-point slings. That’s the same broad sling compatibility as the rest of the Proactive full-body lift lineup and means you’re not locked into one sling style. A 2-point bar is available as an optional swap if needed. The bar features 360° rotation without side-to-side sway — keeping the patient stable throughout the transfer.
21.9” Minimum Lifting Height — Floor Transfers Possible
The Protekt 500 has a lifting height range of 21.9” to 71.3” at the sling hook-up — verified from the spec sheet. The 21.9” minimum is low enough to position a sling under a patient following a floor-level fall in most home and facility environments. If floor transfers are a regular part of your care routine rather than an emergency measure, confirm this range works for your specific setup before ordering.
Modular Design — Built for the Long Haul
The Protekt 500’s modular construction means individual components — actuator, spreader bar, control unit — can be replaced independently without replacing the entire lift. Proactive Medical parts are available through ADHME and directly from the manufacturer. For facilities managing multiple lifts, or families investing in long-term home care equipment, this is a meaningful advantage over lifts that require full replacement when one component fails.
Battery-Powered Electric Operation — 25 Cycles Per Charge
The 33500 runs on a 24V rechargeable battery pack and delivers 25 full lift cycles per charge under full load — enough for a full day of transfers in most care situations. The hand pendant gives smooth up-and-down control. The LCD display shows battery status at all times, with audible and visual warnings at low and critical battery levels. An emergency stop button disables the lift instantly if needed, and a manual emergency lowering device handles power failure safely.
See It in Action
Your Options at Checkout
Sling (Choose One, or Order the Lift Only)
The Protekt 500 works with Proactive Medical slings in 2-, 4-, and 6-point styles. You can purchase the lift without a sling if you already own compatible Proactive Medical slings, or bundle it with one of these:
Slings come in multiple sizes. If you’re not sure which size is right, call or chat with us before ordering — proper fit is important for both safety and comfort.
Digital Scale (Optional)
Attaches between the spreader bar and sling and displays the patient’s weight during each lift — up to 600 lbs. Useful when weight monitoring is part of a care plan, eliminating the need for a separate weigh-in.
Battery and Charger Kit (Optional)
Includes one Protekt battery pack and one external battery charger cradle with power cord. Charge one battery while using the other — no downtime between transfers.
BATTERY NOTE: The battery and cradle can be purchased separately in the “Frequently bought with” section under the product photos above. Or select the kit, which includes both, in the product options when you’re adding to the cart.
Setup and Safety Notes
The Protekt 500 ships in one box. At 109 lbs, two people are recommended for unboxing and initial assembly. Assemble it in the room where it will primarily be used before the first transfer.
The owner’s manual recommends having a doctor, nurse, or medical attendant present during the first few transfers with a new patient. Consult your healthcare provider or physical therapist before establishing a lift routine at home or in a facility.
Pair It With
BATTERY NOTE: The battery and cradle can be purchased separately in the “Frequently bought with” section under the product photos above. Or select the kit, which includes both, in the product options when you’re adding to the cart.
This lift was built to handle more — more weight, more transfers, more wear over time. That means it’s working well within its limits every time we use it, which makes every transfer safer and smoother. The sling connects quickly, the pendant controls everything, and I’m right here the whole time.
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 Protekt 500 is a Proactive Medical 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. At 500 lbs capacity, it handles a wider range of patients than many standard Hoyer-style lifts.
How does this compare to the Protekt Transformer 33400HE?
Both are Proactive Medical battery-powered electric patient lifts with 6-point spreader bars and floor-lifting capability. The primary differences are capacity and weight: the Protekt 500 is rated to 500 lbs vs. the Transformer’s 400 lbs, and weighs 109 lbs vs. approximately 90 lbs. The 500 also features clip-free sling hookups and a modular design built for parts replacement. If your patient is well under 400 lbs and the lift will stay in one room at home, the Transformer 33400HE may be the more practical choice. If you need more capacity or a lift that will hold up to heavy daily use in a facility, the Protekt 500 is the right step up.
Can this lift be used in a facility setting?
Yes — the Protekt 500 is designed with both home and facility use in mind. Its modular construction, 500 lb capacity, and clip-free sling system make it well-suited for small clinics, adult day programs, assisted living, and rehabilitation settings where durability and serviceability matter. Call us at 1-800-956-6616 if you’re purchasing for a facility — we can help you think through quantity, accessories, and any specific requirements.
Will Medicare pay for this patient 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. The catch is that 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: Protekt 500 33500 Owner’s Manual
Why Buy From American Discount Home Medical Equipment?
We’ve been in the home medical equipment business for over 30 years — first in a brick-and-mortar store in San Jose, now online serving customers across the country. We don’t carry everything. We carry what we’d recommend to someone we know.
Every product ships free to the contiguous U.S. with no minimum, and we back our prices with a lowest-price guarantee. If you have questions about whether this lift is the right one for your situation, call us at 1-800-956-6616 or start a live chat. We know patient lifts, we know slings, and we’ll help you make a decision you feel confident about.
Financing is available through BreadPay — quick approval, payments starting as low as $33/month.
- Hand control moves boom up and down
- Foot pedal manually opens and closes base legs
- 6-point swivel attachment for 2, 4 or 6 point slings
- Swivel casters include rear locking casters
- Battery and charger included
- Multiple sling options available
- Lifts up to 500 lbs.
Specifications
| Height (at sling hook-up): | 21.9" - 71.3" |
| Mast Height: | 51.3" |
| Base Height: | 4.7" |
| External Base Width: | 26.4" - 45" |
| Base Length: | 47.3" |
| Casters: | Front: 3" swivel Rear: 4" swivel locking |
| Turning Diameter: | Base Opened: 62.8" Base Closed: 58.3" |
| Input Voltage: | 110 - 120 VAC, 60 Hz |
| Output Voltage: | 24 VDC |
| Battery Pack: | 24 VDC, 5 AH |
| Sound Level: | Full Load: 16 db No Load: 11 db |
| Lifts Per Charge: | Up to 25 full cycles under full load |
| Product Weight: | 109 lbs. |
| Weight Capacity: | 500 lbs. |
| Limited Warranty: | Frame: 3 years Electronics: 2 years Battery: 1 year |

