Flat-Plate Hoists have pulleys attached to the electric motor and pulleys attached to the flat-plate gear. Flat-plate gears are turned by cogged belts installed on pulleys. To service flat-plate hoists, grease fittings are easily accessible. Boat hoists are the workhorses of boat lifts. A drive pipe, or ride pipe, attaches to the boat hoist gears. Driven by an electric motor, the ride pipe is moved by gears. The ride pipe raises and lowers the boat lift cradle by wrapping and unwrapping the cable.