9909
Section 4: Drum Position.
4.1: Drum-Beater Angle
For optimal performance, the drum should be positioned so that the head is at a 90°
angle (perpendicular) to the fl oor and so that the beater makes contact with the drum
when the beater is at or just past its most vertical stroke position.
4.2: Drum-Beater Height
Generally, the beater should hit the center or an area 1-2 inches above or below the
center of the drum. To align the drum for the desired feel and impact area, the angle of
the Arms, and height and distance of the Risers, may all need to be individually adjusted—
especially for irregularly shaped drums such as congas and djembés.
Section 5: Drum Set-Up Suggestions
(Your set-up may vary.)
5.1: 16-18˝ Tom-Toms (Basic Lifter Set-Up)
1. Begin with the Arms in their original positions (see sections 1 and 2), the Risers
straight-up and the short Tubes at their lowest position in the receivers.
2. Move the Risers on the Inner Arms to a point approximately 2.5˝ to 3˝ from ends of
the Arms with the foot/height adjusters. Move the Risers on the Outer Arms so that
they are approximately 2.5˝ to 3˝ from the ratchet (base section) ends.
3. Place the drum on the Lifter and raise the Riser Tubes using the telescoping
adjustment on the Outer Arms so that they make contact with the drum and support
it in a horizontal position. Check the beater position and height. If the drum is too high,
try repositioning or angling the Risers downward to fi nd a more desirable position.
5.2: Congas
Modify the Basic set-up (5.1) by moving the Risers on the Inner Arms all the way to the
end of the Arms with the foot/height adjusters. Adjust the height/angle/position of the
Inner Arm Risers so that the conga is supported in a horizontal position.
5.3: Djembés
Modify the Basic set-up (5.1) by fi rst replacing the short Tubes on the Inner Arm Risers
with the longer Tubes. Move the Risers on the Outer Arms so that they are positioned
approximately 2.5˝ to 3˝ from the foot/height adjusters. Place the djembé on the Lifter
and hold it in a horizontal position while angling the Inner Arm Risers backward (towards
the drum) so that they make contact with and support the drum.
5.4: Final Adjustments
Make any necessary modifi cations to the positions of the Arms and Risers to achieve the
optimum playing position and stability of the drum.
Section 6: Pack-Up
6.1: Memory Settings
For greater set-up convenience, each Lifter Arm has a notch on the ratchet end that aligns
with specially placed notches on the Base Section. These settings can be recorded on the
charts below and used to remember and restore the Lifter’s position settings.
6.2: Condensing the Lifter
For the most compact transport, we recommend memorizing the Arm angle settings (as
described in 6.1), then moving all the arms to their “12:00” positions and lowering the
angles of the Risers without changing their position or height. This will also allow the
quickest, most consistent set-up for each performance.
DW 9909 DRUM & PERCUSSION LIFTER
Remove the 9909 and all packing materials from the box, then follow these instructions to set-up and adjust your lifter to fi t the way you play.
Section 1: Assembly.
1.1: Attach the Middle Arms to the Base Section.
The 9909 Lifter comes with its two outer support arms already connected to the base
section. To attach the longer (Inner/Middle) arms:
1. Place the base section on a fl at surface with the pedal connection bar facing towards
you then loosen and rotate the two Outer arms so that the arm on the right is at the
“2:00” position and the arm on the left is at the “10:00” position.
2. Remove the wingnuts and washers from the bolts in the two round fi ttings in the
middle of the base section and place the ratchet-end of each Inner arm on top of
the spring and bolt, making sure the teeth on the bottom side of the ratchet face the
teeth on top of the fi tting. This will ensure that the foot of the foot/height adjustment
mechanism on the opposite end of the arm is facing down and the lifter’s telescoping
Riser section is facing up— matching the alignment of those parts on the Outer arms.
3. Position the right and left middle arms to “1:00” and “11:00”, respectively, and tighten
the wingnuts. In order to secure the wingnuts, hold the bolts from the bottom of the
base section until their hex heads are drawn up into their self-locking holes.
1.2: Insert the Riser Tubes.
The 9909 comes with a set of 3.5” and 4.5” Riser Tubes. Depending on the size and
shape of the drum, your set-up may require Tubes of one length or a combination of
lengths. Each Riser Tube features a rubber foot on one end. To insert the Tubes:
1. Loosen the wingscrews on each of the four telescoping Riser receivers on the Inner
and Outer Arms.
2. Insert the open end of the tube into the Riser’s telescoping receiver on each arm and
tighten the wingscrews.
Section 2: Basic Positioning.
2.1: Attach The Pedal
Place the assembled Drum Lifter on the fl oor and attach the drum pedal (available
separately) to the pedal mounting bar.
2.2: Level The Feet
Loosen the round, knurled nut on the top of the foot/height adjustment mechanisms on
all four arms and adjust the height of each mechanism so that the Lifter is stable and does
not wobble. Once the desired level is achieved, tighten both the top and bottom knurled
nuts to lock the position.
Section 3: Adjusting the Arms and Risers.
Note: The Lifter’s patented Arms and Risers are designed to allow for the widest variety of
adjustment. The angle and spacing of the Arms can be changed while the Risers can be
independently adjusted up-and-down, back-and-forth and side-to-side. This unique range of
movement allows the 9909 Lifter to accommodate a full assortment of drum shapes and sizes.
To align the drum to achieve the desired feel and impact area, the positions of the Arms and
Risers may all need to be individually adjusted— especially for irregularly shaped drums such
as congas and djembés. The following suggestions provide a starting point for mounting your
drums. Feel free to experiment to fi nd the optimum settings for your instruments. However, to
protect and secure your drums, be sure to maintain the stability of the Lifter and that the drum is
balanced and supported by contact with the rubber feet on the Risers at all times.
3.1: Arm Adjustments.
To change the angle of an arm, loosen the wingnut of the ratchet end of the arm and
rotate it to the desired position, then tighten the wingnut.
3.2: Riser Adjustments
Each Riser is capable of four independent adjustments: angle, rotation, distance and height.
• Angle/Height - To change the angle or height of the Riser, loosen the wingnut on
the ratchet section of the riser and angle the telescoping receiver to the desired position.
Tighten the wingnut to secure the setting.
• Rotation/Distance - The position of the Riser can be changed by loosening the
wingnut on the hinged Riser Clamp and sliding (back-and-forth) and/or rotating (side-to-
side) the Riser to the desired position on the Arm.
• Height - Further height adjustments of the Riser can be achieved by raising or
lowering the Riser Tubes in the telescoping receivers and/or using the alternate Riser
Tubes (provided).
Suggested Lifter set-ups for tom-toms, congas and djembés.
Riser Assembly
Pedal Mounting Bar
Outer Arm (right)
Foot/Height Adjustment
Outer Arm (left)
Base Section
Riser Assembly
Riser Tube Receiver
Riser Tube with Rubber Cap
Inner Arm (right)
Arm Angle Adjustment
Riser Position Adjustment
Riser Angle Adjustment
