Warranty, RMA, and getting a real human at Sumner
This site does not process warranty claims. What follows is the OEM contact information and what you need to have ready before you call. Verify against the paperwork that shipped with your unit — warranty terms change and this page describes the terms as published at the time of writing.
What Sumner covers
| Component class | Warranty term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sumner Equipment (structural, mechanical, winch) | Limited Lifetime | Against manufacturer defects in materials or workmanship on the assembled unit. |
| Consumables — steel cables, rollers, bearings, wheels, mast section components | 1 Year | Wear items. Sumner replaces a defective one within the first year but not thereafter. |
| Electrical components (on any Sumner power-assist accessories) | 1 Year | Includes wired components on power-adapter kits or shop chargers. |
| Pallet jacks & hydraulic tools | 3 Years | Separate line from the material-lift warranty. |
What's NOT covered: normal wear, damage from misuse or overload, modifications, damage from lack of maintenance, non-OEM replacement parts, or shipping damage (file with the carrier). Consumables are covered against manufacturing defects only — a cable that has worn out from cycling is not a warranty claim.
Before you call — have this ready
- Serial number from the serial plate (on the base weldment, back face). Photograph the plate for your records.
- Original date of purchase or proof-of-purchase document.
- Model number (e.g., 2118, R-150, Eventer 20).
- Description of the failure mode — what were you doing, what did the unit do wrong, what does it do now?
- Photographs of the failed component, the serial plate, and the overall unit.
Contact channels
Southwire / SFE Brands Tools & Assembled Products warranty line. Ask for the Product Return Authorization Form — nothing ships back without an RA number written on the outside of the box.
B&B SUMNER product-support and OEM-parts contact form. Use for spec questions, current SKU verification, and the dealer locator.
Independent Sumner parts distributor. Fast shipping on wear items (cable, slide pads, casters) and current-catalog assemblies. This site's publisher.
Serial-plate photograph guide
The Sumner serial plate is a stamped aluminum tag riveted to the back face of the base weldment (contractor lifts & Eventer) or the crossbeam (Roust-A-Bout). It shows: Model number, Serial number, Rated capacity at rated conditions, and Manufacturing date. If your unit is missing its plate, contact B&B SUMNER with the base-weldment casting number (also stamped on the base) — they can sometimes look up a replacement plate from the casting lot.
This site's role
We can't process a warranty claim, but we can help you diagnose whether you're likely to have one. Walk the troubleshooting decision tree first. If the tree lands on "replace the <component>," and your unit is under a year old, that's a warranty candidate — call before ordering.
Trademark attribution
Sumner®, Roust-A-Bout®, Eventer®, Fold-A-Jack®, and Adjust-A-Roll® are registered trademarks of B&B SUMNER (a subsidiary of SFE Brands, headquartered at 7514 Alabonson Rd, Houston, TX). All Sumner brand names and part numbers referenced on this site are used for identification only. This manual is not published, sponsored, or endorsed by SFE Brands or B&B SUMNER. Verify all safety-critical part numbers against current OEM literature before ordering.