Lifts for home use: any recommendations?

[parsonsj]

Hey guys,

I'm going to install a lift in my garage, and I'm looking for advice. Brand names, styles, etc.

Rotary is the industry leader, but I don't have enough ceiling height. I need one of the reduced height versions. (I have 125")

Asymmetrical? Symmetrical? 2 post? 4 post?

Thoughts, suggestions, etc. all welcome.

jp

[ods dan]

I keep looking at bendpak.. not sure if they have a short one.. but not bad pricing for name brand.

[lipe33]

Direct Lift HR 8000. Baseplate lift designed for low ceilings.

[slowcamaro]

bend-pak, rotary, or if you want the best of the best mohawk.

[GRNOVA]

Bend -pak

[perple76]

I bought a four post lift from a local equipment sales oufit here in Indianapolis (Greg Smith Equipment). I think the "brand" name was Direct Lift. I didnt' get wrapped up in brand names (what's a "brand name" in the lift market, anyway?). I decided my best move was to buy as local as possible. First, less shipping cost (these things are HEAVY, and expensive to ship). Second, I have someone local to go to for parts/service/complaints should the need ever arise.

If at all possible, I would go with someone local rather focus on brand name issues.

Hands down the best tool investment I have ever made. I've had it going on three years now, use it on a pretty consistent basis, and have never had one single problem with it.

I absolutely cannot imagine life without it. Working on my cars is so much more a joy now than it was before. No more scooting around on my back and trying to wedge into tight spaces. A nice bonus if you work on low-slung cars a lot.

If you decide to go this route, I highly recommend that you spend a little extra and spring for two accessories - a transmission jack and a slider jack that fits between the runners of the lift. These are both great additions that will make projects under the lift much, much easier.

Hope this helps. . . .

J

[parsonsj]

Thanks guys.

I'm learning from this. New question: anybody offer an asymmetric low ceiling height lift?

jp

[GRNOVA]

How low?

[parsonsj]

125" (10 feet +/-)

[GRNOVA]

John you can try this site good prices.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Direct-Lift-Pro-9F-p/tppro-9fp.htm

Also, check out this forum...http://www.garagejournal.com/

[Nine Ball]

John, most 4-posts will fit under a 10' ceiling no problem. The posts aren't very tall, maybe 7' tops.

But, I'd recommend a 2-post if you only have room for one lift. They are more convenient and useful for most work. Asymetric is a definite yes for me, I like being able to open the doors fully.

[John Wright]

John read this about the two posts lifts....hate to see a car dump off the lift by accident.......


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Articles.asp?ID=186



The weight of a vehicle must be evenly distributed on a two post lift. The operator must remember that whether the vehicle is lifted either in a symmetric or asymmetric configuration, the weight of the vehicle must be evenly distributed on each of the four arms.

The old myth that two post lifts, with symmetric arm configurations, will "not let the operator get out the car" is unfounded. If you want to learn how to position a vehicle between the columns of a two post lift with symmetric arms and still be able to open the driver's door; then call the lift professionals at Greg Smith Equipment Sales for all the answers.

[wendell]

Thanks guys.

I'm learning from this. New question: anybody offer an asymmetric low ceiling height lift?

jp

John,
Most of the two post lifts that have a clear floor (the only kind you'd want in my opinion) can be modified to fit most any ceiling height.

I installed mine a few years ago so I don't remember the specific but
if you get something like this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
you can customize the over all height by redrilling the posts for the four holes 2/3 the way up the columns. Then all you have to do is add some tubing spacers between the equalizing cables and their mounts on the lower cloumns.

By doing this I was able to maximize the height of my lift to 2" bellow my shop ceiling. Once you get parts layed out in front of you it'll make sense.

As for brands...
I've looked at all of them. With the exception of Mohoawk, they all come out of the same container in Long Beach. Only the colors and the specs are different. This includes the ones that are red, white and blue w/ flags all over them. If they cost $2-3K, they're made in china.

I actually don't know the brand of mine because I never put the stickers on it. It's a 10K# symetrical lift and i couldn't be happier with it.

And congratulations on the BJ sale. The free market has an uncanny ability to separate the wheat from the chaff.

[B Schein]

take a look at this one
http://www.dannmar.com/dannmar-products/two-post-lifts/maxjax.html

brian

[JMarsa]

I needed a work/storage lift. Got one from greg smith. I search for a while, actually it took a year to "go for it". I liked the fact that the same company that builds elevators is behind the lift.

I have lots of ceiling room so I got this: Direct Lift Pro Park 8 Plus

BTW, everything I read on the boards says rotary is the safest. One word of caution about the 2 post lifts is the floor. Although you'll hear otherwise, I would only install one if the floor was deigned for it.

--JMarsa

[rixtrix1]

We have the asymetrical Rotary lifts like the one in Wendell's post at work. Before they were installed, the company took core samples of the floor to make sure it would hold up to the load and anchors used. I recommend getting a lift with fold up stands like in the pic, as threaded lift pads are a PITA to set quickly and evenly. Our lifts use a spline arrangement to keep the arms from moving while lifting( imagine the fingers of both hands interlocking). The drawback is that as the arm pivot pins wear over time and lots of use, the splines sometime don't fit together well and may slip, but we are a production repair shop and our volume usage is probably much higher than for home use

As for cost, the main differences seem to be the thickness of the post metal and the way the lift slides up in the columns. Some brands use cheap plastic blocks to isolate the lift and columns while the more expensive ones seem to use bigger blocks made of better material( seems like fiber reinforced nylon or delrin; I've even seen bronze on some older models) . Good luck in your search.

[monza]

I don't know maybe build one out of wood... it's all the rage these days!

[f1shman]

The Mohawk A-7 asymmetrical 2 post is one that I would look at. (specifications: http://mohawklifts.com/consumer/specs/a7spec.php ) The column heights are just under 8' tall. The over head hydraulic line in the schematic is shown above the lift, but you can shorten its height or even bury a stainless line in the concrete to run it along the ground if you so choose. The arms on the A-7 are low profile so you won't have to worry about getting them to fit under a car that has been lowered.

[astroracer]

John,
I just picked up a two post from these guys. http://metro-lifts.com/xpr-9f.htm
I haven't installed it yet, no time, but I can say it is very well made and comes with everything I need to install it including anchors and shims. The price was $1700 shipped. Wes at Metro was great and he worked with me on price and shipping.
I will be modifying three rafters in my shop to get the full lift height of 71".
I looked at the "Max Jax" set-up and figured, if I am going to buy a lift I may as well get one I can work under while standing.
Mark

[wendell]

John,
I just picked up a two post from these guys. http://metro-lifts.com/xpr-9f.htm
I haven't installed it yet, no time, but I can say it is very well made and comes with everything I need to install it including anchors and shims. The price was $1700 shipped. Wes at Metro was great and he worked with me on price and shipping.
I will be modifying three rafters in my shop to get the full lift height of 71".
I looked at the "Max Jax" set-up and figured, if I am going to buy a lift I may as well get one I can work under while standing.
Mark

That's the exact same packaging as the one I bought. The pic made me remember another tip. Throw the anchor bolts away! They're junk. After the first one pulled through with out expanding, I called the guy I bought the lift from and he appologized for not telling me to throw them out originally. He was sincere and I got some Red Heads. I think they were $80.

[John Wright]

When we have places where we can't use a regular cast in place hook anchor, we use these(like in existing concrete):

http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/modules/editorial/edit_singlepage.jsp?contentOID=183519

[Jim Nilsen]

There are also glass capsules that you put in the hole and run a piece of threaded rod with an impact driver or drill. they have the epoxy inside and when the glass gets crushed and the accelerator in the tube inside the tube mixes up as it goes down in the hole. These work extremely well. Just make sure to vacuum out the hole with a tube and a very good vac for best adhesion.

[Rick Dorion]

I too have a 10' ceiling. My 4 post (bought at Carlisle) can lift the camaro high enough to stand under. My K1500 will go up enough to zoom around on my roller chair! You're looking at approx 1500# of steel for the offshore 4 posts!

[Taylor1969]

I would go 4 post without a doubt. Drive on. Lift. Get to work. No worries on the car falling off and you can easily put wheels on it and move it around. For restoration type work a four poster just seems easier to me. We have been using one at home for three years and it has been great

[jpdeuce]

I have a clear floor, assymetric two post made by Bendpak and I love it. Even if you by from a non local you can still get a local pro to install it if you wish.

I put mine in myself. They're not that extremely difficult but very heavy.

[BonzoHansen]

JP, from my experience 2 posts are far more useful for working on cars. 4 posts are better for storing cars, wheel alignments and exhaust work - wheel on car stuff. Just my $0.02.

I've never seen a car fall off a 2 post like shown above. That is total user error.

Edit:
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Articles.asp?ID=155
2 vs 4.

[John Wright]

Scott,
That car didn't fall until they took the front tires off of it. Just didn't have the weight distributed corrrectly and when they unloaded the front end, it fell. I agree operator error, just something to think about especially when the motor isn't in the traditional location in the car.

[parsonsj]

Well guys, I put a deposit down today on a Mohawk A-7. Two post, asymmetric, rated to 7000 lbs. Easy to remember... it cost about $7K. Mohawk is the Snap-on of vehicle lifts. :)

It works on my low ceiling, its larger footprint reduces stress on my non-commercial garage floor, and I'll have a cool Native American logo in my garage.

jp

[68Formula]

Well guys, I put a deposit down today on a Mohawk A-7. Easy to remember... it cost about $7K.
jp

Do they hae a Mohawk A-1? That's about all I can afford. :)

[slowcamaro]

Well guys, I put a deposit down today on a Mohawk A-7. Two post, asymmetric, rated to 7000 lbs. Easy to remember... it cost about $7K. Mohawk is the Snap-on of vehicle lifts. :)

jp

Nice choice.

[parsonsj]

Do they have a Mohawk A-1? I believe so. It will lift all the 1000 lb. automobiles out there. :)

[parsonsj]

I just heard from Affordable Equipment here in Orlando. Installation is scheduled for next Thursday.

Now I need a car to put on the lift.

jp

[BonzoHansen]

I'll send you my 67. Send it back when it's done.

[parsonsj]

As I was I was explaining to my long-suffering wife last night, a lift will allow me to do projects, and keep my toy in the garage. I'll definitely be dabbling in some projects.

She was thrilled. :)

[John Wright]

I'll send you my 67. Send it back when it's done.
LOL...@Scott

[parsonsj]

I am now: Lift Man. :smoke:

[monza]

Nice lift, that'll be a fun new toy forever. Throw the Vette on there and rip it apart.... it's just to normal for you.

[John Wright]

Lift looks good....enjoy!