2 post lifts
- Thread starter Tom Morookian
- Start date
Paul Dobbin
Member
"Any recommendations for 2 post lifts would be appreciated"
After about 30 years in this hobby, sliding around on the floor under my cars on jack stands, a lift sounded good. My buddy got a 2 post lift which I could use as needed, but of course I had to go to his shop.
Then I built a new shop and started looking, like you are. My buddy would call every time he used his and said, "Get a 4 post lift that you can just drive on a lift the cars up.
Eight times to the floor is a minimum with a 2 post lift.
Step #1 Down at each corner to set the lifting bars = 4. Then go up 6 inches with the lift. Step #2 Down to the floor again at each corner to check
that lines are not being crushed and the contact is solid = 4 more.
Step #3 Lift the car or lower the lift and redo #2 & #1 = possibly 8-16 trips to the floor."
He then went on to say "it's easier with a floor jack and a creeper than all that rigmarole,
consequently he doesn't use the lift as much as he hoped. Get a four poster and don't park anything on it for storage so it's ready to drive even your wife's car on at anytime to find a rattle and you'll love the lift"
I now have a 4 poster and love it. With 7 cars a tractor and golf cart, I like just checking them out underneath in city cloths. Now with 42 years in this hobby, my bones appreciate standing up on concrete instead of rolling around on it on cardboard or a creeper.
Another friend has a 2 poster that is used more often as a variable level table than a car lift, which I can do too.
After about 30 years in this hobby, sliding around on the floor under my cars on jack stands, a lift sounded good. My buddy got a 2 post lift which I could use as needed, but of course I had to go to his shop.
Then I built a new shop and started looking, like you are. My buddy would call every time he used his and said, "Get a 4 post lift that you can just drive on a lift the cars up.
Eight times to the floor is a minimum with a 2 post lift.
Step #1 Down at each corner to set the lifting bars = 4. Then go up 6 inches with the lift. Step #2 Down to the floor again at each corner to check
that lines are not being crushed and the contact is solid = 4 more.
Step #3 Lift the car or lower the lift and redo #2 & #1 = possibly 8-16 trips to the floor."
He then went on to say "it's easier with a floor jack and a creeper than all that rigmarole,
consequently he doesn't use the lift as much as he hoped. Get a four poster and don't park anything on it for storage so it's ready to drive even your wife's car on at anytime to find a rattle and you'll love the lift"
I now have a 4 poster and love it. With 7 cars a tractor and golf cart, I like just checking them out underneath in city cloths. Now with 42 years in this hobby, my bones appreciate standing up on concrete instead of rolling around on it on cardboard or a creeper.
Another friend has a 2 poster that is used more often as a variable level table than a car lift, which I can do too.
uncle buck
Well-known member
Tom, I would recommend the Rotary assymetrical style for one of the best. The long arm / short arm design makes opening doors very easy. I think if you are going to use it a lot the 2 post offers the most versatility as long as it is an overhead design. I like all of the comments trying to change to a 4 post unit.
I have both a 2 and 4 post unit ( with a rolling air trolley jack on it ) and while each has their respected place in a shop , I much prefer working around the 2 post the most.
37fordpickup has the right approach on the concrete for the slab. You may want to go a bit thicker underneath the post locations. Plan ahead and run any lines for air or water or electrical conduit in the slab. Don't forget water drains that may be handy.
A little pricey but this single post Atlas may be a good tradeoff to minimize space:
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-SP6000-Single-Post-Specialty-Lift
I'm looking at the portable version:
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Master-Series-SPL-6-Portable-Single-Post-Lift
I have an old scissors lift that worked ok for body work but not much else.
A little pricey but this single post Atlas may be a good tradeoff to minimize space:
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-SP6000-Single-Post-Specialty-Lift
I'm looking at the portable version:
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Master-Series-SPL-6-Portable-Single-Post-Lift
I have an old scissors lift that worked ok for body work but not much else.
blueblood
Member
I would recommend at least a 14 foot wide area for any lift.13 foot ceiling will be ok.go to a goofy lube or dealership and take some measurements of a typical lift bay then see if you can shrink it any.4" slab is all you need the floor bolts are supposed to go thru the concrete.Forward or Rotary are the best Mohawk are expensive big and not worth the cost considering you can buy 2 rotarys for the price of 1 mohawk.4 post lift you need even more space to move around it. good luck