Car lift

tomcarman said:
Both 2 and 4 posts lifts have their advantages and disadvantages. 2 posts need to be securely bolted to the floor on an appropriate footing. Youtube is full of videos where the vehicle topples because the load of the vehicle got off the center of gravity and the lift wasn't secured. In my specific case the 4 post is a better option in that I wouldn't have to saw cut the slab, excavate for a footing and then refill with reinforced concrete and bolts. Also the 4 post can be moved if necessary. The 4 post with the jack tray also allows the raising of the wheels although as stated it is an extra step. Going up faster (220V) isn't an issue for me. I'm in no hurry to do anything anymore.
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I have a 4-post, my son has a 2-post. I prefer the 4-post and I use a jack tray. Guess it just depends on what you like. I tend to use the tracks for tool and parts shelves while I'm working.
 
Do you REALLY want to work under a low price, probably imported, car lift with a 3000 pound-plus car on it ? I've had a BackYard Buddy lift for 25 years and have never had a problem with it, use it at least once or more a week and feel very comfortable working under it. I believe they still offer a power choice of 12v deep cycle battery, 120 or 240 volt ac.
 
TagMan said:
Do you REALLY want to work under a low price, probably imported, car lift with a 3000 pound-plus car on it ? I've had a BackYard Buddy lift for 25 years and have never had a problem with it, use it at least once or more a week and feel very comfortable working under it. I believe they still offer a power choice of 12v deep cycle battery, 120 or 240 volt ac.
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Thanks for your input. In my working career I've had some good financial times and some bad ones, most recently starting with the 2008 meltdown. I just retired and have recovered from that and YES, I am on a self imposed budget. This lift would be used infrequently and I do not require commercial grade quality. Back Yard Buddies are certainly of good quality as is Bendpak and they should be for the price one pays. In this specific case i question myself why I should pay a premium price for equipment that will be little used.
 
I am in the same position as you are. I have pretty much settled on a "cheap imported" lift myself. The one I am looking at has good reviews, the main complaint being the poor quality of the installation instructions. That I can live with. If I can build a car from the ground up (including the frame and suspension), I think I can determine where the weak points are (if any) and correct them. I just can't see spending double the money for someone else's sense of security. The one I am looking at has a capacity of 8000 lbs; Anything I put on the lift will be less than half of that number.
 
I bought an Atlas two-post about five years ago. I picked it up at their warehouse and did the install myself. It’s one of the best equipment investments I’ve made. This year I bought one of their tire machines and I think their equip is worth the money. Next year I’m getting a four post for an adjacent building next to my shop for winter vehicle storage.
If your going to buy used I would strongly suggest buying from an “installer and dismantler” guy. I bought a used one piled on a trailer and it would have been a nightmare to put that puzzle back together. I got more for scrapping it than I paid for it.
There are good used ones and junk new ones. Like what has been said, your life is under it. Be careful what you buy!!!.......Mark
 
I built a way of lifting the front of my car when using my four post lift.
I inverted my sliding jack tray and welded in some receiver tubes that fit the 1" threaded rod with a C channel welded to the top side, a large nut with two bolts welded to each side.
Drive the car on the hoist, raise it about a foot, slide the jack tray with the upright threaded rod under the axel, raise the rod up until the C chanel contacts the axel and spin the nuts down to hold the unit up, them lower the hoist until the wheels are off the deck and then spin the nuts down to retain the hight. I usually just lift the wheels off the deck about 1 1/2".
I would post pictures, but can't figure that part out.
 
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