Single post lift Good~ Bad ~ or ~ indifferent

BILL WZOREK

BILL WZOREK

Well-known member
I know that as a end result this will end up in the for sale section,
And it is hard now the way that side of the site is in that others can not respond right there, they must either email or p.m. even if they feel the price is high because of the extra work to switch to other format to drop a note most often it does not happen.
I know Ryan has more things to do then play kindergarten cop and read each post to see that we are not riping each other a new a** hole.
But it shure would be nice to go back as it was and the put the offenders in TIME OUT!
I think a lot of things would get a more realistic price.
So here go my Question ~~
Is a single post in ground lift / the type with the Adjustable arms Not the type that you drive up on. very desirable. :)

I wish that there would be a section in one of Ryans sites that you could Ask what a fare price should be of things car related.

THANKS AGAIN GUYS
 
The only drawback I can see to this type of lift is that
the installation would be permanent and expensive to install.
 
Single post lift ? For home/personal use, If someone offered one to me for free, I would not take it (maybe for the scrap value )
Single post limits access to the center of the vehicle as opposted to a two post.
Not to mention installation cost.
 
51 MERC-CT said:
Single post lift ? For home/personal use, If someone offered one to me for free, I would not take it (maybe for the scrap value )
Single post limits access to the center of the vehicle as opposted to a two post.
Not to mention installation cost.
Click to expand...

.......if your slab were configured and engineered for a SAFE installation in the first place. DD
 
Bill, the desirable part of your question is the questionable part. I just helped a friend put one in, a freebe. After about $350-400+. New seals & hyd oil. It's working but you're still limited on work that you can do because of the center post. That said, that's the way it was back in the old days ;) & the work still got done.
 
39 STD said:
Bill, the desirable part of your question is the questionable part. I just helped a friend put one in, a freebe. After about $350-400+. New seals & hyd oil. It's working but you're still limited on work that you can do because of the center post. That said, that's the way it was back in the old days ;) & the work still got done.
Click to expand...

Don't forget, back in the "old days" most auto shops started out with pits, so, with the combination of a pit and a center post lift, most every type of job could be done. My Grandfather had that set up in his "Fillin' Station-Garage-General Store for years.
 
Hi Bill, To add to the other comments... <Captain Obvious> Surface mount lifts are able to be moved. The Rotary style is a popular option, as is the four post stacker style.

I agree that a pit is a very helpful option. Luckily my Dad put one in his garage when he had it built. As far as he told me, he only fell into it once.
 
In many areas pits are illegal. Gasoline fumes can gather in the pit and be a fire/explosion hazard. Worker can be trapped in one end of pit in event of fire. Many other bad things can happen in pits.
 
I had a co-worker years back who lost his father to a fire/trapped in the pit accident. I know they are banned in many states but I often wondered how Jiffy Lube is allowed to use them.
 
32phil said:
I had a co-worker years back who lost his father to a fire/trapped in the pit accident. I know they are banned in many states but I often wondered how Jiffy Lube is allowed to use them.
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In Wisconsin pits are allowed but must be licensed. To obtain a license strict specifications must be followed. Next time you're visiting one of those lube places, note there are drains in the pits, power exhaust ports close to the lowest point as well as easy ingress and egress should there be a reason to enter or exit quickly.
To install a pit in a home garage in insanity with what we know these days unless the rules and regulations are followed.
As mentioned earlier, carbon monoxide collects at the lowest point - first. One typically does not realize he is being poisoned until it is too late.
 
Have had an in ground, single post, Rotary lift in my last two locations and found them to be a god send for me as I get older. I have the model that uses air over oil so it does float when stopping before highest point, where it locks. I like this type because, when not in use and arms folded in, it doesn't take up a lot of shop space. There is some limitation when working on the center area of the vehicle but I've had no trouble removing the drive shaft and transmission from my '50 (use chain across frame to hold engine). No problem for oil changes and tire service. Exhaust work is OK as long as it is stock, custom exhaust would be easier to install with vehicle on a drive on lift so suspension remains in place. Sometimes it's even handy to hang parts for painting. Wouldn't be without one. A couple of drawbacks is the cost of installation (we used an excavator that was on site to dig our foundation) and it's impractical to think of taking it with you if you move. Total cost of lift with 55 gal. drum of oil around $3000 in 1998.
 
I would love to have one. The 2 post in ground would be even better for under car work.
I have a 4 post drive on type and it works great for most things...
 
When we built the garage, I thought about having a pit but gave up the idea because of County building codes... Instead, I opted for a four post portable lift. I wanted to have a couple of lifts (have just one at the moment) and wanted to be able to reconfigure their positions in the garage so, we poured a 12 inch thick slab with 3500 psi fiberglass reinforced concrete with both wire mesh and rebar to support the weight of multiple lifts and be able to position them anywhere in the garage.
 
Vic said "we poured a 12 inch thick slab with 3500 psi fiberglass reinforced concrete with both wire mesh and rebar"

That's built like an interstate highway :)
 
Yup, my Mother-In-Law worked for a building supply company so, we got all the building products at 10% above cost...:D Built the house that way as well, saved a bunch of money!;)
 
I've heard the old song, "The railroad runs through the middle of the house.", but not the one about an interstate. LOL
 
40cpe said:
Vic said "we poured a 12 inch thick slab with 3500 psi fiberglass reinforced concrete with both wire mesh and rebar"

That's built like an interstate highway :)
Click to expand...

NO ~ NO Thats not true there ain't no pot holes :eek: in his Garage Floor.
LOL LOL
 
If and when i do it again. I wont do a lift, or a pit. Ill build a above ground drive on deal. Or maybe a open sided pit so its not really a pit. I find my lift a pain in the butt to position the arms and moving the car around and balancing it. That and my arms wont reach my model a. It would be much easier for just looking at something or changing some oil. I guess a guy needs a grade change and a way to get to it though.
 
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