Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift

   / Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift #1  

Junkman

Super Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2002
Messages
7,279
Location
North East CT
Tractor
2003 Kubota BX-22
I have been thinking about getting a 4 post electric car lift for a long time now and was wondering if anyone here has one? Like many thing in life, I don't need to have one, but it would be nice in my old age to have the convenience of being able to get under the car or tractor without having to be lying down. What do you know about them?.. I am just getting started on this quest....... My garage has a 10' ceiling, so height shouldn't be a problem....
 
   / Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift #2  
I assume the 4 post lift is the type where you drive onto platforms (tracks) and the platforms raise the vehicle. If so, I see a couple of problems with this type. One, it doesn't allow you to change tires or do brake work, for example. Two, the tracks, ramps, platforms, whatever, take up a significant amount of room and have to be worked around. And, three, your tractor may be as wide as your car, but mine isn't even close, and I don't know how adjustable the width of the tracks are. Finally, those tracks are always going to be on the floor and you're always going to have to drive up on them to use the garage space.

My preference is for the two post lift with the arms that swing in under the car and lift from the frame. They take up less room under the car, are out of the way when you aren't using the lift, allow the wheels to dangle for tire and brake work, and easily adjust for the width of the vehicle.

Click here for a company that sells both. The 4 post lifts are also more expensive. Their biggest advantage appears to be that they are more easily moved, and better for "parking" - storing one vehicle on top of another.

Your 10' ceiling should be adequate for cars, but even my little TC18 has a ROPS that is over 5' high even when folded, so lifting it, there would be less than 5' to work underneath. I plan on a two-post lift in my new barn/shop, so my ceiling height will be over 13'.
 
   / Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift #3  
Junkman,
You've got a backhoe.... What about a pit someplace on your property. Rather than go up, why not go down. I put a pit in my shop when I built it 25 years ago and I use it all the time. I'd think a hole in the ground would be a lot cheaper and also provide you with a little more seat time... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just a "low-tech" thought..... from a "lo-tech" mind.....

Greg
 
   / Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift
  • Thread Starter
#4  
I considered that a long time ago, but pits are now illegal in most instances in CT. That would have been an idea, but I remember what we went through in 1966 getting a permit for a pit and today, it would be ten times worse....
 
   / Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift #5  
Permit?????...
 
   / Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift #6  
Junkman does this mean that you'll be cleaning up the garage shortly? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
   / Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift #7  
Under no circumstance can you have a pit, for any reason. They have been outlawed years ago in Mass and CT. My in-laws (when they owned their dealerships) always bought two post center lifts from Eagle Equipment. They're on Rte 1A just south of Foxboro. Great prices, great to deal with and they're close by if you need anything.. With the tow post center lifts, it gives you two lift points on each side of a vehicle and they are fully adjustable. I am not quite sure that ten feet is high enough though. Call Eagle, they have an 800 number, and see what they tell you..
 
   / Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift #8  
Junkman- go with the pit forget the permit

you don't have nowhere near the clearance min is like 12' 6"

If a pit is done right (ventilation,depth,steps,drainage) they work great and have no moveing parts /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

If the inspector stops buy just filler in with dirt /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
   / Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Pits to be legal have to be covered when not in use, have explosion proof lighting, positive ventilation, drainage and oil separation equipment, poured concrete floor and wall, and a state issued permit. If you install one and anyone gets injured, you have no insurance coverage unless you follow the law. The same goes for any problems such as fire as a result of having a pit. It isn't worth the hassle or expense to go for the permit and building one without it, isn't an option. I might build a deck or out building without getting a permit, but I don't take chances where the odds of getting into a bind are outweighed by the permitting costs. The only pits that I know of that they will issue a permit for are in heavy truck repair facilities where a lifting device is out of the question.
 
   / Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift #10  
My in-laws have a pit and I wouldn't. It's cold, dark, smelly and of course dangerous. Hard to get in and out of when you're parked over it and you'll always need to come up for the forgotten tool/part.

I use jack stands today. Much prefer rolling across level concrete than climbing stairs.

With only a 10' ceiling, I wouldn't bother with a lift. You won't be able to lift enough to make it worth your while. Now, if you could raise enough to work underneath without bending over, then it would be worth it to me. Instead, I'd spend the money on a nice air/hydraulic frame jack to make the jacking up task easier /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

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