Real world feedback: 4 post lift for tractor, mini ex, and other equipment

[kenmac]

I'm sure they are worried about the weight being centrally located on the runways. I understand that. They aren't worried about the structure being able to handle the weight. They are worried about the runways.

I have a 12,000 Forward brand 4 post with two air jacks on runners. I love it. Ten times easier to load/unload the hoist. Great work bench for parts, tires/wheels, etc.

My Son Mechanics for a living. He has one four post and three two posts. The four post gets used 3 or 4 times as much as the two post lifts.

I'm curious to hear the response from Bendpak.

have you ever had to have seals replaced in the hyd cylinders ?
I'm having my cylinders reworked for the second time within a year on my forward 2 post. Leaking

 

[ovrszd]

have you ever had to have seals replaced in the hyd cylinders ?
I'm having my cylinders reworked for the second time within a year on my forward 2 post. Leaking

I bought my lift used from and Auto Dealership. I'm guessing it's age at 20 years old. Cylinder is original and had no repairs.

Had to replace the pump assembly 7 years ago. The up switch shorted internally and raised the lift at night, continued to run until it burned up the pump. The high amp draw of the motor ran thru the switch. I replaced the unit with one that uses a solenoid for the high amp circuit. Low amp thru the switch.

Otherwise my lift is original. No way to know how many thousand times it has went up/down. Best $400 investment I've ever made.

Bonus to a 4 post is it makes an awesome buffet table!!!!

 

[kenmac]

Mine also came from an auto dealership. I paid more than $400.00 though. I took my cylinders to a Hyd shop.
The guy at the hyd shop told me the guy that put new seals in about 6 months ago, installed incorrect seals. He installed new seals and put the cylinders on his test stand and says they should last my life time.
I'll get them installed next week and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[ovrszd]

Mine also came from an auto dealership. I paid more than $400.00 though. I took my cylinders to a Hyd shop.
The guy at the hyd shop told me the guy that put new seals in about 6 months ago, installed incorrect seals. He installed new seals and put the cylinders on his test stand and says they should last my life time.
I'll get them installed next week and keep my fingers crossed.

Hope he's right!!!

 

[Diggin It]

If I could find one for $400 ....

 

[zzvyb6]

As a side note, I'd like to know the best way to install a 2 post lift on an existing concrete floor. Yes there are anchor bolts, but how is the required strength of the floor evaluated ? Would you add some extra steel floor plates to spread out the bolt tension(s)? Would you cut the concrete and pour new pilings to ensure adequate strength ? I'm not worried about weight so much as weight Offset , meaning that a heavy machine, tractor, lawn mower truck which is not 'centered' on the line of the posts would put a very large moment (force x distance) on the anchors and cause them to pull out. This is the only thing holding me back. I've read the installation instructions from a few models and they just mention the use of 3/4" anchors. I'd use it to store machines on it, too, because I have sufficient height in my shop shed.

Thanks for experienced advice !

 

[ovrszd]

Do you know the thickness of your concrete?

I'm thinking no since you didn't mention it? Maybe drill a test hole?

You are right about the stress on a 2 post. It's all about being able to handle an offset load.

If you can't confirm good concrete then you probably should cut out circles and pour good piers. That will suck.

Not pimping 4 post, but that's their biggest advantage. Only vertical stress on the concrete. No different than your vehicle tires are doing now parked in your shop.

 

[mikester]

As a side note, I'd like to know the best way to install a 2 post lift on an existing concrete floor. Yes there are anchor bolts, but how is the required strength of the floor evaluated ? Would you add some extra steel floor plates to spread out the bolt tension(s)? Would you cut the concrete and pour new pilings to ensure adequate strength ? I'm not worried about weight so much as weight Offset , meaning that a heavy machine, tractor, lawn mower truck which is not 'centered' on the line of the posts would put a very large moment (force x distance) on the anchors and cause them to pull out. This is the only thing holding me back. I've read the installation instructions from a few models and they just mention the use of 3/4" anchors. I'd use it to store machines on it, too, because I have sufficient height in my shop shed.

Thanks for experienced advice !

On the higher capacity lifts you need a minimum of something like 6 or 8 inches of good concrete. The lift manufacturers will give you specs.

Sometimes its cheaper to pay to get it professionally installed by the manufacturers rep/installer because they take on the liability. They will be less inclined to install on a sub par concrete floor.

It might offer you a bit of comfort later when you are walking under 5+ tons of suspended load.

 

[kenmac]

when I had my garage poured. I had it poured 6''-8'' thicker where the lift is installed.
I think it depends on the size lift, but you can go on greg smith equipment sight and it will list concrete thickness for his lifts to give you an idea

 

[kenmac]

Hope he's right!!!

got the cylinders installed last night. so far, so good. Time will tell, but I feel much better about the person that installed the cylinder seals this time vs the person that installed them last time