Any recommendations for a car lift?

[77bronco]

If you get a two post lift, make sure you inspect the pins that hold the arms frequently.
Back when my 2000 F-250 was 11 months old, it was at the dealer getting a new pinion seal when one of the pins that hold the arms failed. After the dealer paid for a new bedside, paint, running board and fixed the small scratches and dents in the cab, I took it to a frame shop and found out that the frame was tweaked.
That's how I ended up with a new 2001 F-250.
So inspect those pins often.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Check these guys out. They have been in business for years and carry a brand called Atlas. I have compared them to many others and are by far the best bang for the buck I have seen. I have many pieces of their equipment and all have been good but do not own a lift yet. I do know some guys with lifts from them with nothing but good reports.

I live 35 miles from them and have looked them over many many many times. Still wishing.

Greg Smith Equipment Sales Inc. - The lift professionals with quality automotive equipment at discount prices.

Chris

 

[wolfpack2]

A co-worker recommended Complete Hydraulics. They are some of the least expensive I have found. They look to be similar in construction as all the others. In fact, all the imported lifts look similar. I wonder if they are all made by the same company and just branded differently? I have no personal experience with them, but am hoping to buy one in the near future. I personally like the idea of a 4 post lift as you can also use it for oil changes and other maintenance on the tractor. The 2 post lifts seem like they would be very hard, if not impossible to use on the tractors. The 4 posters are also a lot safer for novice users as you don't have to worry about placing the vehicle properly on the lift with the CG in the correct location. Some of the 4 posters also have caster kits that allow you to move them around the shop if you need to clear some extra space when not in use.

4 Post Lifts | SL 10,000 CSP XLT 10,000 LB. Four Post Vehicle / Automotive / Truck / Car Garage Lift (Portable)

 

[crazyal]

Check these guys out. They have been in business for years and carry a brand called Atlas. I have compared them to many others and are by far the best bang for the buck I have seen. I have many pieces of their equipment and all have been good but do not own a lift yet. I do know some guys with lifts from them with nothing but good reports.

I live 35 miles from them and have looked them over many many many times. Still wishing.

Greg Smith Equipment Sales Inc. - The lift professionals with quality automotive equipment at discount prices.

Chris

They opened up a showroom in NH a year or so ago. I bought a 20 ton shop press from them. For the most part they sell stuff made it China (like most of the lifts). They did say they stock all the parts to repair their lifts. But they didn't offer free shipping and once you added that in their prices weren't much better than the name brand lifts.

It came down to BendPak or Challenger in the end. The Challenger was a little higher in price. When I asked Challenger where their lift (2 post 10k) was made they would only say they assemble them in the US. After looking around a little on the web I think the only lift I could find made in the US (at least when I was looking) was a Rotary.

 

[newbury]

Thanks guys, that's a wealth of knowledge and links.

If I get one it'll definitely be a 4 post, need to get my tractor etc up off the ground also.

 

[dstig1]

This is one of those things to watch CL for. Depends how patient you are. Good deals will pop up. If you run a standing search and check it a couple times a day you will be able to grab the good deals fast. Need to be patient first, and then quick, but they are out there...

 

[CLinton_in_FL]

I have a direct Lift 4 post lift. Had it for 5+ years now. It does what I need it to, and is a great addition to any shop. It only cost about $2000, and the quality seems to be ok. If I had to buy another one, I would buy from them, but get the wider / longer one, as full size trucks and SUVs are tight on it. For example, my 2004 Yukon and my dads 2007 GMC 1500 Crew Cab fit, but you have to fold the mirrors in, and my dads truck wheel base is end to end on the ramps.

 

[newbury]

Well, haven't got the lift yet.
I've passed up several BendPak model XPR-18C - 192, Super Duty, 18,000 lb Two post vehicle lifts which sold for around $2000.

Now one came up

12,000#Gemini Model #GPO-12 Car Lift. This lift failed inspection and was removed from service. Please see pictures below for copies of the last 2 inspections. The reason the lift failed inspection are noted by the asterisk.

Failure was swing arm

and safety shutoff

Knowing crap about car lifts, although I'd like a four poster I'm thinking of trying for this two poster.

How bad is "failure of swing arm restraints"? How difficult to replace pins?

 

[TMGT]

If it's referring to the locking mechanism that prevents the arms from swinging once the lift is raised, they are pretty easy to replace if I remember correctly.
It has been awhile since I installed that model lift though.

 

[moriboy]

I put a lift in my shop a few months ago and went with an Atlas 14K 4 post. So far it's been flawless. The directions that came with it were terrible however.

The quality is decent, probably comparable to any other Chinese lift. It'll lift my Ram 3500 6.7 and my Kubota M7040 with ease.