Two models that I have seen so far, come with accessory wheels that allow you to roll it outside. This is my idea that in good weather I can put it outside to get the full benefit of the hight.. Was hoping that someone here has some personal experience with any of the many brands that are out there in the market place. I have not been able to find any reviews in any of the car magazines either.
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Four Post Electric Car & Tractor Lift
- Thread starter Junkman
- Start date
- Views: 5910
fishman
Veteran Member
Amazing. A hole in the ground is illegal unless you have a permit to dig it. What is this world coming to. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
The problems with a pit include the danger of falling into it when it's not being used, fumes settling into the pit, etc.
One solution to the problem of a low ceiling combined with a lift might be to dig a shallow pit. If you can get the vehicle 4' or 5' in the air on a lift, a 1' or 2' deep pit to stand in might be enough to get headroom without creating a serious danger. You could still fall into a 2' deep pit, but it wouldn't hurt as much. And, when you're working, your head would not be down in the pit with the fumes like it would be with a traditional pit.
One solution to the problem of a low ceiling combined with a lift might be to dig a shallow pit. If you can get the vehicle 4' or 5' in the air on a lift, a 1' or 2' deep pit to stand in might be enough to get headroom without creating a serious danger. You could still fall into a 2' deep pit, but it wouldn't hurt as much. And, when you're working, your head would not be down in the pit with the fumes like it would be with a traditional pit.
bellweather
Platinum Member
I did some research into four-posts lifts, and there is one called the backyard buddy that looks good. you can use jack stands with any of them if wheel removal is required. 10' of ceiling height should be enough to work, but may not be enough head space to store 2 tall vehicles, one over the other. the biggest problem, other than $2-3k cost (for me) is taking delivery and set-up. these things are heavy and they come via common carrier (tractor trailer) may not deliver to a residence, so you are faced with some logistical issues. but overall I think they are a safe, good idea, and better than a smelly old pit you'd be climbing in and out of every 10 minutes cause you forgot that ##%$!!! 3/8" socket.
dltimmons
Bronze Member
Junkman,
I have a 7,000 lb., four post lift, made by Superior Lift Co.
My garage ceiling is only 9'3", but, the car I store on top of it is only 42" high. I can walk around under it with the car on, but have to stoop some to do it. It still allows me to store 3 motorcycles under it, and leave the other bay of my oversized 2 car garage, so my wife can park her car in there during the winter.
I have two jack trays that slide on the tire platforms of the lift, so that I can jack up the car, or tractor, to do wheel and brake work if I need to. I also have a removable caster set, that will let me move the lift outside if I need to raise it higher to work on something.
Most of these lift manufacturers' offer a number of options, including different voltage power packs, casters, jack trays, full center storage platforms, (easy and cheaper to build yourself if you want a totally flat storage platform), as well as higher lift capacities.
It is easy to turn the lift sideways, and using the drive on ramps, plus some home-made center spacers and ramps for the other side, you can drive a vehicle over the lift from the side and put blocks under the frame, ontop of the wheel ramps to pick the four tires off of the ground if you want to.
You can also lift a vehicle up just high enough so that you can roll around under it on a stool, if your ceiling is too low to go higher, still beats laying on a creeper.
If you decide to purchase one of these lifts, get brochures and information from several of the manufacturers. Measure your garage to make sure if the lift will fit where you want it, also remember that to get it in and out of your garage you will need a high enough door to roll it through, (my door is 8' high). Also mark out the location of the lift on the floor of your garage, then look at the location of the tracks for your garage door, does the door when it's open interfere with whatever is up on the lift? Do you have to move any lights or other items to make enough clearance? Remember also that the lift is wider that the vehicle on it, will you still have room to get another car in next to it?, and/or walk/work around it?
I really like mine, and for the $2,900.00 I paid for it, it was much cheaper than enlarging my garage.
If you have any questions I might be able to answer, feel free to e-mail me.
dltimmons@sprintmail.com
Good luck,
DT
I have a 7,000 lb., four post lift, made by Superior Lift Co.
My garage ceiling is only 9'3", but, the car I store on top of it is only 42" high. I can walk around under it with the car on, but have to stoop some to do it. It still allows me to store 3 motorcycles under it, and leave the other bay of my oversized 2 car garage, so my wife can park her car in there during the winter.
I have two jack trays that slide on the tire platforms of the lift, so that I can jack up the car, or tractor, to do wheel and brake work if I need to. I also have a removable caster set, that will let me move the lift outside if I need to raise it higher to work on something.
Most of these lift manufacturers' offer a number of options, including different voltage power packs, casters, jack trays, full center storage platforms, (easy and cheaper to build yourself if you want a totally flat storage platform), as well as higher lift capacities.
It is easy to turn the lift sideways, and using the drive on ramps, plus some home-made center spacers and ramps for the other side, you can drive a vehicle over the lift from the side and put blocks under the frame, ontop of the wheel ramps to pick the four tires off of the ground if you want to.
You can also lift a vehicle up just high enough so that you can roll around under it on a stool, if your ceiling is too low to go higher, still beats laying on a creeper.
If you decide to purchase one of these lifts, get brochures and information from several of the manufacturers. Measure your garage to make sure if the lift will fit where you want it, also remember that to get it in and out of your garage you will need a high enough door to roll it through, (my door is 8' high). Also mark out the location of the lift on the floor of your garage, then look at the location of the tracks for your garage door, does the door when it's open interfere with whatever is up on the lift? Do you have to move any lights or other items to make enough clearance? Remember also that the lift is wider that the vehicle on it, will you still have room to get another car in next to it?, and/or walk/work around it?
I really like mine, and for the $2,900.00 I paid for it, it was much cheaper than enlarging my garage.
If you have any questions I might be able to answer, feel free to e-mail me.
dltimmons@sprintmail.com
Good luck,
DT
I spent some time today on the phone talking to one manufacturer. It seems that there are a lot of them coming from China and a few companies here in the States that are also manufacturing them. The one thing that I have learned is that the prices keep dropping to meet the foreign competition. The hard part is figuring out the differences, without seeing them in person. It appears that there is a company called Bend-Pack seem to be the premier company from what little that I have found so far on different web discussion pages, followed by Eagle and Superior. The pricing on all of them are competitive to say the least. One of the difficult things to figure out is what you get for the base price. Every one of the manufacturers include different options at no charge, so there is a lot of math to be done to make them all equal when comparing price. I don't know all the details yet, but I intend to follow up on all the U.S. manufactured brands and hopefully ferret out the best one. The only disappointment so far is that no one makes on it <font color="orange">ORANGE !! </font>
If anyone else has any information, please keep it coming. Thanks for the help so far...... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
If anyone else has any information, please keep it coming. Thanks for the help so far...... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
theonlybull
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2003
- Messages
- 310
a year ago, we bought a used 2 poster from a closed garage, the price was right, and it still has lots of life left in it. we set it up in our equipment shed (not enough room in our shop), which is one of those steel arch buildings, with a 13' door, plus about another feet to the roof in the middle.
i'm 6'3", and i can't stand under the frame of a car while it's on the hoist, this only lifts 6' at the frame pads, which can be a pain in the neck(or head if i forget) to work in certain places.
with one of our trucks on the hoist (77-79 f-100's) there is about 1 1/2' to the roof. so a 10 foot celing may not be high enough to work on anything but a small car. well unless your somewhat shorter then i /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
but if you can afford a hoist, and have a spot it will fit, they are a great investment, and will be worth every penny the day you have to spend 8 hours under a car /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
i'm 6'3", and i can't stand under the frame of a car while it's on the hoist, this only lifts 6' at the frame pads, which can be a pain in the neck(or head if i forget) to work in certain places.
with one of our trucks on the hoist (77-79 f-100's) there is about 1 1/2' to the roof. so a 10 foot celing may not be high enough to work on anything but a small car. well unless your somewhat shorter then i /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
but if you can afford a hoist, and have a spot it will fit, they are a great investment, and will be worth every penny the day you have to spend 8 hours under a car /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
bellweather
Platinum Member
when I was looking into the "backyard buddy" unit, I called the company and they were able to give me the name of someone nearby who purchased one that I could take a look at and see in action. nice unit and as I mentioned in my earlier post, the only headache, according to the owner, was getting it delivered to his home and set-up
Reviving an old thread.....
I have a K&W 4 post lift, made in the Kansas area. Works great, and built like a tank. I even have a rolling jack bridge so I can lift the car on the lift for wheel changes and the like. I can also drive onto the lift perpendicular to the rails and lift like a 2 post lift...again...for wheels of the ground stuff.
The casters are easy, and I can roll the unit around with a car on it.
The unit is over built and I can't imagine ever breaking it.
I don't use it much, but it is in the building, and available.
Best part was I bought thier "Demo" unit the used at a weekend carshow....that means no shipping, and free set-up.
I have a K&W 4 post lift, made in the Kansas area. Works great, and built like a tank. I even have a rolling jack bridge so I can lift the car on the lift for wheel changes and the like. I can also drive onto the lift perpendicular to the rails and lift like a 2 post lift...again...for wheels of the ground stuff.
The casters are easy, and I can roll the unit around with a car on it.
The unit is over built and I can't imagine ever breaking it.
I don't use it much, but it is in the building, and available.
Best part was I bought thier "Demo" unit the used at a weekend carshow....that means no shipping, and free set-up.