Alternative vehicle lift types

[Wombat Ranger]

My not-yet-finished shop has 2 drive in bays with 19' between sonotube piers. 2 and 4-post lifts are great, but I am not sure I want to commit the permanent space they occupy.

I want a lift system that accomodates everything from a low sports car up to a medium duty 4x4 truck. I operate a construction company and we have a few 3/4 ton+ pickups, and a couple of crew cab 84" C/A Ram 4500 work trucks.





I looked at mobile column lifts, which look really cool but most are far too big (and expensive). A downsized version of this would appear perfect, but the 5k/corner systems are still cost prohibitive.


Is there anything else out there that I should look at?

 

[txvwnut]

You won't find a one size fits all lift. You either buy one that accommodates the heaviest vehicle and use it for everything or buy multiple lifts that cover your fleet. Mobile column lifts are nice but have their limitations and don't play well with any low vehicle. Also are you looking at two post lifts?

 

[Skellyii]

A MaxJax would be my first suggestion, since you can move the posts when you're not using it. However, it's max 7K.

I know you said that you didn't want a 4 Post, but you can get ramps to accommodate the really low cars, and you can get models where you can raise the ramps high enough to walk under. If you get one with wheels, you can roll it outside or somewhere out of the way when you're not using it as well.

I'm interested to see what others suggest

 

[firebirdparts]

To me, the alternatives would just royally **** when you compare to how awesome a real lift is. FWIW. There are mobile single column lifts with arms, and that seems to address the issue as well as it can be addressed, but they're just so inferior. You can do it with 4 individual wheel lifts, and in fact if you're really committed I would suggest you do that. It's the most expensive solution, but you probably have a lot of money if you're running a business.

 

[Karl_B]

I don't know where you would buy one now, but if I was building from scratch, I would favor an in-ground hydraulic lift. The main drawbacks are risk of contamination from spills, floods, etc. and the fact it normally prevents access to the middle of the underside of the vehicle.

My two 14k pound two post lift has served me well since 2011, but if I was choosing again, I would want name-brand hydraulic cylinders rather than the unmarked Chinese ones it came with. It was a pain to find the correct seals when one failed last year.

 

[djbmw]

A 2 post doesnt occupy much space, really, especially with a clear floor model.

If I was in your position, I would buy a 12k rated 2 post overhead lift and call it a day (i own a 10k baseplate, due to ceiling height limitations).

 

[Wombat Ranger]

A 2 post lift is going to easily be the most cost effective, thus I will likely end up accepting the associated compromise. In the world of automotive lifts, car-through-diesel-pickup sizing is nowhere near "one size fits all" though I understand what you are trying to convey.

Thoroughly exploring all options will hopefully result in the best use of space and money. I would like to make the limited shop space as flexible use friendly as possible.

 

[Wombat Ranger]

but you probably have a lot of money if you're running a business.

LOL

 

[Speed-Racer]

In you want a lift that disappears. A flush mount lift by Nussbaum would be perfect. Double Scissor Lifts such as the JUMBO 9 are Germany made, and if you can do the install or have friends in the trades would click a lot of your boxes. You can use the floor or recessed mount. Obsessed garage has a few videos on various installs.

JUMBO » Lifts for car workshops - Made in Germany for over 40 years

If going with a two post, I would check out Mohawk lifts. Serious overbuild and it sounds like you have heavy vehicles in your fleet. You may need a flush double scissor lift with 9K capacity and a 2 post lift.

 

[txvwnut]

A 2 post lift is going to easily be the most cost effective, thus I will likely end up accepting the associated compromise. In the world of automotive lifts, car-through-diesel-pickup sizing is nowhere near "one size fits all" though I understand what you are trying to convey.

Thoroughly exploring all options will hopefully result in the best use of space and money. I would like to make the limited shop space as flexible use friendly as possible.

Mohawk will get you damn close to a one size fits all lift. https://mohawklifts.com/automotive-lifts/2-post-lifts/

 

[CraigStu]

A 12K 2 post will handle the normal to big stuff. Keep several 2x12s handy to use as ramps for the low cars to clear the lift pads.

 

[dscheidt]

I don't know where you would buy one now, but if I was building from scratch, I would favor an in-ground hydraulic lift. The main drawbacks are risk of contamination from spills, floods, etc. and the fact it normally prevents access to the middle of the underside of the vehicle.

You’re describing a single post in ground lift. I don’t think anyone sells them anymore. But rotary still sells 2 post in ground lifts. They deal with leaks by installing a plastic tub that holds all the below ground parts. I don’t know what they cost, but they’re not cheap. I used to work in a shop with a mix of both kinds, the in ground 2-post is by far my favorite kind of lift. One posts are great for tires, brakes, suspension, and if you know what you’re doing, you can pre-spot the arms, and have the car in the air super quickly.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Since you mentioned alternatives, how about a pit with a trolly jack?

 

[zkdiesel]

A 2 post lift is going to easily be the most cost effective, thus I will likely end up accepting the associated compromise. In the world of automotive lifts, car-through-diesel-pickup sizing is nowhere near "one size fits all" though I understand what you are trying to

Actually a rotary Spo 12 with 3 stage arms fits the bill
It’s the most versatile lift made
I have 2 posts from high end manufacturers in 8,10,12, 15,18 and 30k. The spo 12 is the most versatile lift ever made. Crew cab diesel pickups with welders in bed to a smart car….

 

[Wombat Ranger]

Since you mentioned alternatives, how about a pit with a trolly jack?

Can you snow me what you mean by a trolly jack? Search engine returned a bunch of what I (and the rest of America) would call a floor jack.

You’re describing a single post in ground lift. I don’t think anyone sells them anymore. But rotary still sells 2 post in ground lifts. They deal with leaks by installing a plastic tub that holds all the below ground parts. I don’t know what they cost, but they’re not cheap. I used to work in a shop with a mix of both kinds, the in ground 2-post is by far my favorite kind of lift. One posts are great for tires, brakes, suspension, and if you know what you’re doing, you can pre-spot the arms, and have the car in the air super quickly.

Rotary SL212 looks really cool. Thanks for the tip. I really like that idea. I already have a floor, hopefully there's a way to install it after the fact.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Can you snow me what you mean by a trolly jack? Search engine returned a bunch of what I (and the rest of America) would call a floor jack.


Rotary SL212 looks really cool. Thanks for the tip. I really like that idea. I already have a floor, hopefully there's a way to install it after the fact.

My bad, a bridge jack. Like the set up you‘d see in between the rails of a 4 post lift.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Mechanics Pit (my effort at)

Hello fellow garage dwelling peoples, just a quick run through of what I did to make a big *** 6 x 1.1 x 1.75m hole in the floor :giggle:(y) So it begins, found a gas pipe that turned out to be just a pipe thrown in the ********, previous builders attempt at humour no doubt. In the second...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[ScaldedDog]

Can you snow me what you mean by a trolly jack? Search engine returned a bunch of what I (and the rest of America) would call a floor jack.


Rotary SL212 looks really cool. Thanks for the tip. I really like that idea. I already have a floor, hopefully there's a way to install it after the fact.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...in-ground-lift-into-an-existing-floor.463507/

I've had a couple of SL210s. They rock.

Mark

 

[espyking83]

A MaxJax would be my first suggestion, since you can move the posts when you're not using it. However, it's max 7K.

I know you said that you didn't want a 4 Post, but you can get ramps to accommodate the really low cars, and you can get models where you can raise the ramps high enough to walk under. If you get one with wheels, you can roll it outside or somewhere out of the way when you're not using it as well.

I'm interested to see what others suggest

How thick of a pad do you need for one of those maxjax?

 

[Skellyii]

How thick of a pad do you need for one of those maxjax?

These days they say 4.25 @3,000 psi.

I had 5.5 when I had mine installed.

 

[mikedodge]

Shops I've been in use 4 post for the heavier stuff and you can get everything on them. In smaller shops the same one was used for alignments.

 

[Jagmandave]

I was going to mention the two post in ground lifts - they have their plusses and minuses......we had one at the school I taught at and we mostly used it for large pickup trucks, it accommodated the frame kickup better.

I think if you are going to have to put everything from large trucks to low sports cars on a lift, a drive on ramp is best to accommodate everything, and probably safest.

 

[Wombat Ranger]

Thanks all for the feedback. Every decision in life is an exercise in compromise.

I really like the in-ground idea, but 12k max capacity is a touch close for comfort, that's right around what the 4500's weigh. I'm sure a margin of safety is built into those ratings though. Does anyone know if they can be installed after the floor is in? I have a 6-sack 5.5" slab in both of the 20' work bays. 4000psi+.

I also expect that option to be significantly more costly than an above ground 2-post, hard to beat them in terms of purchase & installation cost.

I was going to mention the two post in ground lifts - they have their plusses and minuses......we had one at the school I taught at and we mostly used it for large pickup trucks, it accommodated the frame kickup better.

I think if you are going to have to put everything from large trucks to low sports cars on a lift, a drive on ramp is best to accommodate everything, and probably safest.

I don't know if I can live with the permanent space occupation, but I will consider it.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Thanks a

I really like the in-ground idea, but 12k max capacity is a touch close for comfort, that's right around what the 4500's weigh. I'm sure a margin of safety is built into those ratings though. Does anyone know if they can be installed after the floor is in?

Yes, they can. See post #18.

You are correct about the expense. Several times that of a comparable 2-post.

Mark