Is this lift worth $1800

[Speargun]

I found a Forward 12000 pound 4 post alignment lift for sale nearby for $1800. I asked a few questions & this is what I got back:

Once I send pics you can see it has separate hydraulic lift within the ramps that slide back and fort to position under the frame. You can lift the vehicle up off the ramps themselves to change ball joints etc. Gets the weight of the wheels I guess.
Where the ramps are now its 80 inches apart. But its held by u-bolts and there is at least two more feet to expand. Flat portion of Ramp to the stops up front is about 16'. I would think crew cab dually would fit. I will send several pics now from my phone by separate emails. Not sure how old it is. It was working when I got it. Have not used it here. We can get power to it to check motor if your interested.

And here are the pictures:

Whatcha think?
Worth $1800?

I really don't care about the alignment setup although it may save me a few bucks down the road, but I do like the fact it has a pair of air operated roller jacks.

I was considering buying a new Direct Lift pro park 9plus, but if this is a decent deal & I don't have to sink a ton of $$$ into it, I might consider it.

This is for a 30'x50' garage/shop & will see very light duty.

All I know about lifts, I learned from GarageJournal.com

 

[tdkkart]

I'd have to be really decent and have all the alignment stuff with it to give $1800.
You can get a new lift that would fit your needs for $23-ish on sale.

 

[e-tek]

I'd have to be really decent and have all the alignment stuff with it to give $1800.
You can get a new lift that would fit your needs for $23-ish on sale.

But them jacks are $700 each! I say offer him $1300 and take it!!!!

 

[tdkkart]

But them jacks are $700 each!

SOME are worth that, but your right, I saw them and forgot. I'd say $1000, maybe $1200, and the frst thing I'd do is disassemble it and have it powder coated.

 

[srmofo]

SOME are worth that, but your right, I saw them and forgot. I'd say $1000, maybe $1200, and the frst thing I'd do is disassemble it and have it powder coated.

you're gonna pay big bucks to have something that large powder coated.

Its worth something, but I wouldnt pay $1800.

How do all the hydraulics look? any leaky lines or cylinders?

Controls function perfect everytime?

Do the safety latches work? Thats a big one to me. Lazy techs tend to disable safety locks because they can be troublesome

How does it look structurally? look underneath the ramps, examine closely for any repairs. Ive heard of the rails that the jacks ride on breaking off although Ive never seen it

 

[Speargun]

This lift is about 3 hours away from me so all I have to work with are the photos I posted up here.

From the looks of the alignment machine & all the rust, I would say this lift has been around a while. I haven't been able to locate anything about this particular model yet and was hoping someone on here might know more about it.

I know that Forward is made by Dover who makes Rotary, but I'm guessing that this is one of their lower end lifts....

 

[EuroVt]

Lots of folks here like pie.

 

[mad57]

I agree offer 1200 cash and forget powder coat use reg rustoleum professional series oil based paint will look like new.

 

[Speargun]

Oh yeah. What are the common things that need to be repaired on an old lift? Seals? Cables?
Cables I would think aren't too expensive, but how about seals, etc...?

I can't find anything on the net about a forward 12000# alignment lift. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks for all of the replies so far. Pie will be served later.

 

[slice]

Forward Lifts, Are made by dover but once you see one you will be impressed at it, It is no junk by any means. as someone else said for a few more bucks you can have a new one, might be worth it down the road,,,, my .02 cents

 

[brownbagg]

everybody always wants to low ball some body screw them out of their money. He ask 1800 for a reason, you ask the question, a simple question. "Is it worth 1800"

yes it worth 1800. now what you screw the guy out of is your problem

 

[impulse922]

id spend the extra coin to buy a new one, but thats just me.

everybody always wants to low ball some body screw them out of their money.

welcome to the internet, home of the low ballers.

 

[csargents1546]

The cables would be my biggest concern and any leaks on the hydraulics. I would give 1800 for it for sure. I personnally love getting older tools equiptment and such and bringing it back to life. Then you can stand back and say I did that. Alot more rewarding personnally. My .02 cents

 

[jhelrey]

Home Depot sells rattle cans for $.88 each.

It actually sticks very well! Painted an entire boat trailer with it

 

[e-tek]

everybody always wants to low ball some body screw them out of their money. He ask 1800 for a reason, you ask the question, a simple question. "Is it worth 1800"

yes it worth 1800. now what you screw the guy out of is your problem

What? Ya, the reason he asked $1800 is because he's hoping he can get that for it.... As long as I've been buying and selling ****, sellers ask what they think the market will bear (what they "think" someone will pay) and buyers bid at what they think they can pay (and what the seller may take).

If you didn't think something was worth the asking price, would you just walk away?

 

[gsport]

when ever i go looking at something on CL... the first thing i say is "this being on CL, i know you don't expect to get your asking price, what do you really want for it"
worth $1800?? yes, if everything works, it would be nice to already have the two jacks with it.... i'd still offer less though

 

[Mtaters]

Lots of folks here like pie.

depends what kind of pie

 

[copterdoctor]

I like cherry pie.....

 

[ket-tek]

If this is a completely functioning alignment system and everything still works, then hell yeah it's worth $1800..

Is it worth $1800 to you, and for your needs? Only you can tell that. $1800 and you still have to disassemble, move, clean, paint, possibly rebuild pump or cylinders, replace cables, and reassemble?

2 power jacks, Slip plates, Turn Plates, and Alignment gauge system.. But you mention you don't really care about the capability.

It's mentioned above you can get a 4 post new for $2xxx earlier and it's true + free easy shipping and easy assembly, and future tech support. But a new 4 post is not really comparable to this unit as a whole. Although it has defiantly had quite heavy use in it's past shop live(s). And alignment racks are moving to all digital laser systems.

If you don't care about the alignment parts, and only want a 4 post. I would just buy a new one. And let someone else pick this one up that will utilize it for what it can do.

 

[mad57]

I still say if you,like it and everything mechanical checks out go in low with offer... you can always go up in price in this economy its tough to sell anything.. trust me i know as a seller and a buyer myself the worst the guy can say is NO no hard feelings, dont be d.b about it speak your mind and dont sound like a snake oil sales man and the deal will go well if you buy it or not...now here in nj i see these lifts at auction go for around $500 to $1000, i do also agree that for a couple of more bucks you could buy a new one and probley have less of a head ake looking for parts that no longer exist for an older lift.

 

[66dave]

listen the SLICE...forward is made by Dover, Dover is the parent company of Forward and Rotary...if I had the cash I would have bought one of them, but I went with a cheaper route and bought a BendPak (no complaints with that).

My dad is a pro mechanic, worked on Ford diesels for 30+ years; all he has used is Forward and Rotary. They are the best period. I would do it, for reference the BendPaks are painted not powder coated. Also When I was at the dealer last Saturday I was checking out the alignment lift as I talked with dad, he was changing out a tire on a deully, I noticed it had chains not cables for the lift. That was impressive.

What weight rating is that lift? When comparing make sure you are comparing apples to apples. I bet that unit is at least rated for 12K pounds, for reference my BendPak is rated for 9K pounds. When I bought the Bendpak ( a lighter duty lift) plus 2 bridge jacks it ran me $5K.

Oh by the way Forward's prior to 2004 were made in the USA.

 

[66dave]

http://www.centralequipment.net/fmlifts.php


this link states that the Forward has "slack chain saftey", so it does use chains rather than cables...that is SWEET!

 

[m.james]

I say no more than 1k.

 

[Speargun]

Thanks for all of the info so far.

Pie is in the oven.

Until then, how about some cookies?

 

[Speargun]

I'm going to pass on this one and go with a new lift.
Thanks for all your input!


And now. As promised.








PIE!

 

[D.J.]

Make mine pumpkin! **** nice cookies!

 

[Speargun]

Make mine pumpkin! **** nice cookies!

OK.
Just remember you asked for it.