So, I have been researching all over, including here on a 4 post lit for my home garage. I thought I had it down to an Advantage list, for several reasons, but one of the main was the high clearance when fully raised, almost 7 foot for the advantage, I haven't found one yet that comes close in the under $5k price range, and I have the head room, so I want to fully utilize it. Anyway, I am ready to pull the trigger then started reading about how it had to be installed on a level floor. In the northeast it is very common to slope the garage floor to allow melted snow and ice to flow out. In my garage, which is brand new, the floor slope is about 2 inches over 20 feet. I reached out to advantage about this and have heard nothing back. Wondering how others deal with this, I know I can't be the only person in this situation. Would love to hear input from others who have dealt with this.
Advantage lifts 4 post lift installed on sloped floor.
- Thread starter Riperoo
- Start date
Burl
Well-known member
I'm not sure of the slope issue, but I bought their 9000XLT lift a couple months ago and love it! I hope it works out for you. I don't see why you couldn't shim one end (or side)
rburke65
Well-known member
I could never understand why you would slope a floor like this. How much snow are ya melting off a car?!
cajunfirehawk
Well-known member
Check these people out, I started out looking at advantage lifts too but something about their sales person who I talked to in person at a car show recently kind of rubbed me the wrong way, after that I have talked a lot with these people, looks like the same lifts too...?
http://www.wildfirelifts.com/
http://www.wildfirelifts.com/
Excellent point. I do like the looks of the product though. I am going to give them another shot this week.
I think that is the issue, the locks are not adjustable, the BYB is nice, but doesn't have the height I am looking for.
Yeah, looks like almost the same lift, I will check them out. Thanks.
Was your floor perfectly level? How has the support been from Advantage? Really like to hear input from an owner.
Burl
Well-known member
My floor was level. As far as support, I wanted to actually see (and walk around, put my hands on) a lift before I bought one, and Tony put me in contact with a local guy who had one. I went to his house, he explained everything, good and bad, and I was sold on this lift. Talk with Tony, he goes well out of his way to help. Also when it comes to accessories (jack, ramps, etc.) their prices and quality are great.
wssix99
Well-known member
Did you read about how it had to be installed on a level floor or that it had to be installed level? (big difference) Modern building code requires sloped floors on many garages and every lift manual I've seen contemplates this and directs one to use shims to get the lift level.
Sloped floors are not about water. They are about heavier-than-air gasses, like gasoline vapor. They are required in some applications, in conjunction with raised "gas curbs", (step-ups in to the house) so that these vapors run downhill and out of the garage instead of pooling in the room or flowing in to attached structures/rooms.
Dakota00
Well-known member
There's no issue at all! Damn I wish mine was the same. Try dealing with 6.5" of slope on 20ft with a 4 post.
donpauli2
Well-known member
The posts or support cylinders should always be plumb and the lifting arms or ramps level in both planes same as house structure so the loading of the lift goes " straight into the ground and not canted. If it is not the lift " could" , I repeat," could" collapse. Most equipment can probably handle a floor with one inch of slope over 24 feet but the solution is easily handled by shimming the base of the low support posts with plates the same size as the base. Not little shims or washers between the concrete and base. If your OCD to the extreme about this I use steel plates of varying thickness to get close and then pieces of sheet metal to fine tune. This is often done to " alignment " racks to make them accurate. Now the guy with the 6" slope. It can still be done but wow. That's wash bay drainage
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donpauli2
Well-known member
There's no issue at all! Damn I wish mine was the same. Try dealing with 6.5" of slope on 20ft with a 4 post.
Damn that's almost a low gear 4X4 slope for a garage ! Lol. Good for a wash bay though
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RWorth
Well-known member
when they say a level floor, I really don't think they are talking about 1" in 10', I wouldn't think twice about that pitch. That is level enough.
and if you are really ****, shim the 2 low posts 2"
and if you are really ****, shim the 2 low posts 2"
lakeroadster
Well-known member
The lift manufacturer won't tell you it's ok, 'cause some dim wit will put the lift on a 30 degree sloped driveway surface, and then when the entire deal comes crashing down the dim wit will sue the manufacturer, saying he was told it was "ok".
At my previous shop I had a post 4 lift, and a sloped floor.
Never was an issue, and no I didn't shim the lift to be level.
The vehicle, on the lift, remains at whatever the slope the floor is in the garage.
So if the vehicle setting on your garage floor at a slight slope has never been an issue, you're good to go.
At my previous shop I had a post 4 lift, and a sloped floor.
Never was an issue, and no I didn't shim the lift to be level.
The vehicle, on the lift, remains at whatever the slope the floor is in the garage.
So if the vehicle setting on your garage floor at a slight slope has never been an issue, you're good to go.
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Dakota00
Well-known member
I made it work! Between adjusting the ladder locks and making concrete pads for the (2) lower posts. I got it fairly level.
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MJockey
Well-known member
What lift did you decide to go with? I called Tony at Advantage Lifts and he said that my 2"/12' slope garage floor wouldn't be a issue. He also said they are running a sale until the end of the year.
LX-Markham
Well-known member
I don't know about the Advantage lift, but the Bendpak lift calls for a floor with no more than 3% slope. (5/8" per foot)
I don't think 2" difference should be a problem.
I don't think 2" difference should be a problem.
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Haven't pulled the trigger yet, wanted to get some of my bigger shop tools in place before I finally pull it. Pretty close actually, might do some final layout this weekend and take advantage of that sale if the advantage makes sense. I do have the wide and tall bendpack laid out in painters tape on my floor and walls right now and it is looking like it is pretty close to being a winner. The advantage is actually a little bigger footprint than the advantage. Thanks for the heads up on the sale, i will definitely check it out.
It seems like advantage, wildfire, etc should follow bendpaks lead and make their base plate 10X12 and flush with the outer sides of the lifts. This cuts down about 3-4 inches from the overall footprint of the lifts which for some of us is a big deal. I already need a variance to build my garage extension and every inch or two is important.
Like this ...
instead of like this...
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carryallman
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2009
- Messages
- 73
i bought an advantage lift in august -best tool i ever bought -it is the 11000 # model xtra tall & wide no problem -works good ,my son bought a 9000 # unit from greg smith cause it was local -its ok ???? only problem i had w/ my advantage lift WAS it came missing the drip pans & called advantage and they said they are all in the kit -kinda like calling me a LIAR ?? so if you order one make sure and ask them about the drip pans before you buy and please mention this post to them !! BUT like i said its a very good unit ! if near to me stop look at it !! thanks mike -norwalk iowa
cajunfirehawk
Well-known member
its funny you mention this, I saw one of these lifts in person at a car show recently, the salesman was a total **** and the oddest salesman I have ever encountered, same person you think?