What do you guys with a lift use for an oil pan

[Ohmthis]

I installed a new lift in the spring and have been doing more and more with it. I absolutely love having it and it makes so many jobs so much easier. The one thing that I want to do better is oil changes. Right now I take my catch pan and set it up on top of our large garbage can. It gets close, but I inevitably make a mess. I’ve seen the deals that have a funnel and long tube down to a can. I have not priced them, but wonder if they get used a lot or are there other ways. Please post a picture if you have one, thanks!

 

[ransil]

They make rolling tanks for that HF for a cheap one, watch auctions for good ones, get one that takes air to pump out.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[rburke65]

I use a ..?... 2 1/2.....3 gal. Can with an adjustable riser and a large funnel. Can be purchased on line.

 

[Ohmthis]

They make rolling tanks for that HF for a cheap one, watch auctions for good ones, get one that takes air to pump out.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Thanks! The HF ones scare me as they have ok ratings. I don’t get out to auctions, just don’t have the time. I will week for a better version, thanks!

I use a ..?... 2 1/2.....3 gal. Can with an adjustable riser and a large funnel. Can be purchased on line.

Thanks! I’ll see what I can find and see which ones are better.

 

[MrBalll]

I just use this. Gets a few changes and then when I go to an auto parts store to get more oil I just dump it there.

 

[39Tudor]

^^^^^^^
I got the same one. Works great.

 

[LX-Markham]

I've got the rolling pan one from Bendpak. Love it.
And since I own a Ford, it's handy to just keep it parked under the rear main seal, LOL

 

[firebirdparts]

I've had a 6 foot tall drain tank, plastic, for a long time, like 15 years. very cheap. It's a piece of junk but then I don't abuse it. I killed the funnel one day. Set a car down on it. Finding another funnel was actually not that easy, but I eventually did. all the casters broke off, and I set it on a $7-with-coupon HF furniture dolly.

Mine:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OCFF2W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sreeb]

I have the cheap HF one. It is adequate.

 

[WarmFZI]

The HF one works ok. Much better after opening up the X at the top of the drain with a dremel (don't remove everything, just make the opening bigger).

 

[aka Larry]

I have this 8-gallon one made by Lisle. Works great for me.

 

[mytimeyet]

I've got a little roll around metal cart/desk/table thing I picked up at a surplus auction. Has a stainless top, a drawer, and a cabinet. Catch pan goes on top, filter removal tools are in the drawer, and oil + filters suitable for the various cars in the cabinet. I only raise the vehicle to clear the cart combo and access the drain. 4 1/2'- 5' or so. I work sitting in a roll around chair ;-). Practically relaxing.

 

[Matt M PA]

I have the HF metal drain one that you empty with compressed air. It's served me well.

That being said, you need to set up another valve to quickly let the pressure out when evacuating the oil. Don't ask why...

 

[dagofast]

I have the HF metal drain one that you empty with compressed air. It's served me well.

That being said, you need to set up another valve to quickly let the pressure out when evacuating the oil. Don't ask why...

I have the HF drain can too. All I have to say about it is..for the love of God, don't plug an airline in to one of these for the first time attempting to fill the plastic container the oil came in when it is inside your shop and close to things that are near and dear to you. Just don't. Raising yourself up from a squatting position on 60 year old knees and trying to unplug a quick connect air coupler when you and your hands are coated in used oil isn't something that happens quickly and it really is something that is quite time sensitive. It's a long, sad story and one that someday might be funny. But it is still too soon.

I did buy and install a venting ¼" ball valve from McMaster Carr but I haven't located a compressed air source in the middle of a sand filled desert to make my second attempt yet.

 

[sberry]

I was in a hurry. Built it to fit its storage. I don't do a "lot" of changes.

 

[barnee]

Another Lisle 8 gallon happy Owner

 

[sz0k30]

I have this 8-gallon one made by Lisle. Works great for me.

X2 I have the same one & it works great!

 

[Wrench97]

One of these funnels on top of the 8 gal Lisle or any other of that style makes it even better> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR6WA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Buckgnarly]

Another vote for Lisle and the oversize funnei....but be sure to get the anti splash mat for both.

 

[Bobf]

The reason I bought the lift is because I'm too damn old (76) to lay on my back and bench press transmissions. I use the hyd trans jack I bought for the lift wo a trans to hold the old drain pan I used on my hands n knees.

 

[brownbagg]

i bought one of those harbor freight one, the red plastic one, after about five years it just desenergrated , now i use a five gallon bucket

 

[pbon]

Lisle looks better than the HF one I bought for $40.

 

[Bad00SS]

i bought one of those harbor freight one, the red plastic one, after about five years it just desenergrated , now i use a five gallon bucket

They have now switched to a steel one for $59.99. I think they found out the old style fell apart.

 

[Matt M PA]

I have the HF drain can too. All I have to say about it is..for the love of God, don't plug an airline in to one of these for the first time attempting to fill the plastic container the oil came in when it is inside your shop and close to things that are near and dear to you. Just don't. Raising yourself up from a squatting position on 60 year old knees and trying to unplug a quick connect air coupler when you and your hands are coated in used oil isn't something that happens quickly and it really is something that is quite time sensitive. It's a long, sad story and one that someday might be funny. But it is still too soon.

I did buy and install a venting ¼" ball valve from McMaster Carr but I haven't located a compressed air source in the middle of a sand filled desert to make my second attempt yet.

I installed a ball valve to turn off incoming air and another to "vent" pressure just ahead of the blow-off valve. I can now regulate the air better.

What happened to me the first time I tried to evacuate? I put in more air than needed. I filled two big containers with the oil as it came out...and had no where to pump what was still coming. I had shut off the incoming air..but the oil drain tank still had pressure. So, I opened the big valve on top of the unit. For want of a better term...it "cleared" it's throat upwards and I spend the next hour cleaning up.

I can post a pic if wanted as to how I mounted the valves...

 

[mmb617]

I'm cheap. I use one my son brought home from work. They were throwing it out because the top broke off it and he knew I'd fix it somehow and use it. All I had to do was get a big funnel that the end fit inside the upright tube and the broken off top piece rested securely atop the funnel and it works fine.

 

[CraigStu]

Also get one of these no splatter foam thingys.
https://www.mechanicstoolswarehouse...-XYWuhfmcLZJ6p2LM_3qTHd_P0roiBJxoCbGcQAvD_BwE
We started using these about 3 years before I retired from a Lexus line tech job. It is so simple and works so well it is almost unbelievable.

 

[aka Larry]

Also get one of these no splatter foam thingys.
https://www.mechanicstoolswarehouse...-XYWuhfmcLZJ6p2LM_3qTHd_P0roiBJxoCbGcQAvD_BwE
We started using these about 3 years before I retired from a Lexus line tech job. It is so simple and works so well it is almost unbelievable.

Thanks for the link. I've added it to my list!

 

[FIVE_LITER]

We always use the tall drain cans but just throw a pan in it so we can just dump the pan when were done. It's nice not having to hook up air lines to drain stuff.

 

[nytronorm]

I use a transmission jack with drain pan sitting on top.

 

[sberry]

I use a transmission jack with drain pan sitting on top.

I certainly would consider that. One of my perks if one notices in my pic above is a pail and holder in pail from a wire for filter. The pail allows for tray dumps and to carry out to the storage, can do a couple 3 changes or let something drain. I empty pan as soon as I am done to prevent accidents.

 

[RStewart]

Metal HF here. Works fine. Just upgrade the crappy wheels. We had some kicking around so no extra cost.

 

[Ohmthis]

Thanks all! I put the lisle one in my wish list. It looks like a great option. I will definitely go with the splash pads too.

 

[OKDart]

I use a transmission jack with drain pan sitting on top.

I used to do that until I found one of these at a scap yard for $40:


https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200057024_200057024

I wouldn't pay $500 for one, but it has been great and I love it. It rolls around with ease, comes with anti-spatter pad and screen so you can just let the drain plug fall in. Uses shop air to evacuate the tank.

 

[CraigStu]

At the shops I have worked in we always had similar to the Lisle. To drain it we would pull the funnel and tube out of the unit, remove the cap, then tilt it over and pour the oil out. BTW, now at home I don't have a lift so I use a plastic pan. I buy two plastic jugs of cat litter, which ever brand has the largest pour spout opening diameter. I pour the old oil in those and take them to the recycle area of the local dump. They are large enough that they somewhat resist tipping over in the truck but I have a cardboard box that they both fit into and that really helps. I always leave a couple of shop towels in the box too.

 

[lakeroadster]

I built my own from a new 5 gallon gas can, a new pipe coupling, a funnel and some pieces of pipe. Once it's full you simply unscrew the pipe and take the can to the local auto parts place, they dump the oil and give the can back.

I tend to build my own stuff to save some money.

You guys using air to empty an oil reservoir... be careful. You can easily blow up the reservoir unless it's an ASME tank rated for the air pressure you are using.

 

[R. Deschain]

I installed a ball valve to turn off incoming air and another to "vent" pressure just ahead of the blow-off valve. I can now regulate the air better.

What happened to me the first time I tried to evacuate? I put in more air than needed. I filled two big containers with the oil as it came out...and had no where to pump what was still coming. I had shut off the incoming air..but the oil drain tank still had pressure. So, I opened the big valve on top of the unit. For want of a better term...it "cleared" it's throat upwards and I spend the next hour cleaning up.

I can post a pic if wanted as to how I mounted the valves...

A pic of the set up would be great and a pic of the initial accidental upward evacuation would be even better.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I can post a pic if wanted as to how I mounted the valves...

Please do. I have the Harbor Freight unit and have planned to put one valve on it, I hadn't thought of the second valve but it is a great idea.

 

[Matt M PA]

Ok guys...here it is. To the right, the quick connect for the compressor line. I put a valve here to cut the incoming air off.

To the left, I installed a "T", with the factory installed blow-off valve at the far end and a valve sticking up. This valve allows me to vent any pressure in the tank.

When the valve with the blue handle is opened, it takes just a moment to shed the tank's pressure.

Now, a pic of the aforementioned incident wasn't taken. It wasn't a big splatter, but more a bunch of little dots of oil.....

 

[Jason280]

I keep saying I am going to fab one up to use undere the MaxJax, but keep using milk crates stacked on top of each other with a 15qt pan at the top....one day I will get motivated!

 

[jumpstart]

I use the Lisle as well. I also have the transmission drain pan that sits on top of the round pan. Transmission pan is much larger, so less chance of oil splatter. I think it's 24" x 24".