Installing lift outside, good or bad idea?

[ImmDanny]

I'm in the process of building a "garage" workspace on a concrete slab in my backyard/side of my house. I don't have the funds to build a complete structure, and want to use what I have available. I also don't see this house being my "forever home" so I don't want to put too much money/effort into creating a dream shop.

I'm looking into getting one of those temporary carports that is tall enough to house a car lift under it. If I can't find one that works, I'll try to make my own with tubing and whatever material I find is best suited for creating shade/being water proof.

So the lift would technically be out of direct sun-light/rain, but it would not be in an enclosed building. It'll be exposed to the cold in the winter and heat in the summer. I do live in Phoenix, so snow would not be an issue, and even rain would be fairly minimal and wouldn't get directly rained on.

Is this okay to do? I'd hate to get a lift and then destroy it.

I just got recommended to this site from reddit, so I need to do some looking around at other posts. I haven't even really looked into what lift I'd want.

 

[T VETTE]

I think you will be good with some type of cover to get out of the sun. The lift should be fine but you may want to put some type of wrap over the hydraulic lines to avoid sun from an angle. I have family in Phoenix and that summer sun if brutal to work in.

 

[bczygan]

I know a guy with one outside.

Had to pour a pad but works fine.

I would tarp it when not in use.

Bill

 

[ImmDanny]

I think you will be good with some type of cover to get out of the sun. The lift should be fine but you may want to put some type of wrap over the hydraulic lines to avoid sun from an angle. I have family in Phoenix and that summer sun if brutal to work in.

Yeah my plan is to keep it out of the sun, mostly because I'd want to be able to work in the shade myself, which would mean the entire lift would have to be in the shade.

And yeah, I might not use it much in the summer, but I've never had a garage to work in and I've worked on my cars year round for a while now, so I can deal with if I need to. Mostly just work at nights.

 

[SJW]

So what are the problems you could encounter with a lift outside but covered:

1. Moisture or dirt getting into the power unit. Protecting your power unit from hard rains, or dew, or those dust clouds that make the news occasionally is probably your biggest concern. Keep it covered when not in use will really help. The better the cover, the better for you.

2. Heat issues. Hydraulic hoses and lubed areas will dry up faster, so plan on doing more maintenance than you would for an indoor unit.

3. If you're getting an ALI certified lift, I believe they lose certification if installed outside.

Should work pretty normally otherwise. Good luck!

 

[CJseven]

It’s commonly called a “open air lift” if you want to do some searching around on the net. Eagle lifts for one says they automatically void the warranty on there lifts installed outdoors, but each manufacturer has there own requirements and such.

 

[Barrymaxx]

Very common in places with nicer weather. Saw many people with them outdoors in western USA and PR

 

[Mark_17]

I've seen a few out here in NJ and have seen them in use for years.

A local pick-n-pull junkyard has two outside that have been in daily use for easily 20+ years

 

[dagofast]

Outdoor lifts in AZ are fairly common. There is a dealer out here; Western All Tool, that sells lifts that have some features that he recommends for outdoor use. The one I remember specifically is that his lifts use a metal hydraulic oil tank. As a Zonie, you know what the relentless sun can do to plastic stuff. They also install and service them. I know a few people that have them in home shops and a couple of independent auto shops that own his lifts. All of them like the lifts and rate his customer service highly. If I had decided to go with a 2 post lift, I would have likely chosen his.

 

[ImmDanny]

Outdoor lifts in AZ are fairly common. There is a dealer out here; Western All Tool, that sells lifts that have some features that he recommends for outdoor use. The one I remember specifically is that his lifts use a metal hydraulic oil tank. As a Zonie, you know what the relentless sun can do to plastic stuff. They also install and service them. I know a few people that have them in home shops and a couple of independent auto shops that own his lifts. All of them like the lifts and rate his customer service highly. If I had decided to go with a 2 post lift, I would have likely chosen his.

I'll have to look into that dealer, thank you for the recommendation.

 

[1badrz28]

As long as the electric and hydraulic lines are protected, you should be fine.

 

[december45]

We have a winter home in Lake Havasu, there are many out door lifts there. I would want some kind of cover from the sun but the ones I've seen did not have any cover...

 

[Old Man Roger]

Make sure it's not a code issue. Some areas don't allow you to have a lift outside in a residential area.

 

[dv8customs]

Buddy of mine had one outside for a couple of years, never had any issues with the weather.

 

[ncfireman1918]

It's not super common in NC, but I do have a friend with a 4 post just outside his shop, with a Carolina Carports (tube metal and sheet metal top) carport over it. It's been that way for over 10 years, and is fine. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least 3 local service stations who have 2 post lifts outside. 2 of them have a similar cover, and one is just next to the building. I see cars on them on occasion, and I'm not aware of any EMS calls as a result (so I guess they work fine!).

 

[matt_i]

I guess if you can stay in the shade of the car!

It would be worthwhile to put a carport roof over it just to reduce the sun load on you from May to October...

 

[Bobf]

I'm over in Poway,CA (inland) NE of San Diego, we get heat in summer and rain and cold in the winter (high 20's) NO SNOW.
I've had my 4 post outside almost 3 yrs now with no problems. I have the rubber hyd hose wrapped in foil (sun shield) and plastic bags over the hyd pump unit. No cover over it, usually a covered car sitting on it, currently a 66 Fairlane.

 

[59 wagon man]

lot's of old shops down here in sunny florida with outdoor lifts. get a 4 post and enjoy

 

[IMXCITD]

shop near me has at least one if not two that have been outdoors for years.

 

[brownbagg]

mine been outside since 2005, I burn up a motor so now the motor hanging on the wall inside the shop, other than that no weather problem, got keep eye on paint chips, keep them from rusting. after about 12 years, I finally built a cover over the top.

what it was, My shop ceiling was too low

 

[rob0781]

A hoist is great but myself i would use the money you were going to spend on the hoist with some more cash and build the garage especially if the slab is poured already.. if you shop around and do it yourself it might not be bad.. I'd rather work in a garage with jack and jackstands than outdoors on a lift but that's just me.

 

[vhol5]

Mine has been outside in direct sun for 10 years. Plastic tank lasted about 2 years. Got a replacement and wrapped it with aluminum tape; no issues since. I do expect the crossover hydraulic hose to go eventually, so there's that. Like I said, direct sun in El Paso Tx.

 

[ImmDanny]

Mine has been outside in direct sun for 10 years. Plastic tank lasted about 2 years. Got a replacement and wrapped it with aluminum tape; no issues since. I do expect the crossover hydraulic hose to go eventually, so there's that. Like I said, direct sun in El Paso Tx.

Sounds like a quality lift, what model is it?

 

[vhol5]

Sounds like a quality lift, what model is it?

Actually, it's a cheap Chinese copy, Autoequipment brand. No issues other than that.

 

[oldmachinenut]

My Benwill PL6000 midrise has been outside on the slab beside
My shop for 15 years. I put a heavy duty 6 ball Parker hydraulic coupler on the hose where it connects to the ram. The pump/motor and hose are stored in the shop and only go out when I use the hoist. I keep the hoist greased and park my K-30 over it so it takes no space.

Bill

 

[VM Builders]

An investment like that is not worth having outside. But that is just our 2 cents.

 

[el monte slim]

From a potential liability standpoint, I'd want a lockout device on any outside lift to prevent unauthorized use. Otherwise, I could envision some neighborhood kids messing around with it and getting themselves hurt, followed by a lawsuit from their parents.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Seen a shop with an outdoor lift.....in Ohio.

 

[ImmDanny]

From a potential liability standpoint, I'd want a lockout device on any outside lift to prevent unauthorized use. Otherwise, I could envision some neighborhood kids messing around with it and getting themselves hurt, followed by a lawsuit from their parents.

I’m thinking of having some sort of main power shut off switch, but at the same time the lift would be in my backyard, so whatever lawsuit they’d have would be about their kids messing around on private property.


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[jetnow1]

I’m thinking of having some sort of main power shut off switch, but at the same time the lift would be in my backyard, so whatever lawsuit they’d have would be about their kids messing around on private property.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Ask any pool owner about that as a defense. Unless it is in a fenced in yard, with a self locking gate, that meets the same requirements as an in ground pool, you would be giving any passing attn a hard on. Here a pool has to be
enclosed with a 54 inch or higher fence. Attractive nuisance is the legal term.

 

[Tunajoe]

Mines outside and has been for awhile with no problems.
I bought mine used because Benpak said a new one outside voids the warranty