Need 4 post lift advice

[stacey]

I have the chance to purchase a used 4 post lift. The tag says it a Grand Inc. out of Fort Worth Texas. The rating is 5ton and it has the ram and pump attached on the side rail. The arms use a chain setup. I did a little research, and it shows the company started in 1978 and went out of business in 2000ish.
The lift appears to be well built. The asking price is 1500. parts are still available on the web. My question is the age make any difference? and are chain over wire rope make any difference? I know nothing of lifts only that I have always wanted one. Thank's any advice is appreciated.

 

[finn]

Offer them $500.

I wouldn’t pay any more than that for a lift that’s at least 25, and perhaps closing in on fifty years old.

Cables, sheaves (yes I know it’s chain drive), slides, pins, hoses, switches, and motors all have a finite life.

 

[mikedodge]

A picture would help. Was it commercial use or hobby? It might be worth the asking price depending on condition and how well it's built compared to the flood of 4 post ones you can get these days. Especially if it has a jack with it.

 

[stacey]

Pictures of Lift.

 

[racecougar]

IMO, it's going to require a thorough going through (which we can't do from those photos) to determine whether or not it's totally clapped out or in decent shape. From what little I can see, it appears to have lived a long/rough life. I'd plan on replacing the chains and have funds/time set aside for the likelihood that the cylinder will soon need a rebuild, pump replaced, etc. Are the locks working/timed properly? How does the pump sound under load? Any leaks?

 

[mikedodge]

Have you seen it work with a car on it? There's rust on the chain so the rest probably also hasn't been maintained in a while.
Do you need one that wide? That takes up a lot of space. Between that and the condition I'd keep looking. Unless you need one that big.
It's worth the price, you're not going to get one that size for the price 4 post typically go for but you might be near the price of one once you've spent time and money going through this one.

 

[717owner]

You can get a decent very lightly used lift on FB for 2500 that isn’t older than the Carter administration lol. That isn’t worth 1500. Maybe 200 and even then it’s going to need maintenance and repairs. Heck, you can now get a brand Chinese 4 post Ape lift for 3500$. I know it’s more than your 1500 but that 1500 is going to be sunk cost and a money pit

 

[kbuhagiar]

I concur with all of the advice given above.
Plus, take into account the cost and effort that will be required to disassemble, transport and put back together.

 

[stacey]

Thanks to all who replied. I will pass on this unless he really drops the price to where I can't refuse.

 

[Dutchmanaz]

I concur with all of the advice given above.
Plus, take into account the cost and effort that will be required to disassemble, transport and put back together.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. I (and a family friend) just moved an old Bradbury lift back to my parent's house. Weighed over 3K lbs, and was an absolute nightmare to move and then unload. Took us 2 full days just to get it moved and then we had the set up time (another 2 days). I now call the family friend "Sketch" as man we did some sketchy stuff to get it moved, but in the end, got it done. I wouldn't recommend it at all.