Your lift is in the mail.

kaymccampbell · Oct 19, 2015

After a months long fruitless go-round with Advance Auto and Bendpak and not getting a MDS 6K due to recalls. Then trying to deal with a greedy salesman and getting my money back. Then feeling a bit burned in the transaction and dithering for a couple months. I finally ordered an Atlas Kwik Bay 7K from Greg Smith. Their guy says in stock in Delaware and 2-4 days for delivery. It is supposed to show up at the local Old Dominion terminal by the end of the week. All I need to do is arrange for my local tow company flatbed and I'm good.
I am crossing my fingers that this is not the fiasco that the last lift purchase attempt was.

rburke65 · Oct 19, 2015

Good luck Kay. You will love having a lift.

General Geoff · Oct 20, 2015

Congratulations, you will soon be living the dream.

turfgnome · Oct 20, 2015

I just put a few 8ks together and I suggest having a few people around. It seemed a lot heavier then they showed in the videos. It was a struggle for 4 steel workers and myself to lift it to put them together.

sublimate · Oct 20, 2015

His lift is a scissor lift - nothing really to put together.
Attach the pump and the lift pads and you're good to go.

kaymccampbell · Oct 20, 2015

It was loaded on the truck at 0830.
In NewCastle DE by 1700.
And right now it's heading to Jersey City NJ.
Old Dominion website estimates arrival at the local terminal tomorrow.
It appears that these folks mean business.

kaymccampbell · Oct 21, 2015

It's enroute to my local OD terminal.
Looks like I may need to take some time off.

dlcwent · Oct 21, 2015

Congrats Kay. I hope it is all you expect. I just got a 412A in august and had quite a go around with Greg Smith Equip. The lift is great though. And I will add that the company did the best they could to take care of the issues I had.

kaymccampbell · Oct 21, 2015

It looks like it's arrived at the terminal.
After I get to work and check my voicemail and take care of a few things, I guess I'll be enjoying some quality time with my new child.
I'm taking advice and bringing a camera, just in case it got mishandled. I've been the damage claims route with shippers before. So long as you catch it before you sign, they're good. One second after and it's all on you.

kaymccampbell · Oct 21, 2015

It was at the terminal today, but not on the dock til late this afternoon. I have an appt with a flatbed and OD tomorrow at 0900.

matt_i · Oct 21, 2015

Note of caution: Make sure you inspect it *before* signing any papers. The common trick is to send you over to the office first, you sign the bill of lading, then go work on getting it forklifted to the truck. By then, you already signed away your rights by virtue of that "received in good condition" pre printed right next to your name. Been burned by freight companies personally and professionally. Old Dominion (Atlanta) destroyed more stuff than anyone else. Don't put it on your truck if there is any hint of damage. Refuse the shipment and call your sales person.

Lassen Forge · Oct 21, 2015

And of course you want to see it first to make sure you sent the right one... ;-) Wouldn't want to sign for somebody else's f***-up, er, Lift, right?

pop pop · Oct 21, 2015

Great advice about checking the lift before you sign, but in a practical world, it's not going to happen. I picked mine up at the terminal this week. Sure, the package showed some handling wear, but nothing obvious. This thing weighs 2300# and is all bolted together and wrapped plus plywood on the bottom.. You can see nothing. Get it home and uncover all sorts of handling damage to the finish. Nothing bent, but wow. No way you're gonna find that in the terminal either. I don't have an answer, but don't sign till you inspect is not real.

kaymccampbell · Oct 21, 2015

That's a givem. Most probably comes from the ride from China. Though I've seen Mohawk stuff and some of it looks just as bad. So it probably has more to do with big iron things grinding together chewing each others paint off during shipping than any actual mishandling.
So long as there is no mechanical, physical damage I'm good. The only part that will be seen is the top of the platforms. The rest will be buried in the floor.

dlcwent · Oct 22, 2015

Looking forward to see it set up Kay. And your overall experience.

shadyluke · Oct 22, 2015

turfgnome said:
I just put a few 8ks together and I suggest having a few people around. It seemed a lot heavier then they showed in the videos. It was a struggle for 4 steel workers and myself to lift it to put them together.

Nah, Me and a buddy (little guy at that) stood up my 12K columns without a problem. I'm pretty sure that I had most of it though.

christopher7390 · Oct 22, 2015

Lucky you! enjoy!

NUTTSGT · Oct 22, 2015

kaymccampbell said:
It was at the terminal today, but not on the dock til late this afternoon. I have an appt with a flatbed and OD tomorrow at 0900.

It should be on the flatbed about now. . . .

kaymccampbell · Oct 22, 2015

Actually we were halfway home.
It's on the floor and there is only one scratch and I put it there scuffing over it with a gravelly shoe.
Considering the condition of that pallet, one end shattered and the box, top half peeled off by OD. The box containing the small bits was pierced and patched with plastic wrap by Greg Smith, not the shipper., cause GS's inspect this box warning was on the plastic wrap! Anyway, it seems to be in pristine condition. It will look worse in a few days!

Having the Dingo to be my muscle was a blessing. It pushed/pulled the lift around easily.
I have pictures on the camera. Tonight, after I pick up my laptop, I will post the naughty pics.

NUTTSGT · Oct 22, 2015

kaymccampbell said:
Actually we were halfway home.
It's on the floor and there is only one scratch and I put it there scuffing over it with a gravelly shoe.
Considering the condition of that pallet, one end shattered and the box, top half peeled off by OD. The box containing the small bits was pierced and patched with plastic wrap by Greg Smith, not the shipper., cause GS's inspect this box warning was on the plastic wrap! Anyway, it seems to be in pristine condition. It will look worse in a few days!
Having the Dingo to be my muscle was a blessing. It pushed/pulled the lift around easily.
I have pictures on the camera. Tonight, after I pick up my laptop, I will post the naughty pics.

Really ?

hayhauler71 · Oct 22, 2015

I am in for pics

kaymccampbell · Oct 22, 2015

I just got home. After work, Wolberg to get a plug for the lift, ABI to pick up the laptop, Wilton to take dogs to the vet, home to deal with a potential roof contractor, Wilton again to pick up dogs from the vet, Advance for oil for the lift, Lowes for a new jig saw. I'm beat. The PC is going through some setup routine while I sleep. This tablet doesn't take or upload pictures. Lift **** tomorrow. G'night!

dlcwent · Oct 23, 2015

Maybe today won't be so hectic for you Kay. God-speed.

kaymccampbell · Oct 23, 2015

OK. I have a laptop again. So here's your pictures.
At the terminal.
The pump.
The lift centered and aligned on the floor. For now.
The remains of the packaging.

kaymccampbell · Oct 24, 2015

More lift ****. This should be the last of it till I recess the lift into the floor.
Caravan on the lift.
Over 2 feet of clearance underneath and still not near the ceiling.
Dirty and used.
My best work/safety glasses. With the least spatter on them.
How I did the stupid metric airline. I drilled and tapped for 1/4-28 from the back. A little CA glue and screwed the little plastic hose into the back of a male air hose fitting. No leaks. No fall out. Happy girl!

SweetD · Oct 24, 2015

Man I wish I had the height for a lift like that - perfect for what I would need! Lucky you!

kaymccampbell · Oct 24, 2015

I only have 8 feet.

bczygan · Oct 24, 2015

What's the model number of that lift?

Could you use a lift like that in a driveway? Or one that goes higher?

Bill

kaymccampbell · Oct 24, 2015

It's the Atlas Kwik Bay 7K
Link here,
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-Kwik-Bay-7-000-LB-Mid-Rise-Lift
I imagine it would work in your driveway as long as you have a level spot for it to lay on. It has two big trays that hold each half to spread the weight. It is supposed to be movable. It came with a couple steel wheels and the pump is a cart that has a tow hook that engages the front of the lift. I do not think I would want to use a taller lift in the driveway without bolting it down. This one does not have to be permanently attached.
The purchase and shipping exerience was way less horrific than Advance was making it and way better than many shipping by LTL experiences I've had.

mikereno1 · Oct 24, 2015

Looks good, how are you going to recess it? Already have the spot or do you have to cut out a spot?

jd_1138 · Oct 24, 2015

I wish I had a lift. Enjoy.

kaymccampbell · Oct 25, 2015

I have to cut out a spot. Probably right where it is. It was amazing how perfect the placement was. Guess it's cause I've been thinking about it for ages.
Wishing you had a lift and getting it are not that far apart. $2295 for the lift. $225 to ship. $250 for the tow company flatbed to get it to the door.
How I saved for it was easy. I got the dealer estimates for every repair I have needed on the vehicles. After I completed those repairs myself, on the floor, with the pump jack and stands, I put HALF the difference between my cost and dealer cost in the jar for the lift. I don't think I had the jar 2 years when I had enough. Actually I have enough left to do the concrete work too.

kaymccampbell · Oct 29, 2015

The final chapter and my thoughts on lift purchases.
My first attempt to purchase a lift through Advance Professional was anything but. They could get it, they couldn't, the price kept changing, always moving up. They dragged on for months, til I finally told them to fly. The salesman balked at refunding my money. I felt so disgusted I just gave up for a couple months.
Then the Caravan absolutely needed the work. So I tried again with Greg Smith. Though I had read horror stories, I just had gone through my own and figured it could only equal my previous experience.
My total experience with GSE and OD and Kinetic in acquiring the lift was positive. The GSE folks answered questions and dealt with my terminal dock delivery needs with no hassle. They explained that terminal to my residence would be my problem. An hour later I received an email saying my lift was on the truck. A short time later the lift was at the terminal. I was told by OD there was no hurry. Any time in the next week or two. Kinetic towing was great they quoted me an hourly rate, the driver was great. He made sure it was secure, dealt with the broken pallet and helped get the whole deal off the truck and into the garage. Nobody was nasty or unhelpful. Setting up this particular lift was extremely easy. Drop on floor, tighten everything up, supply power(thanks to those GJ folks who have dealt with black blue yellow wiring before), oil it and it lived.
I just received and installed a couple of missing circlips necessary to lock the ramps in place. GSE overnighted them. Not that the retaining rods would have crawled out of their holes in my lifetime, but it adds peace of mind.
Eventually I will recess the lift in the floor, but I find that the large blue object is not that awful to walk around. And it makes a grand extra workbench and welding table.

theoldwizard1 · Oct 29, 2015

I just watched a couple of videos about that lift. THAT IS A NICE SCISSORS LIFT !! Good size too !

I kind of wonder why they don't make it so you can adjust the width for small and bigger vehicles ?

dlcwent · Oct 29, 2015

I'm very happy for you Kay. I'm glad that you had a good experience with GSE. Mine was good in the end but they dropped the ball a couple of times. Isn't it nice to be able to lift a car without a jack?

kaymccampbell · Oct 29, 2015

It doesn't need to adjust. You just center the vehicle on the lift and position the plastic pucks on the platforms under your vehicle's lift points. We've had a Dodge Caravan, Journey, and PTCruiser as well as a Ford Fiesta, Focus, a Kia, and a Suzuki SX4 on it with no issues. Oh, and the Dingo and the scooter. It's very adaptable. The space between platforms is just under 36 inches. They say if you are lifting a real narrow frame pickup you put a 4x4 across the platforms, but we don't have any pickups right now.

turfgnome · Oct 29, 2015

shadyluke said:
Nah, Me and a buddy (little guy at that) stood up my 12K columns without a problem. I'm pretty sure that I had most of it though.

I was thinking 4 post lift, I had installed a 2 post and was not expecting it to be as heavy as it was. For what I do with it I like the 4 post better but they are heavy as hell.

kaymccampbell · Oct 29, 2015

dlcwent said:
I'm very happy for you Kay. I'm glad that you had a good experience with GSE. Mine was good in the end but they dropped the ball a couple of times. Isn't it nice to be able to lift a car without a jack?

Maybe they learned from their mistakes with you. I hope it was not too painful for you. I know that dealing with LTL shippers can be interesting. They, GSE and OD, seemed to have their ducks in a row a.f.a. getting the product to me with the least drama.
For years, the pump jack offered me, a fairly good sized girl, the chance to bump n glrind between the the cold floor and the bottom of every vehicle we own. At times I'd get scrapes where a body wasn't designed to. I LOVE being able to park the pump jack and get the machine off the ground enough for me to slide under comfortably on a creeper on my side and still have space above me. I also love having something so huge and solid that I don't get surprise settling and movement, unlike jackstands occasionally do. And if the car does settle on the pucks, there are still those huge platforms to catch it.

PoorOwner · Oct 29, 2015

Nice lift; how many lock position does it have?

kaymccampbell · Oct 29, 2015

Thirteen if I counted correctly. Starts at about a foot.

Your lift is in the mail.

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