wiring for a hoist/lift

i'm not an electrician by any means, so i was hoping someone could chime in here and help out. i'm building a 30x60 garage and plan to install a 4 post lift some day. i'd like to run the wiring now, so i don't have to open the wall up again when i get the lift. not knowing much about home lifts, my question is would the lift be hard wired in, or would it have a plug? if it has a plug, what type would it be? my cousin will be helping with the wiring, but he is young, and i'm not sure if he would have an answer. thought i check here first. also, if anybody can help recommend companies that sell good lifts, that would be great also. i would need a lift for old cars, so nothing too big. thanks.

Hard wired. Need a 220v and depending on the lift a 110 next to it would be nice. I bought a Rotary A10i. Has electric controls on each pole. Very nice...

It can be hard wired or plugged. If plugged, a NEMA L6-30 plug and socket are good to use if 240V.

one thing to keep in mind is what do you do if you have a problem. I was using a friends lift at his body shop before I bought mine. there was something wrong in the switch and after I pushed the up button it would not stop. I did not know what to do at first as this was the first time I had ever operated a lift. I held the release lever down and called my friend over and he unplugged the pump. Yes I should have thought of that but I didn't. so my recommendation is if you run it hardwired you have a shutoff wired close to the pump. personally I think the plug in is way easier and just as effective. this is what I did with my lift.

mustangmccance said:

one thing to keep in mind is what do you do if you have a problem. I was using a friends lift at his body shop before I bought mine. there was something wrong in the switch and after I pushed the up button it would not stop. I did not know what to do at first as this was the first time I had ever operated a lift. I held the release lever down and called my friend over and he unplugged the pump. Yes I should have thought of that but I didn't. so my recommendation is if you run it hardwired you have a shutoff wired close to the pump. personally I think the plug in is way easier and just as effective. this is what I did with my lift.

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+1 for that advice. Same thing happened to me. Pump actuatuing switch on a used lift stuck closed. Had to switch the operating lever to "down", which merely actuates a bleed valve. With the pump running and the lever in down the pump and bleed valve canceled out and the lift was holding steady. I could not let go of the handle or the vehicle would be crushed against the ceiling. Fortunately I was able to let go for just a second, bend down and pull the (temporary) plug. The lift is wired now with a two-pole 20 amp horsepower-rated switch mounted right on the lift within easy reach of the operating handle. There is also a Nema twist-lock disconnect at the ceiling, but that's for servicing the lift -- too hard to reach for emergency shut-off.

great idea for use of a plug, guys. i did not think of that. thanks.