I purchased a Rotary Brand 4 post lift and would like to get some aluminum ramps. Unfortunately, I have not found any production ramps that fit my lift. I have a tig welder and could make my own but I was curious what thickness diamond plate they were made from.
4 Post Aluminum Ramp Question
- Thread starter GPappy
- Start date
I use these in 48” long for BYB
They are light and great!!!!
Fred can make whatever you need
Here’s a link
https://reverselogic.us/rack-and-lift-ramps/Hook-Nosed-Rack-Ramps-p21176909
They are light and great!!!!
Fred can make whatever you need
Here’s a link
https://reverselogic.us/rack-and-lift-ramps/Hook-Nosed-Rack-Ramps-p21176909
Thank you for the suggestion. I had looked at those but my lift is 12000# and while I doubt I will have anything that heavy on it I fear that I might exceed the race ramp capacity.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
The lift didn't come with ramps? I'd think Rotary could provide them if yours are missing.
It came with some beat up steel ramps (bought used) that weigh well over 60#. They are 44" long which is about right for my needs but I would like to not have them on the lift when it is up so looking for a light weight alternative.
Race Ramps are rated at 1,500 lb capacity, but you would need to ask them if it can support more. Perhaps they have options. Otherwise, aluminum, I guess. But the RR setups are sweet.
logical
Well-known member
A company called Reverse Logic Limited sells upgraded race ramps with 5000 lb per pair ratings. My lift is shimmed up about 3" at the entry side due to floor slope and close to the garage door. I have really long race ramps to get a low car up 8" to the runways. All I needed the OEM steel ramps for was to bridge from the lift runways to the race ramps so I cut them down to less than half original length to miss the garage door, bought the brackets to hold them up, and just leave them attached.
Sent from my garage.
Attachments
My 2500HD Duramax is right at 7000# with everything on it and I would bet that the front weight is exceeding 3500# The race ramps look like they would work well for the cars but the truck might not get it. That and the thickness of the runners is 7" and the tallest race ramp I have seen is 5" I believe.
PDM
Well-known member
Chances are you have the same 12k Rotary Hoist as mine and the deck height is higher than most other 4 post hoists.
When I looked for similar solution Race Ramp did not offer an off the shelf solution for the height I needed.
Plus I already have race ramps and they will dent/crush with heavier loads.
Are the ramps you have that beat up ?(the Rotary ramps are very solid units)
I stripped and refurbished mine with fresh paint, added sand for traction and replaced the bottom plastic sliders and they look new.
View media item 107156
View media item 107157
You could replicate using 1/4" 6061 aluminum checker plate but thats a lot of labor and time imo.
When I looked for similar solution Race Ramp did not offer an off the shelf solution for the height I needed.
Plus I already have race ramps and they will dent/crush with heavier loads.
Are the ramps you have that beat up ?(the Rotary ramps are very solid units)
I stripped and refurbished mine with fresh paint, added sand for traction and replaced the bottom plastic sliders and they look new.
View media item 107156
View media item 107157
You could replicate using 1/4" 6061 aluminum checker plate but thats a lot of labor and time imo.
Attachments
Last edited:
It isn't the condition that concerns me, although one has rusted at the bottom lip and all that is holding the last 1/2 inch or so is the yellow tip. What I would like is something lighter that does not attach to the lift with a pin so that they are easier to remove and store off of the lift. I plan on using it for storage when it isn't being used for mechanical work so don't really want them hanging down.
I would think that 1/4" 6061 might be overkill. Based on the weight of the units for sale on the market, I am guessing they use 3/16.
When I got my HD9, I ordered an accessory that was supposed to stop the ramps from dropping when the lift is raised. They looked like little Pacmen, and the "eye" slid over the long pins/hinges that secured the ramps. They didn't work as the ramps still dropped almost as far.
I can take a photo if wanted, but a friend cut some stainless steel that we bolted to the vertical reinforcements on the ramps. These contact the runway cross pieces when the lift is raised, and the ramps now stay straight out when the lift is raised.
I too was tired of removing the heavy ramps every time I wanted to park underneath.
I can take a photo if wanted, but a friend cut some stainless steel that we bolted to the vertical reinforcements on the ramps. These contact the runway cross pieces when the lift is raised, and the ramps now stay straight out when the lift is raised.
I too was tired of removing the heavy ramps every time I wanted to park underneath.
stingry
Well-known member
View media item 107140View media item 107139These are the aluminum ramps that I ordered for my Bendpak HD9. They are 36" X 19" X 4.5" high. They are made from .200" plate, which is not strong enough as they dished in after use. Nothing heavier that a K1500 Chevrolet crew cab. I pressed them straight and reinforced with the 2X wood as shown. No more bending. I leave the ramps on the floor in front of the ramps. No movement, works fine.
Based on this, I'd opt for the HD Race Ramps which I suggested in Post #3
Except for they are rated at 1500# each and damage to them would not likely be able to be fixed with a 2x4. I also ran across this in their FAQ:
"please note that Race Ramps are engineered to work with cars that have high-performance, high-speed rated tires. Do not use them with heavy lug mud tires or extra narrow tires"
Leaves my truck and Jeep out.
Thank you, that is what I was looking for. So looks like I would need to go with 1/4" or maybe weld some supports underneath.
thirdgoat
Active member
They have material which can carry a greater load.
Also, Reverse Logic said my ramps at 1,500 lbs each, won’t collapse under more weight. Not sure what they would do, but it didn’t sound catastrophic
Call Fred at Reverse Logic. He knows more than I do, for sure.
Advantage Lifts sells their 4' ramps on their website.
https://www.advantagelifts.com/collections/advantage-lift-accessories/products/48-aluminum-approach-ramps
They are pretty light weight, but very strong and sturdy. My double lift came with the 4' ramps and the single four post came with 3' ramps.
Randy
https://www.advantagelifts.com/collections/advantage-lift-accessories/products/48-aluminum-approach-ramps
They are pretty light weight, but very strong and sturdy. My double lift came with the 4' ramps and the single four post came with 3' ramps.
Randy
logical
Well-known member
Those look very stout. Checked with Advantage and they are for their 5" runners and would not work on my 7". May have to use the design as a starting point
37ford4dr
Well-known member
I am thinking of welding up some aluminum ramps for my bendpak HD-9xw the steel ones are kind of heavy at 43 lbs.
what thickness are you guys using for this? .1875, .25 or some thing else?
i was thinking 40" long by 14" wide and 5" high and i am not opposed to putting a third vertical support running right down the middle of the ramp.
any body have a home made aluminum ramp that can chime in on what they did?
thanks Bob
what thickness are you guys using for this? .1875, .25 or some thing else?
i was thinking 40" long by 14" wide and 5" high and i am not opposed to putting a third vertical support running right down the middle of the ramp.
any body have a home made aluminum ramp that can chime in on what they did?
thanks Bob