4 post lift decking for storage

[dirtriderdan]

I have little experience using lifts but I am getting older, lazier, and have a little more money than I used to so I'm finally considering getting one. It seems a 4 post lift needs no special footing work so that is nice. Allows me to potentially move it around the slab if I decide to reorganize things down the road. What I'm really curious about is using it for storage most of the time. Most people might store a car on it but I was thinking something else...like 4 motorcycles. Would be nice during the winter to get those bikes up and out of the way and park a car underneath. I was looking at something like:
http://www.atlasautoequipment.com/products/four-post-lift/garage-pro-9000

Atlas makes it really easy to see dimensions on their images tab. It seems most people and manufacturers just use drip trays between the runways. I'd need a solid decking that could take pretty significant weight and I'd want the whole surface as flat as possible. I'd need 8' width minimum to store bikes width wise so a 10'+ wide 4 post lift seems best. Are the runways for the tires adjustable for width so I could set them far apart? Something like this idea but with bikes...
http://wegotlifts.com/4-post-lift-solid-deck-option/

I noticed Danmar has some solid deck centers but they look damn expensive for what they are ($816 at Northern Tool)
http://dannmar.com/car-lifts/four-post-lifts/accessories/solid-deck-center.html

Putting wheel mounts on the runways is another idea and then the bikes would store lengthwise with no need for a platform for kickstand or center stand.
http://dannmar.com/car-lifts/four-post-lifts/accessories/motorcycle-vise.html

I really like the Condor Lifts for motorcycles so perhaps I could fit 4 of those
http://www.condor-lift.com

This is a nifty approach for a 2 post but again I'd need a solid deck and a 2 post wouldn't accommodate as much storage
http://www.atlasautoequipment.com/products/accessories/lma

I suppose I could weld something up or even make it out of wood. Or perhaps I should buy the jack platforms and then put a floor on. Maybe bolt a floor into the sides of the jack trays.
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Garage-Pro-9-000-Jack-Tray

Ultimately what I'm looking to do is something like this but reverse the vehicles.
http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/Four-Post-Lift-Design/Four-Post-Lift-Design/s/CSwBXt4ZAUeR7qbVAISnbQ/BendPak-Storage-Lift.jpg

The Bendpak HDS-14X 14,000-lb. Capacity Extended Length Car Lift looks pretty good actually. 229" (19' 1") long runways would fit 2 bikes lengthwise on each runway. Outside edges of runways adjustable from: 77-1/2" - 91". Wish that went a little wider actually as it's 7'7" at the widest. Width between posts 120" so it will pass exactly the same as a 10' wide garage door. Big enough to work on a large pickup.
http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/four-post-lifts/hds-14x.aspx

I'm just surprised not to see 4 post lifts being used for other storage more frequently. I'd think it really makes sense especially in areas like we have with the seasons. Store the bikes half the year and the snowmobiles the other half. Use it for truck maintenance every now and then as needed. Any recommendations?

 

[A29]

I made a couple of plywood inserts to fill between the runners and keep all kinds of stuff on my lift

 

[LX-Markham]

I'm just surprised not to see 4 post lifts being used for other storage more frequently. I'd think it really makes sense especially in areas like we have with the seasons. Store the bikes half the year and the snowmobiles the other half. Use it for truck maintenance every now and then as needed. Any recommendations?

My father is planning on installing one for storage. Also plans to use it to lift stuff up to the level of his storage mezzanine.

I have a double-wide lift. I use the middle pair of ramps to store a car, and the outside pair of ramps to store other stuff (mostly tools and equipment). Between the ramps I installed aluminum grating to walk on.

 

[lakeroadster]

You could use plank grating to go between the rails... http://www.mcnichols.com/products/trade-name/perf-o-grip/?pageCode=contentproducts

 

[sberry]

That is actually a pretty good idea especially for stuff you want to get at regularly.

 

[2lt1chevy]

2 x 4 cut to the correct height and plywood will also get the job done.
Ken

 

[kabinenroller]

This sounds like a good idea but I have one caution.
Make sure you have the bikes secure when you raise the lift. I would use a wheel chock and straps similar to show you would hold them when in/on a trailer.
You could purchase the steel, have it bent, then paint it to match the lif although it could be heavy to remove unless you used a number of small sections.

 

[flyt100]

My Direct Lift has strong metal inserts for around $75 per to fill the gap in my four post. You would need several, but they work great. They have them on their website under 4 post accessories...

http://www.directlift.com/Pro-Floor-8-P70C18.aspx

 

[heffneil]

This is so appropriate. I just "finished" even though it will never be done my new garage. I first moved my tractors and then my truck and van and the room is all gone . I was looking for a lift that will hold the tractors up high since I need them less often than the cars...

 

[heffneil]

Dammit I just typed an entire response to this about my experience with Greg Smith equipment and this damn forum had previously logged me out

Basically it goes like this:

I called them - the agent was helpful but not professional. He sounded half awake and that half was chewing his lunch in the phone. Anyway he did answer my questions and suggested that people built their own platform out of 2x4's and plywood. Don't know how I feel about this but he did explain after I asked the treads are adjustable in width so I think my tractors all have mostly the same wheelbase. I don't know how my Polaris Ranger wheelbase compares but I will go research. Also This unit linked below is extra tall so I can park my pickup underneath and longer so I can put more tractors (its only 20" longer neil).

Anyway he said I could have this unit within 2 - 3 days out of Miami. Its about $2750 plus tax I guess.

Seems too good to be true if you ask me - I just don't know if Atlas is junk or not. Anyone know?

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-Garage-Pro-8000-EXT-L

Thanks!

Neil

 

[R68GTO]

Somewhere else on this forum someone took an aluminum extension ladder and cut it into 44" lengths and then screwed plywood or aluminum diamond plate to each section. I took the idea and did the same. Bought a ladder off craigslist ($80) and cut it to length to fit between the runways on my Bendpack HD9XW. The thickness of the extension ladder is the perfect height to rest on the lip on the inside of the runways and leave about 1/8" for a diamond plate top (which I have not yet acquired). Stack the sections together and you have a solid floor that will support your motorcycles.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Building platforms out of 2x4s and plywood is easy, I have them on the four post lift in my garage. Since the span between the two platforms is pretty narrow they're plenty strong for supporting a motorcycle, ATV, etc. Build them in several sections, rather than one big one, it makes them easier to install or remove, and if desired you can remove one or more at a time to create a partial platform with a space in the middle.

 

[Ray916MN]

I looked at the platforms sold by the 4 post lift manufacturers and they didn't meet my needs, which was lifting motorcycles up to pallet racking on my 4 post lift. The decking was not only expensive but was way too heavy to be easily go on and off the lift and stored.

I'm the guy R68GTO is referring to who cut up an extension ladder to form a frame under a sheet of ply. Pinned the sections together with PVC pipe and just lay the ply on top. Forms a flat surface, is plenty strong enough to support motorcycles and is light enough for me to easily remove or install it while a car is sitting on the lift.

With respect to roll in chocks. I've got about 20 of these chocks made by a half dozen or more manufacturers. I prefer the Baxley's over the Condors as they are less expensive, take less space and are easier to roll bikes into and out of them. There is a very good Baxley knock off sold on Ebay that works 95% as well but costs roughly 1/3 the price of the Baxley. All the Baxley knock offs are not equally good. Here's a link http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dragway-Too...ers-/172797461193?vxp=mtr&hash=item283b8802c9 to the best knockoff in my opinion.

 

[dirtriderdan]

Funny I actually thought about the ladder thing too before seeing it posted here. They are always on Craigslist and cheaper than buying that much material. They are a makeshift bridge for mountaineers so they certainly will hold a motorcycle at such short lengths. As long as the overall height can be made flat with the plywood and they are strapped such that they can't pivot and fall out. I think it's a great idea. I see pipe used inside the rungs so that will keep them lined up. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Interesting idea using the lift to get the bikes up on pallets. I didn't know about the Baxley so I will check them out too.

 

[heffneil]

Thats all great information. Best I can tell the treads on the lifts are wide enough and can be placed close enough for me to park the wheels perpendicular on the top of the lift. I like the plywood idea even more for controlling drips (the tractors are 30+ years old really). I spoke with Bendpak yesterday and asked for a quote - didn't get it. I had emailed the rep the day before and then I had to call. Doesn't seem like good customer service / presales from them. The best I can tell she told me the Atlas requires you to lower the unit with a handle while pressing a button but the handle travels with the lift and you have to stretch pretty far to do so. I have a big wingspan so I don't know that that matters so much. I think the cables and hoses hidden is important and ultimately most important is that I feel comfortable walking under the lift when there is a load above me!

 

[Jazzman442]

My Direct Lift has strong metal inserts for around $75 per to fill the gap in my four post. You would need several, but they work great. They have them on their website under 4 post accessories...

http://www.directlift.com/Pro-Floor-8-P70C18.aspx

I have 2 of these and they are great to have. Match the lift really well.

 

[Jazzman442]

I looked at the platforms sold by the 4 post lift manufacturers and they didn't meet my needs, which was lifting motorcycles up to pallet racking on my 4 post lift. The decking was not only expensive but was way too heavy to be easily go on and off the lift and stored.

I'm the guy R68GTO is referring to who cut up an extension ladder to form a frame under a sheet of ply. Pinned the sections together with PVC pipe and just lay the ply on top. Forms a flat surface, is plenty strong enough to support motorcycles and is light enough for me to easily remove or install it while a car is sitting on the lift.

With respect to roll in chocks. I've got about 20 of these chocks made by a half dozen or more manufacturers. I prefer the Baxley's over the Condors as they are less expensive, take less space and are easier to roll bikes into and out of them. There is a very good Baxley knock off sold on Ebay that works 95% as well but costs roughly 1/3 the price of the Baxley. All the Baxley knock offs are not equally good. Here's a link http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dragway-Too...ers-/172797461193?vxp=mtr&hash=item283b8802c9 to the best knockoff in my opinion.

Fantastic Idea. Are the sections heavy?

 

[Ray916MN]

Fantastic Idea. Are the sections heavy?

Maybe 20lbs for the section shown (about 60"x44"). The DirectLift panels to cover the same space would weigh about 90lbs.

 

[PeterN]

I've got the Wildfire 9000 XLT lift and ended up building my own out of lumber. Wildfire has some panels at $250 per and you need 4 but the kicker for me was the $350 shipping charge. My decking came out pretty good and I was able to modify one of the wood panels so that my roller oil drain pan can stay on the lift. I can also use the ramps it came with to load the lift from the side making it easy to put the motorcycles on the lift. My longest bike is a KZ1300 and it just fit crossways on the ramps. Lucked out there. I've got about $85 invested in materials.

 

[97tj-neil]

Advantage sells aluminum tray inserts for this.

Set of (4) 46 Inch Aluminum Deck Insert

AD-46 The inserts allow the upper section of the lift to act as a mezzanine for storage of other equipment, or to protect cars underneath when used primarily as a storage lift. The inserts can hold 800 lbs. if you were to drive right down the center. The inserts are gusseted underneath. The HD...

www.advantagelifts.com

 

[Spareparts]

You can get "D" rings that bolt down from TSC for about $5.-$6. each
makes for a good tie down to keep thing's stable with Ratchet Straps.

 

[cdvcj8]

I've got the Wildfire 9000 XLT lift and ended up building my own out of lumber. Wildfire has some panels at $250 per and you need 4 but the kicker for me was the $350 shipping charge. My decking came out pretty good and I was able to modify one of the wood panels so that my roller oil drain pan can stay on the lift. I can also use the ramps it came with to load the lift from the side making it easy to put the motorcycles on the lift. My longest bike is a KZ1300 and it just fit crossways on the ramps. Lucked out there. I've got about $85 invested in materials.

That looks awesome and is very timely for me, as I've been considering it. I have a Bendpak 7W and I'd like to store my Kubota B1850 with loader up there. It seems like most people are storing stuff cross wise. Mine would have to longwise. I was thinking I would want to extend the platform all the way across instead of dropped in the middle. Yours looks much cleaner However with your design do you feel like there is ANY chance the panels could drop thru? With what you are storing it wouldn't be a problem anyway, but I'm afraid of dropping a tractor on my head.

Thanks for you thoughts!

 

[PeterN]

Most of the weight of the items I am storing is on the ramps which can hold that weight with no issue. The support structure under the plywood is a 1.5" X 2" board, 37" long. I have relatively light items on the wood (motorcycle center stand weight is low). I have rolled the motorcycles across is so I it looks like it can handle at least 300lbs. I have stored a riding lawnmower on the center section with no issues but wouldn't put or drive a tractor on them. The Wildfire inserts (as well as competitive lifts) are aluminum with reinforcing below but I thought I read on some other car lift site that the weight limit for their version could handle 800 lbs at the center of the panel. If I had a need for a higher weight requirement than my situation I wouldn't use wood. I have put my LS MT357 tractor on this lift (6000 lbs) but all the weight is supported by the ramps. If your width of the wheels on your tractor are narrower than the ramps I wouldn't feel safe with the setup I have.

 

[nadogail]

3/4” plywood will support a lot, even more when when you add 2X4 bracing.

 

[PeterN]

On my lift there is only around 3" to work with from the top edge of the rolling jack tray lift to the top of the ramp, if the intent is to keep the center section even with the ramps. I ended up using 5/8" plywood for the top and cut the cross beams the thickness they needed to result in this setup. I also kept the sections length to 3' so they didn't get excessively heavy. If I need to I can add cross beams to add capacity, but at the expense of weight. I would have preferred to just buy the premade aluminum inserts from the lift manufacturer for a higher load capacity but I still wouldn't drive a multi ton vehicle across them. For me it was a cost vs need issue.

 

[cdvcj8]

Thanks for the responses I ended up building two 44x48 sections, each covered with 3/4 plywood. The support structure shown below is full 2/4's. The back wheels are just inside the ramps. Kind of undecided if I'm going to go forward with storing the tractor up there. If I didn't have the loader and the rear ballast I'd almost certainly do it. But, still a little leary. But at the very least I'm set up for extra storage, and a (much needed) leak catcher for my Scrambler.

 

[abfish]

Some great ideas on this thread. Use of the ladder sections is trick.

The four-post is one of the handiest things I've put in my company shop. We also use it for an adjustable height work table.

I've been getting quotes on a small metal mezzanine, but that needs a set of steps, which take up a lot of space in a small shop. Another four-post with filler panels might be the way to go.