4 Post Lift -- Installation and use questions

[MFortie]

Hi All,

Getting ready to order a 4 post lift for my new 40'x60' shop building. Seriously considering the Direct Lift PP9+ and have a few questions:

In use, can the runways move (either in or out) for different track widths?

Would I be correct in assuming a rolling jack is better than a sliding jack? And given budget considerations, two sliding jacks or one rolling jack?

How heavy (roughly) are the individual pieces? (Columns, runways, etc.)

I have a Kubota tractor with forks that will lift about a 1000 lbs. and am wondering if it would be enough to move the pieces around...

I want to be able to work on anything from my golf cart to my 2500 GMC diesel truck on it (with the tractor, VW bug, sandcar and Jeep in between...) And am planning a major overhaul of the Jeep ('98TJ -- building a stroker, rebuilding the trans, axle upgrades, etc.)

Thanks much!

Mark

 

[rburke65]

As an owner of a Kubota I would think your FEL (?) will be able to lift the columns without issue. In reference to your other questions, I don't know the answers. Good luck.

 

[Garage Junkie]

My comments in red-

Hi All,

Getting ready to order a 4 post lift for my new 40'x60' shop building. Seriously considering the Direct Lift PP9+ and have a few questions:

In use, can the runways move (either in or out) for different track widths?
NO

Would I be correct in assuming a rolling jack is better than a sliding jack? And given budget considerations, two sliding jacks or one rolling jack?

I have their rolling jack- pricey, but works good. I just wish it was air powered not manual. The jack tray also came with the lift- nice for setting jack stands

How heavy (roughly) are the individual pieces? (Columns, runways, etc.)

I have a Kubota tractor with forks that will lift about a 1000 lbs. and am wondering if it would be enough to move the pieces around...

I used my JD 1025r to disassemble and reassemble- I couldn't lift the runway with the lift cylinder in it completely, but I could move each end well enough and that's all I needed.

I want to be able to work on anything from my golf cart to my 2500 GMC diesel truck on it (with the tractor, VW bug, sandcar and Jeep in between...) And am planning a major overhaul of the Jeep ('98TJ -- building a stroker, rebuilding the trans, axle upgrades, etc.)

I found that anything with a short wheel base- i.e. lawn tractor could be parked sideways on the lift using a few 2x to span between the runways. Get it, you won't regret it!

Thanks much!

Mark

 

[Autorotica]

Hi Mark,

I just assembled an Atlas 409HP lift for myself. http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-409-HP-Two-Atlas-RJ-6000s-Caster-Kit

I did so with a cherry picker (what you would pull an engine with). Total shipping weight is close to what you are looking at. The posts I was able to stand up by myself and then pick them up to position while standing.

The runway with the lift cylinder is the heaviest. The runways are not adjustable side to side. That distance is fixed. I got the rolling jacks. I am sure sliding jacks would be fine. Mine is for hobby/personal use. I would definitely get 2 sliders over a single roller.

Hope this helps!
Chris

 

[VC455]

I have sliding jack, it is fine, slides very easy spray WD 40 on rails.
the things I don't put ON the lift, I strap up and use as a large cherry picker.

 

[MFortie]

Thanks guys; good info!

Last time I had the pleasure of using a lift was at the Texaco station I worked at in the late 70's, so not crawling on the floor is getting me excited!

I also have a JD 2305 (the 1025's earlier version) and know what it can lift; my Kubota is a bigger tractor (38HP), so I should be good there. I have a cherry picker as well...

I will be doing suspension work on my Jeep, so two bridge jacks would be nice -- maybe I can spring for the air versions of the rolling jack...

One (or more) additional question: I see the four posts come with casters to move them about; how is the electrical handled? Do most folks use a HD extension cord so they can move them? Doesn't seem hard-wiring would work if one planned on moving the lift?

Regards,

Mark

 

[jgorm]

Get a 2 post. The 4 post jacks will not be near enough to work on a jeep suspension. I have a 4 post and want to get a 2 post to work on my jeep. It's ok for cars that only have a couple " of travel, but jeeps would be "unsafe" IMO with the stack of wood on top of the lift jacks. I think it only lifts 10", so you would have to lift, support, stack more wood, then lift again to unload the suspension. A 2 post lift could easily cycle the full travel with no extra work, and no giant chunks of metal in your way. I've done lots of suspension stuff on my 4 post, and it's far from ideal.

 

[MFortie]

Well, I've already done most of my suspension work (Nth Degree long arm), so changing shocks and brake jobs will be the bulk of my work down the road. Possibly an axle swap, but I'd do that from the ground anyway.

The ability to move the lift around on casters way outweighs the inconvenience of not having a two post lift. My soon-to-be-ex-BIL had a nice little portable two post setup, which could be a benefit too...

 

[jgorm]

Well, I've already done most of my suspension work (Nth Degree long arm),

How do you like that kit? I've been thinking about adding it to my LJ.

 

[lakeroadster]

My wife and I assembled our 4 post lift. All we had for lifting the components for assembly was a floor jack and a portable engine hoist. It's really pretty simple and easy.

I also have a 2 post Rotary 10k asymmetrical lift. I don't use the 4 post for anything but storage, it's usefulness pales in comparison to the 2 post.

To lift lift my lawn tractor on the 2 post I made a simple square tubing spreader bar.

Hope that helps.

 

[rburke65]

I like that idea as I am always looking for different wats of utilizing my 2 post. Thanks.

 

[MFortie]

How do you like that kit? I've been thinking about adding it to my LJ.

Love it. Rides and handles very nice. I put a Rubicon Express (short arm) kit on the Jeep a couple of months after buying it (bought it new in '98). I decided to go long arm about five years ago and have no regrets.

 

[Vincenthdfan]

I have a Greg Smith Garage Pro 9000 4 post and I love it.

I work on my lifted TJ's suspension all the time because my 4 post came as a package deal with 2 rolling bridge assemblies, which work great.

I also put my Chevy Duramax Crew Cab on the 4 post for suspension work etc...

Right now I have my 62 C10 stored on top of my 03 Cobra underneath.

Don't ever let anyone tell you a 4 post isn't as useful...I LOVE mine!!

Oh yeah, one other thing...don't like where your 4 post is parked? Throw the casters on it and move it where ya want it!

 

[jgorm]

Love it. Rides and handles very nice. I put a Rubicon Express (short arm) kit on the Jeep a couple of months after buying it (bought it new in '98). I decided to go long arm about five years ago and have no regrets.

awesome, thanks

Don't ever let anyone tell you a 4 post isn't as useful...I LOVE mine!!

It's not as useful as a 2 post But it is 100x better than working on a creeper.

 

[yeldogt]

My wife and I assembled our 4 post lift. All we had for lifting the components for assembly was a floor jack and a portable engine hoist. It's really pretty simple and easy.

I also have a 2 post Rotary 10k asymmetrical lift. I don't use the 4 post for anything but storage, it's usefulness pales in comparison to the 2 post.

To lift lift my lawn tractor on the 2 post I made a simple square tubing spreader bar.

Hope that helps.

Is that a drain on the floor?

 

[lakeroadster]

Is that a drain on the floor?

It's black duct tape. I have a mirror on the wall in the front of the garage. When you pull the vehicle into the garage you lean over into the middle of the vehicle and use the mirror on the wall and the black tape on the floor to ensure the vehicle is centered between the 2 lift rails.

 

[yeldogt]

Good idea!