4 Post Question

[Hooked]

Not to derail the "Would I regret a 4 post lift" thread.
How difficult is using/moving a 4 post with rollers? Second, more difficult, is it feasible to remove/install the ramps to minimize space when not in use?

 

[kbuhagiar]

Not to derail the "Would I regret a 4 post lift" thread.
How difficult is using/moving a 4 post with rollers?

Easy peasy. However, if your garage/driveway surface is sloped, you have to make sure to keep it in control (helper, chockblocks, etc) as it can get away from you.

Second, more difficult, is it feasible to remove/install the ramps to minimize space when not in use?

If you are referring to the inclined ramps at the end of the runways, every 4-post I've ever seen has ramps that lift off - no fasteners involved. But the steel ramps (vs. aluminum or foam) are heavy, so if you have those make sure to eat your Wheaties.

Some folks refer to the runways - the main portions of the lift attached to the columns that the car's tires roll onto - as 'ramps'. If you mean those, then, no, those are permanently fixed and cannot be removed.

 

[finn]

Easy to move my Advantage lifts, although I haven’t tried with a car on board. The wheels are large, so they roll easily and aren’t bothered by imperfections in the concrete.

The Advantage lifts came standard with removable aluminum approach ramps. If the lift you ultimately pick, and aluminum ramps are an option, they’re well worth whatever the upcharge is. Standard aluminum ramps are partially why I chose Advantage.

Don’t get a lift with permanently attached approach ramps. You don’t need the sub dural hematoma that comes with ramps that droop and stick out to attack your skull.

 

[Byrdnyrd]

I have a BendPak that I roll all by myself, but I’m 140Lbs of shear Man with the strength of an angry Chipmunk! I modified my approach ramps so they are easily removable, I just pull a pin then pivot the ramps onto the runways, no lifting involved. I really should upgrade to the foam Raceramps at some point.

BN

 

[aggie113]

My 4 post came with heavy steel ramps. I was able to replace them with aluminum ones available from the manufacturer. Moving the lift was easy, you may need a mallet to knock the wheels into pointing the correct direction.

 

[racecougar]

One caveat I'll mention with regard to all of us stating that it's easy to wheel a lift around: that's without a heavy car on the runways. Heck, even with a 1,200 lb car on the runways, it requires significantly more effort to roll the lift around, particularly with regard to getting the casters to point the direction you want them to.

The lifts with ramps that connect via a tongue are simple to remove; just lift the ramps off. That said, I don't bother taking mine off unless I'm working right there at the back of the lift (diff installs, trailer hitch installs, exhaust work, etc.). If you have a habit of walking into things, maybe regular removal of the ramps would be best. The lifts that have the hanging ramps are more of a PITA. I'd skip those anyway, as the hanging ramps block access to storing a car beneath the lift.

 

[Hooked]

Some folks refer to the runways - the main portions of the lift attached to the columns that the car's tires roll onto - as 'ramps'. If you mean those, then, no, those are permanently fixed and cannot be removed.

Thanks for the replies. I knew I could count on the folks here for the info I needed.
I used the wrong terminology for my second question so thanks to kbuhagiar for recognizing the possibility of the terminology confusion. I was hoping I could remove the runways.

 

[gizardlizard]

One caveat I'll mention with regard to all of us stating that it's easy to wheel a lift around: that's without a heavy car on the runways. Heck, even with a 1,200 lb car on the runways, it requires significantly more effort to roll the lift around, particularly with regard to getting the casters to point the direction you want them to.

The lifts with ramps that connect via a tongue are simple to remove; just lift the ramps off. That said, I don't bother taking mine off unless I'm working right there at the back of the lift (diff installs, trailer hitch installs, exhaust work, etc.). If you have a habit of walking into things, maybe regular removal of the ramps would be best. The lifts that have the hanging ramps are more of a PITA. I'd skip those anyway, as the hanging ramps block access to storing a car beneath the lift.

What car weighs only 1200 pounds??

 

[racecougar]

What car weighs only 1200 pounds??

 

[gizardlizard]

That makes more sense.

 

[racecougar]

That makes more sense.

More sense than?

 

[gizardlizard]

Than a street legal car weighing 1200 pounds

 

[racecougar]

Than a street legal car weighing 1200 pounds

It is a street legal car that weighs 1200 lbs. Tagged, titled, licensed, insured, and it blasts down the interstate. There are plenty of others out there in this weight range, too.

 

[mikedodge]

It is a street legal car that weighs 1200 lbs. Tagged, titled, licensed, insured, and it blasts down the interstate. There are plenty of others out there in this weight range, too.

I know things vary by stste but ususlly street legal requires fenders over the wheels.

But 1200lb street legal car isn't surprising, lots of kit cars in that range.

 

[racecougar]

I know things vary by stste but ususlly street legal requires fenders over the wheels.

But 1200lb street legal car isn't surprising, lots of kit cars in that range.

Regulations vary greatly from state to state. That said, this thing went through the proper inspection and VIN process with MO State Highway Patrol. It isn't some backwoods deal with a Beetle VIN stuck on it illegally.

Yep. The ZF Goblin and Ariel Atom are very common/popular examples that are close. Factory Five cars are typically a little heavier, but not much. Others include the Caterham 7, Spartan...

 

[Hooked]

I can't imagine that 'tiny' Fiat I saw the other day weighs over 1200 pounds.

 

[CraigStu]

So Racecougar, are those red canisters on the roll cage support tubes fire extinguishers or nitrous?

 

[gizardlizard]

I can't imagine that 'tiny' Fiat I saw the other day weighs over 1200 pounds.

A smart car weighs about 2000 pounds

 

[racecougar]

So Racecougar, are those red canisters on the roll cage support tubes fire extinguishers or nitrous?

Fire extinguishers. No nitrous on this one, but I will be welding up a turbo arrangement for it soon.

 

[gizardlizard]

It’s crazy how things are different in different areas. In my neck of the woods, even Razors can’t go on the highway. Plus, they are limited to 45 mph.

 

[CraigStu]

Fire extinguishers. No nitrous on this one, but I will be welding up a turbo arrangement for it soon.

I had to ask. I think that most nitrous tanks are blue or silver but...Seeing some of the stuff you mess with over the 12 years or so I have been on GJ, it wouldn't surprise me to find those are stealth nitrous tanks.

 

[racecougar]

It’s crazy how things are different in different areas. In my neck of the woods, even Razors can’t go on the highway. Plus, they are limited to 45 mph.

Razors can't go on the highway here either.

Sand rails can be made street legal in Wisconsin, just as it is here in MO.

 

[Hooked]

A smart car weighs about 2000 pounds

I discovered that after posting my comment. Was surprised since the thing was so tiny, but I was in my F350.

 

[finn]

Razors can't go on the highway here either.

Sand rails can be made street legal in Wisconsin, just as it is here in MO.

We can use county roads, but not federal, or even state routes. I use the county roads to commute the mile between my house and shop with my Teryx in nice weather.

It varies by county, though.

Mi at one time allowed “conversion to street legal” so UTVs could be licensed for road use. Last I read, they were in the process of revoking that provision. Too much abuse.

Here in Az, you see them all over. Sort of annoying, though.