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4 post w/o anchors?

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Stuart in MN

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Sep 8, 2005
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23,087
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Minneapolis
I have one in my garage that's freestanding. No problems with it at all, once you put a car on them the additional weight makes them pretty stable. It has a wheel kit so it can be moved around, most of the time it's in one spot but I've pushed it around a number of times.
 

rsanter

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Dec 22, 2007
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visalia ca
Seems I have seen ones that say they are free standing and do not need to be bolted down. To me this implies that some need to be bolted down.
What does the factory specify?

Bob
 

Ray916MN

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Apr 15, 2012
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1,066
Location
Orono, MN
My 4 post isn't bolted down and doesn't move. It is absolutely stable lifting light and heavy vehicles (e.g. Honda S2000, Ford F-250 Diesel 4x4 CC SB). I've used the wheel kit and moved it around too and it is surprisingly easy to move.
 

2lt1chevy

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Joined
Aug 23, 2006
Messages
21
I have a Direct Lift 4 post that is not bolted down. I have used it for over 3 years this way with no problems. I usually have a vehicle on it with another underneath.

Ken
 

Aahz

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Feb 4, 2006
Messages
417
Location
Chicago, IL
Most of the "home use" 4 Post lifts do not need to be bolted down, per manufacturer's instructions. That being said, I believe all of them have mounting holes for bolting them down if you want to.

In a professional shop environment, especially if you have employees, the ALI Standard requires the lift to be bolted down in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. (OSHA would have a cow if they saw a lift that wasn't bolted down!)

If you decide not to bolt it down (home use)try to make sure that the floor is relatively level in the area that you want to use it. The floor should also be free of cracks.

The Rotary Revolution Lift ( http://standardus.com/stdshop/rotar...s.-capacity-enthusiast-revolution-r-rfp9.html ) ships with a caster kit for rolling the lift around, as well as drip trays and a jack tray. The BendPak lifts have them as available options at additional cost. The Tuxedo lift line also has the caster kits included, but the drip trays are additional.

Good luck with your lift purchase!
 

buzz4041

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Sep 13, 2011
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730
Location
South Texas
My 4 post Direct lift is not bolted either. I marked the internal of the bolt patterns when I placed it 5 years ago and can still see the markings as it has moved very little in all this time since first set up. Check the manufacturer's installation guide to be sure if required or not.
 
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LX-Markham

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Apr 27, 2013
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Markham, Ont.
there's no uplift or shear on the post baseplates, so technically the anchor bolts aren't doing any work.

That being said, I prefer to have mine bolted down.
 

gsport

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Mar 1, 2008
Messages
2,176
Location
Salem Oregon
no anchors on mine... in fact i used it with the casters on it, as a roll around scaffold when i was doing the insulation in the shop
 

ssffnomad

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Oct 26, 2011
Messages
485
Location
Right Coast - Upstate
Are we parking or using for service /work ?
I have two. My opinion , is if you are using for more than Parking. Bolt the som ***** down. Put one bolt in each leg at least.
One is a Back Yard Buddy. It does not need to be anchored, even for heavy work. Any other brand, lock it down. Be safe.
 
Last edited:

maetmpj

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Aug 29, 2013
Messages
4
It has a wheel kit so it can be moved around, most of the time it's in one spot but I've pushed it around a number of times.
6h.jpg
 

Steves32

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Joined
Feb 12, 2011
Messages
845
My BendPak is bolted down.
More stable when a vehicle is all the way up & you are swinging big wrenches.
I waited a year to bolt it down to make sure I was happy w/ the location.
 

tool-guy

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Mar 29, 2012
Messages
251
Location
victoria, australia
You'll find the lifts that have the nylon blocks that slide inside the columns don't need to be bolted down, but you'll find some of the larger hoists that only use the nylon as a guide need to be bolted down. Otherwise if the legs are on a slight angle the legs may splay out and the hoist come crashing down.
 

James E

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Jun 21, 2010
Messages
16,507
Location
Raleigh, NC
there's no uplift or shear on the post baseplates, so technically the anchor bolts aren't doing any work.

That being said, I prefer to have mine bolted down.

Well, no uplift or shear if it's sitting flat and doing fine. The bolts hold it when one or more of the legs want to move in a way that they're not supposed to.

My HD-9 is not bolted to the floor. I notice some sway when I'm really wrenching on something hard with a breaker bar. Otherwise, it's very solid--even with my pickup all the way up, seven feet in the air.

For an industrial or hard-working shop environment, I'd say, bolt it down. For a garage like mine, no need.
 
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