Another 4 post "car stacking" math check...

[Ross/Kzoo]

I did the free (as in included in purchase price, no extra cost) delivery to the truck terminal. Then picked my 4-post up using my car trailer, it took all of the length of the trailer. No way it would work in a pickup bed, the long runners are what makes the package big. Truck company loaded the lift package on the trailer with forklift.

Then I disassembled the package on the trailer and took it apart piece by piece. Myself and a friend were able to do the basic construction with help of some jacks and my engine hoist. Then I ran the cables and hydraulic lines to finish the install myself.

How many man hours do you think that it took?

 

[38Chevy454]

How many man hours do you think that it took?

Probably 6 hours each with my friend for the rough frame assembly and additional 6 hours of my own labor with initial unpacking and the cables/hydraulics. So 18 manhours total. We did not try to rush it, and also were double checking stuff as we went along.

 

[Nolift911]

I did the free (as in included in purchase price, no extra cost) delivery to the truck terminal. Then picked my 4-post up using my car trailer, it took all of the length of the trailer. No way it would work in a pickup bed, the long runners are what makes the package big. Truck company loaded the lift package on the trailer with forklift.

Then I disassembled the package on the trailer and took it apart piece by piece. Myself and a friend were able to do the basic construction with help of some jacks and my engine hoist. Then I ran the cables and hydraulic lines to finish the install myself.

Yeah I don't have access to a trailer - I could rent one, but then how to get it off the trailer...? I was thinking with forklift it was a cheap way to get it off the truck, in my garage and also use it for the install. I worked a forklift back in college, I assume they couldn't have changed that much....?

 

[38Chevy454]

Yeah I don't have access to a trailer - I could rent one, but then how to get it off the trailer...? I was thinking with forklift it was a cheap way to get it off the truck, in my garage and also use it for the install. I worked a forklift back in college, I assume they couldn't have changed that much....?

Once the package is unpacked, you can lift the individual pieces off the trailer with 2 people. The runners are the heaviest and a bit of work. Rest is easier.

Rent a trailer for 24 hours, get the lift in evening, truck terminals are mostly open 24 hours, or right at end of the day. Then go home and unpack it all that night, leaving some of the pieces on the trailer. Have your friend come over in morning and unload it, and do the basic assembly, then take trailer back with 24 hours total rental. The final assembly process with cables and hydraulics is where you need the jacks or engine hoist help to lift the pieces up so you can run the lines and cables. You do no need any forklift or similar to unload the individual pieces off the trailer, just a strong back.

 

[Nolift911]

Once the package is unpacked, you can lift the individual pieces off the trailer with 2 people. The runners are the heaviest and a bit of work. Rest is easier.

Rent a trailer for 24 hours, get the lift in evening, truck terminals are mostly open 24 hours, or right at end of the day. Then go home and unpack it all that night, leaving some of the pieces on the trailer. Have your friend come over in morning and unload it, and do the basic assembly, then take trailer back with 24 hours total rental. The final assembly process with cables and hydraulics is where you need the jacks or engine hoist help to lift the pieces up so you can run the lines and cables. You do no need any forklift or similar to unload the individual pieces off the trailer, just a strong back.

That's a good idea too - I was not aware that you could unload individual pieces with just two people...what size trailer would I need, min wise?

 

[nmk_61802]

That's a good idea too - I was not aware that you could unload individual pieces with just two people...what size trailer would I need, min wise?

2 guys can unload it all, but really 3 or more or an engine host is needed for the runway with cylinder. My runway and cylinder came pre-assembled, and I would guess it weighed in around 400#. My BX endloader would not lift it easily without the hydraulic relief blowing. I had to use an engine lift to position mine.

I did all assembly/ unloading myself in a day.

 

[38Chevy454]

That's a good idea too - I was not aware that you could unload individual pieces with just two people...what size trailer would I need, min wise?

Just a regular full size car trailer, like a 16 ft dual axle. The total package is no more than about 1 ft longer than the runners. Don't get the shorter U-haul small car trailer, you need a std length.

Yes, the pieces are heavy, but my friend and I were able to maneuver them off the trailer and into rough position.

 

[ovilla]

I rented a 16' double axle trailer from U-Haul for $29/day and also a portable engine hoist for about the same price. Both of these items allowed me to pick up my BendPak from my local truck terminal and unload everything quite easily. I also bought some cheap furniture dollies from Harbor freight to help move the ramps around as needed.

 

[Nolift911]

So for those with a lift how close can you get the lift to the wall, can it sit right next to it since the ramps are offset?

Where do people have their placed?

I am short on space to begin with so looking for inches every where I can.

 

[Nolift911]

Well it has been a year and I am ready to pull the trigger on this? For the east coast MD/DE/VA where is the closest distribution center located?

And oh yeah - who has the best prices on these?

 

[buzz4041]

You are going to be hard pressed to get off the locks to come down according to your calculations. You might want to wire up a GO switch in the top to trip the unit from sending a roof through the ceiling. It is very hard to judge height of vehicle as it up above your head. You can put the lift as close to wall as want but it is a pain if you use it do work on the vehicle. I have 3 to 4 foot all around mine.

 

[Nolift911]

You are going to be hard pressed to get off the locks to come down according to your calculations. You might want to wire up a GO switch in the top to trip the unit from sending a roof through the ceiling. It is very hard to judge height of vehicle as it up above your head. You can put the lift as close to wall as want but it is a pain if you use it do work on the vehicle. I have 3 to 4 foot all around mine.

Any idea on the calculation for coming off the locks? 2-3 inches? Do the manual locks require less room to move vs. the air locks (Bendpak?)

Thanks -

 

[sublimate]

This seems to be a better option for stacking with low heights:
http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/parking-lifts/plt-6s.aspx

They specifically list 114" as a typical ceiling height for 2 small cars.

 

[buzz4041]

Any idea on the calculation for coming off the locks? 2-3 inches? Do the manual locks require less room to move vs. the air locks (Bendpak?)

Thanks -

Mine seems to take a about an inch. Honestly you will be hard pressed with only that little bit in your calculation. I see an accident waiting to happen. Even being as careful as you possibly can it is hard to adjust to those small tolerances. I would want 4 inches or so of clearance at minimum. I'm not saying you can't do it but I wouldn't. Mine was tight also and I couldn't risk a mental error on my part so I made an adjustment.

 

[Nolift911]

So with 9.7 ft. or 115 inches of ceiling height to work with and

Car 1 = 49 inches (911)
Car 2 = 57 inches (C63)

Ramp height 4.5
Additional clearance 4

What is the additional 4 inches of clearance for? (I found some standard calc on another page people use...

 

[DonPowers]

What is the height of the RJ-45? - my 911 is low, I have seen 3.5 inches tall and 4 inches tall above the runway...I need to take a measurement to see if that will work.

Trying to work out delivery options, if it is trucked to my house. It seems I can rent a 5000lb forklift for the day for $125 so that will get it off the truck plus into my garage and I assume assist with the install.

Anyone done this or have any other creative ideas to get from truck to garage?

I am sure there was some creative stuff done...

This fall I put in a Bend Pak HD 9XW four post lift. The lift came via tractor trailer and was packaged in two boxes. I used an excavator to lift the packages from the trailer, a tractor with bucket would work as well.

I put the lift together by myself, using four furniture dollies, an engine hoist and pallet jack.

Here are a few photos.

 

[buzz4041]

This fall I put in a Bend Pak HD 9XW four post lift. The lift came via tractor trailer and was packaged in two boxes. I used an excavator to lift the packaged from the trailer, a tractor with bucket would work as well.

I put the lift together by myself, using four furniture dollies, an engine hoist and pallet jack.

Here are a few photos.

I did the free (as in included in purchase price, no extra cost) delivery to the truck terminal. Then picked my 4-post up using my car trailer, it took all of the length of the trailer. No way it would work in a pickup bed, the long runners are what makes the package big. Truck company loaded the lift package on the trailer with forklift.

Then I disassembled the package on the trailer and took it apart piece by piece. Myself and a friend were able to do the basic construction with help of some jacks and my engine hoist. Then I ran the cables and hydraulic lines to finish the install myself.

X2. If trucked to your house how you going to get it out of the truck ? You can't it is too long and to heavy. Pick it up on open trailer just like above. Then piece by piece remove.

 

[exlondoner]

Apologies if missed it, but what are the dimensions of your garage?

 

[Theruse]

Something else you may want to factor into your estimate. Once you convert to a high lift, your raised door will travel less distance on the horizontal plane. For me I was able to get 24 inches added to my height which meant my door now traveled 24 inches less in the horizontal. This gives me enough clearance for the windshield to go to the ceiling rather than the top of the raised door. Since my door is about 5 inches from the ceiling, this additional 5 inches makes a big difference

 

[Nolift911]

Apologies if missed it, but what are the dimensions of your garage?

19 feet wide
18.5 feet long
9.8 tall

 

[ryan77]

if your that close to the ceiling (.5") and need to lift the lift 1-2" to release the locks you could, for that moment, use two pieces of heavy pipe under the runways and rachet strap them to the cars frame (four locations) and compress the suspension an inch or two for the lift to go up 2" to release the locks, then lower a bit and remove the straps and pipes and continue downward.

 

[R68GTO]

I would have to go out in my garage and verify this but doesn't the actuator cylinder on a bendpak retract as the lift goes up? If so, you should be able to limit the upper travel distance of the ramps by putting an extension on the cylinder rod connection to the cable plate.
As far as unload and assembly goes...I borrowed a forklift at work to get it on my trailer. From there I used an engine hoist and a pair of 4 wheel dollies from harbor freight to get it unloaded into the garage. Used a chain fall hoist hung from my rafters to lift the cross braces in place.

 

[exlondoner]

Which lift were you planning on? Those are very similar dimensions to mine and I am planning to purchase one in the coming month or so. I don't plan on picking it up and installing it though.

 

[EarlyBroncoGuy]

To get the pieces off of the trailer and into the garage, you can use an engine hoist - just roll it into place, extend the boom, hook up some straps or chains, and lift the pieces just high enough to clear the trailer floor and then roll them and the hoist into the garage.

That's how I moved a bunch of heavy stuff into my shop when I moved.

Renting or buying an engine hoist would probably be cheaper and easier than renting a forklift.

Kind of a long shot, but if there are any landscape or construction work going on in your neighborhood, they probably have a Bobcat and might be willing to come over and move the pieces for you for a few bucks. Just an idea.

 

[Nolift911]

Just to close out this thread for people looking to do this...

So after all of that the answer to the question is....yes. They will stack. Its tight, but workable.

Here are the stats again...

BendPack HD9ST - stacking two cars with 9.7 ft. or 115 inches of ceiling height to work with.

Car 1 = 49 inches (911)
Car 2 = 57 inches (C63)

Ramp height 4.5
Additional clearance 4

So I am at 114.5. Yes this is close. On to the pics...

 

[37ford4dr]

wow nice install. did you do the install your self of have them install it?

 

[James E]

Dayum. How close is the Porsche roof to the ceiling when you raise the lift enough to release the safety locks?

 

[Nolift911]

wow nice install. did you do the install your self of have them install it?

Thanks - I did it myself with some help from a buddy...heavy!!!
More deats and the end of my thread below -

 

[Nolift911]

Dayum. How close is the Porsche roof to the ceiling when you raise the lift enough to release the safety locks?

So going up and getting the 911 on the locks is the - interesting part. To get the locks to engage where I need them to store the bottom car I have about 1.5-2 inches to spare...once on the locks there is about 3.5-4 up there.

Getting off the locks takes maybe 1.5-2 inches give or take.

 

[98camarod]

It looks good! Did you have to convert to a high lift door?

 

[Nolift911]

It looks good! Did you have to convert to a high lift door?

Thanks - yes I did only gained 10 inches or so. Details in my garage thread.