challenger lift height - confused

[tff]

I'm looking at the Challenger SA10 lift, partly because it seems like there's a way to make its height less than 12'. However I'm confused by what their specs say. See below. It suggests 'adjustable' height of 136.5" and 142.5", but also shows the overall height with 'cylinder' is 142.5" and that ceiling ht of 144" is required.
Can someone help me understand if this lift will work with a ceiling height of, say, 138" at the lower ht option? Or do i really need 142.5"+. I'm confused by the 'cylinder' spec.
Thanks.

 

[Fastfish]

I have the Challenger SA10 . I had a huge I beam hanging down right above where one side of the lift upright had to be. The lower flexibility of this model allowed it to fit for me. I think you can use this model just for this reason. I could not find another brand that had this feature.

 

[tff]

fastfish - thanks. So one question... is there a cylinder that sticks out of the post that is higher than the post either always or when you lift your car to max height?
I'm going back to Challenger's spec that says 'overall height with cylinder is 142.5"'.
Thanks.

 

[pattenp]

I have an older model Challenger with the same height specs. With the cross beam set at the max height the cylinders come right to the top of the column. If I had used the shorter mounting position for the top segment of the column the cylinders would have stuck through the top of the column at full extension. If your ceiling is too low for the higher column you could just have small holes in the ceiling for the cylinders to extend into.

 

[tff]

If your ceiling is too low for the higher column you could just have small holes in the ceiling for the cylinders to extend into.

thanks. So just to verify... if my ceiling is 6" lower than the max cylinder height, i can still use the lift all the way up to max height minus 6" (without those small holes)... is that correct?

 

[pattenp]

If you set the cross bar at the 136.5" height then you in theory can run the lift up to that point where the tops of the cylinders are just below the ceiling. Now obviously that will not get the lift arms to their max capable height as you surmised. The other issue is where the locks engage, you may find that a locking position does not line up with the highest point you can go before hitting the ceiling with the cylinders and may have to lower the lift to the next lower locking point. Another obvious thing is there is nothing to prevent you from running the cylinders up through the ceiling if not paying attention. Also you need to consider is vehicle height will impact lift height because the shutoff bar is lower at the 136.5" height.

 

[brownbagg]

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