Dropping vehicles off lifts

[dynahoe]

i didn't have a cell phone or camera when I saw rigs drop..early 90s bronco,same era f150, then a kia sedan around 2005 ish,,it's rare but I've seen it 3 times. The bronco and truck were rotary lift placement issues.The kia was a screw jack used carelessly again rotary lift. Seems a lot of people on this site are home users only. How many of you will admit to or know of mistakes made lifting your rigs? Seems like it could be useful to another newbie to lifting to hear your mistakes or wisdom.Just to be clear I've never seen a lift fail, and cause a fall. I've seen cables break and pistons and hose failures but all had working safety locks so the lift only fell a few inches and locked up..scary but no damage.Working on a vehicle 5 feet up is no big deal...until something goes wrong then it's real scary real fast,the kid that dropped the bronco tried to hold it up and almost got crushed...

 

[naturalgas]

Thanks for this post. This is a timely and important post for me. I’m getting ready to have a 2 post put in my garage and I’m starting to get cold feet about it, for that very reason. I’ve never loaded and lifted a vehicle by myself before. I’m 65 yrs old next month and though I don’t want to admit it I’m slowing down.Just last week I fell off a 5’ step ladder and face planted into a lumber pile breaking off a front tooth crown above gum line. That’s going to be costly. Anyway I’m wondering if there is a book with most car and truck models that will show safe and correct lifting points. Or maybe I should get a 4 post for safety’s sake




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[lakeroadster]

The bronco and truck were rotary lift placement issues.The kia was a screw jack used carelessly again rotary lift. .

So you are saying they were user errors, correct? You tube is full of videos.. people doing stupid things.

A lift is merely a tool. Buy a good quality one, and follow the owners manual.

I bought my lift in 2007. Here's my only near miss.. as previously discussed in this thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=373689&highlight=coil

Anyway I’m wondering if there is a book with most car and truck models that will show safe and correct lifting points. Or maybe I should get a 4 post for safety’s sake

Buy a quality lift... and the book comes with it showing lift point locations.

More here: http://www.autolift.org/news/vehicle-lifting-points-2017-edition/

 

[Tim C]

Anyway I’m wondering if there is a book with most car and truck models that will show safe and correct lifting points. Or maybe I should get a 4 post for safety’s sake




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ALI, the automotive lift institute who certifies lifts, produces a book with lifting points for most vehicles. Factory service manuals also usually list lift points. A lot of newer cars have arrows stamped into the frame or unibody pointing out lift points.

Biggest thing is think safe and double check everything. Every few months you should inspect cables and pullies, and saftey switches. Every time I lift a car at home or work, I shake the hell out of it once the tires clear the floor. I'd rather something slip 6" off the ground than 6'. Raise it up to working height, then lower it onto the locks, dont rely on the hydrualics to hold it up.

If you're going to be doing heavy work like suspension or transmission removal use a screwjack stand to stabilize the vehicle. Also I like to use them on longer trucks, like a crew cab longbed. When I use a screwjack I like to turn off power to the lift, either by unplugging it or switching it off (at home and work the lift has a service disconnect like an outside AC unit or hot tub), that also comes in handy if the raise button sticks, BTDT! If theres no power you cant raise it off locks, that reminds me to get the jack out, I almost dumped a truck one day because I forgot and started lowering the rack! If theres no switch or plug I tie a shop rag around the lowering handle.

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[unslow1]

We nearly lost a tubbed 70 'cuda off a lift about 10 years ago. Dropped Dana 60 rear end out of it and it started to tip forward. Lucky one of the guys under it grabbed onto the back end while we put a screw jack under the engine.

Another time on the same lift we were putting a tubbed 71 Charger up and didn't notice the door wasn't latched. Something shifted when it went up and the driver's door swung open. It was just long enough to catch part of the wall on the upper storage. Lucky I was on the driver's side and saw it starting to tip. The guy on the passenger side never saw it tipping when he was lifting it. He only stopped because I was yelling.

I was putting a new rear end in a 1970 Road Runner at my house. It had all four tires sitting on concrete blocks. Then a floor jack under the rear differential left as a safety after I lifted it. I took the driveshaft out then went inside to answer the phone. When I came back out I heard the high pitched sound of air escaping. The car had rolled forward and when it fell off the blocks the floor jack was under the gas tank. The air was trying to escape around the gas cap. That gas tank was a lot cheaper than my head. The sender I just bent back.

 

[CJM8515]

I never lost one myself, lift arm placement is KEY. Ive seen it countless times where the tech just kicks the arms under and hopes for the best. Also seen techs put fullsize trucks and full framed SUV's and put the rear arms WAY to far forward!

 

[Lelandwelds]

So, are you turning into a fan of skateboard or regular four post lifts? Fan of these?

 

[Ign]

Thanks for this post. This is a timely and important post for me. I’m getting ready to have a 2 post put in my garage and I’m starting to get cold feet about it, for that very reason. I’ve never loaded and lifted a vehicle by myself before. I’m 65 yrs old next month and though I don’t want to admit it I’m slowing down.Just last week I fell off a 5’ step ladder and face planted into a lumber pile breaking off a front tooth crown above gum line. That’s going to be costly. Anyway I’m wondering if there is a book with most car and truck models that will show safe and correct lifting points. Or maybe I should get a 4 post for safety’s sake

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My BendPak came w a book - I think it’s the ALI book. It’s basically worthless, I’ve stopped referencing it. Just some crude sketches and 4 black circles in a top view that are supposed to represent the lift pads.

 

[Ign]

I should say IIRC the book has a legend that does indicate if certain points are under leaf eyes, etc. But if I’m wanting to drop the leafs out of the truck (common for me), it’s REALLY worthless. But I haven’t opened it in years literally.

 

[firebirdparts]

The good news is, at home, you have no incentive to load the lift wrong. if it's your own car, why would you need to drop it?

The key with a two poster is that the center of gravity of the vehicle needs to stay inside the lift points. if you pull the rear end out it changes. I think it would actually be pretty difficult to drop one based on user error, but I do think about this. It's certainly possible to put the lift arms close together, but again, if it's your house, why would do that to yourself? Personally I don't think the owner's manual will save you. You will have to be afraid to drop one. You will have to save you.

also, from experience, you do need to watch up and down. You won't drop a car by lifting it without watching, but you sure bend some stuff.

 

[brownbagg]

i hate lifting chevy pickups, the way the rear frame jumps up

 

[T_R]

I've had pads slip more times than I care to remember over the years, never had one come all the way down. Had a few of those stupid handicapped wheelchair vans be way too heavy in the back and start to tip backwards going up. I caught a mirror on a post going up once. I had one user error, kicked one side only under for I reason I don't recall, maybe pulling one tire. Went too far and it slid and dented a door.

The first dealer I ever worked for a guy was killed prior to me working there when the pads slid out and he was underneath.

 

[Dragfluid]

A vehicle coming off a lift is due to human error, no if's, and's or buts.
Either a human didn't inspect or repair one correctly, or an operator set up the vehicle incorrectly.

 

[xjfish]

i hate lifting chevy pickups, the way the rear frame jumps up

Ford Superdutys also...

 

[Ign]

Ford Superdutys also...

Ditto!

Although the ‘12 Ram I service isn’t great in the front - there’s barely enough room for the pads before the frame climbs toward the engine bay.

 

[Lelandwelds]

I've had pads slip more times than I care to remember over the years, never had one come all the way down. Had a few of those stupid handicapped wheelchair vans be way too heavy in the back and start to tip backwards going up. I caught a mirror on a post going up once. I had one user error, kicked one side only under for I reason I don't recall, maybe pulling one tire. Went too far and it slid and dented a door.

The first dealer I ever worked for a guy was killed prior to me working there when the pads slid out and he was underneath.

Ive only used one once. Should you use jack stands or ratchet straps or what when you start pulling parts off? What do the salvage yards use when they part stuff out?

 

[chris142]

What do the salvage yards use when they part stuff out?

A forklift

 

[redneckcharlie]

People dont like post because they take up more space, but theres no doubt they are safer.

 

[firebirdparts]

Ford Superdutys also...

They are awful.

 

[firebirdparts]

I've had pads slip more times than I care to remember over the years, never had one come all the way down. Had a few of those stupid handicapped wheelchair vans be way too heavy in the back and start to tip backwards going up. I caught a mirror on a post going up once. I had one user error, kicked one side only under for I reason I don't recall, maybe pulling one tire. Went too far and it slid and dented a door.

Is this because you don't look at what you're lifting? You can imagine that with 1000 pounds on that pad, it's not going uphill. I mean, you can look and tell what's going to happen, can't you?

I don't see how this can happen unless you're "that guy" in the earlier posts that just kicks in the arms and doesn't look. You made it kinda sound that way in your story.

My point is, at home, you would not need to do this to yourself.

 

[Lelandwelds]

What do the salvage yards use when they part stuff out?

Gotta love google.

 

[rburke65]

This is the reason that I bought two ..?..4' tall adjustable jack stands. Before I go under my Chevy on my 2 post lift, I pit a tall Jack stand under the front K member and one under the rear pumpkin. It's real stable at that point.

 

[walrus]

i hate lifting chevy pickups, the way the rear frame jumps up

I use the leaf spring right by the front mount as a lifting point, don't try to use the frame on the rear at all

 

[WhiffySpark]

I use the leaf spring right by the front mount as a lifting point, don't try to use the frame on the rear at all

Not all lifts will reach that. That’s the problem. I usually end up using the flat part of the frame. The crew cabs are fine it’s the regular cab long beds I hate

 

[ezover]

in shop class say 35 plus years back we had a 2 post in ground that lifted from the front and back, the controls were mounted on the floor-foot operated.

I kicked the control for lowering the front post with my back to the lift, the nose of the t/a was almost to the floor before I realized what was going on. thankfully the rear axle lift was U shaped and the car could not slide off the rear lift, it could have been ugly.

 

[Fueler]

in shop class say 35 plus years back we had a 2 post in ground that lifted from the front and back, the controls were mounted on the floor-foot operated.

I kicked the control for lowering the front post with my back to the lift, the nose of the t/a was almost to the floor before I realized what was going on. thankfully the rear axle lift was U shaped and the car could not slide off the rear lift, it could have been ugly.

Glad to hear I am not the only one to do that as a 19 yr old pump jockey.
Embarrassing but the same outcome fortunately.

 

[albaran]

A vehicle coming off a lift is due to human error, no if's, and's or buts.
Either a human didn't inspect or repair one correctly, or an operator set up the vehicle incorrectly.

This comment is right on. I'm amazed at some of the arguments on the net about certified vs non-certified lifts (Backyard Buddy vs Bendpak) where some people claim they would be scared to stand under an uncertified lift as if the welds are all going to suddenly come apart. I have one of those cheapo Chinese lifts, Eagle, which is probably the same as Danmar or Atlas. Even if a cable or fluid hose were to break, they all have the safety locks that would limit the drop to a few inches. If there are people that have experiences of a vehicle coming off of a lift because of a structural defect in the lift, I would like to here about it.

 

[WhiffySpark]

This comment is right on. I'm amazed at some of the arguments on the net about certified vs non-certified lifts (Backyard Buddy vs Bendpak) where some people claim they would be scared to stand under an uncertified lift as if the welds are all going to suddenly come apart. I have one of those cheapo Chinese lifts, Eagle, which is probably the same as Danmar or Atlas. Even if a cable or fluid hose were to break, they all have the safety locks that would limit the drop to a few inches. If there are people that have experiences of a vehicle coming off of a lift because of a structural defect in the lift, I would like to here about it.

I’ve seen cables break many times. Nothing ever fell off but they were stupid fun to get back on the ground. I had an incredibly cheap boss that refused to call a wrecker.

 

[aka Larry]

I too have seen others just kick the lift arms underneath. I always get down on my hands and knees to be sure the pads are in the correct position (FWIW, I too have the ALI guide, and agree it's worthless) before lifting. I usually lift it past the first lock position and then check again before going to full rise. Of course I'm a DIYer, and have all the time in the world vs. the flat-rate guys where every minute counts.

A have a 2-post Atlas 9KOH and have had one failure when a hose end failed. The vehicle was at full rise so it simply settled down a couple of inches and onto the locks. Meanwhile I'm running around trying to grab something to catch all that damn hydraulic fluid. No danger, but it made one hell of a mess.

 

[6768rogues]

When I was a teenager I worked at a garage that serviced a fleet of Divco milk trucks. They were very back heavy. One tipped back and stood up on its back doors. They needed to be way forward on the lift.

 

[srr]

I had one truck slip off my 2 post lift, it was a 07 Duramax 4 dr with an 8' box. My instincts are pretty good and I was afraid to lift it more than 6" off the ground. One other thing I do is when lowering it I leave tension on the lifting arms so they don't move out of position until I'm done using the lift.
The scariest thing I ever had happen was when I owned a 72 GTO ram air car. I had it parked on the lift on the ground and since I'm in sunny southern Cal. my lift is outdoors. Well, it rained hard during the night and shorted something out and raised the car BEYOND the highest safety stop and the car was stuck. I was panicked to say the least. The safety release was stuck. I took my post jacks and using them to take the load off the arms was able to release the safety locks and then lowered the jacks enough to put the load back on the arms. Apparently the motor wasn't waterproof. $500. later after repairing the motor, sealing the **** out of it with clear silicone and covering it with a huge stainless cooking pot all is well. After that adventure whenever I'm not in the garage the breaker for the lift and compressor is in the OFF position.

 

[Ign]

This comment is right on. I'm amazed at some of the arguments on the net about certified vs non-certified lifts (Backyard Buddy vs Bendpak) where some people claim they would be scared to stand under an uncertified lift as if the welds are all going to suddenly come apart. I have one of those cheapo Chinese lifts, Eagle, which is probably the same as Danmar or Atlas. Even if a cable or fluid hose were to break, they all have the safety locks that would limit the drop to a few inches. If there are people that have experiences of a vehicle coming off of a lift because of a structural defect in the lift, I would like to here about it.

Dunno about a vehicle but which company put out the video of the cheap Chinese lift folding up when lifting its rated capacity in steel plates? Mighta been Smith?

 

[lakeroadster]

Dunno about a vehicle but which company put out the video of the cheap Chinese lift folding up when lifting its rated capacity in steel plates? Mighta been Smith?

Yep, Greg Smith Equipment, Here is the video: Testing And Complete Failure of a 10,000 lb. Two Post Car Lift

 

[brownbagg]

Apparently the motor wasn't waterproof. $500. later after repairing the motor, sealing the **** out of it with clear silicone and covering it with a huge stainless cooking pot all is well. After that adventure whenever I'm not in the garage the breaker for the lift and compressor is in the OFF position.

I added hydraulic hose to mine and the motor and pumps is on the wall inside the shop door, still there a circuit breaker cutoff right by the motor too.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Me and our son are sprinkler fitters, we install and maintain fire sprinkler systems, he had a shop drop his work van once. When we drop off the vans we remind them that these are 1 ton vans and are loaded with lots of pipe, fittings and tools.

Luckily his was only a foot off the floor and just put a small ding on lower right side. His service was free that day though.

 

[04chase]

I have had one close call but now own 4 screw jacks and only use the puck style lift pads when I have to , the sadller style are far superior and should be a must for any 2 post lift.

I agree , check cables , slack and mounting bolts every 6 months , and take your time when checking where your lifting. every vehicle is different and look at the center of gravity . some are rear heavy , some are front. rack accordingly.

 

[coljar]

Through the years, I've lifted hundreds of various vehicles on my lifts and had never had a near miss, yet. I am super careful and check things as I raise. This is with the in ground hoist and the two posts I've owned. In all fairness, I've grown up around them, so I know what I'm doing, but like any tool, never get complacent with them.

 

[aka Larry]

Yep, Greg Smith Equipment, Here is the video: Testing And Complete Failure of a 10,000 lb. Two Post Car Lift

This is a tad bit misleading (not that you meant it to be) as it seems to imply (to me at least) that GSE's equipment, but GSE is doing the test on a competitor's lift, not thier own.

Yes, I have a lift from GSE.

 

[lakeroadster]

Dunno about a vehicle but which company put out the video of the cheap Chinese lift folding up when lifting its rated capacity in steel plates? Mighta been Smith?

Yep, Greg Smith Equipment, Here is the video: Testing And Complete Failure of a 10,000 lb. Two Post Car Lift

____________________________________________________________________________

This is a tad bit misleading (not that you meant it to be) as it seems to imply (to me at least) that GSE's equipment, but GSE is doing the test on a competitor's lift, not thier own.

Yes, I have a lift from GSE.

It's only misleading if you leave out Ign previous comment, which I didn't, but you did, and if you don't watch the video.

 

[Falcon67]

Same reason I work hard at keeping all my fingers and still using electric saws. Be a little scared, think, watch what you're doing. If anything in the least "feels wrong" stop immediately and assess.