First 2 post lift

[3rdgendslmech]

Going to be pulling the trigger on my first 2 post lift sometime this week! Took a trip to Greg Smith Equipment this past Saturday and did some window shopping. Talked to one of the guys working the floor and he helped out as much as he could.
At first I had my mind set on a 10K floor plate lift and had planned on buying the base extension bar kit. The heaviest vehicle I have to pick up is my Superduty supercab diesel weighing 7800lbs, so I have some wiggle room.

After talking to the salesman for a little bit, I told him I dont have a finished ceiling yet, and he kinda talked me into a 2 post clear floor. Obviously the posts are going to go up into the attic area. He said take your time, go home, and measure a few things....and look at the different OH lifts rated for what you want on their website. He also pointed out that a lot of guys that are forced to buy the bigger floor plate lifts, cut out and key in new deeper pads where the lift will go. Adding all this up you're gonna be well over the cost of OH lift. And you should wait 30 days for the concrete to fully cure before lifting anything.
After measuring everything, other than the 10' ceiling height, my only limitations is the distance between the horizontal bracing that are nailed to the top side of the bottom chord of the trusses. I'm good there....

So now, my only decision between which 2 OH lifts are the Extra Wide/Tall version, or the PV-10 that has the most reviews. I kinda like the wider lift because it'd help getting in and out and if you have to work inside the vehicle while its on the lift.

 

[3rdgendslmech]

Called Greg Smith today and all of their PV-10 lifts are on back order until Mid October. So I started doing a search and looked at the Dannmar D10CX. Pretty much the same specs, it has little wider drive through than the Atlas, for 50 dollars more you get an ALI Cert and Free shipping. One thing that has me on hold for the Atlas is that even with an ALI Cert the Dannmar is 400 lbs lighter than the Atlas.
Pretty much have my mind set on going the overhead route and when it comes time to put a ceiling in work around the posts.

 

[SJW]

Why does the weight bother you?

 

[3rdgendslmech]

It doesn't necessarily bother me, I'm just curious as to where they're loosing 400 lbs from. You'd think given almost the same dimensions plus a OH bar that's 3 inches longer it might weigh more.
I've been working under an atlas 15K non cert lift at work lifting crew cab stake body diesels and feel safe with it.
I was just wondering where they shaved the weight. They're both packaged and shipped just about the same way.

 

[brownbagg]

i got the cable on bottom model, I hate that hump when moving around under the truck, I would go over if i had a second chance.

 

[dagofast]

Called Greg Smith today and all of their PV-10 lifts are on back order until Mid October. So I started doing a search and looked at the Dannmar D10CX. Pretty much the same specs, it has little wider drive through than the Atlas, for 50 dollars more you get an ALI Cert and Free shipping. One thing that has me on hold for the Atlas is that even with an ALI Cert the Dannmar is 400 lbs lighter than the Atlas.
Pretty much have my mind set on going the overhead route and when it comes time to put a ceiling in work around the posts.

You might want to do a search on Danmar lifts here. I don't completely trust my memory but I think there were a few posts lately about those getting hung up after the car was raised up. Something about the flat paint catching on the guide blocks.

 

[Ohmthis]

I have an OH type 2 post lift. I have high enough ceilings and the ability to push carts, toolbox, welders, and other things around is priceless. I have a friend with the floor model type. It is a pain in the ***, and I trip every few times walking around under a vehicle. Good luck on whichever you decide.

 

[Falcon67]

I have a floor plate 9K and it hasn't been much of a problem at all. Little inconvenient sometimes but mostly it's not an issue. I was about 6" short on roof pitch to go with a clear floor unit. If I had built using a 6:12, it's just fit under the ridge board. Mine is low enough that the dragster even clears it, and that thing is a ground hugger.

 

[3rdgendslmech]

I have a floor plate 9K and it hasn't been much of a problem at all. Little inconvenient sometimes but mostly it's not an issue. I was about 6" short on roof pitch to go with a clear floor unit. If I had built using a 6:12, it's just fit under the ridge board. Mine is low enough that the dragster even clears it, and that thing is a ground hugger.

Falcon, I agree...any lift is better than no lift. I pulled a transmission out of a car on a plate lift, we laid down plywood and bridged the plate and also avoided making a mess all over the floor. I do a fair amount of work on diesel pick ups. Any major engine work requires the cab to come off and roll the truck back over the plate. Not the end of the world but.

 

[pbon]

I had a Greg Smith Atlas BP8000 floor plate lift for 5 years and liked it. No problems with the plate. I dropped engines and transmissions. A top plate is ideal if you have about 12’ but the floor plate is fine if you do not.

 

[3rdgendslmech]

I've been stalled....I was going to bite the bullet and go with the BP10000 but was told they are sold out as well. So I'm gonna wait 2-3 weeks till the PV10 shows up and go from there.

 

[sweetk30]

direct lift / forward lift . there also 2 decent brands .

i just did a 4 post 8k stacker lift from direct lift for a buddy . other than no real directions i had it done no no time with simple hand tools .

also my buddy watched facebook market place and scored a 98% new bend pack 10k 2 post for well under new price . guy was moving and selling everything .

 

[ap2002]

keep us updated on your decision, im also looking into the Atlas 2 post lift, I have 10ft ceiling and was thinking the same.

 

[CraigStu]

I can't imagine pulling a trans w/ a raised plate across the floor. Seems to me it would be real close to under the trans. How do you roll a trans jack out from under when it has to go over a floor plate? I haven't been able to find height dimensions of the plate but they look to be 1.5 inches.

 

[pbon]

No big deal. I did it half a dozen times plus a few motors with my Atlas BP8000 floor plate lift. Sure, I would have preferred a top plate but my 10.5’ ceiling height did not allow it.

 

[thammel]

I have an Atlas pv-10 lift. I have 12'ceiling height in my garage. The lift is great. I like the fact that it is capable of lifting much more than I'll ever lift....it's good to feel secure when you're under it.

Tom

 

[3rdgendslmech]

I can't imagine pulling a trans w/ a raised plate across the floor. Seems to me it would be real close to under the trans. How do you roll a trans jack out from under when it has to go over a floor plate? I haven't been able to find height dimensions of the plate but they look to be 1.5 inches.

My first place of employment had an in ground lift capable of lifting 80,000 lbs. Twin stationary cylinders for the back and a single cylinder on a trolly for the front to accommodate different lengths of vehicles. There were a series of plates to cover the pit in the middle where the cylinder traveled. We pulled engines, transmissions, rear ends all the same way....layed plywood down over the plate. Some of those Mack transmissions weighed as much as a small sedan.