Flush Mount Mid-Rise Scissors Lift

[00 Scrub]

I'm looking to get a mid rise scissors lift installed in my 3 bay garage with low (8') ceilings. I want it to be flush mounted so I can easily been driven over and parked on when not in use/not become a tripping hazard. I'm looking for open access to the center of the vehicle as well.
I've got a subpanel in the garage with 2 open slots so I'm thinking I should be able to run 220V to the pump.
I don't have an air compressor, and am hoping to avoid getting a large one for this as I'm a bit tight on space.
I'm only going to be lifting cars so my weight requirements aren't super high (<5000lbs). Do any of these not have restrictions for lifting from inside or outside edges of the pads? Any of them allow differing length platforms? I've got some rather short and sometimes longer distance between front and rear lift points
I'm looking at the following lifts:
Bendpak MDS-6LPF
Nussbaum Jumbo HF 7
Atlas FM9SL
Rotary RLP77

Are there others I should be looking at/considering? Anything I've overlooking? This would be the first time I would be owning a lift.

I'm looking to put it in the middle bay.

 

[whateg01]

The weight of the car is likely not going to be the limiting factor. It's the volume of air needed to fully raise a vehicle. But if you have a compressor that doesn't have a big enough reservoir to do it with what's already in the tank, the compressor will just start pumping to make it up. It just might be a little slower.

Or, aren't there scissor lifts that are just electric over hydraulic that avoid needing an air compressor at all?

 

[00 Scrub]

I had been assuming these were electric over hydraulic and that the air on most of them was for actuating the locks. Is that in correct?

 

[whateg01]

Sorry I didn't look them all up. Looking at the bendpak, though, it looks like it just uses air to get it off the ground, maybe up to the first contact with the vehicle, then it's hydraulic after that. So, that's like the quick rise for Jack's that bring the saddle up to the vehicle on the first pump then it's normal jacking after that.

 

[00 Scrub]

Yeah, I was just looking and saw that. A 10 CFM compressor is rather large typically isn't it? Although 50psi isn't that high so perhaps something a bit smaller would work.

 

[AC-WC]

I wonder if it's a typo from Bendpak? The air lines are only 1/4" and I struggle that you could get 10 CFM through it quicker than 3/8 or 1/2". Maybe 1.0 cfm @ 50psi?
The Atlas you listed just calls out 90-120 psi and most other posts I've read owners were able to use a small pancake sized compressor. Most of those were to release the locks.
I would look for a lift that didn't need 10 CFM unless you already have minimum 60 gal, 220v compressor. Most of those are around 9-10 CFM/150-175 psi. Cost is $8-1400 depending on where and what other features the compressor may have. To put that in perspective an air impact needs around 5CFM.

 

[00 Scrub]

Thanks AC-WC. That's a good point. 10CFM seemed like a lot. If i had to get a compressor something like a pancake or a small 5 gallon tank I can fill up from time to time would be ideal. I'll shoot them a message and see what they say.

 

[AC-WC]

What type of work are you planning for the lift? I looked at scissor lifts before I bought my 2 post because I had 8ft ceiling. Looked at MaxJax as alternative because the scissors still block the rocker panels. In my mind I wanted the option to R&R transmissions and the 'low' lifts just did not support that as easily i.e. no transmission jack would fit. MaxJax lifts 4 ft and leaves the underside wide open for any underneath work. Lots of folks are happy with them and use chairs to work underneath.

I ended up buying a Triumph C7000. It will work with 8' ceilings but obviously you can't lift the full height. Both MaxJax and C7000 are removable if you want to keep the area open. Not as easy convenient as scissor in the floor though. C7000 is significantly less$ than MaxJax, scissor lifts and most permanent 2 posts.
My building situation ended up changing from original plan (now have cathedral ceiling) and depending on the car I can get the full 6' height of the lift.
I can definitely advise if you go with scissor be sure to cut grooves/piping for all the plumbing and electrical lines. Putting the lift in the center is smart gives you tons of room to work on either side.

 

[PT Doc]

Water intrusion into the recessed cavity will be an issue. And this can make the whole situation a mess. How do you get the snow and slush that has salt and other chemicals out of the pit? How often do you perform work on the car? There might be easier and less costly solutions. If air volume is an issue then a separate air tank might help. They have 11 gallon air tanks.

 

[ToolsRCool]

I'll be jealous, I was initially considering one of those. They look so great at rest and in use.

I am now doing a complete rebuild of my detached garage to raise the ceiling for two 4 post lifts, as the caster option for them now will be very useful to be able to set it at different positions in the garage, and also be able to roll it out in the driveway to load up a car and spray the underside with paint or a hose.

If I had more rigidly fixed parameters such as an attached garage or limited ceiling height, I would still go down the path you are with a flush in-floor unit.

 

[00 Scrub]

What type of work are you planning for the lift? I looked at scissor lifts before I bought my 2 post because I had 8ft ceiling. Looked at MaxJax as alternative because the scissors still block the rocker panels. In my mind I wanted the option to R&R transmissions and the 'low' lifts just did not support that as easily i.e. no transmission jack would fit. MaxJax lifts 4 ft and leaves the underside wide open for any underneath work. Lots of folks are happy with them and use chairs to work underneath.

I ended up buying a Triumph C7000. It will work with 8' ceilings but obviously you can't lift the full height. Both MaxJax and C7000 are removable if you want to keep the area open. Not as easy convenient as scissor in the floor though. C7000 is significantly less$ than MaxJax, scissor lifts and most permanent 2 posts.
My building situation ended up changing from original plan (now have cathedral ceiling) and depending on the car I can get the full 6' height of the lift.
I can definitely advise if you go with scissor be sure to cut grooves/piping for all the plumbing and electrical lines. Putting the lift in the center is smart gives you tons of room to work on either side.

Looking to be able to remove the engine and trans from a Porsche 911, work on some FWD vehicles and such (basic maintenance and trans removals). I would also like to be able to do some rinseless detailing on the lift to make it easier to reach lower portions of the car/wheels etc.

I looked at the MaxJax and Triumph's. They would be perfect except I am worried they would block a lot of access when I inevitably leave the projects up on the lift waiting for parts/other priorities pop up. I'm also concerned about placement on the concrete. There are two 7/8" deep relief cuts in the slab that would be right where the footings would need to go. Also it would be more cumbersome to set these up than the in floor lift. However the lifts themselves and the supporting work are a lot cheaper. So maybe I can live with that if I can figure out the path blocking logistics.

PT Doc, I'm in a place without snow and only light to moderate rain (Bay Area, CA). I was concerned about moisture though due to the clay soil and general poor drainage around here. I was considering running a french drain around the perimeter of the excavated pit and connecting it to an external drain I have just to be sure. Not sure if I would also have to add drains to the pits where the lifts would go to allow for any water accumulation to have a way out. I assume I would cover these with horse stall mats or something when not in use.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

My Atlas FM9SL installation, although for mid-rise only, this might be a bit much:

Atlas FM9SL Scissor Lift Flush-Mount Install

*Fast forward almost a year and a half.....Here's what it looks like done and lifting my F150 Super Crew. I look forward to updating this photo with a 66 Mustang. :beer: **Fast forward some more.....That hunt for a 65-66 Mustang sent me to Chicago to fetch this 69. Yeah, buddy...

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