Four post lifts......Are the cheaper ones really safe?

[johnny-5]

How safe are Auto Lift, Atlas, Direct Lift, Dannmar, etc...... Ive heard of some horror stores where something malfunctioned and the car fell, things like that. Are all these lifts pretty safe? Im in need of one mainly for storage so more of like a hobbiest lift.

Any insight would be great. Also if anyone in the Bay Area northern california has any reputable places I can make a purchase would be great.

 

[tdkkart]

We still don't have a popcorn smilie.........

 

[Al Bundy]

 

[mikeyr]

I have a cheap one, a Perfect Park 7000, you can find lots of info about on the net including really good pictures of one failing and dropping a Corvette onto another Vette (luckily both cars were Vettes, not a big loss )

I have had mine about 12 years or so and LOVE IT, works great. If I were to buy a new one I would consider a Bend Pak but mine works fine.

 

[Doug1]

I have a direct lift and am happy with it. The double locking mechanism makes it pretty hard to mess up. I always lower mine until it locks by itself on the next lowest lock anyway.

 

[A747]

I bought one of those cheap lifts a few months ago, the Auto Lift 8k for pure storage use. It's perfect for my needs. All of my project cars weigh approx 1600 lbs. Why pay more for a storage lift. One issue that I discovered was the amount of movement, swaying the lift exhibits when you stand on the lift with car lifted. I'm thinking of bolting the posts to the floor to minimize this.

Like all tools, follow common safety sense, I don't expect any problems with my cheap lift.

JT

 

[gsport]

totally unsafe.... i always talk someone else into going under it for me..

 

[slddnmatt]

i have a direct lift, im happy with it..the only time i dont like it is when i leave the ramps on and i smack my head on them..

 

[buzz4041]

Have had a direct lift for about 3 years now and have never had a problem. I don't consider them cheap in any way. It has double locking system in case of cable failure. Runs smoothly and is well built. Carries a certification unlike many others out their. If I were to get another one I would do it again in a heartbeat. Do your research and compare them all against each other. Then decide what you want. Good luck on your choice.

 

[RobSmith]

Yep I've got a Direct Lift. Use it almost every week to lift and work on my project car.
It's as safe as the pea-nut using it! I let it sit on its stops while I'm working under it and also make sure that the cables are relaxed (just hold the drain lever open a little longer) so they aren't unnecessarily loaded. Every now and then I spend a little time checking for leaks or latch binding etc. I forgot to mention that it does sway a bit when doing serious "wrenching jobs" but I stopped that by attaching some 'stays' from the top of two posts to the wall.
Even a screwdriver can inflict a serious injury in the hands of a dill !

 

[Doug1]

Yep I've got a Direct Lift. I stopped that by attaching some 'stays' from the top of two posts to the wall.

Do you have any pictures of your setup?

I also felt like the certification was worth the additional money.

 

[Dadstoy]

I have a 9000+ Direct lift from Smith Equipment. Bought it 3 years ago. I am more than pleased with it. Also bought the sliding jack that goes between the rails.

 

[johnny-5]

Thanks for the info all! So my next question for the locals in California if any.....where did you purchase your lift from? Also is the install pretty easy to do it myself with friends or is it better to have it professionally installed?

 

[Dadstoy]

You can work out a deal with Greg Smith on shipping. A relative of mine just had one shipped to Reno. I picked up mine in Indy with my car trailer, they loaded it, I had 4 friends help assemble mine in about 4-5 hours. The parts are heavy so one or two guys will struggle with moving large parts around. Instructions were easy to understand.

 

[johnny-5]

You can work out a deal with Greg Smith on shipping. A relative of mine just had one shipped to Reno. I picked up mine in Indy with my car trailer, they loaded it, I had 4 friends help assemble mine in about 4-5 hours. The parts are heavy so one or two guys will struggle with moving large parts around. Instructions were easy to understand.

Is there website smithequiptment? I cant find anything on the website regarding lifts? How much does he charge for one shipped to Nor Cal? Also what brand is it? Direct Lift?

 

[Dadstoy]

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/?...ew Greg Smith Equipment Sales website!-_-GSES

 

[buzz4041]

Is there website smithequiptment? I cant find anything on the website regarding lifts? How much does he charge for one shipped to Nor Cal? Also what brand is it? Direct Lift?

Google Greg Smith or Derek Weaver and you will find their websites. Direct lift is the brand. They have the Pro Park series of lifts. Me and my son put ours together in about 4 hours. I have a hoist so it was no problem for us. The runway's are very heavy but I don't think unmanageable for a few strong men.

 

[A747]

Bought mine from Best Buys in So Cal. I was able to pick it up locally with a rented trailer. Assembly was fairly easy even with a so-so instruction booklet.
All told, about a week to install it by myself. You only need time, an engine hoist, a couple of HF moving dollies and 2 ATV lifts, for the runways, for a one person installation. The only time I needed help was raising the assembled posts upright.

It helps to be able to look at an assembled lift if you have a question on how a part fits. Living 15 miles from Best Buys, I was able to stop by a couple of times to get my questions answered