Garage car lift problem

[filipvdv]

hello

I'm finally getting to the stage to start building my dream garage.

For that i have customised a scissor lift from the brand Trepel which they used to load containers into airplanes. See http://www.trepel.com/files/ccl35s.pdf

I have attached a picture of such a lift i used.

The problem i now have is that the lift is at its maximum lift height (254cm), but i need 46cm extra to lift it level with the floor. You can see in the picture that it now just reaches under the floor level.

What are your toughts about increasing the lifting height. I've tought about longer pistons, but this would require redisign of the piston mounts.

Now i'm playing with the idea of an extra smaller lifting platform thats on top of the big lift. So a smaller lift to gain the extra 46cm.

 

[filipvdv]

anyone ?

 

[hilld]

Why not add 46cm to the height of the platform and have a ramp on the lower level to drive onto it? The additional 46cm could be out of wood to save on weight.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I was thinking the same thing but 46cm = 18 inches, which could require a long ramp on the lower level (especially if the car is lowered, you'd need a real long ramp so it wouldn't bottom out driving on to the lift.)

Could you maybe add some sort of hydraulic jacks underneath the platform and above the scissors to raise it the extra amount?

 

[filipvdv]

the raised floor was an idea, but indeed you need a high/long ramp at the basement.

I'm currently thinking of raising the floor with a hydraulic system, so it can be lowered together with the big lift

real shame the pistons dont push it a little higher

 

[akdiesel]

From looking at your pictures it appears you will be moving the vehicle sideways off of the lift and onto the mezanine, is this correct.
Just some concerns if this is true, is that moving a vehicle off of the lift sideways while it is lifted can post a structure issue. Basicly sideloading the lift in the raised position is posibly the weekest point of the lift.
That is a neat idea you have though.

 

[filipvdv]

akdiesel, you are correct, i will push the car on trolly's sideways onto the lift. These trollys look quite easy to use. Push it under the tire, lift it up a little, repeat 3 times, and you can push the car around where you want.
Its an old car that wont be used a lot, so this wont happen that often.

But my concern is also about the possible problems safetywise with the sideways load. I'm thinking about locking the lift into the floor when its up, so it cannot move sideways. Or just make sure the lift is stuck enough in the "hole" so there is no margin for movement. Like something conical thats wedged in the room when at full raise.

About the lift raise, i figured it out. I will post a picture later on how i will fix it.

There's a lot of thinking involved in such a lift project

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Great idea, I think I might keep an eye open for one of these, that would be an awesome addition to barn from getting palletized stuff onto the second floor,....

 

[akdiesel]

I like your thinking. I was on the same track as you but did not want to get to involved to where it created an argurment.
It sounds like you are able to construct various set ups. The wedge is what I was thinking of along with the teflon guides to protect the lift as well.
As for the extra hight it looks like it has the means for the center to be modified as well. You could install a top platform on the lift that has an additional lift that could either be hydraulic or manually cranked to reach your needed hight. The extra platform should only need to be approx 3" in additional hight and the extra lifting mechanism could be inside the lift rails out of the way. Kind of like the 4 post lift with the rolling jacks.

 

[filipvdv]

here are 2 pictures of my solution i'm going for

I have lowered the height of the basement from 2,4metres to 2,2metres
i also ditched the pit where the lift hides into when its completely down
the lift now will be placed on top of the basement floor.
Downpart is that "driving" the car into the basement will need a ramp.
But..i will leave the car onto the lift when its down for storage. I dont need it to be placed next to the lift. This will only take more place in the basement as the lift area wont be used then.

another solution for guiding the lift so it stays in position at all times is placing 4 H-beams vertically at each corner. Make a wheel-like sliding system that gets its guide into the H-beams.

 

[awoo23]

If you're looking for an extra smaller lift to put on top, the EZcarlift has a max height of about 26 inches, which should be more than enough than the 46cm you need.

Here's some more info about it:
http://www.gotogroupbuy.com/LandingPages/ezcarlift/ezcarlift.aspx