Help with 4-Post Lift Pump and Lock Location

[VetteVert]

Hello all,
I could use some input on location of the controls for my first 4-Post lift. I have several options for location of the electrical, but I do not know the optimal location and orientation of the pump and manual locks for my space.

Pending a good quote, I plan on ordering an Atlas 408-SL. I have a single door on the far end of the garage with a wall on the right. The left is adjacent to a double door. I have outlets near all four posts.

I will be parking an occasional driver below and a classic above (although something I would like to drive often). I plan on also using this lift for occasional work on all my vehicles.

For those with experience with 4-posts, what is the optimal location for the pump? The back corner along the left wall still has plenty of room to operate the controls (I may need the 90 degree bracket), but I would not see the back and ramps as it comes down. This seems like a good spot to keep things out of the way however.

Anyone provide some insight on this topic?

By the way, if anyone has any opinions on the optional aluminum ramps or a manual vs. air over hydraulic jack, this would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[tfalk]

I have my pump and controls by the garage door, never had a problem... If you do that, then add mirrors on the wall at the front of the lift, you can see the other corners as the lift is coming down. It will also help when you drive onto the lift - you can look at the mirrors to help you align or center the car.

 

[bry@n]

I have my pump at the front of the lift and close to the wall. I am able to watch the lift go down and make sure nothing get's caught up.

 

[moriboy]

I have an Atlas 414. My pump is on the rear drivers side. I went back and forth on where the optimal location would be, and really came to no good answer. The right side of my lift is against the wall and decided that if something went south while operating the controls, I'd have no way to get out of the way, so controls are on the open side of my shop.


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[Al G]

I put my control on the open side, not the side against the wall. Makes it easier to access the control if the lift is only partially raised.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

 

[jfitz]

I mounted mine on the drivers side front post. I have a workbench that runs alongside the left of the lift and a double entrance door in front of the lift. I picked this location as I can see both up/down operation and in case anything did happen, I have room to get out of the way though the double doors. I have a Bendpak HD9-XW. I picked this lift because it was around 1 foot narrower than most of all the other 9000 lbs lifts which enabled me to get car past the rear right post without having to move the lift, and yet still handle my 08 Dodge Megacab. I do like the air locks (my neighbour who bought a 7k Altlas is envious). I also got the rolling RJ-45 centre hydraulic jack - a must. I might just buy a second!

 

[rburke65]

Don't think it makes any difference and I assume everyone's situation will vary. Mines on the passengers side ......because that's where it was when I bought it.

 

[VetteVert]

Thanks all. Much appreciated.

I am leaning towards the corner of the garage to keep things tidy. This may change when I get a hold of the physical parts. The bracket to swing the controls is $50 so it would not be the end of the world if this went unused. It is quite a bit for a piece of what looks like 16 ga. painted, but in the grand scheme nothing to wring hands over.

I will probably spring for the AL ramps and air operated jack.

Thanks again.

 

[turfgnome]

Thanks all. Much appreciated.

I am leaning towards the corner of the garage to keep things tidy. This may change when I get a hold of the physical parts. The bracket to swing the controls is $50 so it would not be the end of the world if this went unused. It is quite a bit for a piece of what looks like 16 ga. painted, but in the grand scheme nothing to wring hands over.

I will probably spring for the AL ramps and air operated jack.

Thanks again.

I have the alumium ramps, they are sharp looking and would be great for anyone not using the lift for stacking cars as they do not rise with the lift like the stock ones do. As for the air jack I do not leave my jacks on the lift so I am glad I went with the manual jacks.

 

[VetteVert]

I have the alumium ramps, they are sharp looking and would be great for anyone not using the lift for stacking cars as they do not rise with the lift like the stock ones do. As for the air jack I do not leave my jacks on the lift so I am glad I went with the manual jacks.

I was not aware that the aluminum ramps did not move up with the lift. This seems odd. Although I would be taking the ramps off in winter for a little more room in front of the lift, I do not want to be moving the ramps every time I want to grab the car on top. Storage of these would be a pain as well. My garage was carefully designed not to have any loose junk setting around.

I measured one of the cars last night. It is lowered and has minimal clearance. The bottom of the flexible air dam is 2" off the ground. The frame and remainder of the underbody is 4". I do not know what this means for a rolling jack. Pictures look like the jacks do not go flush. The RJ-35 has a lowest lift position of 3.5" so it looks like it would work for the height if I were to store the jack at the middle or back.

If anyone has some insight there, it would be appreciated. I'll end up calling Atlas or the distributor soon.

 

[turfgnome]

I was not aware that the aluminum ramps did not move up with the lift. This seems odd. Although I would be taking the ramps off in winter for a little more room in front of the lift, I do not want to be moving the ramps every time I want to grab the car on top. Storage of these would be a pain as well. My garage was carefully designed not to have any loose junk setting around.

I measured one of the cars last night. It is lowered and has minimal clearance. The bottom of the flexible air dam is 2" off the ground. The frame and remainder of the underbody is 4". I do not know what this means for a rolling jack. Pictures look like the jacks do not go flush. The RJ-35 has a lowest lift position of 3.5" so it looks like it would work for the height if I were to store the jack at the middle or back.

If anyone has some insight there, it would be appreciated. I'll end up calling Atlas or the distributor soon.

2 inches would not clear my rolling jacks, not sure about the jack model though.