How many have lifts outside?

[bobj49f2]

Just curious, how many of you have lifts outside. I live in SE Wisconsin and never would consider having a lift outside, I'd only be able to use it a couple of months a year. 4 months it's too cold to be outside working on a car, although in my younger days I did a lot of work outside, under cars shoveling snow out of the way to get under them, I wouldn't do that again unless I had a break down on the side of the road and even then I have towing insurance. The warm months the mosquitoes would eat me alive.

I got this image from an ad for a lift in Illinois:

https://scontent-atl3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/p720x720/122487242_3072400832865703_5653047209764796503_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=2&_nc_sid=843cd7&_nc_ohc=qmV20HEUxt8AX-eAgK1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.**&tp=6&oh=144a4517fe943c89b4809522207bbe31&oe=600232B2

 

[vavet]

Just curious, how many of you have lifts outside. I live in SE Wisconsin and never would consider having a life outside, I'd only be able to use it a couple of months a year. 4 months it's too cold to be outside working on a car, although in my younger days I did a lot of work outside, under cars shoveling snow out of the way to get under them, I wouldn't do that again unless I had a break down on the side of the road and even then I have towing insurance. The warm months the mosquitoes would eat me alive.

I got this image from an ad for a lift in Illinois:

https://scontent-atl3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/p720x720/122487242_3072400832865703_5653047209764796503_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=2&_nc_sid=843cd7&_nc_ohc=qmV20HEUxt8AX-eAgK1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.**&tp=6&oh=144a4517fe943c89b4809522207bbe31&oe=600232B2

I don’t, but there is a GP auto shop near my home that has one outside. I always think that’s kinda odd, but what do I know?

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I can't believe you can put a lift outside in your driveway. Ordinance wise.

 

[ImmDanny]

I have one installed outside, but first I built a shade structure so it’s not directly exposed to the elements. Obviously it’s not fully enclosed but the sun barely hits one corner of it during the winter and rain doesn’t get anywhere but the base of the columns. I also live in Arizona where it rains only a handful of times a year, no snow.

Also I don’t live in a neighborhood with an HOA, that was a requirement when buying a house for me. Plus most of my neighbors have old classic cars and probably appreciate me also having some. I’m not even the worst guy in the neighborhood, guy around the corner has a literal monster truck and his boat directly in his front lawn, along with his hot rods. So mine at least looks neat compared to him, plus it’s technically in my backyard but it is extremely visible from the main road.

Here are some pictures: https://imgur.com/a/BlHIkrs

 

[59 wagon man]

in fla here many shops have them installed outdoors and even car dealers install them to sell cars on them

 

[ImmDanny]

I have one installed outside, but first I built a shade structure so it’s not directly exposed to the elements. Obviously it’s not fully enclosed but the sun barely hits one corner of it during the winter and rain doesn’t get anywhere but the base of the columns. I also live in Arizona where it rains only a handful of times a year, no snow.

Also I don’t live in a neighborhood with an HOA, that was a requirement when buying a house for me. Plus most of my neighbors have old classic cars and probably appreciate me also having some. I’m not even the worst guy in the neighborhood, guy around the corner has a literal monster truck and his boat directly in his front lawn, along with his hot rods. So mine at least looks neat compared to him, plus it’s technically in my backyard but it is extremely visible from the main road.

Here are some pictures: https://imgur.com/a/BlHIkrs

I guess I should address some concerns you had about actually working outside, I thought your main concern was just about actually have a lift outside.

Given your climate and surrounding environment, having a lift outside doesn’t seem too fun. If you built some sort of structure that could at least keep the snow away and maybe get one of those big heaters you could manage doing work during the winter, and depending how you build this structure, maybe you could get netting to “seal” it during the hotter months from mosquitos.

Right now with what you described I wouldn’t just get a lift to install outside because it sounds like you’d have very little time to enjoy it without the environment effecting you.

For me, summer gets insanely hot but mosquitos aren’t too much of an issue, and with the structure I have blocking the sun sure it gets hot, but it’s not unbearable. I eventually may get a large cooler fan to pull out during the hot months but I can manage still. Right now it’s the winter but all I really gotta do is put on a sweat shirt.

 

[unslow1]

If Illinois weather was better I would have one outside. I would have one inside if the garage was taller. I do know one guy that has a 2 bay muffler shop with an extra lift outside. He said he bought the place and the lift was already out there. I've never seen him use it so maybe it doesn't even work. My biggest fear would be dealing with neighbors wanting to use it.

 

[Don1357]

Just curious, how many of you have lifts outside. I live in SE Wisconsin and never would consider having a life outside,

Covid Freudian slip?

 

[bobj49f2]

Covid Freudian slip?

I fixed it

 

[bobj49f2]

I know one guy not too far from my house who had one outside but eventually build a building around it so he could work under it year round. Up here not only would I not what to work under half the year but the winter and early spring weather I would think would wreak havoc on it with all the moisture getting getting into every seam, seal, pivot, cable and chain.

 

[Bobf]

I have one of the China 4 posts on the apron of our 24X30 detached garage here just north of San Diego, so weather isn't a problem. I grew up in W.St Paul,Mn and would not recommend one outside if I was still there.
It came with casters and I didn't bolt it to the apron so it can easily be moved around if necessary, but so far I haven't moved it. Since it isn't bolted down I never leave a vehicle up over night, the ground does shake occasionally around here Haven't had any problems with it being outside due to rain or wind/dust but I did have to replace the hyd oil tank (plastic) due to the abundant sun causing a crack. I wrapped the replacement with foil tape and haven't any problems. I have 5 cars and a PU so it comes in handy, not to mention I'm 3 days older than sleepy Joe Biden, so crawling around under vehicles is not my favorite activity

 

[Wrench97]

It's not a new idea.

 

[bobj49f2]

It's not a new idea.

Old way of doing something isn't always the best way of doing something. My dad had a gas station with a oil pit outside, some protection but still had to be bad during bad weather.

 

[kbs2244]

There is one one the north side of a station in Lake County IL
(WI line)
I see it used in the summer.

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

I’d never heard of that until we went to Hawaii half a dozen years ago and saw many people with outdoor lifts.

Many with a tent shelter or tin roof also had tool boxes, presses and other shop equipment sitting outside in their yards.

 

[joey1320]

I've seen them all over the place in Puerto Rico.

 

[dsaabm]

You see them around here in Tennessee and Kentucky, generally 4 post and generally used for overflow or for a larger vehicle to get an oil change or tire job done. I would not want one outside, especially in any northern states. God what eyesore for the neighborhood as well lol

 

[pbon]

Low temp of 12 degrees F today in my area.

 

[brownbagg]

mines outside, its about 15 years old, been through about six hurricanes, its a bend pak

 

[Barnabas]

An outside lift would be great for washing the underside of vehicles.

 

[Ralf11]

I've used the curb next to my house as an oil pit before - but don't tell the city

 

[tstaude]

I have a Snap On scissor lift that can be rolled around. At my old place I would occasionally roll it outside and use it to work on cars.

 

[lowbucktruck]

If by "lift" you mean a high frame and a chain fall outdoors, why yes I do...