In-ground 2 post lifts

[Diesel Dan]

Will be starting on garage 3.5 in the near future.
Shop area will be 40x48x17.5 and will have a 2 post lift of some sort.

My last two lifts were USA made Worth models of 10K capacity. First one was a floor plate-low clearance, since repurposed to Kevin54s shop. Second was a 10K symmetric, clear floor, extra wide model. Have been happy with both models and would recommend them, still.

With the new shop I'm thinking about installing a in-ground model this time. From looking around I see Challenger makes one, of which they installed some in a local dealer per their web-site. Also Rotary makes some as well.

As of yet I have not contacted Challenger or Rotary to find a rep in middle TN where the new build will be.

In the past I've used the old air over oil floor lifts and would consider one if I could find a decent one used but these new "cartridge" lifts look nice and easy to install as well.

So let the discussion and pictures of in-ground lifts begin!

 

[bobcatdan]

I used them in tech school and if I ever buy a hoist, I'll save for an extra year to get an in ground.

 

[sublimate]

I'd want an in-ground lift that you can park a car under. Does anyone make such a beast?

 

[txvwnut]

We put of them in at work, electric hydraulic pumps with air safety locks. They've been pretty trouble free so far. I would kind of like to put one outside my shop and do away with one of my scissor lifts.

 

[rburke65]

Sublimate..... "I'd want an in-ground lift that you can park a car under......huh.?

 

[scooz14]

not having the posts in the way to fully open doors has got to be nice.

 

[sublimate]

Sublimate..... "I'd want an in-ground lift that you can park a car under......huh.?

You lift a car up in the air and you can pull another underneath.... like any 4-post lift and most 2-post lifts (except maybe maxjax which doesn't lift high enough), but not scissor lifts, nor any in-ground lifts (that I've seen).

 

[Badasssapper67]

In ground cartridge lifts are EXPENSIVE. Would love one but cant see paying all that extra compared to a two post lift.
If there are cheaper units let me know. By cheaper I mean under 5G.

 

[Cyberbear]

When I had my 6 month old used in-ground lift installed by the company I purchased it from back in 1995, they were selling them installed for $1,000.00. You may wish to check with lift retailers in your area for good used in-ground lifts. I had mine set so when not in use the rack was below floor level and covered with twin diamond plate doors.

 

[Diesel Dan]

That's crazy cheap, even for 1995 prices.

I've checked a few places over the years but haven't run across used in ground units, yet.

 

[TNToy]

My favorite lift I've ever worked on was a cartridge-type in ground two post. They're the best most versatile setup. And I've literally worked in a bay, professionally, for 2+ months on everything from an ancient pneumatic center post in ground, to a four post, to a scissor alignment rack, to...

Yeah. Get one if you can swing the $$$. There simply isn't a better setup for a working bay, and not a storage-minded one.

 

[12ozd]

Put a rotary smart lift in a couple years ago. (cassette)
Installed myself, would definitely choose over a 2 post above ground.
You can not park a car "under" it w/ the lift raised, there is not enough room between the posts.

 

[rburke65]

I thought they cost around $10K. Don't quote me.... That's the number that I recall. I'd love to have one. Anyone have a current price?

 

[12ozd]

I thought they cost around $10K. Don't quote me.... That's the number that I recall. I'd love to have one. Anyone have a current price?

Not sure of current price, IIRC I paid $5500 +/-
$10K installed, or for lift only?
That seems high if just for the lift.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Had one guy quote me $7200 for the Rotary, not installed.

I've used several different in-ground lifts over the years of which the ones I disliked the most were the old adjustable two posts that picked by the axles. Single posts are a pain to do trans work. While some of the older air over oil units were nice they didn't have safety locks mid height like the new cartridge units and arms weren't truck friendly, most likely were 7K units if I had to guess.

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Sublimate..... "I'd want an in-ground lift that you can park a car under......huh.?

Don't know if they are still available, but I worked at a Buick dealership in the 70's and we had a couple of two post lifts that were wide enough to drive another car under. There were three different kinds of lifts in that shop. The extra wide ones were great for transmission work. I also liked them for brake work as the arms could be used to set parts and tools on while working.