In ground lifts?

[MOPAULY]

Anyone have one? Based on my current garage setup, I'm looking at replacing my traditional 2 post above ground with an in ground unit to conserve space....just trying to figure out pricing as they seem to be more expensive; however for my needs it turns a awkward lift/daily parking bay into something much more clean and functional.

http://www.oll-tools.com/product/zs-94

http://www.oll-tools.com/product/av1020wv

 

[PT Doc]

There are at least 2 members. Jack with the porsche and another with a really best modern garage with a bend pak lift.

 

[ScaldedDog]

I've got a Rotary SL210- RA, and love it.

Mark

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[MOPAULY]

Thanks guys - Mark, what do they run? that is exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[Sureshot]

I have an old style gas station model. Paid $500 for it so the price was right and at the time I could not have had the posts in the shop. Only time it is not the greatest is if you need to work on a tranfercase or exhaust where it is above the lift plate.

I like to put a hot tub pallet (they are solid top and long) on it and use it for an adjustable height work bench for lawn and garden equiptment, snowmobiles, quads or anything else. It is also helpful loading heavy items and snowmobiles in my pickup. Lift to height,back the truck to it and drive in. Have used it that way for motorcycles also.

 

[Jack Olsen]

That Rotary is nice.

I've got the poor man's solution. It's a second-hand lift table that I sunk into the ground on a reinforced pad. It's not the solution you're looking for -- but who knows, it might give someone some ideas.

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[ScaldedDog]

Thanks guys - Mark, what do they run? that is exactly what I'm looking for.

These guys have them for $7289 now. Mine's a few years old, so I paid less, through a local shop. I did use that site to help me negotiate, though. One of my requirements was to be able to lift an 8000lb Excursion over my head, and the Rotary fit the bill.

As usual, Jack's setup is really cool.

Mark

 

[regguy1]

If you go the in ground route get a new one that has secondary containment around the in ground components. otherwise you might find a problem when you sell the property. You'l need a phase one inspection (lender will require it) and possibly more.

I have a commercial building and removed an in ground lift to avoid all the trouble.

You can see it in use at the right side of the shop in use photo.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I have a single post in ground, love it. I bought it used 18 years ago now. and when I bought it wirebrushed the whole unit, welded up all the pits, then coated it in three layers of rust preventive tape with adhesive paint to stop water from getting into lift. Also used schedule 80 pipe and covered it with pipe wrap also. Mine is a globe that has a deep offset in the lift part that actually puts the top of the lift 18-20 inches under slab. This lets you change trans etc on rear wheel drive vehicles on the lift. I had not seen one like it before I got this one. I have a 4x8 x1/4 steel top made for it that serves as my welding table. I made a frame from 2x3x 3/16 steel level and flat for laying out welding projects. I have cardboard or masonite covers for when I am doing wood working. I put a jib crane over the shop to move the top to upright and have caster sets to fit the receivers I have welded for moving it around when I am need to put a car/truck on lift. It makes a nice any height workbench, gets welding stuff just the right height not to cramp back up when welding or routing/sanding. Paid $500 20 years ago. Cost more than that for all the pipe wrap I used for anti corrosion protection.

 

[lsupcar]

That Rotary is nice.

I've got the poor man's solution. It's a second-hand lift table that I sunk into the ground on a reinforced pad. It's not the solution you're looking for -- but who knows, it might give someone some ideas.

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Application, installation and presentation, all nicely done!

Bill Z

 

[Zeke]

I have a single post in ground, love it. I bought it used 18 years ago now. and when I bought it wirebrushed the whole unit, welded up all the pits, then coated it in three layers of rust preventive tape with adhesive paint to stop water from getting into lift. Also used schedule 80 pipe and covered it with pipe wrap also. Mine is a globe that has a deep offset in the lift part that actually puts the top of the lift 18-20 inches under slab. This lets you change trans etc on rear wheel drive vehicles on the lift. I had not seen one like it before I got this one. I have a 4x8 x1/4 steel top made for it that serves as my welding table. I made a frame from 2x3x 3/16 steel level and flat for laying out welding projects. I have cardboard or masonite covers for when I am doing wood working. I put a jib crane over the shop to move the top to upright and have caster sets to fit the receivers I have welded for moving it around when I am need to put a car/truck on lift. It makes a nice any height workbench, gets welding stuff just the right height not to cramp back up when welding or routing/sanding. Paid $500 20 years ago. Cost more than that for all the pipe wrap I used for anti corrosion protection.

Now that we need pics for.

 

[wssix99]

If you go the in ground route get a new one that has secondary containment around the in ground components. otherwise you might find a problem when you sell the property. You'l need a phase one inspection (lender will require it) and possibly more.

I have a commercial building and removed an in ground lift to avoid all the trouble.

+1 You should really look in to the environmental laws to see what kind of liability you are taking on. The oil filled tanks are regulated just like any other underground petroleum tank. Cheap to put in and insanely expensive to take out. (legally) You may even be prodded to pay for environmental inspections, monitoring wells, etc. when you sell the property - or even worse be asked to take liability for any future contamination found.

Depending on where you live, it may be more economical to build a larger building for your 2 post, if space is tight.

 

[Thruxton]

Now that we need pics for.

+ about a 100

 

[ScaldedDog]

+1 You should really look in to the environmental laws to see what kind of liability you are taking on.

The Rotary lift I have - and I suspect all modern in-ground lifts - have the oil tank above ground. The lift itself is actually a cassette sitting inside a fiberglass containment, and the hydraulic line is in conduit. If I wanted to remove it, it's as simple as pulling out the cassette, pulling the hydraulic and air lines through the conduit, unbolt the pump and tank from the wall, and sell it all for a fraction of what I paid.

I had the whole thing inspected as part of the garage build, and they had no issue with it.

Mark

 

[MOPAULY]

Plus there is an Eco friendly lift you can buy now as well, no oil uses air and water, so no environmental concern....check out the second link in my original post.

 

[BHR4CE1]

I have a BendPak in ground unit and I love it. See video below.

 

[MOPAULY]

Very pretty Frank but I need a higher rise lift lol - depending on what I'm working on it can get pretty heavy duty with repairs; although you have given me a new idea in looking for a high rise scissor lift I can integrate into the floor.

 

[MOPAULY]

Dang it I may have just found my answer! I don't know why I didn't think of scissor lifts before. Below is a photo of what I'd be pulling out - my old 9k 2 post that came with the house.

Pardon the mess, the garage is about to get a total makeover I'm just still in the planning phases.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ATTD-SLP7K

 

[bigdav160]

Man, I had almost decided to buy another above ground lift.

With my new slab being poured in the next few weeks maybe I should have a pit framed out for an inground. Sure, they are twice as expensive but it would free up some valuable space.



Now I have to research some brands.

 

[Jack Olsen]

A scissors lift is great for your application. A friend of mine put a Mohawk AR-6 scissor lift into the floor.

It's not all the way up in the picture. But you can get a lot of height with one.

 

[MOPAULY]

I think this will be the one...not sure if I'll sink it as I'll lose about 4" of height, but that can always be made up with lift blocks between the lift and chassis.

I bought my 4 post lift from these guys, no complaints.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=ATTD-SLP7K

 

[bigdav160]

I'm sure it's fine but that scissor lift looks scary.

I worked at a shop 20 years ago that had inground scissor lifts (don't remember the brand) but we did have one fail and almost flipped a car.

I have a Hunter scissor at work that is a PITA. The platforms always get out time with each other setting a code. The syncing procedure takes about 15 minutes to get it back right.

I want to be able to park a car under if necessary. This Manitowoc a-12d3 has post centered at 81 inches.

Sure looks like quite a bit of work to install.

 

[MOPAULY]

I was thinking that to, but check out the video - doesn't seem to struggle at all with the SUV. For a daily mechanic? nope I would'nt...for occasional home use? Seems decent, especially if used with high rise jack stands for extra stability. I like the enviro friendly in ground lift but it's also like 6 - 10 grand

 

[MOPAULY]

A scissors lift is great for your application. A friend of mine put a Mohawk AR-6 scissor lift into the floor.

It's not all the way up in the picture. But you can get a lot of height with one.

I gotta say that second lift looks a little scary lol. If I go this route it will be with jackstands for stabilization; especially when doing repairs like changing the hub on my Ram or another tie rod assembly on the BMW...man you gotta beat the hell outta stuff to get it off.

 

[camarotoolman]

they are outlawed here, and real pain when go to sell, like the other guys said.

 

[Duane]

I just ordered the Ever eternal lift last week. So far they have been great to deal with. Mine should be shipping in September. I put a lot of thought into which lift to go with, and the more I thought about the EE lift the more it made sense to me. IMHO it has the least compromises when you finally decide as you have that in a home garage space in the #1 priority. I have the pdf instructions of the EE lift here if you would like to see it.

Duane

 

[MOPAULY]

The Evar Eternal doesn't look as comprehensive as the Greg Smith unit...I also saw what looks to be welded brackets on the ends rather then solid pieces which would make me a little more nervous about quality.

 

[swharris]

Ooof. That does not look stable, and that guy must be a midget ;-)

Hey, is that Thom out of Sacto? He still into VW busses?

 

[autoclassicnut]

I have one posted here http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102507

I have used it alot since installing, but will leave it above ground because of the EPA issues involved.

 

[Duane]

The Evar Eternal doesn't look as comprehensive as the Greg Smith unit...I also saw what looks to be welded brackets on the ends rather then solid pieces which would make me a little more nervous about quality.

Not sure what you mean by comprehensive but there are two EE users on this site who claim the EE has a more heavy duty build than the greg smith unit. The users claim to have compared the two lifts in person and not from a photo. The design of this style of scissor lift looks to have been standardized from why I have seen on the web.

Duane

 

[Aahz]

My thoughts on scissors lifts (ie. the Atlas, Nussbaum, Ever-Eternal, Maha, Bend Pak, etc.) are mixed. This style of lift has been around in Europe for YEARS (at least as far back as the 1980's) and have never been very popular with the professional garages here in the USA. BMW of N. America has recently required that every BMW facility install one and they recommend the Nussbaum version. The dealers we have installed them for HATE them (with a passion, thus the capitalization). The major problem is that the lift sits approximately 5" off the ground when it is installed flat on the floor. 5" is no problem if you are only picking up SUV's, but it is MUCH too high if you have lower profile cars. The answer, of course, is to recess the lift. In recessing, you lose that extra 5" in height that makes the lift so attractive in the first place! For a home uses situation, like most have here, they should be fine, but keep in mind the recessed floor aspect.

On a related topic, virtually all inground lifts that are manufactured today are designed with a plastic containment for environmental protection and high pressure cylinders that use very little hydraulic (ATF) oil. To the best of my knowledge, there isn't anywhere in the USA that has "outlawed" ANY type of hydraulic lift, old style or new style. The EPA doesn't regulate anything under 100 gallons of oil and even the old style lifts only used about 50 gallon. The clean up issue is related to people and businesses that didn't fix or replace their lifts when they started leaking. Their solution to a leaking lift was to continue dumping oil into it! (I've had customers tell me they dump their used motor oil in the lift when it starts hopping...I have a municipality that keeps a 55-gallon drum of oil next to their lift and they change out the drum on a weekly basis..Talk about knuckleheads!) If you have questions on ingrounds, feel free to give me a call!
Frank
www.standardus.com

 

[CARS]

I have a Weaver Twin-Lift. No safety features, "foot/heal" controls, scary as HE double hockey sticks!!!





Rear cylinder has a leak. It settles randomly and quickly.

I need to pull it and repair it or just pull it and fill the holes before the EPA pays a visit. I pumped out 40 gallons of "oil and misc." out of the pit last fall. The previous owner never fixed it, just added a gallon of ATF every month!

A 2 post above ground would be great, but it also takes up so much room. I wish it was a in-ground, single post Rotory in the floor instead. At least then the car would settle evenly. That fore and aft deal is F'ing scary!!!!

 

[Jack Olsen]

Ooof. That does not look stable, and that guy must be a midget ;-)

Hey, is that Thom out of Sacto? He still into VW busses?

It's funny. Scissors lifts look unstable and two-posts look stable -- in spite of the fact that when you think about the structural architecture of each, the two-post relies a great deal on one pinch point -- where it attaches to the concrete. I'm not saying one is a better design than the other. Two-posts are definitely more versatile for serious use (less obstruction). But the scissors concept is probably stronger than it seems to our eyes.

Yes, that's Thom's garage. As far as I know, he's still going at it. But I haven't been up to the northern California tracks in a while.

 

[camarotoolman]

The
epA don't like them. Also you may have a problem when you sell you home. They are against the law here. Check will your code inforcement.

 

[weegaz22]

The
epA don't like them. Also you may have a problem when you sell you home. They are against the law here. Check will your code inforcement.

and where is "here"?, as nothing in your profile, might help OP choose if choice has already been taken out equation

 

[sbhockey]

If I'm lucky I'll be putting a motorcycle lift in ground before winter hits. Pics to come if I get to do it.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I've been using mine practically every day. I really love having it.

And on those days when I'm not using it, it's just a patch of floor.

 

[CARS]

That Mohawk lift looks pretty cool: http://www.mohawklifts.com/library/brochures/usl.pdf

I love my mid-rise Snap-On lift, but if I could do it again I would check this unit out!

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

To clue someone in who's never used one of these...I'm guessing they're primarily for things like changing tires/hubs/steering bits, oil changes, and other activities that don't require any access to the majority of the underside of the vehicle? I can see one being useful for a tire shop, but for a home wrencher who needs to be able to access the entire underside of the car, they seem a bit useless.

 

[Jack Olsen]

To clue someone in who's never used one of these...I'm guessing they're primarily for things like changing tires/hubs/steering bits, oil changes, and other activities that don't require any access to the majority of the underside of the vehicle? I can see one being useful for a tire shop, but for a home wrencher who needs to be able to access the entire underside of the car, they seem a bit useless.

Most of the scissors-type lifts don't have a solid top. You still have some access to the driveshaft and the exhaust tubing. The dual units just lift at the rockers, which means just about nothing is out of reach.

Mine has a huge 48" square platform. But it matches the flat belly pan of my particular car, which has nothing at all where the lift is. This picture shows the engine out, and you can see the transaxle and rear suspension pieces are all right there with no obstructions.

Every lift has some compromise, either in terms of access to the car or obstruction of floor space. You have to make a call based on your particular situation.