Let's talk 2 post lifts

[Kevin54]

When I get my addition on, I am going to get a lift. I have been kicking around 2 post vs. 4 post forever it seems, and have come to the conclusion that a 2 post would be more versatile for working on a car. I don't need a lift for storage as far as parking one vehicle on top of the other.

Lifting the body off of a frame would be one great advantage, but has anyone ever pulled an engine using a 2 post lift? I do have pics of a plan to make an adapter to raise your lawn tractor using a 2 post, so that is an advantage when cleaning out the deck.

Now.......the dreaded thing......CEILING HEIGHT. The Township, when speaking with them last year, said the limit to the peak is 15'. Going 28' wide with scissor trusses puts me at 14'10 1/2", but I can get buy with a few inches over. The Township person said last year, as long as I kept the garage height the same as my house, and the house is upgrade a little from my garage, I could go higher, but he changed his tune this year for some reason

So with that, anyone have a 2 post with 10' walls? Has anyone pulled an engine using a 2 post? And has anyone made any sort of adapters for a two post to do other things, just like the lawn tractor adapter, or anything like that? And lastly......has anyone ever lifted a Compact Utility Tractor with a 2 post? I know....the last one sounds sort of sketchy unless there was a balanced type of adapter made up to drive on, then lift it.

 

[jonjon1]

When I get my addition on, I am going to get a lift. I have been kicking around 2 post vs. 4 post forever it seems, and have come to the conclusion that a 2 post would be more versatile for working on a car. I don't need a lift for storage as far as parking one vehicle on top of the other.

Lifting the body off of a frame would be one great advantage, but has anyone ever pulled an engine using a 2 post lift? I do have pics of a plan to make an adapter to raise your lawn tractor using a 2 post, so that is an advantage when cleaning out the deck.

Now.......the dreaded thing......CEILING HEIGHT. The Township, when speaking with them last year, said the limit to the peak is 15'. Going 28' wide with scissor trusses puts me at 14'10 1/2", but I can get buy with a few inches over. The Township person said last year, as long as I kept the garage height the same as my house, and the house is upgrade a little from my garage, I could go higher, but he changed his tune this year for some reason

So with that, anyone have a 2 post with 10' walls? Has anyone pulled an engine using a 2 post? And has anyone made any sort of adapters for a two post to do other things, just like the lawn tractor adapter, or anything like that? And lastly......has anyone ever lifted a Compact Utility Tractor with a 2 post? I know....the last one sounds sort of sketchy unless there was a balanced type of adapter made up to drive on, then lift it.

I have used 2 post to put engines in and out many times...

I have also use my 2 post to list motorcycles, lawn mowers, and tractors, while none of them 3 were ever lifted over my head, I have lifted them all to serviceable heights...

I know a gentleman that has made a platform for his 2 post, out of sq stock and flat plate, it cost him about $200 and he painted it to match the lift, and it has wheels..

As far as ceiling height, 12ft high by 11feet wide should give you a good array of 2 posts that will fit...

 

[slk320]

I installed a 2-post bottom plate lift with 10'6" ceilings. I'm 5'8" (not tall) and am able to raise sedans high enough to work under standing up. For SUV and trucks I use a milk crate to sit on for working and adjust height as required.

If you are taller, you may not be able to stand up while working.

Regards,

Chuck

 

[aka Larry]

I've lifted trailers with my 2-post, and removed a few engines also. My walls are 10', but I placed the lift in the center of the shop, using the peak to gain the needed extra height.

 

[22george]

Kevin,
I've replaced engines, exhaust systems, gas tanks etc on my 2 post lift. It is one of the best things I've ever bought. I just extended the arms under the frame of the garden tractor and lifted it that way. I bought the 10000# extra tall extra wide because l had the room. l got it from Greg Smith in Indianapolis. I got recommendations before l bought it from 3 guys at work who had the same lift and they all were happy with them. I know some guys here have panned those lifts, but that is 4 of us who have had them 4 years and longer who are happy with them. I know 2 other guys at work who have bought smaller 2 post lifts there and are happy with them. If you do get one of them from there l would trash the concrete anchor bolts and replace them with ones from Fastenal. Just a little added safety feature. I looked on there web site for what they recommended for depth of concrete etc

 

[Kevin54]

Thanks guys. Actually Greg Smith is one of the places I have been thinking about. I need to make a decision before long (a couple of weeks) so I can plan on where it is going to go, and make sure the concrete guys pour the concrete thicker in the area.

I won't need a 10'000#, but a 7,000# would work fine for me. And I'm now sold on a 2 post for the versatility of usage.

 

[575cat]

Thanks guys. Actually Greg Smith is one of the places I have been thinking about. I need to make a decision before long (a couple of weeks) so I can plan on where it is going to go, and make sure the concrete guys pour the concrete thicker in the area.

I won't need a 10'000#, but a 7,000# would work fine for me. And I'm now sold on a 2 post for the versatility of usage.

I believe GESUSA would be cheaper & free ship and comes with hardware .

 

[koditten]

I got 10' walls, scissors trusses on half and attic trusses on other half. I can lift my Tundra with topper as high as the lift goes. I have the overhead door tracks that follow the ceiling. No problem lifting with door open.

I got the GS lift too. I think the model is 9000HSC or something similar. It's extra wide and tall. I like the wide part, I can get my door open enough to clear my beer gut.

There are pics you can look at in my profile section.

 

[Oldtymeflyr]

First, compare the difference in cost between a 7,000 lb lift and and a 10,000 lb lift. A Ford PU with a 7.3 is heavy.

Next, I have used our 2 poster for various things including lifting heavy things into our PU.

Also, used it to lift to working height various items, like lawn mowers, snow blowers etc.

I have it in my mind that it would be good as a base for a Christmas ping pong table, go figure.

Good luck.

 

[EarlyBroncoGuy]

I love my Bend Pak 2 post lift. Used it for brake work, oil changes, suspension work, finding an irritating rattle under a car (heat shield), and yes, even lifted my riding lawn mower high enough to stand underneath the deck and change the blades.

 

[James-W]

I have used two post lifts and I have used four post lifts. Of the two, I prefer the four post lift.

 

[Rod N]

I've been researching this a bit as I'm getting ready for a lift.

The bottom brace ones need less ceiling, but now you can't roll things around on the floor.

The top brace ones are a bit over 12' high, so if you can make your ceiling a bit higher than that you are ahead of the game. I need to cut into my attic because I'm 4" short (ceiling and me )

135" is usually the width needed.

There is a big difference in quality and i found if you spend just a few hundred dollars more buys a much nicer lift.

Not to state the obvious, but you can use it to lift from above with straps etc.

Figure out which lift you want and design the garage around it.

 

[Automobilist]

I bought a two post & a four post. Both are Direct Lift, made by Rotary, which makes a lot of commercial lifts. The two post is for working on cars, the four for storage.

Our shop has 10' walls, but was designed with post & beam construction to allow for a completely open interior. No trusses, nothing in the way. The roof is 8/12 pitch, so we have plenty of height inside.

One very important suggestion I'll make: have the lift company install it. The two post lifts are very heavy. For $550, they delivered and installed the lift. A bargain, considering you need a forklift to move it around and lift into place. They also guarantee the installation.

To me, no brainer to have it all done for a few bucks.

 

[boosteddsm92]

I believe GESUSA would be cheaper & free ship and comes with hardware .

This is where I bought mine from. Free freight and they'll take money off if you just call them and ask for a deal.

FWIW, I have a 2 post and a 4 post. For me, the 4 post is for storage, oil changes, and loading/unloading heavy stuff from my pickup by myself. 2 post for everything else.

 

[koditten]

One thing that I never see mentioned; if you have limited mobility, where it is difficult to kneel down to see if lift pads are correctly contacting the vehicle frame, you might want to lean towards a four post lift. Drive on and lift, no need to check if you are positioned safely.

I've actually thought about getting one of those vehicle inspection mirrors that security people use to look under the vehicles. Hmm..off to the cloud.

 

[Diesel Dan]

I have a low height floor plate model. First shop had height limitations so that is what I needed. Now that I have plenty of clearance I wish I had the overhead model. For some of the stuff I do rolling over the floor plate is a pain.

 

[Ign]

Lifts rated at 7000# are becoming uncommon as vehicles get heavier, and not sure it'll save you much.

You definitely don't need a forklift to install a 2 post.

 

[Kevin54]

koditten......Is you lift under the peak, or is it along the wall, if that makes sense. When I install mine, I will have to install it to one side of the garage and the peak will be running the same was as the car pulling in, so I won't have all of that extra room to take advantage of.

 

[bczygan]

Read your zoning rules very carefully to see where measurements are take from.

A lot of times it is from finished grade.

You could berm up earth all the way around the garage, except at the door, and ramp the drive down to the garage floor, with a trench drain across the opening.

Might need to do a little waterproofing and drainage around the perimeter.

This way you can get additional height and meet the rules.

Also, check which kind of lift is best for your vehicles, symmetrical or asymmetrical.

 

[Kevin54]

Read your zoning rules very carefully to see where measurements are take from.

A lot of times it is from finished grade.

You could berm up earth all the way around the garage, except at the door, and ramp the drive down to the garage floor, with a trench drain across the opening.

Might need to do a little waterproofing and drainage around the perimeter.

This way you can get additional height and meet the rules.

Also, check which kind of lift is best for your vehicles, symmetrical or asymmetrical.

Not going to go to all of that trouble. I'm lucky just to have a contractor bidding on building the garage. And the floor is going to match my other floor in the existing garage. As long as I can get a lift in the 10' height, I should be good. I'll be at probably about 11' where the car will go up on the driver side, and then the passenger side will be a little higher yet as I'm going with Scissor trusses.

 

[koditten]

Kevin, my lift is under the peak. You can see from my avitor that my doors are under the eave. You do need stronger headers, but it can be done with ease.

Regardless, if my doors were on the gable end, I would still have room to lift full height using scissor trusses, even if lift was positioned on the sides. You need to have lift at least 4 ' in so you can walk between it and wall. My opinion is 4' is minimum.

 

[saabman]

I have a 2 post and a 4 post lift. I also have a rolling jack on the 4 post lift. Loading a vehicle is more forgiving and faster on a 4 post lift. With a rolling jack, access to wheels/brakes/tires is about the same as a 2 post lift. I like doing exhaust work on the 2 post lift however. The 2 post lift take less space. The 4 post lift is better for storage (although I do store a car on the 2 post in winter). A 2 post is easier to do engine removal on but you do have to watch the CG when you do it.

 

[killahog]

I installed a Bendpak XPR10A LP this winter and have used it mostly for cars and a few 1/2 ton trucks. It will lift a truck just fine but I do recommend a Jack to stabilize it after its up. With the cars I normally dont use one. If your inclided enough to pull a engine, installing the lift is not going to be something you need to pay someone to do as long as you follow the instructions. In my opinion the results you get from the lift are going to be mostly based on how much attention to detail you followed when installing it not the brand.

 

[volaredon]

I have a 1986 era Weaver 2 post that I picked up from CL. Got it cheap, installed it myself, and love it.I did a little refurb work as I was putting it up, but as cheap as I got it I'm still way ahead. and the base plates that bolt to the concrete are huge, great to distribute the load over alot of area. My lift is a 9000 Lb. capacity.
Alot of guys do not like floor plate models but that has not really been a problem. I have 10' ceilings. I Do plan to eventually pull the ceiling joists from the side of the garage where the lift is/ with my 78 Fury or my Mom's Intrepid, my son's girlfriend's 01 Grand Prix I can put up high enough to walk under. My 01 Durango, 93 Dakota, 97 Wrangler, and my son's 90 Dodge 3/4 ton, I can get up high enough to scoot under with a roll around stool. and can get these taller vehicles up high enough to be perfect for things like brake jobs. I have a 30X36 garage, gable going the long direction, overhead doors on the narrow end, with my 6/12 roof, as far away as the lift is from the roof base plate, I will be able to get the taller vehicles up to the limits of lift height meaning I will then be able to walk under them too. BTW I am right at 6' tall.

I have used my lift to raise campers, utility trailers, to put a sheet of plywood onto and raise for a comfortable height to work on mowers or paint/stain my projects, then I can raise it out of my way as the paint or stain dries while I do other things;
also raised myself on that plywood platform to stack stuff into the attic.
Not with my particular lift but I have pulled engines with them before as well. I do not think mine would have any problem doing so either.

 

[C2 Turbo]

I installed a Bendpak XPR10A LP this winter and have used it mostly for cars and a few 1/2 ton trucks. It will lift a truck just fine but I do recommend a Jack to stabilize it after its up. With the cars I normally dont use one. If your inclided enough to pull a engine, installing the lift is not going to be something you need to pay someone to do as long as you follow the instructions. In my opinion the results you get from the lift are going to be mostly based on how much attention to detail you followed when installing it not the brand.

This is what I intend getting too but with low profile arms to help with lowered cars

 

[killahog]

This is what I intend getting too but with low profile arms to help with lowered cars

C2 The model I have is the Low Profile (LP)

 

[Rod N]

How low?
I think I need be around 4".

 

[C2 Turbo]

C2 The model I have is the Low Profile (LP)

My bad, didn't realize LP stood for Low Profile. Do you like it and is it really worth buying the "A"

 

[killahog]

My bad, didn't realize LP stood for Low Profile. Do you like it and is it really worth buying the "A"

For the vehicles I service 5 are sedans and one is a half ton truck so the A model was the right choice for me. I really like the way I can get in and out of the cars without the doors hitting the colums. Often after I position the vehicle I need to get back inside to start it or run the lights after working on something and its easy to do that. If I had to do it over again I would take a closer look at the Forward lifts. Im not saying I wish I would have bought one but they are a quality lift just like Bendpak and deserve a close comparison . The customer service at Bendpak has been very helpful with any issues I had.