Lift choice advice seeked

[ukrkoz]

Hi all

It's a nightmare to make proper lift choice.

OK, here's the scene. I can not set lift inside my garage.

Has to be outside. I am not going to concrete for it, but house is built on top of what was a gravel pit, so surface is very hard and I can set some metal plates underneath posts to prevent sinking.

I am looking into 8-9 000 lbs lifting capacity, and am 6'5'', so height is of concern.

So far, I have 2 choices: free standing lift, 4 post and a single column mobile lift. I see advantage in the mobile one as I can roll it inside during rain or colder times. Otherwise, I can set large portable storage over the lift area and run heater inside.

It's just plain too many choices with too much sales bs out there.

I am soliciting end users recommendations. Not quite sales people. Please.

Budget is around $3000.

Thank you

 

[Big-Foot]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

You're 6'5" now - lets hope it stays that way... I wouldn't even trust a 4 post lift without solid and level footings..

Good luck in your quest!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

Pour a slab and put a roof over it, don't waste your time jury rigging something that really won't work well.

Charles

 

[ukrkoz]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

Bendpack or BYB 4 poster? Let me worry about the rest.

 

[skyking]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

Your post scares the hell out of me ! Mine is anchored in 5' concrete and I still rock all vehicles before I take them all the way up. Do your self a favor and pour at least a 15'x 15' slab.
You want to go 6' up.......not 6' under !

 

[ukrkoz]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

no need to. I am not suicidal at all. I have very sound idea how to have it all set safe and like I said - my gravel is tiny sharp kind that was packed by years of driving truck on it.
It will NOT sink or give. My understanding is - free standing design 4 posters are in use for long long time. Heck, I worked on my neighbor's free standing 4 poster and I am still 6'5''.

My question is very simple - Bendpack or BYB? Leaning towards BYB, as I prefer slides over posts design. But there's all that chit chat about certifications and such.

 

[bczygan]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

Not saying your gravel won't support the load, but you need to check with the manufacturer to see what methods they need you to use to anchor the lift, whichever one you choose. If not anchored, then it may need specific methods to make it stable.

 

[Bob C]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

no need to. I am not suicidal at all. I have very sound idea how to have it all set safe and like I said - my gravel is tiny sharp kind that was packed by years of driving truck on it.
It will NOT sink or give. My understanding is - free standing design 4 posters are in use for long long time. Heck, I worked on my neighbor's free standing 4 poster and I am still 6'5''.

My question is very simple - Bendpack or BYB? Leaning towards BYB, as I prefer slides over posts design. But there's all that chit chat about certifications and such.

You were given solid advice on the concrete. Since you seem not want that advice, it will not matter which lift you get. Both with fail and you will be in serious trouble. I remember the first lift I installed as a young fella. The customer told me the concrete was good because for years they drove big equipment on it. Well, it was thick yes, but it was weak. The lift pulled and sliced a F150 in half. That customer did not know and neither do you. You really need to pour concrete.

 

[ukrkoz]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

Not saying your gravel won't support the load, but you need to check with the manufacturer to see what methods they need you to use to anchor the lift, whichever one you choose. If not anchored, then it may need specific methods to make it stable.

that's the definition of a "free standing" lift. It DOES NOT require anchors, as it's held together by its structure. I was surprised to find that myself. There are several manufacturers that have their lifts designated as free standing.
Simply Google 4 post free standing car lift. Plenty.

 

[ukrkoz]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

As the largest manufacturer of four-post freestanding car lifts for the residential and commercial market, Backyard Buddy is proud to offer a full-line of American made 7000 pound and 9000 pound capacity lifts for cars, trucks and recreational vehicles of all kinds.

Backyard Buddy freestanding four post auto lifts are perfect for your home garage. Because they are so rigid, these lifts don't need to be bolted to the floor making them completely portable with the optional casters. You are free to roll your lift around the garage or outside on the driveway, even while supporting a car.

 

[bd8134]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

Any 4 post lift needs to be on level concrete at a minimum thickness and strength.
You will be concentrating the weight of your vehicle plus the lift on these 4 points. One post sinking or slipping would likely damage the lift and possibly damage the vehicle or yourself.
Freestanding means you do not have to permanently fix the lift to the ground but it still needs to be located on a concrete base.
You should contact Bendpak and BYB for their opinion on whether your base is ok.

 

[wit2003]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

people are questioning your choice to use the lift on gravel versus a concrete pad. I'd have to agree with everyone and say you should pour a pad or at least a small pad at each corner of the lift...

 

[ukrkoz]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

And I mentioned - several times - that I WILL make sure that sinking will be out of question.
I can weld large thick steel plates to posts' feet. I can run wide flat 1/4 inch trusses from foot to foot, and either bolt them or weld them. I can do this at front and rear, or front to rear. There is NO WAY IN THE WORLD something like this will sink.
And yes, I do also consider DIY-ing 6 inch deep 2-3 feet wide slabs front and rear. That I can do, but I am not dumping thousands into full slab, lowering property value at resell.

Still trying to say - I ain't stupid, all this will be taken care of. I simply need to know - BYB or Bendpack? Also, does anyone know how to get BYB pricing without calling them? I can't stand dealing with salesmen on the phone.

 

[torquepower85]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

And I mentioned - several times - that I WILL make sure that sinking will be out of question.
I can weld large thick steel plates to posts' feet. I can run wide flat 1/4 inch trusses from foot to foot, and either bolt them or weld them. I can do this at front and rear, or front to rear. There is NO WAY IN THE WORLD something like this will sink.
And yes, I do also consider DIY-ing 6 inch deep 2-3 feet wide slabs front and rear. That I can do, but I am not dumping thousands into full slab, lowering property value at resell.

Still trying to say - I ain't stupid, all this will be taken care of. I simply need to know - BYB or Bendpack? Also, does anyone know how to get BYB pricing without calling them? I can't stand dealing with salesmen on the phone.

A Study In Lift Design

You can find the BendPak vs. BYB one there too

 

[ukrkoz]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

Very good, thank you. I'll read it after hrs today.

Real life user experiences? Opinions? Not to start BYB vs BP war, like a several pages post I came across here, 2009-2010. That's, actually, reason I inquired in this forum.

Folks, I am member in several forums, car oriented, for years, and helpful one. I am addicted DIY or die person. Been working on my cars since 91, ramps, jackstands - still in single piece, passenger cars and trucks. Mix it on me being a health care practitioner. I am not interested in killing myself. But I am very frugal person, and creative at the same time. Please, stop worrying about safety, and help me chose a right lift. Reason being - I can not work on concrete floor underneath a car anymore.
That's where I need help - right choice. I helped many in other forums, I was helped - and had tons of $$ saved - by forum members. I believe in fraternity and good will of DIY crowd. So let's keep it there.

Thank you.

 

[Big-Foot]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

Where are you located?

Any concerns about running high voltage outside during inclement weather?

Glad you are saftey conscious

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

ukrkoz,

Are you running under that same handle on the greenhybrid forum? If yes, go ahead and buy a cheap, Chinese lift, install it on top of rickety gravel in a low spot where water concentrates and run your 240 volt supply lines on top of the ground using indoor rated Romex. Make sure you are wearing flip flops while you are standing in the water and then cut into one of the high voltage orange wires on the Camry.














Just kidding......

 

[ukrkoz]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

Hey, GH, kidding you might be, but as of now, I am clearing some misunderstandings in this thread - and you did not help.


Just kidding. Well, maybe not.

Voltage is valid concern. Far as I know, both lifts to consider are 110, not 220. Also, I have very good pro electrician, that have been working for me for quite some time. Running weather proof conduits and setting a box is not a concern. MOF, he just set house for special electrical panel, so that now I can run entire house of power generator. Guess what - both grounding rods are right where the lift will be. Maybe 2 feet away. Also, don't forget - I SHALL have some sort of structure above it. I simply do not want anything too permanent as of now.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

You also need to look into 12 volt systems. They can be used without running power out to them and seem to work very well.

 

[sublimate]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

I am addicted DIY or die person.

Apropos.

 

[bczygan]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

Actually, I've seen lifts mounted outside. If properly installed and protected they are usable. Making neighbors happy is another question. And the OP has all the right answers for our questions and comments concerning safety, so I think his mindset will find and solve all related problems. But this is still a good discussion for the rest of us, so please continue. It might be useful if someone who has placed a lift outside could chime in......and of course, he still is looking for brand comparisons...

 

[hidollartoys]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

My 2 cents.... What if you just installed concrete piers to set each post on. Two of them, maybe 24" sq x 24" deep. I know it would be more work but would possibly be safer and you could pour a floor later if you decide to build a shop.

 

[mercury26]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked

no need to. I am not suicidal at all. I have very sound idea how to have it all set safe and like I said - my gravel is tiny sharp kind that was packed by years of driving truck on it.

Foregoing all safety concerns (though I personally would not do that), I am trying to figure out why the OP would rather work on "tiny sharp" gravel then concrete. I would pour a concrete monolithic slab rather then work on gravel.

Though I do agree on pouring at least concrete footings for the legs or columns of the lift. But it is your lift, do as you will.

 

[ukrkoz]

Re: LIft choice advice seeked