I added full length LED lighting along the inside of the ramps on my Bendpak. Makes the underside much easier to see...
I see no picture?!?!
Lift modifications Thread- Lets see them!
- Thread starter ndm
- Start date
I see no picture?!?!
Not a mod to the lift but for storage or lift ramps.
These ramps are great as they are so light but taking them off I need a place to store them where I'm not worried about them getting knocked over and potentially hitting a car.
So I built this hanger out of some scrap wood, plywood , and 1/2" dowel pegs. I drilled 1/2" holes in the back of the ramps so they would fit the hanger. I made the hanger 52" long so I could catch the studs at 48" for a secure mount.
Thats pretty cool
lakeroadster
Well-known member
Mirror Mirror On The Wall...
I used a discarded satellite dish mount to hang a mirror above the wall cabinets. This makes centering up the vehicle between the 2 post lift a piece of cake. Simply use the mirror as you drive in to center the front license plate with the expansion joint on the floor.
Makes getting the vehicle centered a piece of cake since I also had the control joint on the floor cut in the centerline of the hoist.
When you pull in you center the front license plate over the control joint.
I used a discarded satellite dish mount to hang a mirror above the wall cabinets. This makes centering up the vehicle between the 2 post lift a piece of cake. Simply use the mirror as you drive in to center the front license plate with the expansion joint on the floor.
Makes getting the vehicle centered a piece of cake since I also had the control joint on the floor cut in the centerline of the hoist.
When you pull in you center the front license plate over the control joint.
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I have a #10000 Quality lift by Challenger. Pops my Diesel PU right up and is stout enough but I never felt super confident in the small footprint of a two post lift especially when the weight is never perfectly balanced. The bay I put it in is only 15' wide and that allowed me to build in a solid anchor point at the top of the lift for a bar on each upright to add a little extra bracing. Here are a couple pics. Nothing special but even with near capacity loads all the way up the lift feels absolutely rock solid now. Ed.
Great idea.
I needed to clean the deck on the lawn tractor but hate having to lay on the floor so I looked through my scrap bin and came up with a solution. I built 2 frames that connect the opposing arms. They drop into the holes used for the lift pads and are low enough to allow me to drive the tractor on The only picture I have is mid way through the build, but you get the idea.
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Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
Connecting the arms with an attachment or in this case just some aluminum beams across the arms definitely opens up a ton of lifting options. Here is a pic of a vintage Pond planer getting unloaded off my trailer a couple years ago. It was too heavy for my overhead crane but the lift handled it easily. I used three aluminum beams for this lift, two on the heavy end. Ed.
Connecting the arms with an attachment or in this case just some aluminum beams across the arms definitely opens up a ton of lifting options. Here is a pic of a vintage Pond planer getting unloaded off my trailer a couple years ago. It was too heavy for my overhead crane but the lift handled it easily. I used three aluminum beams for this lift, two on the heavy end. Ed.
All these neat things you all are doing with the 2 post lifts are making me really think about doing one but I just cannot find one that will allow my daily driver to be stored above my 6'7.5" tall work truck. I really need to have the tires at no less than 82 inches above the ground below....Dangit!!
Adding another Mirror mod for a lift.
I used a discarded satellite dish mount to hang a mirror above the wall cabinets. This makes centering up the vehicle between the 2 post lift a piece of cake. Simply use the mirror as you drive in to center the front license plate with the expansion joint on the floor.
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Adding 4 post lift baseplate Isolator using racedeck
I wanted to share an idea that I have for those that have 4 post lifts. I wanted to get my post bases off the floor to prevent water from getting trapped between the base and my new epoxy coated floor. I don't want any rust stains. The folks at RaceDeck took very good care of me and was able to just buy 4 12" drain tiles and 16 beveled edges. Put it down tonight in just a few minutes.
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KiltLifter
Well-known member
The hose reel is great - right where you would need it and don't you need air to unlock a lift?
lakeroadster
Well-known member
On many lifts you disengage the lift by physically pulling a handle... no air required.
The problem with the hose reel in that location is dragging the hose against the painted parts of the vehicle. Less apt to do that if it is mounted for / aft of the vehicle.
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KiltLifter
Well-known member
That is what this guy did: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172434
It has been my inspiration for my plans for years!
killahog
Well-known member
I kept checking this thread hoping to find the mod I need with no luck so I will just describe what I need and maybe someone has figured out the solution . I offen need to lift and or suspend items off the ground in a way that they would be at a comfortable height for working . One example would be raising a large deer off the floor. I would need a support of some kind that would extend about 4 feet above the arms so the item could clear the floor .
Why not just get some tow straps and suspend the deer under the lift? I figure you could wrap the straps around the deer and hook toe ends to the lift. When you raise the lift the deer will be hanging in a "swing"
This one is Awesome....It deserves to have the photos posted in here....so here goes This looks like an awesome way to use the lift as an elevator in order to lift things to a loft or as in this case the storage racks. I love this idea. If I build the loft in my garage then this is almost exactly what I would do to store stuff up there.
The workbenches are 2x12 boards cut to fit between the pallet racking beams, and the same approach was used to make the decking for the motorcycles that sit on the racking. The floor was coated straight gray to make it easy to find stuff that gets dropped. The building is heated and air conditioned by a horizontal mount setup mounted high up in one of the corners of the shop.
Couldn't have built and setup this thing without all the informative posts of those who have gone before me on this forum. Thanks to everyone here for their contributions, insight and ideas on how to build and setup a garage!
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KiltLifter
Well-known member
Glad you included the pics, I wasn't sure of the etiquette involved...
Makes me drool every time I see it - the wife thinks I'm looking at **** - well, I kindof am, just not the kind she is thinking of! ;-)
Makes me drool every time I see it - the wife thinks I'm looking at **** - well, I kindof am, just not the kind she is thinking of! ;-)
killahog
Well-known member
gipraw
Well-known member
Not a mod to the lift but for storage or lift ramps.
These ramps are great as they are so light but taking them off I need a place to store them where I'm not worried about them getting knocked over and potentially hitting a car.
So I built this hanger out of some scrap wood, plywood , and 1/2" dowel pegs. I drilled 1/2" holes in the back of the ramps so they would fit the hanger. I made the hanger 52" long so I could catch the studs at 48" for a secure mount.
Love this idea. I need to get a set of the lightweight ramps. I hate moving the original ones around.
I have a parabolic safety mirror mounted to the front of both forward columns of my 4 post, to help me with alignment.
I guess I dont understand what you need then. If I wanted to hang something, I would lift the lift up and hang them from the ramps (assuming 4 post) or the arms on a 2 post.
If I needed a table then I would simply use the ramps of the 4post or put something across the arms of a 2 post.
Um......pics please. Dont be shy. Im putting together the go to spot for lift mods and you need to bring on the photos please!!
gipraw
Well-known member
Falcon67
Well-known member
Only mod here was to mount the power on the back side. 10-3 wire so I could have 120V power at the post, switch is motor rated. Good thing because my 6 yr old grandson came int, walked over to the lift, looked over the control and said (never having seen it before) "This is how you run it" and proceeded to try and run up the lift.
KiltLifter
Well-known member
I see toasty silver doors, was that a kit or DIY?
Is the yellow and red handle the latch release?
Is the yellow and red handle the latch release?
Falcon67
Well-known member
Doors - 1/2 foam board from HD, cheap and effective. Yes, that is the release for the lift. It's a Weaver W-9F.
Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
I know exactly what you are looking for killahog and have considered this attachment myself. Basically it would turn a two post lift into a stationary gantry. Lift arms don't go high enough on their own but with some 4' - 6' risers attached to the arms you could run the beam across them and be able to raise it at least as high as the top of the columns. I may yet take on this project but haven't needed it bad enough yet. Ed.
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killahog
Well-known member
Ed Thats exactly what I was trying to convey. I just don't know how to design it or if it even be safe.
Looks like my lift setup got used as a poster child for using your lift like an elevator. Aside from placement, the challenge is decking a lift. Here's how I did it.
Top view of decking
Bottom view
Made out of a cut up extension ladder with a ply panel on top
Ladder sections are pinned together with PVC pipe through the rungs.
How it sits on the runner lips
Cheap and light. I removed it for the pics with a car up in the air on the lift.
Top view of decking
Bottom view
Made out of a cut up extension ladder with a ply panel on top
Ladder sections are pinned together with PVC pipe through the rungs.
How it sits on the runner lips
Cheap and light. I removed it for the pics with a car up in the air on the lift.
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lakeroadster
Well-known member
You are basically talking about a design that mimics a children's swing set, but rated for whatever the load capacity is you need.
So what is the weight you want to lift?
Dude, Your lift setup is a poster child....yes...but you might as well call your whole garage/shop setup a poster child too. I am toooooooootally envious. I am lightyears away from being to do anything like you have done. I am desperately trying to figure out a way out of the the freezing midwest and get to an area where I can get the property to build. Then I have to figure out how to get the $$$$. It seems that the only way to get the cash to build something like yours for my toys ......well is to have to sell my toys to pay for it. But then I will have a big shop but nothing to work on inside of it.
Only mod here was to mount the power on the back side. 10-3 wire so I could have 120V power at the post, switch is motor rated. Good thing because my 6 yr old grandson came int, walked over to the lift, looked over the control and said (never having seen it before) "This is how you run it" and proceeded to try and run up the lift.
OMG...That is scary. I have a 4 year old and I can imagine what that felt like.
M35A2
Well-known member
Using a ladder is a great idea, gunna steal that one! Your thread is where I got the idea for my pallet rack loft build for trailer and vehicle storage. Using a lift as a elevator works great! Thanks!
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Absolutely love it!
Here is where I post an Idea....
So I notice there are alot of guys that wish they could use the caster kits that come with the 4 post lifts to move the lift with their car on top. I know that this is frowned upon by the manufactures of the lifts....so I thought of an idea that could work.
the photo below is a heavy duty dolly from here----- http://rigging.com/dollies-and-skates/recessed-center-dolly/set-of-4-recessed-center-dolly-set-capacity-10-000-lbs-size-12x16-inches.html?gclid=CjwKEAiAs_PCBRD5nIun9cyu01kSJAA-WD-rAJnt0NdpM2RfdIIY2YZv5qJ-0Xf3mUpjYN6AEWcVFhoCX_fw_wcB
Now what if you could use your caster kit with a spacer to lift the columns up high enough to set the base plates on one of the dollies at each plate. You would then be able to roll the lift around the shop with the car on it without worry of the casters busting loose..These particular dollies list 2500lb capacity per dolly so 10K pounds total.
Then I thought that technically you could bolt the casters that came with the dollies to the bolt holes on the lift.
Maybe I am just a looney with too much time to think...lol
EDIT____
After thinking about it more I realized something. Buying one of these dollies and taking the casters is a much more cost effective way to get 2500 pounds of support from a set of casters. Im thinking more of for casters for heavy tool sets and such. I would rather buy these than source good casters for my mobile shop cabinets and things like my table saw work station. Hmm? Thats a great idea!!
EDIT number 2_________
https://www.amazon.com/Swivel-Casters-Heavy-Polyurethane-Steel/dp/B00ZD6F43O/ref=pd_sim_328_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00ZD6F43O&pd_rd_r=69B8G12GM80HTBG74ZZW&pd_rd_w=4PeI7&pd_rd_wg=1xqp9&psc=1&refRID=69B8G12GM80HTBG74ZZW
found these would be more cost effective casters with more capacity. Still think that the idea would be fantastic for moving a lift with a car on it (albeit 4 inch higher off the floor).
You would still have 11,200 pounds of capacity if using 4 casters per base plate.
So I notice there are alot of guys that wish they could use the caster kits that come with the 4 post lifts to move the lift with their car on top. I know that this is frowned upon by the manufactures of the lifts....so I thought of an idea that could work.
the photo below is a heavy duty dolly from here----- http://rigging.com/dollies-and-skates/recessed-center-dolly/set-of-4-recessed-center-dolly-set-capacity-10-000-lbs-size-12x16-inches.html?gclid=CjwKEAiAs_PCBRD5nIun9cyu01kSJAA-WD-rAJnt0NdpM2RfdIIY2YZv5qJ-0Xf3mUpjYN6AEWcVFhoCX_fw_wcB
Now what if you could use your caster kit with a spacer to lift the columns up high enough to set the base plates on one of the dollies at each plate. You would then be able to roll the lift around the shop with the car on it without worry of the casters busting loose..These particular dollies list 2500lb capacity per dolly so 10K pounds total.
Then I thought that technically you could bolt the casters that came with the dollies to the bolt holes on the lift.
Maybe I am just a looney with too much time to think...lol
EDIT____
After thinking about it more I realized something. Buying one of these dollies and taking the casters is a much more cost effective way to get 2500 pounds of support from a set of casters. Im thinking more of for casters for heavy tool sets and such. I would rather buy these than source good casters for my mobile shop cabinets and things like my table saw work station. Hmm? Thats a great idea!!
EDIT number 2_________
https://www.amazon.com/Swivel-Casters-Heavy-Polyurethane-Steel/dp/B00ZD6F43O/ref=pd_sim_328_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00ZD6F43O&pd_rd_r=69B8G12GM80HTBG74ZZW&pd_rd_w=4PeI7&pd_rd_wg=1xqp9&psc=1&refRID=69B8G12GM80HTBG74ZZW
found these would be more cost effective casters with more capacity. Still think that the idea would be fantastic for moving a lift with a car on it (albeit 4 inch higher off the floor).
You would still have 11,200 pounds of capacity if using 4 casters per base plate.
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lakeroadster
Well-known member
Only mod here was to mount the power on the back side. 10-3 wire so I could have 120V power at the post, switch is motor rated. Good thing because my 6 yr old grandson came int, walked over to the lift, looked over the control and said (never having seen it before) "This is how you run it" and proceeded to try and run up the lift.
I'm surprised at how low the power unit is mounted.
On my Rotary lift this wouldn't be an issue, the motor switch and release handle are 6 ft off the floor.
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LX-Markham
Well-known member
Huh. The cut up ladder sections are a neat idea. In the first pic, I thought it was steel studs. ....which also wouldn't be a bad idea.
killahog
Well-known member
killahog
Well-known member
This is basically what I was looking for. The copper tubes are just for a visual reference .
Wow! That's fricking incredible!