lift questions

[1slow62]

I have a couple questions about a 4 post lift.

1st. What is the difference between a "storage" lift and a regular 4 post lift? Only thing I can come up with is duty cycle of electric motor.

2nd. Would you trust lifting a 7,000 lb truck on a lift rated at 8,000 lbs?

 

[MrSurly]

#1. about 2000 dollars
#2. Yes

 

[MrSurly]

A big indicator is the actual 'shipping weight' of the lift, IMHO, as parking lifts are lighter duty, lighter built, may not offer jack bridge options, generally have lighter/slimmer rails.

As to weights, the general idea is that most lifts are very conservatively rated, and are either certified as or assumed to be at least capable of handling 50% MORE than their nominal capacity.

 

[jfitz]

Kind of a loaded question. In my quest for a lift (working lift) I found that most of the the lifts I would want start at 9000lbs capacity. From that point, it's the dimensions width, length, drive thru clearance that you require. I liked the lifts with an adjustable runway, and the option of a rolling jack (not a sliding jack) to be better suited. The list goes on, but not every lift is created equal although they do all start to look the same after a while! It comes down to , what do you really want the lift for, and then your space requirements

 

[SJW]

1. Nothing, it's just wording. A 4-post lift is a lift that raises vehicles on their tires, meaning you can't do tire work on them unless you get a rolling jack or have some other way to get them off their tires. You can use a 4-post lift for storage or for service.

2. Yes, assuming it was ALI certified. Probably many if not most non-ALI certified lifts would also be fine, but I'm not willing to risk my life on it. If a lift is ALI certified, I know that at least one independent agency checked it at 150% of its rated capacity. Does that guarantee 100% safety? No, but it's better than non certified or self certified. If you are still worried, get a lift rated for a higher weight.

 

[1slow62]

Thanks for the replies.