Locating a 2 post lift in the most efficient place

[Roothawg]

So, I know this a loaded question with thousands of variables but...........

Where did you put your lift?

I am buying a 2 post Challenger lift and I don't ever want to move it. I figured I would want it within reach of the welder, sort of at the front of the shop (farthest away from the door). My shop is a 40x50 with 38 feet that opens on the 50' side.

I know this sounds elementary, but I bet there are things you look back on and say "Why didn't I...."


Thanks
Root

 

[Bfoughty]

8' foot from the front wall and 6' foot from the side wall. This gives plenty of room if you need to pull an axle on the side wall clearence and lots of room to move around the front of the vehicle and still put a work bench in front if you need too.

 

[Roothawg]

Bump.......

 

[FatFenderBowTie]

Don't think you have room in your shop for a lift with all those great projects you have in there...I would be glad to take one or two off your hands to free up some space for you!

 

[justsam]

Thanks for posting this question, as it is something I too am pondering. I am moving to a new, (new to me) home that I wil be installing a lift. Like you, I want to do it once since it will be a nice epoxy floor I don't want to drill too many extra holes in.

I am not sure I would want the lift close to my welding. I tend to keep welding and grinding tasks in the "dirty" area of the shop. If I needed to weld, my equipment is on a cart, and I would move it in for the task at hand. Of course this means you need a nearby 220V for the welder. Not knowing your type of welding, I guess if it is mainly TIG, than clearly it is much cleaner than stick for example.

Cleary you want the lift where you have good working light, and access to compressed air.

 

[Roothawg]

I just spend a lot of time fabricating and that would be good to be able to do it up at a reasonable height.

Thanks FFBT, I am in the purge mode right now, although I got rid of the 32 and bought another wagon.....

I was just up in Winnipeg for a flying business trip. Stayed right down town.

 

[brownbagg]

I got mine 12 inches from one wall. never again, I going four feet from wall next time. having to walk all the way around the car to get something

 

[ket-tek]

I agree with brownbagg keep it off a wall a good ways. Mines a 4 post but it's 3 feet from the wall which a was to keep it centered in front of the bay door. And I couldn't imaging being any closer. Barley enough elbow room when removing tires and of course opening the car door or pulling an axle shaft... I'd really want at least 6' or more if possible.

 

[Roothawg]

My thing is that this thing is gonna be an albatross in the middle of the floor. No matter where I put it, it affects something. I want to be able to pull my racecar in on the trailer without having to jockey around it. I don't want to move it......that's why I am pondering this.

 

[drmoonshine]

I would say near the front of the shop, that way you don't have to move everything around when you bring a car in. This positioning seems the most efficient so that you can leave you other projects in the back.

 

[haugy]

Yes it will be a very large apparatus. But if you place it right, you won't have to jockey around it, you can park in between it. I know my lift will be the parking location for my jeep. If I need the lift, just drive the jeep out of the way. I will be putting mine at least 6ft from the side wall, and about 10' from the back wall.

I wanted mine to be able to be driven straight into. A lift can be a handy gantry lift if you know what you're doing. Back the trailer in, use the lift to lift off a motor, ******, etc, pull trailer out of the way. Plus because of that trailer I want to be able to work on it as well. This way I can work on any trailer I've got, my truck, wife's car, etc.

Will it be in the middle of the floor, yep. But so will whatever project I park there anyways, might as well double-it up with a useable tool.

Oh, and if you do any fancy paint work on your rigs, you might want to keep it away from your welding/grinding location. Nice glass and paint don't like slag flying everywhere.

 

[mustangmccance]

one thing you might consider is doing a mock up. get a couple of those cardboard tubes you use for pouring concrete pads for decks. http://www.packagepavement.com/quiktube_use.html and set them up for a few days. do the tasks you want to do and see where the best spot will be.

 

[FatFenderBowTie]

I was just up in Winnipeg for a flying business trip. Stayed right down town.

And you didn't call...I am hurt!

 

[Roothawg]

And you didn't call...I am hurt!

I was with my boss and he had the car. I thought about trying to get in touch, but I couldn't shake him.

Sorry about the late response.....

 

[Fordfixer]

I put mine in the middle bay about 14' from the garage door. This gives me plenty of room to leave vehicles racked and shut the door, also can drive thru the hoist towards the back of the shop. The only thing I don't like is the garage door needs to be shut if I lift a vehicle all the way up.

 

[bigdav160]

Can you place it diagonal to one side of the doorway? That would give you walk around space and not block an entry door.

 

[camarotoolman]

Check where your over head door is when its up. I can't open the door when to car is up. That ***** when its hot.