Mid-rise lift question...

[95_993]

I am getting ready to pour a new garage floor and I am thinking of putting in a small, 5" deep pit to accommodate a mid-rise. I'd like to cover the pit up when not in use.

If you have done this, can you post pics??

 

[NitroPress]

I'm not clear why you'd put in a lift and a pit, especially such a shallow one. Really low ceiling? Or do you want to cover the lift runways? Seems like a lot of trouble when you can just park on them, and the pit would catch water, dirt, etc. awful easily.

 

[Stephenw]

Mid-rise lifts can be moved around. I have used mine outside in the driveway. If you put it in a pit, you defeat this feature.

 

[Killer95Stang]

I agree with the above post about defeating the mobility of a mid rise lift by installing it in a pit. But on the other side of the coin, most modified cars that an enthusiast would put on a lift are too low to roll over a mid rise lift.

I know for all my regular cars, driving over a mid rise is easy, but for my pride & joy Mustangs, I run into all sorts of issues with longtube headers and torque arm rear suspensions. Adding planks of wood as a ramp can fix the problem, but they take up a lot of floor space.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Assuming the 993 in his screen name means a Porsche 993 (the 1995-1998 version of the 911), then the car is going to be too low for most mid-rise lifts without ramps or boards for clearance. Also, it's nice to not have to sacrifice the floor space if you can put the lift in the floor and then put some kind of cover over it.

 

[Zeke]

Exactly. Most if not all modern sports cars will not clear the lift. I can't get a normal floor jack under mine. So you either build up around the lift or recess it. Now, if you want to move the lift outside there is no reason you can't build a ramp into the end of the recess.

No matter how you slice it, they are something that is easy to trip over. I can think of several ways to place a flush cover on a lift recess.

 

[Thruxton]

Exactly. Most if not all modern sports cars will not clear the lift. I can't get a normal floor jack under mine. So you either build up around the lift or recess it. Now, if you want to move the lift outside there is no reason you can't build a ramp into the end of the recess.

No matter how you slice it, they are something that is easy to trip over. I can think of several ways to place a flush cover on a lift recess.

I'm thinking of this, too, and like Jack's solution but I won't be using tile- care to share some ideas about a practical cover for a "sunken" midrise? I could you some help getting my imagination going on this!

 

[NitroPress]

Sectional plywood with steel bracing is the only thing that comes to mind. Depends on whether you want to be able to drive on it, or just walk without having to worry about it bowing or tripping you. You could design it so that the runways support the top surface and it could thus be CAREFULLY parked on, but I'd want some clearly marked tire lanes and stops to prevent putting a tire over an unsupported area.

Aw, fuhgeddit. Too much work. Just throw a lift kit on that Porsche and be done with it.

 

[Thruxton]

Aw, fuhgeddit. Too much work. Just throw a lift kit on that Porsche and be done with it.

ROFL, I've thought of that, too! That's the problem really, I've thought about this too much... I am thinking of something like you suggested, though, and if I actually come up with an idea I'll throw it out here to find out everything that's wrong with it.

 

[Dolfan]

I thought about doing the same thing for much of the same reasons. I'm including my previous thread on my experience with the Atlas midrise lift.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67229

I was thinking to sink the lift into the floor maybe about 3-4" but not all the way so that I could cover the lift. Just wanted to get away from the parking on ramps that was needed with corvettes.

I was thinking to leave the back side open and sloped so that I could roll out the lift if I ever wanted to move it outside for use.

I've since sold that lift, as I have the MaxJax so I won't be doing this at all.

 

[Zeke]

I'm thinking of this, too, and like Jack's solution but I won't be using tile- care to share some ideas about a practical cover for a "sunken" midrise? I could you some help getting my imagination going on this!

Well, Jack's lift has a table that fills up the recess. A mid rise does not, so you need yours to collapse to just below the surface. Then cover with whatever you want. I'd make a walkable and no more.

The simplest way to have the walkable surface flush is to create a 2nd recess about 2" wide to accept your cover material. 3/4" for 3/4 ply and that sort of thing. I'd make it in sections so lifting out would not be a hassle. For me, that would eliminate steel. If you have the coin, AL would be nice.

Another thought is too make your cover out of something that has a secondary use. For instance, if one section was steel, you have a welding surface. Put a hook above to lift. Plywood is always handy for temporary tables or ramps. When not is use, they are in fact in use.

 

[95_993]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, it's being used primarily on a Porsche 993 which will not clear mid-rise nor do I want to be tripping over the mid-rise all the time.

Putting the mid-rise in a recessed pit with a cover so you can walk around, kids park their bikes, etc w/o tripping over the lift when not in use.

Anyone with pics of a similar installation? I have seen Jack Olsen's table lift, but looking for someone that has done something similar with a mid-rise.

 

[udunnome]

Have you picked your lift yet? The mid-rise lift style and dimensions would be critical. I have the Snap-on. I'd probably recess it so the deck is flush with the floor, but my lift has a full deck. I'd also want to know where the intended car(s) will be positioned on the lift to determine where to bury it.

I do love the flexibility and portability of the lift now, but need ramps and runners to get the lower clearanced cars up. It's not a big pain because I keep the car loaded for a while. If there's not a car on the lift, I can park a truck over it.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I agree. It's worth figuring out the exact position -- especially if there's one car you'll be using on the lift more than others. I use my lift all the time -- partly because the car parks in exactly the right position. And I recently re-did the underbelly covering on the car so that I don't need to put anything at all down in order to raise the car. It's pretty great to have it this easy.

And the rest of the time it's just floor:

Then again, you can always cut the pad after the fact. That adds expense, but gives you more flexibility in figuring out the best possible position for the thing.

 

[TurboCup87]

^^ Great pic! Start 'em young. My son and I have had our best moments together in the garage and at the track.