Mobile mid rise scissors questions

[shay garvey]

Hi from Ireland...apologies in advance for a long first post and thanks too for any replies...

I've a couple of questions about a mobile mid rise scissors lift I bought recently that someone may be able to help me with...

I'm using 32 grade hydraulic oil as specified and it lifts without a load in approx 43 secs which is perfect but takes about 6.5 mins to come down which is obviously painfully slow.

It lifts fine with a load and comes down normally, almost as quick as it went up.

Any ideas or maybe their all like this ?

Secondly...As I need to use 2 timber planks to get my Smart Roadster on it as the car is too low I plan on fitting it into the ground and wonder has anybody on here done this?
The reason I'm asking this is when I drive over the lift I find I need to move the lift left or right a little bit as I may not be lined up exactly to engage the lifting arms and need to push it over with my foot maybe 1-2" and wonder how I will manage this if its 6" below ground!!!!

Thanks....Shay

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26994809@N04/sets/72157622899062538/

 

[Midnight_America]

You're fine. I went through the same thing when I first bought my lift. The lift needs a load to push the fluid out of the pistons. When I was testing my lift for the first time without a vehicle on it, it took minutes for it to "Come down", soemtimes even stopping a few times along the way. Even a few people standing on the lift usually doesn't speed it up any. These scissor lifts are designed to have thousands of pounds of load pushing down on them.
I didn't "sink" my lift for the exact reasons you stated. I'd rather have it remain movable on my garage floor and continue to use wood planks to make my vehicle clear the highest mechanism on the lift. I park my vehicle on planks over the lift nightly. It might not be pretty, but "raising my vehicle" gives the lift infinitely more options than had I "sunk the lift".

 

[Midnight_America]

I forgot to welcome you to the GJ. Enjoy!

 

[shay garvey]

Thanks for your reply MA and its good to know there's no "real" problem with my lift but it is pretty annoying as all the videos on Youtube etc show it going down as quick as it goes up..."creative editing" I suppose

I was hoping to use it for other things too, servicing my mower, generator etc but this 6.5 minute wait to come down will drive me crazy...

This quote below from the spec in the manual dosen't say whether its loaded or not

Lifting time 40 s
Lowering time 40 s

Maybe a little mod is needed ;-)

Thanks again...great forum too

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I was hoping to use it for other things too, servicing my mower, generator etc but this 6.5 minute wait to come down will drive me crazy...

WTF...My SO mid rise comes down in about 30 seconds.....

 

[shay garvey]

What is SO short for Tampagt07 ?

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Snap-On....I think it's actually Mfg by wheeltronics....

 

[shay garvey]

Dont suppose you have any video of it lying around as I'd love to see it....what model is it ?

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Nope no video....I'm not sure of the model...I'll post a pic.. Not the best picture, it's in the corner...

 

[Vvmvbb]

No question- sink it if you can. You're not going to want to move it very often.

Here's mine:

More pics here

 

[Danglerb]

Planks are cheap and easy and then you can still move the lift if you need to.

Maybe after some use the down speed will improve?

 

[shay garvey]

Thanks guys....decisions, decisions, decisions

There's pros and cons to doing it either way.
My ceiling is only 8' so it wouldn't affect the height whem my Hyundai Tucson is on it as I have to stop it near the top before it hits the rafters anyway.

I'd lose approx 6" height when my Roadster is on it and this could be a lot when I'm crawling under it...thanks again

Pic and video to look at...

 

[N0tt0N]

Have you taken a look at EzCarLift? If you want mobile this is it. Comes apart and fits in the trunk, weighs 140lbs, up in 90 seconds with a regular (7.5amp drill). No hydraulics, no permanent power. I love mine, especially since I have a narrow one car garage. Good luck with whatever you select and welcome!

Vvmvbb: Love the Fo'Fo'!

 

[Danglerb]

Strongest point of a midrise can be seen in your video, height is PERFECT for doing suspension work, tires, wheels, brakes, etc. Under the car, and it beats jack stands, but not a full rise post lift.

 

[shay garvey]

I'm very happy with it really, just seeing if I can improve things is all...

Fitted a bottom ball joint in the Tucson during the week and it was great not having to bend down or sit on the cold concrete