Mohawk Lift w/ Single Overhead Line

[avc8130]

I started digging more and more into the used Mohawk underworld.

I had lengthy conversations with a rep from the factory and my local distributor.

This all left me with 1 main question:

How critical is the modern hydraulic equalization?

The factory told me up until 1992 all of the lifts had a single overhead equalization line. He didn't mention WHY they switched.

The local distributor claims those are completely worthless and horrible to use. He claims they don't lift straight easily and that he generally just offers $1k credit towards a new lift whenever someone calls him with one. He said he hates them so much I could have one for $1k but he promised I wouldn't be happy with it.

I guess the "modern" 1993+ system has 2 hydraulic lines overhead and a diverting valve mounted on the pump assembly to make equalization easy.

Does anyone here have real world experience?

ac

 

[matstng]

My office pick up a Mohawk 10K 2 post a couple years ago with the two overhead lines and the thing will not stay even. It seems like every week it needs to be releveled. Great looking lift but overpriced
That all said, For $1000 I'd take a used one all day long. They hold their value well.

I have a Forward 9000 2 post in my home shop. It stays balanced by having the cables under a floor plate. I don't care for the floor plate but I've ready it's possible to move the cables overhead.

 

[Shadowdog500]

My office pick up a Mohawk 10K 2 post a couple years ago with the two overhead lines and the thing will not stay even. It seems like every week it needs to be releveled. Great looking lift but overpriced
That all said, For $1000 I'd take a used one all day long. They hold their value well.

I have a Forward 9000 2 post in my home shop. It stays balanced by having the cables under a floor plate. I don't care for the floor plate but I've ready it's possible to move the cables overhead.

I don't have that problem with my Mohawk. How often do you run the lift all the way to the top to bleed it? I don't bleed mine that often and don't have a problem keeping things level.

I have a system with the two lines. The second line is just a return line to the resivour from the far ram. It does make it easy to bleed the system since you simply run the lift to the top and run it there for a minute or two. When the rams are all the way up it allows the hydraulic fluid to pass through ports on the end of the rams which flushes the fluid and air in the system into the resivour. Without the second line I image the fluid just goes to the second ram and ends there. This step also equalizes both rams (if they were shimmed properly to begin with)

Chris

 

[matstng]

I don't have that problem with my Mohawk. How often do you run the lift all the way to the top to bleed it? I don't bleed mine that often and don't have a problem keeping things level.

I have a system with the two lines. The second line is just a return line to the resivour from the far ram. It does make it easy to bleed the system since you simply run the lift to the top and run it there for a minute or two. When the rams are all the way up it allows the hydraulic fluid to pass through ports on the end of the rams which flushes the fluid and air in the system into the resivour. Without the second line I image the fluid just goes to the second ram and ends there. This step also equalizes both rams (if they were shimmed properly to begin with)

Chris

I'm not sure how often it's run to the top but I have seen that done and it does level them. Maybe it's not being done enough.
It's level now though.... I took this 5 min ago.

 

[rbonitz]

I've got the A7.... You do need to run it up to the top to bleed/level it. Once you do that it is completely level. Not a big hassle for me.

It is one heavy, overbuilt lift... I'm happy with mine.

 

[Crusty Nut]

Where are you located? I'm interested in a $1000 single line Mohawk.

 

[avc8130]

Where are you located? I'm interested in a $1000 single line Mohawk.

I guess they aren't THAT bad?

ac

 

[kenners]

I have a newer Mohawk lift. It has two overhead lines and the relief valve. When the left side is rising faster than the right, pull the knob and left stops and right keeps rising. I really like my lift. Have to admit it is not used very often.

 

[tonycastec]

I have an old 2 post Mohawk.It works great:
1. If you follow their on-line instructions
2.You call them if that doesn't seem to work correctly.
Mine is over 30 years old and I still get personal,American-English service on an an 800 number.Good luck getting that from anyone else except BendPak!.
If you can find a used ,working Mohawk for $1000 -buyit!. BTW things like the Torrington bearings for the mast/column can be found on EBay for pocket change

 

[deltaphisig]

For $1000, I think I can make room for one right now.