New 4 post lift almost collapsed

[Chevy-SS]

Last week, I had a beautiful 4-post Challenger 9,000 lb lift installed into my recently-built garage addition. The lift wasn't bolted down, as most folks seem to concur that it doesn't need to be and the dealer said it would be fine without bolts.

So, on the second day of using it, I changed the oil on my truck, then held the safety lever (to release the four catches) then simultaneously depressed the pump lever. The truck started smoothly down and I briefly turned away. When I looked back a few seconds later, the truck was at a severe angle and was within a few inches of tumbling off the lift, which was itself very close to collapsing.

Of course, my heart was in my throat as I assessed the situation and quickly realized that one of the safety catches had not released, I had not held the safety lever firmly enough. At this point, I had no choice but to raise the vehicle back to the top so that the safety catch could release. I slowly raised the lift - it groaned and protested but it held. I got it to the top and then held the safety lever (hard) and the vehicle came down smoothly with no problems.

I reiterate this story just to make everyone aware of the dangers. I thought that using this 4-post lift would be virtually foolproof, but instead I was almost the fool. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have escaped this incident with no damages to person or property.

Be careful out there! You just never know when disaster might strike.

 

[BirdMobile]

Wow! Glad you are OK!
Never "look away" when operating something like that... but you knew that.
Comment: Concrete anchors are cheap, and not too hard to install. Nice lift like that deserves the final bit of proper install.

 

[Badattitude]

Not to take away from your experience, but that is nothing new for those that have used 4 post lifts for awhile. We have 3 here in my dealer that will do the same thing if you don't pay attention. Complacency can give you a rude awakening!

What I do now is 2nd nature and without even thinking about it, I raise the lift slightly, hit/hold the release firmly for the locks and then lower it

 

[devoncoolman]

We had a 4 post lift that had air locks that used to stick and not always unlock properly. Not that uncommon of an issue with a 4 post lift. Glad your ok. Maybe that lock needs to be adjusted.

 

[redwrench60]

Yup. Never take your eyes off a 4 post lift while lowering. Any brand 4 post lift locks can stick when lowering. Always be sure to watch extra carefully during the first few inches when coming down. If one hangs then stop and raise the lift to the next lock latch and try again.

 

[Ray916MN]

If the lift was installed correctly all the locks should lock and release at the same time. Over time they may require some adjusting to remain in sync, but I'd call the installer and have them come out and properly adjust the locks.

 

[csargents1546]

Had one of our big 4 poster rated at 30000 lbs do the same thing but it was torqued so bad that it broke the concert around the base. Had to have a 3 foot square section cut out and redone. Guy was not paying attention and the rear lock stuck about 3 feet up. Pretty dam scary

 

[66dave]

If the lift was installed correctly all the locks should lock and release at the same time. Over time they may require some adjusting to remain in sync, but I'd call the installer and have them come out and properly adjust the locks.

The cables stretch under load, and as that load varies so does the amount of cable variation. My Bendpak is perfect without a car, but is 1/2" variation with a truck on the rack. Electric deformation (cable stretch) can not be avoided, it is an enharant to every material. The best you can do it a happy meduim between max load and no load...or if all you lift is your race car adjust it for that.

Another poster made a good suggestion as to raise thelift a few inches with the locks depressed, this will help push in any sticking locks.

Another thing to inspect is the lock ladder that is each tower. if they have a slight twist it will act like a sticking lock as the lock could retract but still grab the corner of the lock ladder.

 

[Jagmandave]

Guy was not paying attention

Key operative words in all these examples.......

I had a student at school look away just as he started to lower his Taurus - I was watching him and as soon as it began to list I yelled at him to STOP!

We raised it back up and released it properly, but in-attention is always the bottom line for these problems......

 

[amlv20]

Yea done that several times myself.need to make sure all locks release and give a second or two be for lowering.and never ever look away always watch it until it touches the floor.glad you were able to save your truck.

 

[Robbie UK]

We all make mistakes, it is just one of those things.

I am surprised that the unit is not bolted down as they have to be here in the UK to avoid twisting changing the alignment over time.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Guy was not paying attention

Key operative words in all these examples.......

I had a student at school look away just as he started to lower his Taurus - I was watching him and as soon as it began to list I yelled at him to STOP!

We raised it back up and released it properly, but in-attention is always the bottom line for these problems......

Yep, you are 100% correct.... I was not paying attention. In my ignorance, I thought the lift operation was pretty much idiot-proof...... NOT!

I believe the lift was set up right. They showed me how to adjust the cables. It's never gonna be exactly perfect at all four corners. The release mechanism DOES work fine when pulled ALL THE WAY.

My bad. I got lucky. I am posting so that hopefully someone else can learn from this.

PAY ATTENTION!

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Sounds like you and your truck are okay, which is what's important at the end of the day. Did the lift sustain any damage?

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Keep your daym eyes open and your pie-hole shut (inattention) when operating a lift....

 

[Ray916MN]

The cables stretch under load, and as that load varies so does the amount of cable variation. My Bendpak is perfect without a car, but is 1/2" variation with a truck on the rack. Electric deformation (cable stretch) can not be avoided, it is an enharant to every material. The best you can do it a happy meduim between max load and no load...or if all you lift is your race car adjust it for that.

Another poster made a good suggestion as to raise thelift a few inches with the locks depressed, this will help push in any sticking locks.

Another thing to inspect is the lock ladder that is each tower. if they have a slight twist it will act like a sticking lock as the lock could retract but still grab the corner of the lock ladder.

Loaded with anything from an F250 Crew diesel to a Honda S2000 the locks on my Direct Lift released simultaneously when new. After 2 years one corner started to stick no matter which vehicle was on it. Readjusting the cables to level and the locks fixed the problem.

The cable stretch should be pretty much even in all 4 corners when loaded or unloaded. Differential stretch between the corners implicitly means the lift is twisting when raising or lowering. Designers, design to minimize twist and installers install to minimize twist. If the lift, lifts level, then the locks should release and lock simultaneously or be adjusted to release and lock simultaneously.

 

[wild cowboy]

Is this problem exclusive to 4-posts? - I have mostly owned 2 post lifts from Rotary and Mohawk and have never had this scenario occur.

 

[Jbullfrog]

This is the problem with companies marketing commercial products to do it yourselfers. There is no training involved and it is often a cheaper version of their regular product to lower the price. There is a world of difference between a floor jack and a hoist, but both have the same disclaimer "not responsible for misuse or accidents".

Buy or rent a sds hammer drill and get it anchored before someone or something gets hurt. The "installer" didn't install it they assembled it. I would guess you have no warranty or the ability to cover accidents with insurance on a lift that isn't anchored.

It's only money, but why not do it right?

 

[CoopVA]

At least you can admit your mistake. Kudos for that.

The manufacturer put mounting holes there for a reason. Anchors and bolts are inexpensive. Bolt it down.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Is this problem exclusive to 4-posts? - I have mostly owned 2 post lifts from Rotary and Mohawk and have never had this scenario occur.

Any lift can have a lock not release. I have a two post Challenger with air operated locks. I raise the vehicle well off the locks, hit the button on the air valve and listen for the loud bang of both locks retracting, and then push the lever to lower the vehicle, watching to see that it is level. The bottom lock notch is about 18 in (wheels) off the floor, but I stay on the lock button till the wheels are touching the floor before I release it.

Before going up I test the air locks, to listen and hear that they both operate.

Charles

 

[Danglerb]

I bet this is a lesson that gets burned into your brain. Stuff like that you don't forget.

 

[kiatech]

You were using a lift not rested on the locks? I'm telling mom.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Sounds like you and your truck are okay, which is what's important at the end of the day. Did the lift sustain any damage?

On the post where the safety catch stuck, the plate on the bottom is bent a small amount, maybe 1/8". I will use a shim to get that post level when bolting down.....

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

This problem can happen two different ways. One you don't pull the safety release fully, or two, you don't raise the vehicle slightly before lowering it. I've seen this happen on both 4 post and two post lifts. Keep your eye on the prize. It has nothing to do with the anchors not being installed. I know people that have gone essentially the life of the lift with no anchors.

 

[Chevy-SS]

This problem can happen two different ways. One you don't pull the safety release fully, or two, you don't raise the vehicle slightly before lowering it. I've seen this happen on both 4 post and two post lifts.........

RE: the "two different ways", I may have been guilty of both.

But the biggest problem is that I WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION.......

 

[Jagmandave]

Bet that will never happen again..........