One arm 4 post lift?

[mercifiknow]

So I almost have enough money to get a 4Post lift for my shop finally. However, I have limit range of motion in my arms and legs. I looked at many of the usual brands (bendpak, advantage, atlas, BYB, etc.) but they require a hand on the motor and a hand available to use for the blocks.

Is there another brand out there that can do the one arm (essentially) raise/ lower or is there a mod out there that can with my situation and doesn't violate a warranty or insurance? My interior dimensions of my shop is 12x26x13 (I know...tight fit...).

 

[240sxguy]

I wonder if you could rig the lock release to work with a foot pedal.

 

[mercifiknow]

i would think so. there is some that have the hand held up and down but someone with more familiarity can tell me yes or no. The pedal release wouldn't be bad especially when i have it fully raised to park my truck underneath.

 

[finn]

Look for something with a pneumatic safety release, like some BendPac lifts had at one time (I think). Problem is, people complained about needing an air source, so I think, but don’t know, that current models are manual.

A pneumatic system should allow you to come up with some modifications enabling one hand operation.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I had considered setting mine up with either a pneumatic cylinder or linear actuator to hold the locks disengaged. I think it would be easy enough to do, but you’d need to set up with appropriate rate springs between the actuator and the lock mechanism to keep from bending the linkage on the lift.

Edited to add: As I think about it, a very simple way around the OP’s issue would be to raise the lift enough to get it off the locks. Than a bungee or similar to hold the locks disengaged. Once that strap is in place, pull the release lever. Only concern with this approach is you gotta remember to remove that strap before the next lift.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

The Bendpak valve is just a normally closed valve. It could be easily replaced with a foot control like this:

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[SmackinHondas]

I wonder if you could rig the lock release to work with a foot pedal.

We had a heavy duty 4 post lift at work (20k or so) that had a foot pedal to release the locks. It also had two sticks to operate the runways.

If you can find a 4 post lift like this style of expensive Challenger - you can operate it with one hand. To release the locks you reach up to the overhead beam and pull that cylinder lock, it pivots out of the lock and you can lower the lift without messing with locks again.

Spoiler: Picture of that lift

 

[wssix99]

I wonder if you could rig the lock release to work with a foot pedal.

Great idea. The Bend-Pak lock actuator is just an air valve that is plumbed in during installation. It could be replaced/substituted by a number of devices. (It might even work better - the valve that comes with the Bend-Pak is a little crappy.)

 

[Casey66]

Seems like it would be pretty easy to put the motor on an electric foot switch and operate the lock manually.

or you could put the motor on a hand held jog switch and operate both with one arm.

 

[mercifiknow]

I had considered setting mine up with either a pneumatic cylinder or linear actuator to hold the locks disengaged. I think it would be easy enough to do, but you’d need to set up with appropriate rate springs between the actuator and the lock mechanism to keep from bending the linkage on the lift.

Edited to add: As I think about it, a very simple way around the OP’s issue would be to raise the lift enough to get it off the locks. Than a bungee or similar to hold the locks disengaged. Once that strap is in place, pull the release lever. Only concern with this approach is you gotta remember to remove that strap before the next lift.

I was considering something like this. Advantage has an extension that appears swivel but wasn’t sure it did. They are the only ones I saw with an extension ()and appeared to swivel).

 

[Viper98912]

Looks like everyone has a similar idea here - some lifts have pneumatic un-locks, so just plumb the valve to a foot pedal.

 

[mercifiknow]

I think my concern is violating the warranty. I was trying to chat with Advantage and they initially said they didn’t have anything. Then I asked about aftermarket devices and they said to call them (him actually) to discuss. So they must have a way that doesn’t violate their warranty.

There was a YouTube video where a guy in a wheelchair owned and operated his lift but can’t find it anymore.

I would think it should be straight forward to wire a foot pedal into the motor..

 

[Casey66]

You could literally tape something around the motor that keeps the button pushed in and then put a foot or hand jog switch where the motor plugs into the wall or cord. Nothing on the lift would be altered.

 

[Casey66]

I know its a rig but just saying

 

[Casey66]

 

[racecougar]

Seems like it would be pretty easy to put the motor on an electric foot switch and operate the lock manually.

or you could put the motor on a hand held jog switch and operate both with one arm.

Came here to suggest the same. I would utilize a toggle to isolate power from the foot switch when not in use. To operate, flip the toggle ON, step on the foot pedal to run the pump, and use one hand to operate the lock release handle.

 

[Casey66]

It just occurred to me that a much more difficult task would be releasing the hydraulics and locking mechanism at the same time to come down. you would need a hydraulic foot valve plumbed in to release pressure

 

[racecougar]

It just occurred to me that a much more difficult task would be releasing the hydraulics and locking mechanism at the same time to come down. you would need a hydraulic foot valve plumbed in to release pressure

Not if you purchase a 4-post that has a manual lock release instead of pneumatic or hydraulic. Use the foot pedal to run the pump motor and one arm to operate the release. Lock release handle shown with the yellow arrow below:

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have a Rotary 4 post. The release for the locks is a button air valve. It could easily be done with a foot valve. Up is easily done one handed. Down requires holding the air valve.

 

[b974k]

My Direct lift could be easily held with a bungy cord while I operate the lower lever it is inconvenient to do both

 

[mercifiknow]

The guy, nor the company, never called me back. Must not want my business.

 

[RPH]

The guy, nor the company, never called me back. Must not want my business.

Or decided the liability not worth the risk. Could cost him his job competing against Advantage.

 

[mercifiknow]

Maybe. I suspect that I’m not the only person like this and I think they have options but don’t advertise it.

 

[mercifiknow]

Received!

 

[zkdiesel]

I think my concern is violating the warranty. I was trying to chat with Advantage and they initially said they didn’t have anything. Then I asked about aftermarket devices and they said to call them (him actually) to discuss. So they must have a way that doesn’t violate their warranty.

There was a YouTube video where a guy in a wheelchair owned and operated his lift but can’t find it anymore.

I would think it should be straight forward to wire a foot pedal into the motor..

99% of people will never have the need to use a Lifts warranty, especially in the hobby setting.

So voiding the warranty would be least of worries for me. Buy what you can easily work around to do what you need done!

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I think my concern is violating the warranty. I was trying to chat with Advantage and they initially said they didn’t have anything. Then I asked about aftermarket devices and they said to call them (him actually) to discuss. …..

I would think it should be straight forward to wire a foot pedal into the motor..

Keep in mind, if your goal is to lower the lift using only one arm, the motor control is not the issue. With one arm/hand, you raise the lift until it’s off the locks. Then you stop the motor. This is the point where you need two hands: one to hold the spring loaded locks in the disengaged position, then a second to hold the down hydraulic valve while the locks are held disengaged.

This is where the BendPak pneumatic release might be beneficial, because all the equipment is there, though you may need to add a valve to apply release air pressure without having to hold that valve while holding the hydraulics valve. On the Advantage style, you could add a pneumatic valve or linear actuator to pull and hold the unlock.

Like zkdiesel notes, warranty should not be a concern, because you could add this equipment without affecting the heart of the lift. You could fab a bracket that clamps around the crossbar, and add a pull tab to simple steel rod that is actuated. (Don’t forget an appropriate sized spring in case “somebody” screws up and actuated the lock release when the weight of the car and lift is being supported on the locks. In that case you can bend up the release linkage, but I don’t see how you could damage the lift or locks themselves.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

So I almost have enough money to get a 4Post lift for my shop finally. However, I have limit range of motion in my arms and legs. I looked at many of the usual brands (bendpak, advantage, atlas, BYB, etc.) but they require a hand on the motor and a hand available to use for the blocks.

Is there another brand out there that can do the one arm (essentially) raise/ lower or is there a mod out there that can with my situation and doesn't violate a warranty or insurance? My interior dimensions of my shop is 12x26x13 (I know...tight fit...).

I was just out in my shop and looking at your problem if you had an Advantage lift. Here’s the easiest, simplest solution yet that shouldn’t violate any warranty:

Raise the lift off the locks. (One hand)
Hang a weight (likely less than 5 lbs, req’d force could be measured using a fisherman’s scale) off the lock release lever. This could be facilitated by replacing the knob with an eye. (one hand)
Locks are now held released. Active the hydraulic “down” lever. (One hand)

 

[mercifiknow]

I talked to Bendpak this morning concerning my issue and their HD-9XW will solve my specific area including the vehicle constraints. He (Alex) said that the GP. series are mechanical and I would need the of both arms. The only downside of it is I have to use the air compressor to lower. It is solved if I don’t go Advantage.