Opinions about this lift...

[felchi80]

Hi
In my quest for an affordable mid rise lift for my single garage... I found this locally.
Anyone what's the capacity of such lift? I looks kinda old... Probably needs some new paint... Do you guys think it's still safe to use?
I want to use it for general maintenance of my car... And maybe remove and refit my engine. My cars weight are all under 4000lbs for sure. Heaviest is probably the saab 9-5 wagon. 3500lbs I think.
Thanks

 

[zkling]

I'd check over the welds and look for cracks. Make sure the rust isn't deep enough that it has caused structural damage to the frame. Most of the lifts like that are ~6K lbs. Is that a low rise or a mid rise?

What are they asking for it? Background story? Last time it has been used?

 

[felchi80]

The guy bought it used. Last time used was year. He said the cylinder was rebuilt recently. Due to a reservoir leak it's low on oil and does not go all the way up. Not sure if it's a low rise or mid rise... Also it was too dark last night could see much about the condition of the welds... The odd thing is I have never seen this design. All the ones I have seen on Google had two pairs of arms opposing the cylinder making a parallelogram. This one only has one double pair crossing the cylinder and the lock bar. That's why I wasn't sure about the capacity.
He's asking a hefty $1100. But before going I said my budget was 800 and he didn't seen opposed to it. Though now I'm thinking more 600-700.
Either way if I were to buy it I would ask him to refill the oil and try lift up my car. And check the welds during daylight.

Anyone else? Is this a good reliable lift?

 

[Coopduc]

Looks rough. I'd walk away. IMO not worth $500.

 

[felchi80]

Looks rough. I'd walk away. IMO not worth $500.

I see.... I was getting excited over getting a lift.

 

[papabil]

Looks rough. I'd walk away. IMO not worth $500.

I agree not worth 500. bill

 

[coljar]

If it could be bought for under $500, I don't see anything that couldn't be cut out and replaced if need be, but I'm use to rebuilding equipment I get at a good price.

 

[justanengineer]

I wouldnt be too concerned, looks like a small bit of surface rust and possibly some bondo/paint/mixed **** stuck to it. Those lifts were/are popular in body shops which are messy environments to say the least, but with a small bit of elbow grease that lift should clean up fine. If nothing major is bent or broken, the cylinder doesnt leak, and the locks work I wouldnt be concerned otherwise. The price is rather high tho, count me in the <$500 camp, but thats most lifts IMHO.

Just to give an idea of how nasty body shops can get, heres the before/after of a ball peen that came out of a local shop that I bought some tools from. No sanding/refinishing was done, just 10 mins careful use of the wire wheel shown in the 2nd pic.

 

[Burl]

I saw one like this, only blue, at an auction a couple weeks ago. Seller said it worked, but wouldn't run it, and in better condition. It sold for $350.

 

[zkling]

$1100 No F'ing way. Maybe $500 IF they could prove the cylinder was rebuilt.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Kinda steep, and not really a mid rise, more of a low rise..I bought a bend pak years agor for $125...I painted it and it worked like a charm..I sold it to an equipment dealer for $600...I'd pass....

 

[zkling]

Kinda steep, and not really a mid rise, more of a low rise..I bought a bend pak years agor for $125...I painted it and it worked like a charm..I sold it to an equipment dealer for $600...I'd pass....

Where the heck did you find a mid rise (I'm guessing) lift that works for $125?

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I was on CL one day and I searched "Mid rise Lift"...One popped up in St Pete for $700..I called the guy and he told me that his shop burned down and he was going out of business..THe guy told me to meet him at the burned up shop the next morning..I bought the SO for $700, and he said that he had a bend pak for sale also...I looked at it and he said, "Just give me another $125 and you can have it...I bought them both, painted the Bend pak and sold it for $600...Basicall I paid $225 for the SO after the deal was done...

 

[CNGsaves]

No way for $1100 when you just recently had chance for $1900 brand new MaxJack two post lift delivered.

Find a comparable sale for $300 to $400 range and don't budge. You're likely the only guy who has shown any interest in that lift. Without seeing it work, no way go over $450 range.

 

[thomascreation]

As a mechanic that has used this type of lift all I can say is its better than a jack and stands for tires and such. It isn't going to give you what you might hope. But if you can get a good deal and it will make you happy go for it. Just make sure you don't pay more than what you could sell it fore when your done. Good luck!