Portable mobile column lifts.

[DetroitDIESEL444]

Hi,
I work at a truck engine dealer and we have these mobile column lifts that lift anything from a pickup to a front end loader garbage truck. They work on 3 phase power and are portable on a pallet jack inspired system. Does anyone know if these are made for automotive applications??? I would love to have a set for my pick up truck (about 8,000 lbs). Yes I am aware that you can't do "tires off" work with it, but it would still be awesome to have.

Here is an example

http://www.stertil-koni.com/en/products/mobile_column_lifts

 

[Oldb]

Hi Detroit Diesel,

I too work in a shop with mobile lifts. I got a e-mail from a company yesterday offering a set of refurbished Sefacs for $18,000. A lot of money.
I have never seen a automotive specific column lift. With the heavy stands that the lift companies sell you can do tires off work. We do it daily. Problem is with big stuff the tire/wheel combination takes a special dolly to remove.
For brake work on the big stuff we still use an in ground two post hyd lift. For the one tons down we do everything on a column lift.
There is a company in the Portland Ore area that sells used columns some times but you would need a phase converter to run in a home shop.
Cool idea though.

B

 

[lorne]

Not sure that the company you linked to has a small enough capacity for your needs, but I see they do list Crossbeams as an option so you can lift from the chassis.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

We have a pair of Stertil-Konis mid-rise 18K rated -- they came with a pair of frame fork adapters you can use one post to lift one end of a vehicle and at least have front or rear axle completely off the ground.

 

[1SlowFormula]

Hi Detroit Diesel,

I too work in a shop with mobile lifts. I got a e-mail from a company yesterday offering a set of refurbished Sefacs for $18,000. A lot of money.
I have never seen a automotive specific column lift. With the heavy stands that the lift companies sell you can do tires off work. We do it daily. Problem is with big stuff the tire/wheel combination takes a special dolly to remove.
For brake work on the big stuff we still use an in ground two post hyd lift. For the one tons down we do everything on a column lift.
There is a company in the Portland Ore area that sells used columns some times but you would need a phase converter to run in a home shop.
Cool idea though.

B

Do you have any more info in the company that sell used column lifts in Portland?

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

I actually have 3 phase (220 or whatever) hooked up to my house, however it's not active. it costs about 20 a month to keep on, if i had a lift and air compressor and stuff to run i would consider turning it back on. no 460 v though.

I did work at a school bus garage with 2 inground lifts. Talk about an awesome (but high maintenance) set up.

Still would love a slightly smaller version for 10,000 and below mobile column lifts.

 

[frankjh]

what about something like a maxjack system

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

Max jax doesnt lift high enough for me and wont hold my 8000 lbs f350... I like the idea though

 

[Aahz]

I sell the Rotary "MACH" portable lift systems. If you are still using the 3-phase version of Koni lifts (or Sefac, etc.), they are pretty much obsolete. The newer systems are all battery operated and wireless, no cables connecting the columns, no power cables, etc. Each column has two (2) 12 Volt DC Deep Cycle Marine batteries. http://rotarylift.com/heavy_hydraulic_portable.aspx?id=138

Most of the manufacturers have gone hydraulic, wireless and battery operated, although a few imports, like Koni and Bend Pak, still offer cabled systems.

The cost to manufacture these lifts is what really kills them for the automotive market. We occasionally sell a set of two (2) columns to a car dealer that wants to pick up light duty trucks by the front and rear, but the frame needs to extend far enough forward for the forks to reach, so it doesn't work in every application.

A set of two (2) usually runs about $18K with the truck fore & aft adapters.

 

[_garagegirl_]

Just as an FYI $18K isn't a bad price for a set of remanufactured 18,000LB lifts. Especially since they also come with a warranty. A new set will cost you about $10 grand more than that. And your friend here talking about the "new" wireless columns and how power is obselete...I laugh. Those sets are in the $30-40K range. Not to mention that you would need to purchase batteries for the lifts. Hydraulic fluid if it is a hydraulic lift. You have to worry about frequency with the wireless...Yes I saw a fun demonstration of that at the Mid America Truck Show If your batteries lose power while a vehicle is in the air? Rotary's own customer is quoted as saying that that the lifts are much more user friend when combined with the corded feature as the they are assure that they will not be left up in the air

 

[rburke65]

I have seen a Jay Leno video using 4 sigle post lifts ..... oor as many as you need .... all controlled by RF from a single control box. pretty slick!

 

[Wood'nMetal]

I've worked off Sefac lifts for years and they are incredible. You can buy drop in adapters for 16" wheels and also bumper lift adapters.

There's a set on my local CL for $6900. I am sooo tempted.

 

[txvwnut]

I sell the Rotary "MACH" portable lift systems. If you are still using the 3-phase version of Koni lifts (or Sefac, etc.), they are pretty much obsolete. The newer systems are all battery operated and wireless, no cables connecting the columns, no power cables, etc. Each column has two (2) 12 Volt DC Deep Cycle Marine batteries. http://rotarylift.com/heavy_hydraulic_portable.aspx?id=138

Most of the manufacturers have gone hydraulic, wireless and battery operated, although a few imports, like Koni and Bend Pak, still offer cabled systems.

The cost to manufacture these lifts is what really kills them for the automotive market. We occasionally sell a set of two (2) columns to a car dealer that wants to pick up light duty trucks by the front and rear, but the frame needs to extend far enough forward for the forks to reach, so it doesn't work in every application.

A set of two (2) usually runs about $18K with the truck fore & aft adapters.

We've got a set of the Rotarys at work and they are worth every penny, especially since it wasn't my money.
We also have a set Stertil-Koni's they're not bad but still not as nice as the Rotary unit.