Rotary Lift

[roblouvasz]

Hi Y'all. I have a chance to purchase this lift from my grandfather for around 200.00. I've checked with the manufacturer and they said it's built a little heavier duty than the mid rise they make today. I just wanted to get a couple of opinions to see what everyone thinks.

 

[Fireball027]

For that price, if it works and you have room for it go buy it.

 

[jeremy v]

If it were me and it worked, I would feel pretty safe buying it for that price. It is a little bit hard to tell from the pics whether it has a thick rust "surface only" coating or if it is actually heavily pitted rust in places. If it is heavily pitted rust, I would look it over much more carefully before deciding. You can always clean and repaint it to make it look prettier. It does look from the pics that the rubber lift pads/blocks that have posts on the bottom of them are missing. They fit in the holes at the ends of the yellow arms and they provide a rubber padded connection between the lift and the car when it is being raised.

There are also often extensions that lift these pads up higher as well for reaching frame rails on trucks etc. because without them the frame of the lift might hit the transmission or exhaust system before the lift arms rest against the lift points of the vehicle.

I posted a couple pics of what the pads I am talking about might look like, so when you are there looking at it just see if those are around the lift somewhere, as they go with the lift. If not it is not a huge deal as they can be made or purchased pretty cheaply.

 

[roblouvasz]

Actually the end of the lift arms have two different height "pop ups" like a two post lift. The rust that's on it is surface rust. My only concern is that I would have to put it the middle of my garage which puts it in the way when i park two cars in it. I'm still kind of on the fence about it.

 

[the.hogman]

I just picked up one of these over the weekend as well! It is a Rotary PAL 5E lift rated for 6,000 lbs. It is literally identical to the one you have pictured. I did rebuild the ram because it was leaking and wouldn't raise all of the way up. I got that done and now it works like a champ! I have the owners manual if you want me to e-mail it to you, the parts breakdown is attached below. These lifts are bullet proof. The lift plates did not come with pads but as indicated, they are available for purchase from a variety of places for these lifts or you can make your own. They don't install in the holes seen (these are simply to put a finger in to lift up) but they slide completely over the end of the lift point like a glove on a hand. Enjoy!!

BTW, technically that lift is installed backwards in the photos IF I am looking at them right. The approach over the lift is supposed to be from the end without the ram. Installed as shown you MUST drive over the hydraulic hose everytime. When lifted as shown, the lift would move the vehicle about 17 inches closer to the wall at full lift.