Scissor lift ... downside??

[yeldogt]

For those with scissor lifts ... when do you say "I hate this thing" "wish I had bought X".

I'm rebuilding my garage and I have always wanted a lift. I'm just a hobbyist with some older cars. In a perfect world with unlimited space a nice 2 post lift would be great -- but I don't want to live with the posts in my space. The 4 post units look more for storage -- I want to easily take off wheels.

I have zero experience with scissor lifts ... having a flush mounted one looks like a perfect solution.

I would like to be able to easily switch out winter tires -- do basic maintenance -- brake - suspension work. I do have a 911 -- but I'm never taking the engine out (some one said in one post that the scissor lift was in the way)

Is it the installation difficultly? what limits the popularity??

 

[Jack Olsen]

It's hard to imagine how a scissors lift would get in the way of work on a 911. I have a solid table, which restricts access more than a scissors lift would. But on my older 911, I'm still able to get to everything that's serviceable.

This BendPak can go to full height.

And if you rent a concrete saw for a day, you can have a zero-hassle installation.

 

[jdm5]

Have you looked at the MaxJax?

 

[yeldogt]

Jack - I have read most of your posts .. thanks for the pictures. Having no direct experience with this style of lift I was trying to figure out the 911 remark myself.

I'm trying to understand the limitations .... The picture of the Audi is helpful. I get that a professional may want to have a more open workspace under the car ... but for an occasional hobbyist wanting to take a look or fix a tie rod .. they look like a nice setup

I would have it installed flush. Getting one that works best that way would be important - don't want a trip hazard.

 

[yeldogt]

Have you looked at the MaxJax?

I have ..... interesting idea. Knowing myself ... it would be installed most of the time .. they make removing and storing it look easy.. It must be heavy.

 

[tstaude]

I have a Snap On 6500# mid rise and just love it!

I was considering one of these before I bought it to allow full height lifting.
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-SLP-7K-Full-Rise-Scissor-Lift

and it looks like they came out with an in ground
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/FM9SL-In-Ground-Lift

The only down side is I cannot work on RWD/AWD transmissions, my friends shop is jsut down the road....

 

[39Tudor]

I have a Mohawk USL-6000 flush mounted in my shop floor.
I can accomplish most of my routine maintenance tasks with it.
I have no regrets.

 

[metalhead140]

For your purposes I cannot imagine a better option than the in ground scissor, full height if you have the ceiling height to use it. It was me who made the comment about removing an engine and the ramp area being in the way of the legs of my engine crane. I consider this a minor issue, easily overcome, and it sounds like a non-issue to you. It's perfect for servicing and work on brakes/suspension, honestly I think it is the best option for those jobs, better than a two post.

 

[Mech33]

I'm loving my scissor lifts. Just finished everything a month or two ago. Haven't had any issues with them yet (knock on wood)!

 

[Norm01]

Here with a 911, there is really great access to everything. You are only covering up the rockers.
View media item 46779View media item 46770

 

[Pawl]

Wow nice garages. What is the clearance under the car with it raised?

 

[sublimate]

For those with scissor lifts ... when do you say "I hate this thing" "wish I had bought X".

I'm rebuilding my garage and I have always wanted a lift. I'm just a hobbyist with some older cars. In a perfect world with unlimited space a nice 2 post lift would be great -- but I don't want to live with the posts in my space. The 4 post units look more for storage -- I want to easily take off wheels.
...
what limits the popularity??

I have a mid-rise scissor lift. My issues (none of which are fatal) when compared to a 2 or 4 post lift:
1. You can't park a 2nd car under for those times when you need more space.
2. If you have cars low to the ground you can't easily drive over it (unless you build ramps which take up even more space or cut it into the floor which has its own issues) and I trip over it if there's not a car above it. So in some ways its as inconvenient to "live with as with posts in your space".

IMHO, if you have enough ceiling height for a 2 or 4 post lift then that's the way to go. If not, then it's kind of a toss up (pluses and minuses) between a scissor lift and something like a MaxJax.

 

[Norm01]

Wow nice garages. What is the clearance under the car with it raised?

I would have to measure to be sure but I think it was about 5'7, add 4" rubber blocks and you are close to 6'

 

[BeachBoy]

What's the price for two scissor lifts like that? Full height.

 

[BeachBoy]

I'm loving my scissor lifts. Just finished everything a month or two ago. Haven't had any issues with them yet (knock on wood)!

You must make a thread in the garage gallery!!!!

 

[txvwnut]

I've got two Snap-on mid-rise scissor lifts and love them. My main purpose for purchasing was air-cooled Volkswagen work, this type of lift will work fine for your 911 also. I have done the clutch in my superduty as well as my sons four wheel drive chevy also. This style of lift can be used for a number of repairs that you think may not be possible.

 

[Vvmvbb]

No regrets with the BendPak MD6XP midrise and my 993. I think I'll be able to drop the engine no problem when the time comes, and I think I'll do the BendPak Porsche mod then.

Best pic I have, unfortunately:

 

[metalhead140]

2. If you have cars low to the ground you can't easily drive over it (unless you build ramps which take up even more space or cut it into the floor which has its own issues) and I trip over it if there's not a car above it. So in some ways its as inconvenient to "live with as with posts in your space".

A complete non-issue with an in ground scissor, which is the most convenient when not in use (completely disappears) and is the very best option for low cars - no need to drive the car on blocks or jack it up to get the arms from a 2 post underneath.

Your first point about not being able to park underneath is correct though, depends on if the hoist is wanted for work or storage. I do often park 2 deep in the hoist side of my 1.5 car deep (9.3m / 31') garage though, with the parked car partially below the car up on the hoist.

 

[JRC3]

I have a midlift and once I find another house this year, I will flush it in the floor. Right now I just park the van over it.

Anyways, the one thing I love about an under car midlift is the way you can work inside the car...Under the dash or seats, as well as inside the doors and such. Anyone who has laid on their back on the floorboard with your **** on the seat and blood rushing to your head will know the PITA. Or finding that right height and angle to change out that window regulator. I also like having that big adjustable height table right in the middle of the garage.

Imagine standing right here with the door open working on something at chest height, then think of the alternative.

The cord strewn about is a drop light.



On the ramps...I need to build some and instead of making them full length I'm gonna make them 2 or three pieces so they can be easily moved out of the way. Like if your working on the front then you just stack it on the back ramp. Or stack all 4 under the raised car towards the back of the car...Or under the lift as a backup safety, IDK yet.

 

[Mech33]

Wow nice garages. What is the clearance under the car with it raised?

I measure about 69" from the floor to the top of the scissor lift at full height (5' 9"), plus I use 4" thick foam blocks for supports, making it about 6' 1" max. I am 5' 11" and I can just walk under the car at max height without banging my head on something if I'm careful, but I often just go to 2/3 height and sit on a nice roller stool to do work.

 

[Mech33]

You must make a thread in the garage gallery!!!!

Been meaning to... just gotta gather up all of the in-process pics.

 

[alberto]

Been meaning to... just gotta gather up all of the in-process pics.

What cabinets are those? Very nice space.

 

[Mech33]

What cabinets are those? Very nice space.

Thanks. They're Saber cabinets: http://www.sabercabinets.com

 

[BeachBoy]

I have a midlift and once I find another house this year, I will flush it in the floor. Right now I just park the van over it.

Anyways, the one thing I love about an under car midlift is the way you can work inside the car...Under the dash or seats, as well as inside the doors and such. Anyone who has laid on their back on the floorboard with your **** on the seat and blood rushing to your head will know the PITA. Or finding that right height and angle to change out that window regulator. I also like having that big adjustable height table right in the middle of the garage.

Imagine standing right here with the door open working on something at chest height, then think of the alternative.

it's true that the access to the cabin is much better than with a two post.

the only other alternative is an in ground single or dual post lift, but that's more than double the price, and a way more involved installation.

 

[yeldogt]

I like the idea of having the lift available when I need it and not have it in the way when I do not. If done correctly (flush) it appears they are not a trip hazard and short of rolling a tool cabinet over them I would have use of the space as normal.

Some great pictures.

 

[smttysmth02gt]

Anyways, the one thing I love about an under car midlift is the way you can work inside the car...Under the dash or seats, as well as inside the doors and such. Anyone who has laid on their back on the floorboard with your **** on the seat and blood rushing to your head will know the PITA. Or finding that right height and angle to change out that window regulator. I also like having that big adjustable height table right in the middle of the garage.

Imagine standing right here with the door open working on something at chest height, then think of the alternative.

I created a thread on the differences between the different kinds of lifts because I want to learn more about them. Why exactly would you not be able to do what you describe using a 2 post or 4 post lift?

 

[BeachBoy]

Because the posts on a 2 post are aligned with the front doors.

 

[redmondjp]

Because the posts on a 2 post are aligned with the front doors.

Yes. And the degree to which this is true depends upon whether it is a symmetric (front and rear lifting arms are the same length) or an asymmetric one (front arms shorter than the back ones). This link has an excellent pictoral explanation of the diference:

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Asymmetric-Two-Post-Lifts-Vs-Symmetric-Two-Post-Lifts

Even on an asymmetric lift, the posts can be somewhat of an issue depending upon the vehicle.

Now, back to scissor lifts!

 

[JRC3]

Why exactly would you not be able to do what you describe using a 2 post or 4 post lift?

As the others have said, there's barely enough door clearance to get out of a vehicle and the arms are in the way. Depending on the vehicle it may be impossible and some may even be fairly doable, but on most I think it wouldn't work very well. Believe me I would love to have both a 2 post and a mid lift...Someday...Someday!

For what most of us home mechanics use a lift for I don't understand why anyone would buy a 4 post for anything other than storage. You can't do suspension work on it.

 

[Tader82]

I dont have any expresie with this types of lifts, but a lifetime with two post and four post. From what I have read on here they work great for cars(unibody) and ok for some suv. I would never put a real truck on one of this.

I work on almost nothing but Trucks and Tube Chassis for 4x4's and one of this would not work for me do to the fact that with a two post I can use it to lift the cabs, beds, etc. To get at things like Diesel engines, in today's trucks if you're doing anything major lift the cab and front end off. I like to lift the bed to do fuel pumps and framework.

So if you plan on doing things like this I would say a Scissor lift is not best for you. But if you're just throwing cars in the air go for it, this lift really excel at it. The only real downside i see to one with is if you need to get to something right above the tabletop of the lift. Like fuel lines or brake line (their usually run along one of the pinch weld seams.) thats all i could that would really make me say damn to hell lol.

This just my 1 cent lol

 

[ARBuck]

Hey, I'm new here and just been trollin around, but I want to give a big thumbs up to this thread, these "2 post" scissor lifts look like the answer to my question that no one could answer!! Love the pics of the flush mount lifts!!! thanks everyone for your contributions to this site!! I promise to post up a photo log of my build this summer/fall!!

 

[Jack Olsen]

Gdhyxxyshs

 

[sublimate]

Gdhyxxyshs

x2!

 

[hilld]

I have a Werther Statos SRM scissor lift. It has a capacity of around 7k lbs and does a full 6'+ lift. I have lifted Audi's, VW's and some Japanese cars all without any issues, even lifted my JD X300 riding lawn mower to change some blades. Yes, lazy, but what the hell it works.

While I would have preferred a 2 post lift for the aforementioned access underneath, it didn't fit into the space I had. I had a Mohawk at my last place and sold it with the house.

 

[Chrisjr123]

I love the look of the flush mount lift for residential use. My only question is what happens to liquids like coolant, or oil, or even mop water when it runs in the hole? Are the drained?

 

[240sxguy]

^ I wondered the same thing. We have road salt and stuff like that. I can't imagine having a lift just sitting in brine all winter. An in-floor scissor lift is the ONLY logical way I can do a lift in my garage. My ceiling is too short and floor too sloped. I enjoy working on my cars but I'm tired of being on the floor.

 

[white6589]

I have a Werther Statos SRM scissor lift. It has a capacity of around 7k lbs and does a full 6'+ lift. I have lifted Audi's, VW's and some Japanese cars all without any issues, even lifted my JD X300 riding lawn mower to change some blades. Yes, lazy, but what the hell it works.

While I would have preferred a 2 post lift for the aforementioned access underneath, it didn't fit into the space I had.

Same situation with room here in my garage. In looking at your Werther lift I found similarities with my Rotary scissor lift.


(sorry for thumbnail, need to upgrade imageshack)

So I went looking around their website and found that their Strattos S39 scissor lift looks very similar to my Rotary GLP35. I do know that when I bought it (used) the seller mention it had been made in Italy (as Werther's) and distributed here in the US for a while.

http://www.bowlinent.com/lifts/lifts.php

http://www.bowlinent.com/images/pdf/stratoss39.pdf

http://rotary.blitzrotary.eu/product/58841/image/66f2fda6fb4133624e57a085e79a6a53986686a4/1

Anyway found it interesting that Werther is making and selling these scissor lifts in the US. I've been very happy with my Rotary and find very versitile for my needs. It makes life so much easier and safer plus they make great work surfaces when needed.

Hope this helps.

 

[cspcrx]

I have the MD6 from bendpak and so far really like it. The others, like above give more access to the center of the car. Already getting my money back on it by doing my own brake jobs and other suspension work. Much easier the jack stands.

 

[hilld]

Same situation with room here in my garage. In looking at your Werther lift I found similarities with my Rotary scissor lift.


(sorry for thumbnail, need to upgrade imageshack)

So I went looking around their website and found that their Strattos S39 scissor lift looks very similar to my Rotary GLP35. I do know that when I bought it (used) the seller mention it had been made in Italy (as Werther's) and distributed here in the US for a while.

http://www.bowlinent.com/lifts/lifts.php

http://www.bowlinent.com/images/pdf/stratoss39.pdf

http://rotary.blitzrotary.eu/product/58841/image/66f2fda6fb4133624e57a085e79a6a53986686a4/1

Anyway found it interesting that Werther is making and selling these scissor lifts in the US. I've been very happy with my Rotary and find very versitile for my needs. It makes life so much easier and safer plus they make great work surfaces when needed.

Hope this helps.

So the rotary you linked in the last link only shows a single hydraulic cylinder per side, the Werther has dual independent hydraulic circuits. There are no mechanical locks as the dual circuits meets CE safety requirements, meaning that no air has to be hooked up, just 240V (either single or 3 phase).

Yes, the lift is made in Italy and even comes in super car (aka Ferrari) red. I had thought about putting the lift in ground, but with the ramp extension that flip up it would have made that very challenging. For example on my Golf (have sold it since), I can't flip up the ramps, I have to let them drop in order for that car to fit on there, but for the A4 or SQ5, I have to flip up at least one of the ramps as the red runner is just a bit short to hit the factory lift points. I have not had the need to flip up both ramps at the same time, guess I need to find an A8 to lift.

 

[outsider347]

Subscribed!

Starting my garage build in the spring, and will be putting in a lift for sure ...........if the snow ever melts here