Scissor lift safety concern

[Cobrargc]

I've got a midrise scissor lift. It works great, but I'm concerned about it's safety. I also have a 4 post lift and it has a safety latch on all four corners. If one fails, there are three others. The scissor lift only has one latch. If it fails, I'm in trouble. I'll do brake work and such but will not get underneath this thing.

Any options out there?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Extra tall jack stands ?

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I'll always raise mine up, then lower it down on the stop, then just pump up the cylinder a hair.. This way you have the hydrolic cylinder, as well as the stop protecting me... I will also use four jackstands if I'm gong to be under the car....

 

[sublimate]

Even if you don't pump up the cylinder it will provide a backup - the cylinder is full of fluid and as long as the release valve is closed it won't come down.
On mine the weight of the car keeps the locks engaged, so I wouldn't pump up the cylinder as that makes it easier for the lock to dis-engage.

 

[dave*99]

I'll always raise mine up, then lower it down on the stop, then just pump up the cylinder a hair.. This way you have the hydrolic cylinder, as well as the stop protecting me... I will also use four jackstands if I'm gong to be under the car....

The operating instructions on one of the Bend-Pak scissors lifts states specifically you should release the hydraulic pressure and let the stops hold the vehicle. See below:

�� Read operating and Safety manuals before using lift.
�� Always lift a vehicle according to the manufactures recommended lifting points.
�� Position vehicle properly.
�� Insure that the vehicle is positioned with the center of gravity midway between pads.
�� NEVER use runway assemblies without rubber pads in place.
�� Raise the vehicle by depressing button until the vehicle just lifts off the ground.
Recheck to make sure the vehicle is secure and stable.
�� Raise vehicle to desired height. Lower vehicle onto nearest safety,
�� Always ensure safeties are engaged before any attempt is made to work on or near vehicle.

 

[bmxdad]

If you use jack stands, what are you going to back those up with?
They have been known to fail too.

Only real safe way to work under a car is flip it upside down


Edit: All jokes aside, I'd consider a scissor lift to be safer then a two post, and if your down on the safety lock if should be safe enough to be under. Is there a risk? Sure, there is. There is also a risk of a bolt breaking somewhere and you losing your brakes when the car in front of you stops for some unknown reason, but highly unlikely. Take the necessary steps as outlined in the owners manual and keep your eyes and ears open, you should be OK.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

The operating instructions on one of the Bend-Pak scissors lifts states specifically you should release the hydraulic pressure and let the stops hold the vehicle. See below:

�� Read operating and Safety manuals before using lift.
�� Always lift a vehicle according to the manufactures recommended lifting points.
�� Position vehicle properly.
�� Insure that the vehicle is positioned with the center of gravity midway between pads.
�� NEVER use runway assemblies without rubber pads in place.
�� Raise the vehicle by depressing button until the vehicle just lifts off the ground.
Recheck to make sure the vehicle is secure and stable.
�� Raise vehicle to desired height. Lower vehicle onto nearest safety,
�� Always ensure safeties are engaged before any attempt is made to work on or near vehicle.

Most of the weight is on the stop, just not all of it...I've never had an issue with my method...

 

[cspcrx]

I have thought about it as well. I have a Bendpak midrise and when I go under it, especially when its fully raised I feel a bit nerves as well. I noticed on two post lifts they have support stands that you can use at the far ends of the vehicle to help just incase. I looked and there are none that are short enough to go under my lift at the first or even last lock. I thought about modifying the top of a pipe stand. They are rated for 2000 lbs and based on the measurements might work.

I have had mine for over a year now and am getting more and more comfortable with the stability of the lift. I must admit when I put my Tacoma on it I did not take it to the top lock. I chickened out. My CRX on the other hand I have many times. Next car going onto it is my 3800 lb Audi S4. See how brave I feel about that one?

 

[txvwnut]

If you do like Tampa says and raise it to where you need it then set it on the safety stop and bump the pump a little you will be okay.

I actually had a stop on one of my lifts fail and the pressure I had on the rams kept it from falling any farther. The reason for the fail was a manufacturing error which has since been corrected.

DON'T TRUST the rams by themselves or the safety by itself but the two together and you will be okay. I have had both of my lifts for 16 years and the only failure was in the first month of ownership.

 

[G20-Budo]

Next car going onto it is my 3800 lb Audi S4. See how brave I feel about that one?

Cspcrx - I should stop by sometime and see how my G20 looks on your lift. Nah, that's a BAD idea.... Because then I'd want one MORE than I do now.

 

[cspcrx]

You know you want and need one. I love mine and wish i had got it sooner!

 

[txvwnut]

I will say I've had my F250 superduty on mine as well as a Porsche Cayenne. The 250 makes me nervous as hell as I'm a little over the max rated capacity of the lift but its only on it long enough to hit the stands then the lift is set back down.

 

[dave*99]

Even if you don't pump up the cylinder it will provide a backup - the cylinder is full of fluid and as long as the release valve is closed it won't come down.
On mine the weight of the car keeps the locks engaged, so I wouldn't pump up the cylinder as that makes it easier for the lock to dis-engage.

This is also what Bend Pak recommends.