Single Post Lift Question

[Mr Mushman]

Hello

Finally broke ground on the new garage a couple of weeks ago and after a lot of cleaning, getting rid of the old garage and such, footing starts this week and slab should be poured hopefully by the end of the week or early part of next week ... 20'x40' on 2 floors with a 12'x22' attached to it. I have been looking at single post lifts and was wondering if any of you had any experience with these ? Would love to stick with an "American Made" lift if possible, but since I am completely new at this, I am open to all of you guys experience and expertise. It is not a big hurry thing, but I might as well do my homework sooner than later.

Thanks in advance

Mr Mushman


http://www.superlifts.com/sp4.html




http://www.rhilifts.com/pdf/Single_Post_Lift_Specs.pdf


The Bend Pak
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_89+297068+778201


Or the AC Lift
http://www.aclifts.com/downloads/m1-45-65.pdf

 

[356vintage]

I have a single post lift in my tandem garage. I like it because the post is near a wall and space around the other side is unobstructed. I bought this from a company in Texas, Gemini Autolifts, Inc., www.geminilift.com

A friend of mine and I ordered them at the same time, had them delivered to one address and picked them up ourselves at the trucking depot.

We special ordered shorter ramp lengths for smaller sports cars and because the space in the garage is small. Nice portions though. Basically, they are fairly pricey, customer service is good, shipping of the unit left something to be desired. It came with many scratches. This was due to poor packaging. Had they used blocks of wood where the metal banding attached to the lift, it wouldn't have scratched during movement. They sent some touch-up paint.
Small company so have some patience. Good on phone, but building took longer than they said. We bought these about 4 years ago. Economy wasn't too bad then, they were busy. Explains the longer lead time. (they said 6, took 8 weeks) Not bad.

One thing I would do for sure, recess the lift into the floor. Had I seen this first on this forum I would have recessed the base into the floor. Very trick.

Controls are mounted on the post as suggested, but you could remote mount the electrical controls. Hydraulics work well.

Here's some photos of the lift.

 

[Mr Mushman]

Very nice 356vintage, your space looks real good. Yes I was thinking about going with the same lift. I'll have 12' ceilings so I won't have to have the post customized or retrofitted. I see what you are saying regarding the recess into the floor but from what I have been reading it does not seem to post a problem. What would be your main reason. I am starting the footing for the slab and should be pouring the slab within a week.

Thank you for the info

Mr Mushman

 

[fordcragar]

My question would be, What are you going to do with it? Is it just to be able to park two car in one stall. If you are going to use it to work on cars, personally I would get a two post; which is what I have.

 

[356vintage]

Mushman,

I like the clean look of that base flush in the floor. No other particular reason, except, there are taller lifts made which will give more height to work under.
To use a taller lift, you need to have a high ceiling, higher than mine, or recess the base into the floor.

Single post lifts are good for storing cars and do have limits on working or servicing vehicles. However, working on the type of cars we have is just fine.
We've pulled motors, gear boxes, and done basic servicing. Works great and works in this garage.

For full access under there's nothing like a two post. If I had the space, I'd have both. One for servicing and one for storage.

 

[Backyard Buddy]

Mushman,

We understand you are looking for a single post lift, but if you want all American Made, take a look at our 4-post lifts. All of our lifts are 100% made in Warren, Ohio.

Backyard Buddys are great for storage and also for working on your cars. Our lifts are built to fit home garages and they don’t need to be bolted to the ground, allowing you to move the lift around the garage.

Check us out at www.backyardbuddy.com or give us a call at 800 837-9353

 

[Backyard Buddy]

I have a single post lift in my tandem garage. I like it because the post is near a wall and space around the other side is unobstructed. I bought this from a company in Texas, Gemini Autolifts, Inc., www.geminilift.com

A friend of mine and I ordered them at the same time, had them delivered to one address and picked them up ourselves at the trucking depot.

We special ordered shorter ramp lengths for smaller sports cars and because the space in the garage is small. Nice portions though. Basically, they are fairly pricey, customer service is good, shipping of the unit left something to be desired. It came with many scratches. This was due to poor packaging. Had they used blocks of wood where the metal banding attached to the lift, it wouldn't have scratched during movement. They sent some touch-up paint.
Small company so have some patience. Good on phone, but building took longer than they said. We bought these about 4 years ago. Economy wasn't too bad then, they were busy. Explains the longer lead time. (they said 6, took 8 weeks) Not bad.

One thing I would do for sure, recess the lift into the floor. Had I seen this first on this forum I would have recessed the base into the floor. Very trick.

Controls are mounted on the post as suggested, but you could remote mount the electrical controls. Hydraulics work well.

Here's some photos of the lift.

Nice garage and car!

 

[Mr Mushman]

Hello fordcragar, it would mainly be for storage and keep some open space below, it would also be occasionally to tinker on the car or truck but nothing major. I just like the idea of not having a post in the middle of the floor space. I could almost put 2 of the single post lift side by side, having the posts on either side of the garage, if I could afford it ...

356vintage I do like the idea of a 2 posts but in a 20' wide garage if I was to put a 2 or 4 post lift if would pretty much take much of the width and could not park anything beside it, therefor a single post lift seems to make more sense for me, I definitely like your setting, I will not have ceiling height issue since I will have 12' ceilings on the new construction. What is the width on the outside of a 2 and 4 post lift, anyone who is using either of them maybe could help me with it, and maybe resolve a few of my issues, thanks in advance.

Backyard Buddy just checked your website, looks great it's just that it would take too much floor space which is really the only draw back for me. Thank you for the info.

I have not made up my mind on which way I will be going so far, just leaning towards a single post, in terms space saving ...

I do appreciate all the input and info since I am a newbie in the lift world

Thanks ! !

 

[fordcragar]

Hello fordcragar, it would mainly be for storage and keep some open space below, it would also be occasionally to tinker on the car or truck but nothing major. I just like the idea of not having a post in the middle of the floor space. I could almost put 2 of the single post lift side by side, having the posts on either side of the garage, if I could afford it ...

My garage is a 30'x40' and there are two 2 post lifts in one end of the shop. Sometimes I'll park four cars in the two stalls. When there isn't a car on the lift, there is only about 3 sq feet of hoist in the way, half on one side and the other half on the other side. I work in my shop, so having a single post lift in my shop would take up too much floor space.

I'm not trying to talk you into anything, just giving you my .02. Hopefully whatever you do, it will work out for you.

 

[jimmie jam]

wow. i'm not trying to highjack this thread (why start another to discuss the exact same thing i'm going through right now). the only (big) difference is that my garage addition is just about complete. it's 22 x 26 ID with 13' ceilings attached to the remaining "half" (12 x 25) of the garage that was removed. i would really like the single post lift but it's very expensive and is limited to 4,000 lbs.. the good two post lifts are half the money but you have to have adequate width to leave enough room for a second bay. the last option is still about the same price as the two poster when you accessorize it with wheels/pans and ramps. i have not seen enough of four posters in person to determine just how they fill the space. alot of photos don't look that bad in a smaller garage space like mine. i also have a 7 x 8 rear door that will give access the remaing rear yard and don't want to end up blocking that door or rendering it useless. any experience, ideas or comments are welcome/appriciated just like Mr. Mushman originally stated.

 

[Mr Mushman]

Hello jimmie jam

No worries about "highjacking the thread", I know that we'll both get some good feedback regarding this. I was looking at the Bend-Pak Auto Stackers PL-6SP and PL-6SPX the difference between the two is the overall height and max.lift height, one being at 73" and the other one 85". Their lift capacity is 6000 lbs, so it is real good for what I will be using them for, and I do know that other ones are limited to a 4000 lbs load. I might be leaning towards the Bend-Pak for the simple fact that they do have a high rating, from what I understand they also have great customer service and very good reviews. I will keep you posted on my quest. But as usual if anyone has more advice ... I am open to it

Thanks

 

[jimmie jam]

anyone else ?