Taking apart a 4 post lift? Hard or doable?

[merim123]

Looking for some advice. Have a 4 post direct lift 9k. Need to take it apart in next 4 days to move to new house. My guy that built it is a dealer but is backed up and can’t guarantee he can get here in time. I’d like to take it apart and have my movers pick it up.
Is this mission impossible or doable? Any tips or videos? All I see on YouTube is guys getting tow trucks or uhaul trailer and taking it complete. I cant do that. It’s too tall to get out of the garage assembled so it must come apart.

 

[Glemon]

My son and I put a four post together, didn't use any lifts or jacks, just human power. The only hard part was the one length with the hydraulics in it, that was pretty heavy. We are what I would call average size guys 6' him a little under 200lbs, me a little over. I used to be pretty strong for my size, but at 60 those days are over.

Anyway I would say doable, but not easy, the heavy ramp tested the limits of our strength.

 

[finn]

My wife and I assembled two four post lifts last spring. We’re both 70, but we had an engine hoist and a 40 hp compact tractor with forks.

I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again, but wouldn’t attempt it without equipment.

The ramp with the hydraulic ram is heavy, and it would be easy to knock the ends over once the ramps are removed.

 

[shaune]

I assembled mine by myself, and engine hoist and rope. Took me a day.

 

[Radio Flyer]

co worker moved one across town. He said that the installer told him to drive a trailer under it, and lower it on the trailer.


Just a thought.

 

[merim123]

Thanks for the responses. I have an engine hoist, but need to just take it apart not move it myself. It has to be taken apart where it is.

 

[finn]

co worker moved one across town. He said that the installer told him to drive a trailer under it, and lower it on the trailer.


Just a thought.

Think he said the door was too small to do that.

It’s trapped inside the building.

 

[Radio Flyer]

Think he said the door was too small to do that.

It’s trapped inside the building.

Nowthat you bring it up,

coworker did say he lowered it on the trailer. Then unbolted the legs and laid them on the top.

He backed it in the new location, and reversed the order.

 

[merim123]

 

[HeadsUp]

Did you assemble the lift? Was in the same situation when I moved. Like others I disassembled and reassembled alone using engine hoist. Took my time. Having the instruction manual was very handy.

Direct Lift PP9 Plus Four Post Lift manual

 

[LXCam]

I just did my XL, XW 13klb bendpack three weeks ago with nothing more then a hydraulic table and a couple furniture dollies. Done that a couple times now. The engine hoist deal works but the table makes it so much easier.

 

[gnpenning]

When I bought mine used I backed up under it with my trailer and lowered it on railroad ties picked the legs up and out releasing them from the ramps and laid them on the ramps. Strapped across the top of everything. Just need a couple feet above the height of the trailer deck to move. Backed trailer in place lifted legs off and positioned on ramps one at a time. Raised lift to lock everything in place. Then completely lower making sure all 4 are going all the way down. No need to completely disassemble.

Oh, I did mine by myself after I got it home. A large pry bar helped. Lifted the pump assembly off first and set on ramps before lifting that leg. Didn't need to mess with the ram or the cables. I've moved it 2 times since around the place and used my flatbed truck both of those times. Even easier. Yes, I was nervous the first time, but after seeing how it went together it was a piece of cake. I will be moving it at least 2x more in the coming years as I sell and build a new place. No concerns about moving now.

As per your pictures getting the leg off and flat on the ramps you will have plenty of room. Most 4 posts the legs would fall off if you tried to travel with them in place.

 

[dave_dj1]

You should be able to do it alone but a little help would be nice. I took my 15K 4 post lift down and put it on my trailer alone. It was outside on a slab and I used my tractor but an engine hoist would work if your'e just setting it down.

 

[Ipassgas]

I moved one with an engine hoist, floor jack and furniture dollies. It took about 3 hours to get it all on the trailer. If I were to do it again, I could probably knock it down to 2 hours. Only take apart the things you need to. It's a one person job, for sure.

 

[merim123]

My dealer called me today. He is going to come get it and store it at his place and come install it at the new house.

 

[Higgins]

co worker moved one across town. He said that the installer told him to drive a trailer under it, and lower it on the trailer.


Just a thought.

We did that and it was a piece of cake! You just have to make sure your garage door opening is high enough for the lift to clear.

2nd option is rent a flat bed trailer.
Remove the cap on the hydraulic reservoir and place some seran wrap over the opening and rescuer the cap.
Unbolt the ramps from the uprights. place the long deck on the trailer (without the hydraulic line). put the back upright on the front of the trailer. Now carefully slide ramp that has the hydraulic line attached onto the trailer. Now place the the front upright with the hydraulic line attached and place it on top of the trailer and strap down.

I had a friend help me with the move and we were in our 60,s when We moved the lift this way and didn't loose a drop of fluid !

AL