Trying to decide on a lift

[demondriven]

So I find myself with a little extra cash and was thinking of purchasing the harbor freight lift. The 6000 lb midrise. I was poking around and seen good reviews on it. But was also considering the kwiklift (A little more than I have).
I do mostly brakes, exhaust, fluid changes, struts. Just basic maintenance really. My concern is if the Harbor freight would be a good fit for me. I mostly work on cars in my driveway (garage is sort of difficult to reach with a car) so being somewhat portable is important as I will need to move it 12 feet during use. But wonder if the HF lift would give me enough access for the exhaust work and changing brake lines. It lifts higher than the kwiklift (which I wonder if I could build some type of block to set on the improve the height. Any and all advice welcome.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Is your driveway level?

 

[demondriven]

Not level. Guessing maybe a 4 or 5 degree grade. enough so water runs out when it rains.
One thing I just thought of is driveway is asphalt to not sure what effect that would have on HF lift.

 

[osu69]

I've had a mid-rise (Eagle) in my basement for about eight years. It has worn significant grooves in the concrete where the weight bears as it lifts. Additionally, it isn't really portable using the power unit as a jack and steering handle. Finally, it absolutely cannot be used on anything but a level, concrete surface.
Access to the underside of the car is extremely limited-good for oil changes and brake work only.

 

[demondriven]

Thanks Osu69. Any thoughts on the Kwik Lift on the Asphalt and non level?

 

[mikeyr]

I have a different take on the mid-rise, I have had mine 7 or 8 years and it sits on Racedeck tiles and has done NO damage to the tiles at all so I am not sure how it would wear into concrete, maybe the front wheels are different on his brand (mine is Bendpak).

I have moved mine all over the place even to the neighbors, its no fun but very moveable. The motor unit has a "hook" that goes into the lift and then you lift one end and move it on the front wheels, certainly not something i would call easy but its fine to do and only time I got into a problem was rolling on neighbors lawn while moving it to his garage.

I have a slope in my driveway, have no idea what it is whatever they put in for drainage and it works fine. Also in my front garage the idiot contractor put in a slope, again it works fine although I have noticed my 4-post is not as stable as it was at my old house that had a level floor, its not bad enough to worry about. The mid-rise in the driveway, front garage both with slopes or back garage which is level feels the same.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

I've got the Bendpac midrise in my shop. I compared it to the other brands and decided to go with the Bendpac since it has the auto saftey lock release feature. The other brands use a type of cable release that seems to be difficult to operate as mentioned by others.

When I bought my Bendpac, I got it for $1800 with free shiping to a local trucking dock.

Totally satisfied; my back has thanked me many times for this decision....

 

[demondriven]

Thanks Mickeyr and Tarheelgarage (BTW my Brother is a huge Tar Heel fan). I think what Im gonna do is put the money into a couple of the big 12 ton jackstands and do some improvements in the garage. Thanks to everybody that replied I appreciate the insight.