Two-post lift placement?

[EastCoast]

Hey guys,

I'm a long time member and read here daily, but seldom post. That's about to change as I'm about to start an addition to my shop!! The current shop is 26x32 and with my Camaro under cover in the corner it's getting harder and harder to run my son's race team out of this space.

The addition will be 16' wide and 30' deep and want to plan for a 2-post lift. The first question; is it recomended/necessary to increase the thickness of the concrete pad in the area of the lift?

If so, what is the recommended location of the posts? Is there a rule of thumb regarding how far from the front wall or door I should go? There will be a bench along the front wall, and I think I would want to place the lift as far forward as practical, but wanted to see if others have any comment. I'm thinking the post would be placed somwewhere around 15-17' in from the bay door?? Maybe more??

Thanks for any input. I'll hopefully start a progress thread next week!
Robb

 

[Cryptic1911]

well, plan for an engine hoist to fit between the nose of a car and your bench so you can pull a motor, or if its going to be near a side wall, away far enough to pull an axle out without hitting the wall, etc.

 

[jonese]

I'm having a pad poured next week and was also wondering if I should make deeper pads where the lift was going. I called down to greg smith and asked them about it and they said all I need is 4" and 3000psi. That's good because I don't have to decide right now where to put the lift.
They also answer some common lift placement questions here: http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Articles.asp?ID=633

 

[zmotorsports]

I went through the same dilemna when installing mine. The lift placement will be somewhat dependent on whether it is a symetrical lift or asymetrical. It will effect by a foot or so. I wanted as much room in front of the vehicle between the front of vehicle and workbench as possible without interfering with the ability to close the shop door even with a 4-door pickup truck on the lift.

Here is the thread I started when asking the same question. Some good responses in here.

Mike.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92596

 

[NitroPress]

If you're pouring a new pad, I don't think you can go wrong pouring some reinforced 24x24 pads within the slab.... I'd go 12 inch thick with two layers of mesh, the top one extended into the slab.