Used Rotary Lift

[Charles (in GA)]

Going to look at a used Rotary lift. Its a 7,000 lb model, symmetrical (NOT asymmetrical), and is a mid '90's model. It is in storage, the owner cannot use it where he is located now. The current owner is the original owner and says it has not had a lot of use. 120V and has overhead plumbing/cables.

I do not own any heavy vehicles, a Plymouth Breeze, a Ranger, a '70 Mustang, and a '67 Falcon, heavy but not that heavy. Don't intend on owning anything heavy, and if I did, I do have floor jacks and lots of short and tall jackstands.

The seller wants $1600. This price seems reasonable to me for a good condition lift that hasn't been abused.

It will be installed inside a 10x10 roll/drum type door and height is not an issue (16 to 17 ft of open height in this area.) Slab is about 4-1/2 inch thick and is "six bag" or "3,000 commercial" concrete. There is a metal keyed joint near where one of the posts would go, but the nearest anchor would be about 18" away from the joint.

What do you think?

Charles

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Sounds like you are going to have a nice lift...

 

[CarCrafter]

Can't go wrong with a Rotary for that price. I have a SPOA7 (7000# Asymetric) and I love it

 

[krooser]

Buy it... paid $1800.00 for my Weaver.

 

[35mastr]

Not a bad deal at all. Buy it.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

paid $1500 for a near new rotory asymetrical low milage. Ed in so. calif. mine I believe is 220volt oh and 9000lbs

 

[bmwpower]

I paid way to much for mine it seems....

 

[fordcragar]

I bought two 9000 lb Rotary lifts from a company in Seattle that sells new and used service station equipment, four years ago. Both of the lifts were in a shop that closed and were about five years old. They were $2000 each, installed.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

I bought two 9000 lb Rotary lifts from a company in Seattle that sells new and used service station equipment, four years ago. Both of the lifts were in a shop that closed and were about five years old. They were $2000 each, installed.

That may be the going price if someone gets the unit for $500 that doesn't mean you still didn't get a decent price. They are well built units and I have nothing but good service out of it for many year now. I had to take mine down load it on my trailer and install at my home. ED

 

[fordcragar]

That may be the going price if someone gets the unit for $500 that doesn't mean you still didn't get a decent price. They are well built units and I have nothing but good service out of it for many year now. I had to take mine down load it on my trailer and install at my home. ED

I've dealt with these guys for years on other tools. I had been looking at some of the other units, like Bend Pak and similar. They were all about $4000 (new) and I almost went that direction. The problem that I saw was getting a bunch of boxes and assembling the units by myself. So when I talked to these guys, the installed price sounded great. Being that they were used, and these guys that are dealers for Rotary that were installing them; it sounded like a good deal to me. All I was doing was relaying my experience.

 

[Ex-Pat]

I just had a used Rotary SPAO9 asymmetric 9,000lbs installed. They cut it down from 14 feet to 13'6" fitted new custom cables for $2500 I am THRILLED with it. Every time I push the button I am glad I had it professionally installed.

 

[Rigmaster]

I just had a used Rotary SPAO9 asymmetric 9,000lbs installed. They cut it down from 14 feet to 13'6" fitted new custom cables for $2500 I am THRILLED with it. Every time I push the button I am glad I had it professionally installed.

Sorry for the thread-jack, but can you post up or PM me the details on who installed the lift for you.

I have an older Rotary lift sitting on the floor of my shop, and it's apparent to me that I'm never going to find the time to install it myself..........


Thx.

 

[drivinhard]

I think setting yours up is a good idea, you really get to know it well by doing it, and see where you need to inspect/service, etc. It's not that hard

 

[Rigmaster]

I think setting yours up is a good idea, you really get to know it well by doing it, and see where you need to inspect/service, etc. It's not that hard

Oh, I agree, but I'd be interested in getting a quote for professional install cost. Maybe it would prompt me to find the time to get it done myself- or realize that it's cheap enough that I should just pay someone to get it done.


I know a bit about the workings of the lift- I had to take it down from the shop I bought it from........

 

[drivinhard]

I was quoted $700 to have mine installed (SPOA10)

 

[Ex-Pat]

Sorry for the thread-jack, but can you post up or PM me the details on who installed the lift for you.

I have an older Rotary lift sitting on the floor of my shop, and it's apparent to me that I'm never going to find the time to install it myself..........


Thx.

C & A Equipment in Raleigh 919 231 8700 tell em Justin sent you.

I think setting yours up is a good idea, you really get to know it well by doing it, and see where you need to inspect/service, etc. It's not that hard

totally, I was very hands on during the install and saw how the "Experts " measured, lubed and adjusted the cables, latches etc was a great schooling. Would have been a bit of a struggle on my own

 

[december45]

i bought a used Rotary 10k from a body shop, i ended up paying $1200 + $350 to install, i dont think you can go wrong with a Rotary, and im glad i spent the extra money to have it installed, just makes me feel better about it. After watching the guys install mine, its not that tough, but still glad i did it the way i did.

 

[Rigmaster]

C & A Equipment in Raleigh 919 231 8700 tell em Justin sent you.



totally, I was very hands on during the install and saw how the "Experts " measured, lubed and adjusted the cables, latches etc was a great schooling. Would have been a bit of a struggle on my own

Thanks Justin!!!!!11

 

[Dave Heacock]

When you are looking at used Rotary two post aboveground lifts the two things to check that could make the difference between a good lift and scrap metal are the insides of the columns for damage and the top arm pin holes in the carriage for enlargement.

These lifts have plastic slider blocks on the carriage that do wear out. Once they are worn through the carriage will score the inside of the column and the lift will be permanently damaged. Checking the slider blocks on a used lift before installation is critical as once it is installed they can not be replaced as the carriage has to come out of the column to service them. Since the slider blocks only wear on one side, unless they are cracked or worn completely through, you can remove the block flip it over and reinstall it. While arm pins do wear and need to be replace, we also see carriages that have the top arm pin holes egged out. The factory fix for this is a new carriage or lift. Since this problem is common in well worn lifts, a bolt on reinforcement/repair kit was developed in the aftermarket to put a bandage on these damaged lifts.

A quality lift that is used professionally (multiple times per day) could be expected to last between 12-15 years before it is going to start to have major components (power units/cylinders) start to fail. In Southern California, well used lifts are $700-800 and newer fresh used lifts are $1,200-$1,500 (not including installation). Any quality lift should last a lifetime for the hobbyist who uses it only occasionally.

 

[bmwpower]

Dave,
I assume you're not getting a new Rotary for those prices.

 

[Rigmaster]

Dave,
I assume you're not getting a new Rotary for those prices.

No way- he said

"In Southern California, well used lifts are $700-800 and newer fresh used lifts are $1,200-$1,500 (not including installation)."

 

[Dave Heacock]

I actually get the used lifts for even less than that but I have to make some money. The prices listed were definately for used lift, I posted them as a reference for the original poster. I would say for a 7,000 lbs lift the $1,600 is a little high. Most people really want 9K-10K minimum capacity now so the 7K lifts are not that popular, but if it still looks brand new it would be an ok deal. It is all about condition and sometimes age has nothing to do with it.

 

[fordcragar]

............................................................................

totally, I was very hands on during the install and saw how the "Experts " measured, lubed and adjusted the cables, latches etc was a great schooling. Would have been a bit of a struggle on my own

This is exactly my case as well. I didn't have the time to devote to learning how to install it, but could give up a day to a watch two experienced guys put them together. I was looking for four parking spots in my garage, instead of two lifts sitting there waiting for me to put them together.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I actually get the used lifts for even less than that but I have to make some money. The prices listed were definately for used lift, I posted them as a reference for the original poster. I would say for a 7,000 lbs lift the $1,600 is a little high. Most people really want 9K-10K minimum capacity now so the 7K lifts are not that popular, but if it still looks brand new it would be an ok deal. It is all about condition and sometimes age has nothing to do with it.

I was trying to get an idea of price, but I think this lift might be commanding a premium because the seller is original owner and apparently never used it commercially. Its been on CL for a while. I would like to have a higher capacity lift, but really don't need it.

I have not seen a lot of lifts advertised in the Atlanta area. Possibly I don't know where to look. Other issue is that I really don't want some ex-tire store's gone out of business junk lift. Now, if I could find a dealership just out of business that installed new lifts two years ago, that might be different, but I suspect that I would have to deal with middlemen who are going around buying them up and re-installing them, that I don't want to do.

I really don't need to be spending money right now, and may have to walk on this anyhow, but I'm going to go prepared to load it and pay and leave. My main concern is how tight Rotary is with service and installation information, they seem to have little to nothing on their web site. Will they provide me with installation information if I ask, or will they tell me to get lost?

Why do you say the slider blocks cannot be replaced after the lift is installed? Can they not be removed out the top of the columns?

Charles

 

[vette66bob]

Going to look at a used Rotary lift. Its a 7,000 lb model, symmetrical (NOT asymmetrical), and is a mid '90's model. It is in storage, the owner cannot use it where he is located now. The current owner is the original owner and says it has not had a lot of use. 120V and has overhead plumbing/cables.

I do not own any heavy vehicles, a Plymouth Breeze, a Ranger, a '70 Mustang, and a '67 Falcon, heavy but not that heavy. Don't intend on owning anything heavy, and if I did, I do have floor jacks and lots of short and tall jackstands.

The seller wants $1600. This price seems reasonable to me for a good condition lift that hasn't been abused.

It will be installed inside a 10x10 roll/drum type door and height is not an issue (16 to 17 ft of open height in this area.) Slab is about 4-1/2 inch thick and is "six bag" or "3,000 commercial" concrete. There is a metal keyed joint near where one of the posts would go, but the nearest anchor would be about 18" away from the joint.

What do you think?

Charles

Dave,
I had the same type of deal. I went to the fall Carlisle show in PA. and talked with the Rotary supplier at their booth. They offered advice and if needed , they would aid in the installation and set up. I have not set it up yet but I am going to have them assist. I do not want anything to go wrong. The lift is well engineered and a good product. The price seems within the ball park. Good luck
Bob

 

[pattenp]

...........
Why do you say the slider blocks cannot be replaced after the lift is installed? Can they not be removed out the top of the columns?

Charles

You have to slide the whole carriage out the top of the column to get to the plastic sliders to remove them. Unless you have a lot of ceiling clearence you will have to unmount the columns and lay them on the floor to remove the carriages.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

You have to slide the whole carriage out the top of the column to get to the plastic sliders to remove them. Unless you have a lot of ceiling clearence you will have to unmount the columns and lay them on the floor to remove the carriages.

Oh, thats not an issue. Where the lift would be mounted, its about 17 ft or so to the purlins, and my 1932JLG scissor lift makes short work of getting to the top.

Fact is, I emailed the guy and told him I was having second thoughts, I simply cannot justify spending the money right now. I need roof work on the house and am planning on having some repairs done plus a full metal roof. This is going to run about $8K and I probably need to conserve my cash.

I'll think about it some more, possibly in a week or two I'll change my mind again, and if he still has it, I'll go look at it, and if he doesn't or I decide to not look, there will be another one along eventually. I kept feeling that $1600 was a little steep for a 7,000 lb model, I think, if its clean, it should be more like $1200 or $1300 at the most. I'm no good at dickering, I'm more of a take it or leave it kind of person.

Charles

 

[bluesman2a]

I was quoted $700 to have mine installed (SPOA10)

Definitely a job worth paying for, but that's WAY too much, especially in our area. I think I paid 300-400 when I had mine done.

Also to the OP (Charles)... The guys I talked to are doing used Rotary lifts a bit cheaper (and they are local).

If you guys are still looking, PM me, I'll shoot you their contact info.

 

[Cardboard Man]

In 2001, I gave $500 for my 1987 vintage 9K lb. Rotary that I removed from a shop that was being torn down. It had seen regular service over it's lifetime and was in very good condition. I installed it myself in my home shop (very straight-forward) and it has given me many years of service now, with the only issue being a broken O-ring that was super easy to replace.

If you can verify the quality and justify the expenditure, I'd say go for it, as it's a very useful tool to have.

 

[mad57]

Just look at it!!! And if you like it offer $1200 dont even haggel if 1200 is your number stick to it its tough out there now ill bet money you get it for 1200, better yet offer $950 cash if he says no leave ur number with him he will counter to 1200 or lower. Good luck.

 

[Dave Heacock]

PattenP had it correct. You can raise the carriages completely out of the columns to replace the slider blocks when the lift is standing but a forklift is usually required. Checking them and doing any necessary replacements when the lift is knocked down is much easier and safer.

If you look around long enough you will most likely find a good deal on a lift.
There sure are a lot of them floating around.