Two post lift suggestions/discussion

[69MyWay]

I have just turned the corner on the overhaul of my detached workshop and am starting to set my sites on wrapping it up. One of the last things I want to do is install a two post lift on the far side. I realize the affordable ones (even with the name "AMERICAN") are all made in China now.

However, I'd like to hear some discussions on what two post lifts work well - might work well - +/- etc.

I have 9.5 tall ceilings out there, which is just enough to squeeze most of the home style lifts in place. I need it strong enough to work, but low enought/light duty enough to slip under very low slung cars. I do not intend on using it to hold a car and park one under it. If that were my goal, I'd put a four post in the attached house garage.

I have never owned one - and it seems to defy logic that only TWO posts bolted to the slab are safe and secure enough to hold a car under load.

THANKS!

[gearheads78]

Watch for dealerships that close. You will get a much better quality unit that way. My Rotary came from a Pontiac dealership that went out of business about 10 years ago.

edit... never mind 9.5" ceiling is going to be hard to find anything in a 2 post

[f1shman]

I really love Mohawk lifts. Out of all the brands I've used in the shops I've worked at, I felt safest when in a bay with a Mohawk. If anything, they might be over engineered for general automotive use, but I never felt that was a bad thing when you are parking a few tons over your head.

http://www.mohawklifts.com

[Fluid Power]

These guys are getting a lot of run at garage journal.

http://www.maxjaxusa.com

more than a scissor lift, but would probably work better.

Darren

[gearheads78]

These guys are getting a lot of run at garage journal.

http://www.maxjaxusa.com

more than a scissor lift, but would probably work better.

Darren

Thats better than nothing but it would suck not being able stand up to work under the car. :yes:

[69MyWay]

I called the guys - they have to put you in touch with a dealer.

I can't stand under anything with a 9.5' garage - but I don't really care to stand under it anyway.

[JamesJ]

http://www.eagleequip.com/

[69MyWay]

Okay - was able to do some research on the maxjax.

It is an import part - like the others.

It has three stopping points - 2', 3', and 4' - there is no stopping inbetween.

It will run off 110 or 220.

The pump can be rolled or mounted on the wall.

The hoses are 16' long that feed the rams.

- Price is a tad more than other two post (permanment mount) systems.

The post is a semi-permanent - and has to be unbolted from the floor to move one or both of the sides. I would have figured they would have made a bolting/pin plate so they could be more easily and quickly pulled and rolled.

I need to find out if the others allow you to stop the lift in more than three spots...and also need to know where I can so some searching on the saftey record of them.

Checking out eagle now too.

[Mkelcy]

Okay - was able to do some research on the maxjax.

It is an import part - like the others.

It has three stopping points - 2', 3', and 4' - there is no stopping inbetween.

It will run off 110 or 220.

The pump can be rolled or mounted on the wall.

The hoses are 16' long that feed the rams.

- Price is a tad more than other two post (permanment mount) systems.

The post is a semi-permanent - and has to be unbolted from the floor to move one or both of the sides. I would have figured they would have made a bolting/pin plate so they could be more easily and quickly pulled and rolled.

I need to find out if the others allow you to stop the lift in more than three spots...and also need to know where I can so some searching on the saftey record of them.

Checking out eagle now too.

I looked at the MaxJax link and was just a bit concerned, particularly if the plan is to bolt and unbolt the posts from time to time. The MaxJax posts are secured by (IIRC) 5 bolts, torqued down to 100ft/lbs. My Mohawk Asymetrical (which does place a greater load on the posts) is held down by 7 anchors torqued down (and periodically checked) to 150 ft/lbs. Moreover, if the MaxJax posts are bolted and unbolted periodically, I'd expect the anchor holes in the concrete to loosen up over time and the periodic stressing and unstressing of the concrete could lead to cracks which would require replacement of a portion of your garage floor.

For me, the 4' position would be good for brakes and suspension work done from the side of the car. The 2' and 3' positions are for undercar work, with you on the floor or a creeper. You might want to think about why you want a lift and whether working under the car on a creeper is still going to make it worth while.

My shop (in Sourthern California) couldn't acommodate a lift, so I had it installed (now with a weather proof motor for the pump) outside at the far end of the concrete pad in front of the shop. That's probably not a viable solution for you. The nice thing about a full height lift is that you can get approriately sized stands, transmission jacks, oil drain tanks and other accessories pretty easily. The split for me is under car work about 80% of the time and side of the car 20%. If your pattern is the same, get a nice creeper. :)

For any two post lift, you should confirm the depth and density of the concrete in your shop.

[byndbad914]

I really love Mohawk lifts. Out of all the brands I've used in the shops I've worked at, I felt safest when in a bay with a Mohawk. If anything, they might be over engineered for general automotive use, but I never felt that was a bad thing when you are parking a few tons over your head.

http://www.mohawklifts.com
thanks for noting that - I have been considering a Mohawk 2-post and have no background with them, but like the forward mounting position (the asymmetric mounting) for my garage, so it is good to see someone with some experience share their thoughts!

[69MyWay]

I really love Mohawk lifts. Out of all the brands I've used in the shops I've worked at, I felt safest when in a bay with a Mohawk. If anything, they might be over engineered for general automotive use, but I never felt that was a bad thing when you are parking a few tons over your head.

http://www.mohawklifts.com

Thanks for this link - I'm waiting for some info from these guys.

THEY ARE MADE IN THE USA! It is getting SO hard to find anything made here anymore. I do what I can to buy domestic when I can - as long as the price is something I can swing. Waiting for prices and additional info.

I have no problem notching my ceiling drywall for a taller post to slip in place -but would prefer a lift made for the lower ceiling. If I read right they are basically 12' tall on the up posts.

[f1shman]

Thanks for this link - I'm waiting for some info from these guys.

THEY ARE MADE IN THE USA! It is getting SO hard to find anything made here anymore. I do what I can to buy domestic when I can - as long as the price is something I can swing. Waiting for prices and additional info.

I have no problem notching my ceiling drywall for a taller post to slip in place -but would prefer a lift made for the lower ceiling. If I read right they are basically 12' tall on the up posts.

No, the columns aren't 12 foot. I did a bit of digging through their info and found that the A-7 model has column height listed at 7'11-1/2" (2.43 m). Any additional height above that is just the hydraulic crossover line, and there are a few things you can do with that to give you clearance. You can cut the line down to fit along your low ceiling, or you can cut a 1" x 1" trough in your concrete floor between the beams and route it there.

Here's the link to the page I found the height info at:
http://www.mohawklifts.com/consumer/specs/a7spec.php

[LS1NOVA]

I have an Eagle 9000 lb thats made for low ceilings. It has a floor plate and open top. I would recommend them for sure. Ive had it for 5 years, no problems. Bought it new off Ebay.

[69MyWay]

Okay, there is no doubt in my mind after talking to mohawk they have the best model. It does not use a chain/cable and doesn't need a plate. It is running a pair of cylinders in stereo - with true safe locks. The actual posts are only about 7' high where the line runs up and over, and can be adjusted (to fit in, or go up and over my ceiling drywall/insulation).

The deal is though - they are nearly THREE TIMES the price of the imports.

I'm a big USA kind of guy - but this puts them out of the range I want to spend. In other words, would rather do without than spend that kind of jack - especially at 3x!

Eagle/American Lift etc make a fine lift - but is is from China.

[69MyWay]

those with the import lifts....

Any complaints from them? Issues? Problems?????

The Mohawk is AWESOME...it just is way too much for what I have to spend on this.

[dhutton]

those with the import lifts....

Any complaints from them? Issues? Problems?????

The Mohawk is AWESOME...it just is way too much for what I have to spend on this.

I have a DirectLift that I bought on ebay. It uses dual cylinders and works fine for me in my backyard shop, no problems of any kind. They are local to me so I also saved on shipping. Great people to deal with. I couldn't justify the cost of an American model based on the use that it gets in my shop. If I was doing it for a living that would be different story.

Don

[69MyWay]

I have a DirectLift that I bought on ebay. It uses dual cylinders and works fine for me in my backyard shop, no problems of any kind. They are local to me so I also saved on shipping. Great people to deal with. I couldn't justify the cost of an American model based on the use that it gets in my shop. If I was doing it for a living that would be different story.

Don


Don,

They have very reasonable priced units. I read through the install and set up.

I would have to get it shipped, and shipping states it has to be lifted off the common carrier truck all at one time (forklift...etc).

What is this load like? My neighbor has a small diesel Kubota, but don't know if it would do the job.

Also...once in your shop - can you give me the highlights of what it was like to assemble and install it?

[dhutton]

Don,

They have very reasonable priced units. I read through the install and set up.

I would have to get it shipped, and shipping states it has to be lifted off the common carrier truck all at one time (forklift...etc).

What is this load like? My neighbor has a small diesel Kubota, but don't know if it would do the job.

Also...once in your shop - can you give me the highlights of what it was like to assemble and install it?

I used the front end loader of my 27 hp Kubota to lift one end and drag it back off my trailer. When it was almost off I lowered the end and then used the loader to lift the other end and then drove the trailer out from under it. The uprights are quite heavy but I was able to install it myself using the front end loader. I recommend you get a couple of guys to help you though.

[69MyWay]

I've gone around and around and around.....

Settled on the HR8000

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/photos/TPHR-8000-2.jpg

[wedged]

In my opinion having a non-flush floor plate on lift has sucks. The plate can cause you trip, makes moving a trans jack a major pain and is just plain annoying. The clear floor lifts are much better. I owned a Mohawk at on time and sold it to the guy who moved into my old repair shop when i was relocating. I figured it would easier to buy a new lift rather than move and store the Mohawk. After I had a shop built in my backyard, I got a 10,000 lb Bend Pak clear floor wide version. I bought it from http://www.e-autolifts.com/index.html . Very nice people to work with.

[69MyWay]

In my opinion having a non-flush floor plate on lift has sucks. The plate can cause you trip, makes moving a trans jack a major pain and is just plain annoying. The clear floor lifts are much better. I owned a Mohawk at on time and sold it to the guy who moved into my old repair shop when i was relocating. I figured it would easier to buy a new lift rather than move and store the Mohawk. After I had a shop built in my backyard, I got a 10,000 lb Bend Pak clear floor wide version. I bought it from http://www.e-autolifts.com/index.html . Very nice people to work with.


I totally agree. I looked at those too.

Problems with a ceiling under 12'

There were compromises everywhere I looked

[69MyWay]

Picked it up yesterday. Had it shipped to a local lumber yard - then hauled it home on my trailer (1,800 lbs). At home, I backed the trailer in the shop and hoisted it off with my engine hoist. Got it on the floor, unbolted the shipping brackets - then unwrapped it all and stood the posts up.

Will be hammering out on it through the weekend.

[69MyWay]

up and tested

http://mcspeed.homestead.com/lift.jpg