Suggestions for moving four post lifts

[Richard M.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

I know a inconvenience, but if the mindset is safety, then it's easy to decide. I would use the opportunity to fully inspect the lifts for safety and integrity, by completely disassembling them, taking notes, taping cable ends and pieces with notations where they go back together as aids to reassembly.

This way, when re-assembling them at the new location, you will be absolutely sure every piece and fit and tightness of every fastener is of proper quality and integrity. Just like our cars......what we find when we take things apart is typically "enlightening". Last car I took apart had some dangerous areas that could have been a bad thing for the driver if left as is.

A year ago I acquired a used 4 post from a friend. We took it completely apart. Moved it on his flatbed car trailer, set in in storage for a month. Then when I reassembled it, I found several "issues" that were wrong when it was at his place. He had it installed by the lift company. Even then, there were mistakes made by them when they installed the locknuts on the main cables. Totally opposite from the assembly instructions. I even called the manufacturer to verify. They originally did it wrong.

Roy, if I were you I wouldn't take chances. Either you and buddies or a third party service. Take them apart. It'll be easier to move them too.

Rich

[Roy S.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

With all due respect, I'm not sure I would want to work under a 26 year old lift that was just uninstalled, moved 17 miles by one of unverified skill, and reinstalled.

Nick, these are high quality, positive lock lifts that have served me well for 26 years, I plan to get quite a few more years out of each. Unless it costs more to move them than a new set costs, I will be keeping them. Over the years they have been maintained, two pulleys changed because of bearing issues and initially one of the cross bars was welded incorrectly, I still have it if anyone wants a useless part.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

I agree with others. I would have a lift company move them. they can also inspect the lifts for wear or problems. Also if the lift falls while you are under it your widow will be rich when she sues the company. LOL

[Tom B.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

Being someone who likes to do everything himself, I would look into the pontoon boat trailer option. Here in lake country I see hundreds of boat lifts being taken to storage in the fall and transported back out to the lakes every spring using this method. A local marina that stores boats docks and lifts might even do the actual transporting for you. The people that sell lifts don't normally, if at all, transport lifts assembled. I'm sure they would tell you to knock it down to transport.

Tom

[David G.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

roy-boy. i bought a used 4 poster from a fellow MAC member when he moved to florida. took our rollback and a buddy. used the winch on rollback to get it on the bed. unloaded it with the john deere loader. mike

I agree with Mike (Doesn't happen often). It can be
safely and easily done with a rollback. An experienced rollback operator and helper can
complete the job for a very reasonable fee.
KC moved the new BYB that we used at the Gettysburg Regional on his rollback
with no issues.

Dave

[Russ S.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

Why nin the world would any one need to epoxy anchors to the floor? That's what they do-anchor.

I would look into the companies that install lifts and I am sure they could move them. When they do get to your house be sure to expoy the anchors in.

[Roy S.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

I agree with Mike (Doesn't happen often). It can be
safely and easily done with a rollback. An experienced rollback operator and helper can
complete the job for a very reasonable fee.
KC moved the new BYB that we used at the Gettysburg Regional on his rollback
with no issues.

Dave

Dave apparently the roll backs around here have a different bed, my post feet measure 8'6'' wide, the roll backs around here have a rail on them that is typically 8'. none of them want to pick these lifts up and have the feet on top of and overhang outside of their rails. Maybe I need to look for a roll back without rails?

[John H.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

Back when I lived in IN, companies would display fully assembled lifts at the INDY speedway meet. They would sell them on site so they didn't have to take back home. They did as mentioned above; backed a trailer under the raised lift. Lower the lift and raised the feet off the ground. Tied it down and hauled it to the buyer's house. Might not want to do it for across the USA but works for short hauls.

When I bought my Cytech Double-Park lift in 2000, they delivered it from Oklahoma fully assembled. They had a truck and trailer (similar to the one described above) they used to deliver two of them assembled - the one on the truck bed went first to the Street Rod Nationals, then the one on the trailer was delivered to my garage in Michigan. All it needed was a touch-up on the crown cable anchors for leveling.

[Mike M.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

our rollback has no railing on its bed sides. the used lift did hang over the side of the rollback by a couple inches. of course, i got oversize load permits from virginia and maryland. yeah, right. mike

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

our rollback has no railing on its bed sides. the used lift did hang over the side of the rollback by a couple inches. of course, i got oversize load permits from virginia and maryland. yeah, right. mike

Just like you got oversized permits to move a gas station building!

[Tim E.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

Roy - If you have 4 of those Harbor Freight wheel dollies, you could probably set a base plate on each one and move the lift around the shop and into position. Tim

[John G.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

Roy, check with a house mover. Also, here in OK, there are a lot of businesses that sell and deliver sheds etc. that are oversized.
Good luck, John G

[Gary C.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

Roy,

If the inside of the posts width is 80 inches or wider, then a U-Haul type (flat bed) car trailer would allow the lift to be over the sides of the trailer. Just a thought.

Gary
....

[Roy S.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

Thank You for all of the sage advice. After further consideration I decided the potential loss of a finger or toe, even the thought of stitches, was not something I cherished. Local lift installation company has offered to move, level and adjust them for $250.00 each.

[Leif A.]

Re: Suggestions for moving four post lifts

Thank You for all of the sage advice. After further consideration I decided the potential loss of a finger or toe, even the thought of stitches, was not something I cherished. Local lift installation company has offered to move, level and adjust them for $250.00 each.

Now, there's a bargain. Well done, Roy!!