4 post lifts

[Gerry P.]

Does anyone have comments on the Prokar 4 post lift (good or bad)? It is a Chinese mfg'd lift so acknowledge it probably won't be a good as an American constructed however the price is less than $2k delivered and includes aluminum ramps and drip trays.

Has anyone had problems with a Chinese lift? What problems should I be concerned with? I know people knock the Chinese lifts but has anyone ever incurred a failure? The one I'm considering is has a 7,000lb capacity which I think would be adequate for my 57 which weighs less than 3000lbs.
Thanks
Gerry

[Henry S.]

Re: 4 post lifts

Gerry,
I don't know about the Prokar 4 post lift but I did get one from All American Lifts and IMHO you can't beat it. However as you said they are more money. I don't like throwing money away but when it comes to lifts I like to know they're going to stay up when someone is under them. I like the design of the one from All American Lifts with the locking mechinism on each post. One thing you may keep in mind, I've heard you want to stay away from the ones which use a block of metal welded to the side of the post as it's "safety" net. The blocks can fall off. If you go to the Corvette Forum and check the archives you will find tons of information (in fact there are a couple threads going on now in the C2 section). They have the pros and cons about most lifts.

Good luck,
Shooter

[David S.]

Re: 4 post lifts

I also have an All American lift. It has been great. Earl is very helpful, and has always been available by phone for any questions I have had. The price is very good and it is made very strong. I wouldn't want to stand under a Chinese made lift and hope the metal was strong and welds were good.

[Bill M.]

Re: 4 post lifts

I have a 2 post Auto Lifters lift i use it for storage and repairs it works great. I would not risk over $100k worth of cars on and under a lift made anywhere buy the U.S.
Bill

[John R.]

Re: 4 post lifts

I had a Chinese floor jack that I bought at Cosco that almost collapsed as the result of a broken weld. I will never again trust my cars or my life for that matter to a Chinese product.

[Michael M.]

Re: 4 post lifts

I wouldn't trust a Chinese lift. I bought a Backyard Buddy. It was pricey, but very well made. I figure that the couple thousand I saved on a lift won't seem like much if there is a failure and I am injured or my car is damaged.

[Phil D.]

Re: 4 post lifts

Does anyone have comments on the Prokar 4 post lift (good or bad)? It is a Chinese mfg'd lift so acknowledge it probably won't be a good as an American constructed however the price is less than $2k delivered and includes aluminum ramps and drip trays.

Has anyone had problems with a Chinese lift? What problems should I be concerned with? I know people knock the Chinese lifts but has anyone ever incurred a failure? The one I'm considering is has a 7,000lb capacity which I think would be adequate for my 57 which weighs less than 3000lbs.
Thanks
Gerry

I just yesterday had installed a Direct Lift, also Chinese made, but more expensive than the ProKar, longer warranty and its ETL certified. One of the main drivers of the choice was specifications. I needed the shorter 166" runners to fit in my space but 79" clear height necessary for body lifting duty. All others, chinese and american got longer as they got taller. Another part of the choice was the ability to get it from a local dealer and have them install it and set it up. I also got a pair of sliding jacks to enable suspension and brake work. Having just got it yesterday tho, I can't attest to its longevity or anything but it appears to be well made and operates pretty slick.

[Keith L.]

Re: 4 post lifts

I have two Super Lifts from superior lift company. I have had one about 3 years and the other two years. Is Back Yard Buddy a better lift? Yes but at over a thousand more I went with the China made one with American made pump. I spent all day yesterday under one and am not afraid of it. The pics you see in adds from BB where lifts have fell over I believe are from someone not paying attention when lowering. By design the BB lifr had a channel that wrapes around the post. My lifts have the blocks welded on and would be easier to turn over. If you lower one with block and one corners stop hangs up and the other three go down and you are not paying attention and keep going down it will shift the weight and turn over. They are not bolted down. Mine hung up one time and I stopped. Raised it and got off the stop and then came down with no problem. So if you get one from any one you should pay attension when lowering it. Not standing there holding the release button with your head turned talking to someone. If you can afford it get the best you can afford but I think mine are fine and would buy another.

[David D.]

Re: 4 post lifts

I don't personally have one....yet, but I do a lot of work over a friends who has a Stinger lift (made by Axe) and it is great.

I am not sure of the cost, but like others have said. What price can you put on your or others life that are under the lift? Not to say potential damage to car on top and below should you have a failure.

He keeps his '60s on and below......

Dueller

[Henry S.]

Re: 4 post lifts

I have two Super Lifts from superior lift company. I have had one about 3 years and the other two years. Is Back Yard Buddy a better lift? Yes but at over a thousand more I went with the China made one with American made pump. I spent all day yesterday under one and am not afraid of it. The pics you see in adds from BB where lifts have fell over I believe are from someone not paying attention when lowering. By design the BB lifr had a channel that wrapes around the post. My lifts have the blocks welded on and would be easier to turn over. If you lower one with block and one corners stop hangs up and the other three go down and you are not paying attention and keep going down it will shift the weight and turn over. They are not bolted down. Mine hung up one time and I stopped. Raised it and got off the stop and then came down with no problem. So if you get one from any one you should pay attension when lowering it. Not standing there holding the release button with your head turned talking to someone. If you can afford it get the best you can afford but I think mine are fine and would buy another.

Keith,
I have had that happen once or twice with my All American Lift. Their post construction is a 4" (I believe it's 4") sguare post with about 10 slots about 1" wide and a couple inches long stationed along the side of the post. They are about 6-8" apart. When lowering the lift, as you said, you need to pay attention all four locks clear the slots (or in your case the welded blocks). On the All American Lift once you clear the first slot and keep the lever holding the locks in you have no problems lowering the car. BUT THE KEY IS THE SAME WITH ANY LIFT YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I haven't done a search for a couple years and can't remember what safety agency handles lifts but if you did a search looking for lift accidents there may be some listed. One problem ALL lifts have (as any other product) there's no 100% safety guarantee or feature that will override STUPIDITY!

Please know your limits before operating ANY lift. Or at least read the safety manual.

Shooter

[Henry S.]

Re: 4 post lifts

Does anyone have comments on the Prokar 4 post lift (good or bad)? It is a Chinese mfg'd lift so acknowledge it probably won't be a good as an American constructed however the price is less than $2k delivered and includes aluminum ramps and drip trays.

Has anyone had problems with a Chinese lift? What problems should I be concerned with? I know people knock the Chinese lifts but has anyone ever incurred a failure? The one I'm considering is has a 7,000lb capacity which I think would be adequate for my 57 which weighs less than 3000lbs.
Thanks
Gerry

Gerry,
You might check this site out if you haven't already done so to see if they list anything of interest. Good luck, Shooter

http://www.autolift.org/buyer_beware.htm

[Anthony L.]

Re: 4 post lifts

Gerry,
I purchased a 4 post lift from Double Park in Kansas about 5 years ago. Awesome lift. Rolled diamond plate ramps, heim joints on all of the pivot points, two color powder coated, etc. A real quality lift. Unfortunately, they have had problems with the government. If at all possible, stay away from the Chinese junk. American, Back Yard Buddy or Stinger would be one of my choices today.

Regards,

Anthony

[Mark T.]

Re: 4 post lifts

Gerry ,I have been in the lift business over 25 years. I have installed well over a thousand lifts. The best advise is to buy an american lift from a company that has insurance and is not just a marketing or internet company. There is a difference in quality and manufacturing standards with the imported lifts. We have installed or moved almost every brand out there. The brands already mentioned as well as gemini lifts in fort worth texas are the best. The lifts ncrs purchased ,which have been used at the last 3 nationals are gemini. My partner and myself have assembled and taken them down and they are in great shape.
However common sense is important whenever operating any lift. By the way many lift companies have recently raised their prices because of steel going up
MARK TULLEY (LIFTMAN)

[Henry S.]

Re: 4 post lifts

Gerry ,I have been in the lift business over 25 years. I have installed well over a thousand lifts. The best advise is to buy an american lift from a company that has insurance and is not just a marketing or internet company. There is a difference in quality and manufacturing standards with the imported lifts. We have installed or moved almost every brand out there. The brands already mentioned as well as gemini lifts in fort worth texas are the best. The lifts ncrs purchased ,which have been used at the last 3 nationals are gemini. My partner and myself have assembled and taken them down and they are in great shape.
However common sense is important whenever operating any lift. By the way many lift companies have recently raised their prices because of steel going up
MARK TULLEY (LIFTMAN)

Mark,

Since you have been in the lift business for 25 years, is there a site you could recommend that would compare or at least list what lifts are safer than others? Of course any and all the lift sites you go to that are advertising lifts will offer the pros and not the cons about their brand of lift. There should be someplace a guy could check out the honest safety record for any lift offered for sale in the U.S. But maybe there's not.
Shooter

[Norm C.]

4 Post vs 2 Post??

As a tag to this post regarding which brands,,,,, from those who have used both and or have a preference..... for our type of use,, (home garage, often used, but not to make a living from) what are the pros & cons for 4 post lifts vs. 2 post lifts? thanks in advance for you input!!!