Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

Jeff's questions on his two-post lift reminded me that I have a two-post sitting in someone's shop waiting on me to tell them to install it in my garage. I'd also like to set a four-post lift beside it and store a car on it. The two-post would be for maintenance and the area to put stuff or park another car when I'm not using the two-post.

Problem is that I only have a two-car garage. The height is 10' 10" feet, the maximum width clearance is 19 feet and the maximum depth is 21 feet.

So, what is the minimum width I can set the posts of the two-post lift apart to still be able to actually use it?

Can I put in a four-post also if the two-post is in there? If so, what brands of four-post are recommended? Preferably inexpensive.

Thanks,

Bob

[Dick W.]

Re: Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

Bob, that dimension will vary with the manufacturer. I will go to the shop in a little while and measure mine. I will post the dimensions after dinner.

[Mark T.]

Re: Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

Bob All Two Post Lifts Other Than The Mohawk Brand Are Not Adjustable .they Have Either A Overhead Beam Or A Floor Plate Which Are Both Fixed Widths . Rotary Does Make An Adjustable But It Usally For The Height. The Width Can Vary Depending On The Brand Usually From 11ft. To 12ft. The Overhead Height Is Usually 12ft.
Most 4 Post Lifts Go From 106in To 112in Baseplate To Baseplate. If You Have The Ceiling Height Putting Both Lifts In 21ft Is Going To Be Very Tight
Hope This Info Helps, This Is What I Do For A Living
Mark (liftman)

[Mike M.]

Re: Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

Several of the guys have modified the garage rafters forming a trey type recess to accomodate the necessary added heighth reguirement.
HaND

[Gary C.]

Re: Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

Bob, my previous home shop had a 10 4 1/2 in top plate (ceiling). Used a 2 post which had the cable and hydraulic lines ran on the floor with a cover plate of them. Worked fine for C1 & C2 Corvettes. Even had an old Suburban on it, but had to stoop a little. Whatever you do buy an American made lift with proven safety features. The Chinese manufactured ones are too risky IMHO. Gary....

[Dick W.]

Re: Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

Bob, my lift is 138" o/s to o/s. It is manufactured by Rotary and is a symetrical lift. I would be leary of any foreign manufactured lifts, or any lift, for that matter, that does not have a ALI certification

[Bob B.]

Re: Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

Hi all,

Are there any certain features that I should be looking for in a four-post lift?

Thanks,

Bob

[Jim D.]

Re: Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

Hi all,

Are there any certain features that I should be looking for in a four-post lift?

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,
I've had my SuperLifts 4 post lift for about 8 years. Never had a single problem. My neighbor has a 2 post lift and he's the one that convinced me to get a 4 post lift. I think he uses mine more than his. 2 options you want are a jack tray and aluminum ramps.

Jim

[Jim S.]

Re: Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

I had to raise my 8' ceiling 2' in order to completely raise the lift.

[Jim T.]

Re: Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

Bob I don't have any recommendations for a two post lift. My garage is about the same as yours, however you do have about a foot more height. Mine is 21 1/2' W, 19 1/2' L, and 9' 9" H.
I bought two four post lifts, first one 13 years ago, and the second 12 years ago. They are M6's from Auto Lifters of America. The lifts are about 8' 4" wide and about 13' 3" in length post to post.
I bought them to be able to keep 4 Corvettes in the garage. The only change I made to my garage door was to restrict it from going up all the way, only goes up high enough to drive a Corvette onto the lift or into the garage to park.

Since the garage door has to be restricted going up, I back my Corvettes onto the lift to raise them up since the front design of the Corvettes will allow the door to be raised over the front part of the Corvettes.
One lift is a few inches farther back. Both top Corvettes are parked with the rear tires at the end of the ramps to allow hood/fender to provide clearance for the garage door being raised. Installed wood blocks in the garage door railing for a safety stop in case the automatic adjustable stop in the garage door opener fails. Has not failed yet.
Have two motorcycles, five stand up storage cabinets, and two hydraulic floor jacks in the garage also.

[Bill M.]

Re: Two- and Four-Post Lift Questions

Bob

I have a 2 post lift made by Auto Lifters works great i have it about 8 years. I do all of my maintenance on it. It is a 7000# lift and has a floor span of 10 feet my ceiling is 10 foot. when i built my garage i planned on a lift but i only measured corvettes before deciding on ceiling hieght. So i to have to stoop under my pickup truck.Auto lifters makes a 5000# lift that has a smaller span (i think 8 1/2') .Give them a call 1 800 759 0703 they will be glad to send you a video.

Bill