Transporting a 4 post lift

[Gerry P.]

Does anyone have tips on transporting a 4 post lift without disassembling? Has anyone used a flatbed rolloff type tow truck to pick it up and transport? Ideas or comments welcome.
Thanks
Gerry

[Harmon C.]

Re: Transporting a 4 post lift

I would take it apart to avoid damage. I have seen lift vendors use a special trailor that fits between the posts and then they tie the posts up.

[Gary C.]

Re: Transporting a 4 post lift

Gerry, send Mark Tulley an e-mail. Mark's a professional list installer and has helped alot with the NCRS lifts. Gary....

[Gary B.]

Re: Transporting a 4 post lift

If you do not have far to go a friend used an open car trailer. Raised the lift, backed under it, lowered the lift to get the posts well off the ground, and drove slowly about a mile to his new garage.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Transporting a 4 post lift

How far? IMHO it's NOT cost effective to move a lift great distances.

I'm selling my house in Fallston, MD, WITH the lift. It goes with the house.

I'm putting another lift at my new place in Florida. Not cost effective to try to move 1500 lbs. of steel 1000 miles when I can buy a new one for $1500 to $2000.

Chuck

[Gerry P.]

Re: Transporting a 4 post lift

Thanks for the replies and here is an update.

I purchased a "Double Park Cytech" lift from Craigs list and need to move it approx 40 miles. I was able to talk with "Bill" at Cytech yesterday and he was very helpful with moving suggestions. He said disassembly is certainly one alternative but actually recommended an easier solution. He suggested locating a flat bed trailer or truck which will fit between the posts (width between posts is 92") and follow the steps below:

Step 1 - to raise the lift high enough for the ramps to clear the trailer/truck bed
Step 2 - back the trailer/truck under the ramps,
Step 3 - drop the ramps down on the trailer and secure with two straps
Step 4 - Activate hydraulic cylinder to loosen cables.
Step 5 - Raise each post (can be done manually) enough to insert 54" length 2x4 in the post's verticle slot (above the ramp) (this is slot where cross beam slides up and down - Bill said slot in post is just wide enough to accomodate a 2x4). Drop post down on 2x4 - the post now rests on the 2x4.
Step 6 - Repeat step 5 for other 3 posts
Step 7 - Remove pump unit and secure to ramps (assumes pump is mounted on side of post - if on outside of post, overall load width will exceed most state laws)
Step 8 - Ready for transport.

The seller of the lift said it was delivered new on a trailer already assempled, probably using the setup described above. Bill said they purposely build the lifts so they are no more than 105" wide and thus can be legally transported on the road.

Bill mentioned boat trailers work very well because they are narrow enough to fit between the posts.

Now all I need is to find a flat bed truck or trailer to test Bill's method. I live in the Denver area and would welcome any ideas from members who might have ideas on where I could rent a truck or trailer. Unfortunately, Uhaul and Penske don't rent flat bed trailers. Uhaul has car trailers but won't rent them unless pulled behind their own trucks. Also, they are likely too wide to fit between the posts.

Thanks
Gerry

[Tim S.]

Re: Transporting a 4 post lift

Just Moved One Last Month, Used Rollback , Winched On , Tied Down With Straps. Mine Has Wheels Which Made Very Easy . Tim

[Dick W.]

Re: Transporting a 4 post lift

Gerry, 102" is the maximum legal width in all states, and only on specified roads. Be careful that you do not have a run in with the local constabularies.

[John H.]

Re: Transporting a 4 post lift

Gerry -

I bought my Cytech Double-Park lift in 2000, and they delivered it fully assembled all the way from Kansas to Michigan; they had another one assembled on their special truck, which they delivered first to the Street Rod Nationals in Kalamazoo, and mine was assembled on their delivery trailer behind the truck.

He set it down on its casters in the driveway right outside the garage, rolled it in (I have 8'-high doors just for that reason), placed it, adjusted the cables, and I was in business 20 minutes later.

[Gerry P.]

Re: Transporting a 4 post lift

Dick - my mistake, Bill told me they make them 101 3/4" to keep it under the 102" limit.