Garage Lift

[Henry S.]

Re: Garage Lift

Did any of you bolt the lift to the floor or did you leve it free standing?

Gerald, Mines freestanding. I also got the casters so it can be moved easily if needed. It seems very sturdy without being bolted down but as Jordan mentioned be extra careful when lowering and make sure each corner unlocks.

James, I didn't look at the Tec brand so I don't know about it specifiably but some of the ones with welded stop blocks have a 3 sided post (U shape) with the blocks welded inside the post. To me is seems that wouldn't be as sturdy as a 4 sided post with the slots in the side.

Ernest do a search of the archives to see some of the other recommendations and also over on the CF. Hopefully you only want to make this purchase one time.

[James J.]

Re: Garage Lift

Hi Harry,
I live way inland in Wilton. Where the H--l is Wilton?
West of Nashua, between Milford and Perterborough.
Small town, one of those you can't yet there from here places.

[Kevin G.]

Re: Garage Lift

There are many auto dealerships and stores going out of business right now. Lifts are a dime a dozen. Check sale listings and craigslist etc. They are out there cheap.

That's exactly where I'm looking to buy one! There is a local dealership closing near me and has these lifts available at auction. Can anyone place a value on them, and perhaps comment on the best of the bunch?

1-CHALLENGER SPIRIT 2 Model 31,000 lift capacity 7,000 lbs. circa 1987 plus,

NINE (9) ABOVE GROUND POST LIFTS * 9,000 AND 10,000 LB; CAPACITY * SEVEN (7) ARE BEN PEARSON * ONE (1) IS A ROTARY LIFT CO. 9,000 LB. CAPACITY * ONE IS AN OPEN; TOP STYLE.* ALL FUNCTIONAL AND USED RECENTLY; THE ABOVE NINE POST LIFTS WILL BE SOLD CHOICE TO THE HIGH BIDDER * TAKE THE ONE THAT YOU WANT AND AS MANY AS YOU WANT.

Kevin

[Harry S.]

Re: Garage Lift

James, I just looked at the member list for the New England Chapter. It's a great Chapter, please consider joining. We have members from Maine, RI and from Burlington, VT.

[Phil D.]

Re: Garage Lift

I have the Directlift Propark 8+

Ditto. Very happy with it. I also bought two of the sliding jacks so that I could lift both the front and rear wheels off the runners at the same time. Bought it from a local supplier and had them to deliver and assemble it which was well worth the extra $350 vs. the cost of back surgery.

[Terry M.]

Re: Garage Lift

That's exactly where I'm looking to buy one! There is a local dealership closing near me and has these lifts available at auction. Can anyone place a value on them, and perhaps comment on the best of the bunch?

1-CHALLENGER SPIRIT 2 Model 31,000 lift capacity 7,000 lbs. circa 1987 plus,

NINE (9) ABOVE GROUND POST LIFTS * 9,000 AND 10,000 LB; CAPACITY * SEVEN (7) ARE BEN PEARSON * ONE (1) IS A ROTARY LIFT CO. 9,000 LB. CAPACITY * ONE IS AN OPEN; TOP STYLE.* ALL FUNCTIONAL AND USED RECENTLY; THE ABOVE NINE POST LIFTS WILL BE SOLD CHOICE TO THE HIGH BIDDER * TAKE THE ONE THAT YOU WANT AND AS MANY AS YOU WANT.

Kevin

Kevin,
The school where I instruct has four Rotary, in-ground, lifts. The students abuse them and there have been few problems. Seals needed replacing on one some years ago, but they range in age from 30 to 15 years. I am sure we use them far more than anyone would at home. I see a lot of Rotary lifts in shops around the midwest. The trend now days is to above ground lifts for environment reasons -- the authorities dislike oil leaking into the ground. In fact the last in-ground lift we had installed came in a fiberglass containment to prevent ground contamination.

We also have a Hunter drive-on alignment lift with in-ground posts. No problems with that either, but it is used less than the Rotary's. I don't know if any of this relates to your situation, though.

[David B.]

Re: Garage Lift

Same for me as Jordan said. I got a Propark, 4 post from Greg Smith equipment in DE. Mine has worked flawlessly for 4 years, doesn't sway or move around. Not all Chinese lifts are bad, nor are all US lifts good. I bought the optional urethane caster upgrade to be able to roll it around, and I do use them once in a while. Also, bought the two hydraulic jacks lifts for doing suspension work, they are a very nice feature. Since then, I added a two-post lift. It is handier for suspension work than the 4 post, but it is all pretty much doable on the 4 post if you get the jacks with it. Plus, there are certain conveniences that are nice with the 4 post, and I can do alignments on it. Can't do that on a 2 post lift obviously. If I could only get one lift for my garage, it would be a 4 post. If I was in a commercial garage where production time mattered, I would get a 2 post.

[Henry S.]

Re: Garage Lift

Not sure what exactly what they are called but has anyone tried any of the "balloon" or bag jacks? If so how do you like them? I have the jack tray but the bottle jack I have is too tall with the 03.

[Jim T.]

Re: Garage Lift

http://www.allamericanlifts.com/ Give them a call. You will not be dissapointed. This lift is Highly Recommended. DG 13180

I have two four post Autolifter M6's that are over 13 years old. No problems. A friend also bought a M6.
Inspections are part of the ownership. I get under one everytime I drive a car out of the garage.
I will check that the locks at one end that I cannot see when operating the lift controls are in the slot to take the load before I let them. It is just a safey check for me.

[David B.]

Re: Garage Lift

Henry,
I haven't tried the balloon jack, but would this type work for what you want? It recesses to just a few inches above the tread of the 4 post ramps. It's different that using a bottle jack on a jack tray.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TPPROJACK-3500

[Tyler T.]

Re: Garage Lift

I guess I am in the minority here. I went with a 2 post, $2,200 installed. I am doing a body off of a 55 and wanted to be able to do all the lifting safely alone.
Here are some pictures and you see what a 2 post can do if you are doing a body off.

http://www.deliquescence.net/~tyler/tyes55/55%20lift4s.jpg

http://www.deliquescence.net/~tyler/tyes55/55%20lift%203s.jpg

http://www.deliquescence.net/~tyler/tyes55/55%20e-c%20dashs.jpg

This is a solid lift. You need art least 4 in of concret for the install, it does not move. Guy who installed it who had no ties to seller sad it is one of the best for the money and he has had no problems with the ones he has installed.

Tyler

[Michael A.]

Re: Garage Lift

Hey Shooter,
I'm out window shopping on All American Lift's web site. All this talk about lifts has me dreaming. I see they have 3 different 4 post lifts online. The 813 raises to 5'3" (bottom of the ramps) while the 815 raises to 6'4". Which did you go with? I like the more compact dimensions of the 813 but am not sure about height. Just curious about what your went with and any thoughts you might have gone through when making your decision.

Cheers,

[Henry S.]

Re: Garage Lift

Hey Shooter,
I'm out window shopping on All American Lift's web site. All this talk about lifts has me dreaming. I see they have 3 different 4 post lifts online. The 813 raises to 5'3" (bottom of the ramps) while the 815 raises to 6'4". Which did you go with? I like the more compact dimensions of the 813 but am not sure about height. Just curious about what your went with and any thoughts you might have gone through when making your decision.

Cheers,

Hi Mike,

I think mine is the 815 but I'll check tomorrow when I head over to the shop. I have the paperwork over there. I'm 5'7" and my shed has 10' ceilings so I can raise the 67 high enough to get under it without banging my head. I first looked at a couple different ones up at BG in 2005 but wasn't real comfortable with the ones I saw and I can't even remember which ones they were now. I do remember one salesman being real obnoxious about his lift I would be surprised if he sold anything. I read about the All American Lift on the CF after I got back from BG and decided to check them out. I called Earl, one of the owners and just felt comfortable with the way he talked about the lift. As I mentioned above I liked the locking design they had. What he told me was right on as far as the installation, I had no problem whatsoever. I had a small tractor with a bucket on the front to help unload it and assemble so that helped. This was the first lift I ever installed and I thought it was a piece of cake. You're not that far so if you get one let me know I'll come up and help you out. I'll check that number tomorrow and let you know.

Take care, Shooter

[Gary C.]

Re: Garage Lift

Gemini lifts made the lifts for NCRS Convention in San Antonio. Good solid American made lifts. Contact Sam for NCRS discount pricing. http://www.geminilift.com/ If you live on the east coast Mark Tulley a TDB member sells and installs Gemini lifts. Gary....

[Mark C.]

Re: Garage Lift

Do you park your daily driver under the lift? Does the overhead door interfere with the lift/car? I am trying to visualize this so forgive the dumb questions.
Thanks
Mark