Scissor lift

[Jeffrey S.]

Hello all! I have an opportunity to purchase a used Hydralift 7000 pound scissor lift for a very reasonable price. Has anyone had any experience using a scissor lift as opposed to a drive on or 2 post? The advantage to me is that the doors are free to open like a drive on yet the wheels are off the ground like a 2 post. It also is movable unlike a 2 post which must be permanently fastened to the floor. The one I am considering has a lift height of over 6 feet. Any comments are much appreciated. Thanks!
Jeff

[Edward J.]

Re: Scissor lift

Jeff, one of the down falls of a sciccor lift is that driving over the top of lift when on the ground with a corvette maybe a problem,The undercarriage may hit or drag. I use to have a mid rise lift in my auto shop and you'll need about 7 to 8 inchs of clearance .

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Scissor lift

Ed, thanks for the response. This type of lift has 2 drive on "rails" that are much like the 4 post type so I don't think that the undercarriage will hit anything. Once on the rails, 4 rubber blocks are situated to hit the frame and the car is lifted by the frame as in a 2 post. The center is completely free.
Jeff

[Edward J.]

Re: Scissor lift

Thats good, are you planing on performing service on your car? it maybe be limited unless it has a the rails running it length for a hyd. jack to lift the wheels.
For saftey reasons the higher you lift the car the less stabil the lift. and make sure that the concrete floor is somewhat level.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Scissor lift

Thanks for the suggestion. This is the lift I'm looking at.

http://liftusa.com/lifts/hydra/hydra700.html

Thanks,
Jeff

[Edward J.]

Re: Scissor lift

Jeff looks good to me. I like the ramps that permit to drive on.does the owner use it for a corvette, I am just wondering if maybe you should take a test run with your corvette just to check the clearance.

[Terry M.]

Re: Scissor lift

I recall seeing a lift like that at the Ferrari portion of Cauley Performance, the sponsor of the Michigan NCRS Chapter, several years ago. I was impressed with what it could do, but IIRC those were mounted flush with the floor.

[Alan S.]

Re: Scissor lift

Hi Jeff,
That looks pretty spiffy.
You mention "movability".... is it fastened to the floor at all? I'd think raising the car to that height would require it. So just asking.
Nothing like a "very reasonable price"!
Happy New Year!
Regards,
Alan

[Patrick H.]

Re: Scissor lift

I suspect that you probably can't use it for storage purposes or long term placement in the air, but you can probably save garage space by parking on top of it if you want.
It would have to be half the price of a nice 4 post for me to be interested, as 98% of my usage is for storage or for wheels-on maintenance.

Patrick

[Don L.]

Re: Scissor lift

Interesting Jeff. I looked at the video on the manufacturer's site and it looks as though the lift may work like a conventional 2 post lift - leaving the 4 wheels un-supported when raised. I say this because it looks in the video like the ramps are supporting the wheels, but then they stay on the floor when lifting the car.

I think you should go for it, considering your situation and adding that should you need the help of a 4 post lift, mine in still in my garage and available to you at any time.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Scissor lift

The lift is not fastened to the floor in any way. This is not for storing a car up and having room under. Of course, a car could be parked on the ramps/rails in the low position. Patrick: the asking price is WAY less than 1/2 of a 4 post lift. The retail price of a new one as shown in the link is over $6000 but I can get this used one for around $700. Don: You are correct that the wheels are not supported. Only the frame is lifted.
Jeff

[Patrick H.]

Re: Scissor lift

Patrick: the asking price is WAY less than 1/2 of a 4 post lift. The retail price of a new one as shown in the link is over $6000 but I can get this used one for around $700.
Jeff

That's a gift. If it works, buy it before someone else does.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Scissor lift

Thanks all for your input. I made the deal this morning and I am picking it up on Wed. I think it will work out well for me.
Jeff

[Mark T.]

Re: Scissor lift

Sorry to weigh in so late. with the Holiday I haven't logged in for a few days. I have installed a few of this stlye lifts . They do work well for Corvettes. I have a Mohawk full rise portable lift that goes up 6 ft and also has the center fully accessible. We have pulled the engine and tranny out of a 59 we are rebuilding.
Because of the weight of this style lift they can be moved around but it is very difficult. I would recommend bolting it down when you have settled where you are going to use it . This will add to the stability and make it safer. You can park over it but I would not leave the car up in the air with the wheels hanging down for a long period of time.
You got a great price on the lift good luck with it and use it safely.
Mark