Working room around scissor lift

[RichD1]

Hi Guys, I'm looking at putting a scissor lift in my garage, but want to be able to maintain a 2 car garage layout.

Not a problem when it's not being used as I intend to raise the floor around the lift so that it can be driven over.

It's when the lift is in use and I have a car in bits on it, it could be a couple of weeks in that position.

My question is; how much room do you think is the minimum requirement to work down the side of the car when on the lift?

[DrDeAtH]

I reckon you will want at least a metre. Ideally, enough space to have a door open with a fair gap to the wall.

[RichD1]

I would only have about 600 to 700mm clearance on side where the lift would be closest to the wall. If I need to have drivers door open then I can position car to ensure that the drivers door is to the open side of the garage.

I'm thinking about clearance to work on the suspension.

[PaulKemp]

I don't like scissor lifts as they make most work to the underside awkward
Better to lift the car and use axle stands

[RichD1]

Hi Paul, I'm thinking of buying one of these which does allow 860mm shoulder room access down the centre of the car.

http://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-75...

[DrDeAtH]

That's 860mm between the ramps, how much less is it between the mechanism? Looks like it could be another 100mm off.

[RichD1]

The mechanism and hydraulic rams are under the ramp decks so there should be no further reduction.

[RichD1]

Anyone else with any thoughts about working clearance on one side of a car scissor lift or indeed on an ordinary lift?

[Viperz888]

I think 860mm would be a bit tight for my liking.
But try it; park your car 860 away from a wall and take the wheel off and see how comfortable it is

[RichD1]

860mm is the distance between the ramp decks, the distance from the wall one side would be around 600 to 700mm. I was thinking that as you are working on the wheel in a standing position you wouldn't need as much space as bending over and working at knee height.

Richard

[Collectingbrass]

RichD1 said:

860mm is the distance between the ramp decks, the distance from the wall one side would be around 600 to 700mm. I was thinking that as you are working on the wheel in a standing position you wouldn't need as much space as bending over and working at knee height.

Richard

600 - 700mm against a wall is not much at all if you are doing any work on that side of the car. If it was me, and assuming you have a double door on the garage I would position the scisssor lift in the centre of the garage so that the offside wheels of the left hand car are on one track of the lift and the nearside of the right hand car are on the other.

[RichD1]

Collectingbrass said:

600 - 700mm against a wall is not much at all if you are doing any work on that side of the car. If it was me, and assuming you have a double door on the garage I would position the scisssor lift in the centre of the garage so that the offside wheels of the left hand car are on one track of the lift and the nearside of the right hand car are on the other.

That was my original thoughts but if the job took several weeks my wife wouldn't be too pleased to have her car parked outside for that length of time. We have trees in and around the property plus pesky bird droppings!!! We've just had her car professional detailed to remove some previous bird lime marks.

Just offsetting it slightly would get both cars in but limits clearance on the wall side to 600 to 700mm.

Perhaps I ought to invest in a good outdoor car cover for her E36?