Mechnical lift vs inpsection pit
Discussion
I've got planning permission to make my garage a little larger along with some other building work around the house (with a bedroom above the garage) and so assuming the funds can be obtained then this work will start this year.
Initially I wanted an inspection pit, as I use a friends one for some work on my car, and it is generally fine, but can be a little restrictive at times. I've also considered a small mechanical lift, much like the ones that Strongman or Automotech make. These are great but are obviously limited in terms of access at times. Most of my work is suspension or exhaust work (switching boxes between loud and very loud) with oil changes as well. There will be no requirement to remove engines/gearboxes as I have neither the tools nor the skills for this. Oh and this will be mostly on my Monaro.
The current space I have fits the Monaro, but only just, so is about 5m long x approx. 3m wide - there is some space to one side of the car, plus the width of the car. The new garage will be around 6 to 6.5m long and 3.5m wide - height tbc as I need to measure up.
Ideally a 2 post lift would be there, as I'm having fresh concrete laid, but I think these will blow the budget and be too tall for what I need, plus with the plans I have there may not be enough room to move around the garage. If I choose the mechanical lift, then I'd want to try one first before purchase. I'm currently using a 3 ton trolley jack and axle stands, which is generally fine, but there is an opportunity here to improve my lot with the potential building work. Garage cannot be any wider due to property boundary.
Any thoughts or guidance please?
Initially I wanted an inspection pit, as I use a friends one for some work on my car, and it is generally fine, but can be a little restrictive at times. I've also considered a small mechanical lift, much like the ones that Strongman or Automotech make. These are great but are obviously limited in terms of access at times. Most of my work is suspension or exhaust work (switching boxes between loud and very loud) with oil changes as well. There will be no requirement to remove engines/gearboxes as I have neither the tools nor the skills for this. Oh and this will be mostly on my Monaro.
The current space I have fits the Monaro, but only just, so is about 5m long x approx. 3m wide - there is some space to one side of the car, plus the width of the car. The new garage will be around 6 to 6.5m long and 3.5m wide - height tbc as I need to measure up.
Ideally a 2 post lift would be there, as I'm having fresh concrete laid, but I think these will blow the budget and be too tall for what I need, plus with the plans I have there may not be enough room to move around the garage. If I choose the mechanical lift, then I'd want to try one first before purchase. I'm currently using a 3 ton trolley jack and axle stands, which is generally fine, but there is an opportunity here to improve my lot with the potential building work. Garage cannot be any wider due to property boundary.
Any thoughts or guidance please?
Edited by VinceM on Monday 20th April 13:21
If it was me, I'd get one of the strongarm scisor lifts. But I don't have the space for one at the moment!
My reasoning being:
1) it lifts the car with the wheels free for working on the brakes/suspension/wheels.
2) Doesn't have the potential issues of 2 post lifts http://www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/topics/fallofflifts.htm
3) A pit can fill with fumes/gas/etc
4) You need a way of getting liquids out of the pit. You can't just conect it to the domestic drain as it'll be full of oil, brake fluid etc etc.
5) it's almost completely out of the way when not in use.
The downside being it might interfere with anything low hanging and not central on the car (like an exhaust) but you should be able to work arround it withcarefull positioning of the rubber blocks.
My reasoning being:
1) it lifts the car with the wheels free for working on the brakes/suspension/wheels.
2) Doesn't have the potential issues of 2 post lifts http://www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/topics/fallofflifts.htm
3) A pit can fill with fumes/gas/etc
4) You need a way of getting liquids out of the pit. You can't just conect it to the domestic drain as it'll be full of oil, brake fluid etc etc.
5) it's almost completely out of the way when not in use.
The downside being it might interfere with anything low hanging and not central on the car (like an exhaust) but you should be able to work arround it withcarefull positioning of the rubber blocks.
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