Scissor lift - how safe

Scissor lift - how safe

Author
Discussion

RichD1

Original Poster:

64 posts

113 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
I'm thinking of buying this scissor lift for my garage.

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

I've asked about safety locks but on this product they are fitted with hydraulic parachute valves rather than mechanical locks.

Has anyone any experience of this type of safety lock and are they completely fail safe?

Richard

RichD1

Original Poster:

64 posts

113 months

Friday 20th February 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Think I would still like some form of mechanical locking.

RichD1

Original Poster:

64 posts

113 months

Sunday 22nd February 2015
quotequote all
Hi Jeff, thanks for your comments.

I didn't realise the implication of twin hydraulic rams on safety.

RichD1

Original Poster:

64 posts

113 months

Tuesday 24th February 2015
quotequote all
Just spoke to Automotech about the 7532 and the parachute valves and he confirmed the security of a dual ram system. Also discussed extensions to the hoses and also some quick release couplings on the control unit so that it can be moved out of the way when the lift is not being used.

Definitely convinced that the 7532 is the lift for me as I have limited headroom in my garage. Just wish I had room for their 2 post lift!! At around £1500 it's a real bargain.

Will be placing an order in the next week or so once the garage front has been rebuilt and a new insulated roller door fitted.

Richard

RichD1

Original Poster:

64 posts

113 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
quotequote all
Just placed my order with Automotech this afternoon for the AS-7532B scissor lift. Will be delivered on Friday and on Sunday have a group of friends coming round to help lift into position in the garage.

That's the other beauty of the 7532, it comes in 2 parts and at 200kgs each should be easier to manoeuvre than the all-in-one cheaper version.

Once in position I can start to build the floor up around the ramps.

Will need some flooring to cover the plywood decking, but the popular PVC interlocking is quite expensive. See my other thread about CostCo Versaroll PVC flooring sheet.

Richard

RichD1

Original Poster:

64 posts

113 months

Friday 20th March 2015
quotequote all
Hi Guys, I've been refurbing the garage to take the new equipment. The lifts have been put in position but not bolted down yet and am working on the built up timber floor.

New door being fitted



Lift in position



Raised floor being fabricated



More pics when complete.

Richard

RichD1

Original Poster:

64 posts

113 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
Hi grenpayne, as previous contributor said it would be possible to dig out floor. I've not got anything special in my floor only the original concrete base which varies from 100 to 150mm thick and has been down now for over 25 years with no cracks or break up.

The scissor lifts have quite a large solid base underneath virtually the length of the ramps themselves, so the weight is being spread out quite considerably.

If you were fitting a 2 post system then yes you'd probably need a reinforced floor pad.

One thing you would have to be aware of is to build in a floor duct to allow the hydraulic hoses to run to the control unit. I'm leaving a small channel in the built up floor with a removable top cover to allow access in case of any problems. There are 4 x 1/4" hoses going back to the control unit.

Yes you can set the individual ramps apart to your own requirements but there is a maximum which is dictated by the linking hose between to 2 ramps. Each ramp is 490mm wide so it does give quite a size coverage when spaced as per the manufacturers specifications.

In the standard spacing mine will take my Porsche 3.2 Carrera, BMW E36, BMW E39 & BMW E91.

When I move the car tomorrow I'll take some pics of the lifts in place.

RichD1

Original Poster:

64 posts

113 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
Floor is now virtually complete. Here are the pics of the business end of the lift showing the hydraulic connections.

http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/rdear12552/libra...

Next job is to connect up the hydraulics so that I can raise the ramps to get at the holes in the bottom plate to drill the concrete for the anchor bolt holes which are supplied.

Richard