Post hoists

[jamieandthemagic]

I figured this is the best place to post this as us older car owners probably spend more time under them, than owners of newer cars.

Just about to buy a new house with barn and huge garage............it's the barn and garage I'm obviously looking forward to.
The garage has triple height space. So room and space for a 2 post hoist.

Any feedback on best posts to use and not use. I've not got 3phase on site, so it will be single phase, and the floor In the garage slopes to the back of the garage, so ill probably need to level that out.

Any heads ups on secondhand hoists....... As there seem to be a lot on eBay............. But concerned this will be lifting 1000kg over my head.

[_Leg_]

Hi Jamie,

I have a 2 post lift in my garage. It cost £950 plus VAT (plus fitting if you don't fancy it yourself) from Lifttech. It's brand new and works a treat with a 3.5ton capacity.

What is really nice about it is that it is single phase. I just fitted a nice chunky rubber plug to it and plugged it in. It has all the safety features you need too.

This link should work http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPERB-BRAND-NEW-RAMP-2-...

I have to say I've been very pleasantly surprised by it. An absolute bargain in my opinion.

Hope that helps. If you have an iPad I would be happy to FaceTime to you and show you it working.

Rich

[Carsie]

Hi Jamie, sounds like you're local to me

I've bought quite a few lifts over the years for my previous business's.

As with all things in life it really depends on what you want it to do.

I have to say from the outset that I'm not a fan of the two-post. Undoubtedly you can drop a subframe and engine in situ and perhaps a gearbox and exhaust are somewhat easier but beyond that I struggle; it's safety that's the biggest problem for me, the thought of any of my lads working underneath an incorrectly positioned lift (let alone me! lol!) used to make me shudder.

A four post ramp with mid rail lift/ramp allows off wheel servicing and a stable platform for four wheel alignment - my choice every time, if space allows.

Whilst considering price don't forget to get an insurance company assessment on the lift cables and also make sure your installation engineer is certified as well; I'm not being melodromatic, just sensible- old classics can be very,very heavy even Alfa's

There will be of course proponents of the two-post that will lambaste me for my comments and at the end of the day it'd down to personal choice. HTH

[alphaalfa]

My tuppence worth, I read this recently

http://strongmansnippets.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/do...

I agree that two posts need proper installation and careful loading but they are the best tool for getting all round your car easily. However some older cars really can't support their own weight and a four post lift, if space is available, could be the best. A friend had a Morris Traveller on a lift supported on the jacking points but the panel gaps were increasing by the second till he took it off.

I've just posted about going to the NEC, one reason to go and make the effort is that there will be stalls there advising (trying to sell I shud think) ramps, go and ask them?

[Mr2Mike]

alphaalfa said:

I agree that two posts need proper installation and careful loading but they are the best tool for getting all round your car easily. However some older cars really can't support their own weight

Surely only ones that are so rotten they are about the split into many parts? How would you even change a wheel if it couldn't be jacked up on a sill or chassis member, let alone perform any major work?

Two post lifts are significantly more useful than 4 post IME (though a 4 post is infinitely better than nothing). If I had the option and the floor was suitable for mounting a 2 post, then nothing would persuade me to go for a 4 post in preference. They are as safe as the operator makes them, if you are slapdash about positioning the lifting pads then you can expect trouble. 60 seconds spent doing it correctly gives you a safe, stable platform which makes working on engine, transmission, suspension, exhaust etc. a far nicer job.

[47p2]

My twopence worth...

You say the floor slopes and would need to be levelled, I would suggest you remove the entire floor around the area that the lift will be sited and re-lay it. Farm outbuildings are not concreted to the standards required for ramps to be fitted, it is possible the concrete is only a few inches thick and lacking in rebar. I too have seen a few accidents where posts have came away from their fittings due to poor concrete and it makes a heck of a mess.

I'm also not a fan of 2 post lifts for older vehicles and opted myself for a 4 post lift and jacking beam which I feel 100% confident using

[guru_1071]

i hate two post ramps as they give me the fear!

we have a nice chunky old four post with a jacking beam that makes working on old heavy cars a safe pleasure.

one good tip if your looking secondhand is that if you get a hydraulic one (so the ram moves the cables) its easy to convert a 3 phase one. you can buy a single phase power pack that is simply a pump with a lever to release the fluid back - nice, cheap (a few hundred quid) and safe to use. the pump doesnt need a huge load (unlike the screw feed type of ramp) so runs on normal single phase - so need for expensive phase convertors and the like.

[IroningMan]

We have an old 3-phase screwjack 2-post lift, and it's a very scary thing. Happily the 3-phase converter has now packed-up, so there's little danger of it being used again.

[Old Merc]

I agree with Carsie,if you have plenty of room consider a four poster with a mid rail.A NEW!! two poster is OK for everyday servicing on modern cars where the pads locate on the sills but most classics can not be supported on their sills! Do not even think about second hand lifts on e-bay.For safety go new and have it fitted by an expert.Most garage equipment firms are desperate for business and will do a good deal.I had a frighting experience many years ago with a two post lift that was in the workshop I bought as a going concern.After working with it for six months one side lifting nut stripped and a car fell six feet onto its side!!!it was only a matter of luck that I or my mechanic was not under the car.Believe me after that experience you only ever work on newly fitted lifts and have them inspected every year by an expert.

[_Leg_]

To be fair the primary use of my 2 poster is storing my car transport trailer and working on my 440kgs track car.

It hardly notices either are on it.