Garage Scissor Lift Suggestions

[RallyChamp]

Thought about a 2-post lift but without a min 6" reinforced concrete floor it's a non-starter. Looking at scissor lifts. Never used one before but can see there's a few out there pretty much all the same design. Wanting good access to gearbox/diff area. Paranoid about hydraulic failure safety backup. Other than the safety lock bar feature they all seem to have, am I right in thinking there is also a shut valve in the ram oil entry preventing fast/sudden loss of fluid or line break?

Been looking at Strongman and Automech sellers. Cheapest is not top of the list over known robust and reputable brand or type.

Thanks

[anyone_1]

Not all have parachute valves in the rams, but the safety lock system is pretty robust on them. Are you after a single phase or 3 phase. Ravaglioli ones are good.

[Rich_AR]

RallyChamp said:

Thought about a 2-post lift but without a min 6" reinforced concrete floor it's a non-starter. Looking at scissor lifts. Never used one before but can see there's a few out there pretty much all the same design. Wanting good access to gearbox/diff area. Paranoid about hydraulic failure safety backup. Other than the safety lock bar feature they all seem to have, am I right in thinking there is also a shut valve in the ram oil entry preventing fast/sudden loss of fluid or line break?

Been looking at Strongman and Automech sellers. Cheapest is not top of the list over known robust and reputable brand or type.

Thanks

Could you not cut out and pour a new pads for the 2 post lift?

[GreenV8S]

Rich_AR said:

Could you not cut out and pour a new pads for the 2 post lift?

Is there any way to weasel around that requirement by fitting some sort of load spreader plate above the concrete?

[bearman68]

I had one of these for many years - before laying a new floor and getting a 2 post. The lift has sliding arms which make it more useful, and it always did me proud.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mobile-car-scissor-lift...

The 2 post is not a remarkable improvement, especially if you want to open the doors to work on things - handy if you're an auto sparks as I am.

The seller is absolutely spot on. Really good. I have no affiliation with the seller, other than being a happy customer. If I had room, I'd have one again straight away.

With regard to flooring - don't take risks on the floor. You're going to be working under it, and it really does need to have the correct flooring before fitting a 2 post. They are held down by expanding floor bolts, and that's about it.

[Rich_AR]

GreenV8S said:

Is there any way to weasel around that requirement by fitting some sort of load spreader plate above the concrete?

Not sure. Most lift manufacturers state the concrete requirements. Personally, not sure i'd feel safe knowing the concrete under the lift doesn't meet the spec.

bearman68 said:

With regard to flooring - don't take risks on the floor. You're going to be working under it, and it really does need to have the correct flooring before fitting a 2 post. They are held down by expanding floor bolts, and that's about it.

Agree.

bearman68 said:

The 2 post is not a remarkable improvement, especially if you want to open the doors to work on things - handy if you're an auto sparks as I am.

Height is the main thing I'd say, plus access to the exhaust etc which you lose with the scissor lift. You can get asymmetric 2 post lifts, which give you more door opening space.

Edited by Rich_AR on Wednesday 3rd June 01:17

[Gerradi]

Sorry to jump in but whats your thoughts on these, not sturdy enough ?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOBILE-SCISSOR-LIFT-TIL...

[jetbox]

Is there a reasona4 post is not on the list?

I went this route and am very pleased, access underneath is really good and so easy to take cars on and off quickly compared to having to line up jacking pads with a 2 post

[Rich_AR]

jetbox said:

Is there a reasona4 post is not on the list?

I went this route and am very pleased, access underneath is really good and so easy to take cars on and off quickly compared to having to line up jacking pads with a 2 post

Lack of access for suspension / brake , engine/gearbox removal etc. You still need those bridge jacks (which add more cost as well).

Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 4th June 03:07

[finishing touch]

Mine came with various height posts to fit on the radius arms that give an extra 300mm or so of height.

I've taken a gearbox out of a RWD car with no issues.

[ianhah]

How about something like a quickjack,I find mine realy useful.lifts around 2foot.

[buzzer]

here is mine... had it about 10 years, and a few years ago I sunk it in the floor to make it easier to move my bikes around. I have modified it so I can use just one side as a bike lift.

[eltax91]

I have a 2 poster. I specified a 6” floor when I built the house. I didn’t discover it was more like 4” in some places until i drilled it to fit the lift!

Anyway, either side of the lift in my case was something to fix to. So I had some adapter plates made up to fix one to the wall and the other to an RSJ using the shipping holes in the top of the posts.

If you have something similar maybe you can consider digging out pads for deeper concrete, fitting some spreader plates to the loft and reenforcing the top for triple measure?

[caley64]

I have the Automotech scissor lift (similar to bearman68 & finishing touch). If I was doing it again and finance wasn't a constraint I would probably go with the separate sill lifting type similar to buzzer for the extra access

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7...

Probably get a set of these made up to give a bit of flexibility if you wanted to lift somewhere other than the sill

https://www.atlasautoequipment.com/products/other-...

There will always be some sort of compromise regardless, it's just finding which one suits best.

[Sandy59]

I installed an Automotech mid rise lift last year, recessed it into the floor as well. It has twin hyd rams on each side, one of which has a safety parachute valve fitted as standard. The sides are separate with no joining link so the centre area is completely clear, it should be fine for gearbox & diff access I would say.

[Rich_AR]

Sandy59 said:

I installed an Automotech mid rise lift last year, recessed it into the floor as well. It has twin hyd rams on each side, one of which has a safety parachute valve fitted as standard. The sides are separate with no joining link so the centre area is completely clear, it should be fine for gearbox & diff access I would say.

Nice setup and ideal option when you have quite low ceiling height, which pretty much rules out any 2-post lift.

[markiii]

Sandy59 said:

I installed an Automotech mid rise lift last year, recessed it into the floor as well. It has twin hyd rams on each side, one of which has a safety parachute valve fitted as standard. The sides are separate with no joining link so the centre area is completely clear, it should be fine for gearbox & diff access I would say.

daft q, but if theres no centre link wouldn't it need a parachute valve both sides?

[ecksjay]

Sandy59 said:

I installed an Automotech mid rise lift last year, recessed it into the floor as well. It has twin hyd rams on each side, one of which has a safety parachute valve fitted as standard. The sides are separate with no joining link so the centre area is completely clear, it should be fine for gearbox & diff access I would say.

your garage is tidier than every room of my house.

[Sandy59]

markiii said:

daft q, but if theres no centre link wouldn't it need a parachute valve both sides?

Sorry that's what I meant, one of the cylinders on each side has a safety valve

[Sandy59]

Rich_AR said:

Nice setup and ideal option when you have quite low ceiling height, which pretty much rules out any 2-post lift.

Cheers, I only intend to carry out some basic maintenance on brakes, suspension etc so should be fine for my needs.