Scissor Lifts for Home Garage
Discussion
chippy348 said:
In ground lift and not a mobile lift, 2 very different things !
OP I have just installed one and there is quite a lot of work involved with this, do you realise the ground works that will need to be done to get the lift into the ground ?? dig out, hard-core, concrete slab, foundation boxes / pockets then concrete the whole lot it. You will need some heavy lifting equipment to get them into the pockets as well.
If you want more info I can give you some more but like I said its lots of work.
This is the model i have been looking at. I know its going to be a lot of work but a the end of the day I'm spending 10k getting the garage done up so want to do it right.OP I have just installed one and there is quite a lot of work involved with this, do you realise the ground works that will need to be done to get the lift into the ground ?? dig out, hard-core, concrete slab, foundation boxes / pockets then concrete the whole lot it. You will need some heavy lifting equipment to get them into the pockets as well.
If you want more info I can give you some more but like I said its lots of work.
Any advise would be much appreciated.
buzzer said:
here are a few pictures of mine...its quite versatile.... its a mid height one though as I am restricted on head room.
It was surface mounted for many years, but last year I sunk it into the floor which was a long hard job, but worth it as its so much easier to move my bikes around the garage now. I also took the opportunity to make the lift so I could raise just one of the platforms so I could have a car in the garage while having a bike on the lift.
I also bought mine from Automech, and they were good to deal with.
My friends done the same with his, think its the same model.It was surface mounted for many years, but last year I sunk it into the floor which was a long hard job, but worth it as its so much easier to move my bikes around the garage now. I also took the opportunity to make the lift so I could raise just one of the platforms so I could have a car in the garage while having a bike on the lift.
I also bought mine from Automech, and they were good to deal with.
Interested to know you managed to control each ramp individually as i would like to use it for my bikes also.
Thanks.
GreenV8S said:
Is there some mechanism that keeps the two lifts in sync? I'd have expected one, but if there is I can't see how you would get away with just isolating them like that.
yes, sorry I forgot to mention... originally the platforms were held together by a steel tube. I cut this and sleeved it with some heavy duty pipe which can be bolted to either side. to take one side up, i shut one valve and remove 6 boltsI do notice that when its not bolted together they still go up and down together though...
Scoosh-89 said:
What power supply are on these lifts for single phase?
Is it a standard 3 pin plug or round 16amp plug?
Getting everything required for re wiring and going to run it off its own MCB and wanting to put a key locked socket in.
Mine runs off a 13 amp plug. I always have the feeling its on the limits of that though...Is it a standard 3 pin plug or round 16amp plug?
Getting everything required for re wiring and going to run it off its own MCB and wanting to put a key locked socket in.
finishing touch said:
mazdajason said:
finishing touch said:
I have a portable scissor lift. I can use it at full hight outside or a little lower inside.
If I had the garage space I would have a two poster but for a Grand this will have to do.
Paul G
Care to share the details of it please Paul? What it runs off, weight, link to where you purchased etc?If I had the garage space I would have a two poster but for a Grand this will have to do.
Paul G
Lifts 2.4 tonnes
Runs off single phase 13amp socket. It has an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump and a safety latch between the two rams.
The pump unit has a spike at the bottom which locates in a lug on the round pipe so it can be moved when not under load.
Oil and delivery not included.
Paul G
Edit to add;
it comes with side extensions and rubber hight pillars but as I was welding the sill on that MX5 I picked up on the chassis rails.
Edited by finishing touch on Tuesday 29th January 08:56
Only thing I did with mine was build a couple of wooden 3.5" high ramps for either side so i could drive cars with low clearance onto it before lifting them up. I also have a 8ftx4ft board that I place on top when I want to put a motorbike up on it to work on, that's big enough to use front and rear paddock stands and then lift the bike to a comfortable working height.
It also works as a great height adjustable worktop when it's not got either a car or bike on it!
ETA: Just noticed mine is slightly different in that it doesn't have those cross bars front and back, the middle section on mine is beefier. Means there's nothing obstructing front and rear ends of car when working on it. And mine has adjustable 'arms' to place the lift points under your jacking points.
With regards to power, it's 13amp plug which I needed a slightly higher rated mtb/rtc (?) in the fuse box as this kit (and my compressor) were tripping the circuit at power on.
Here's a link to one like mine, albeit mine's red, although I'm sure the colour doesn't effect it's operation!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-7-Ton-Mid-Rise-Mobile...
I think there's a few different companies importing these from China , all seem to sell for about the same on Ebay at around £1100-1200.
Edited by Piersman2 on Friday 1st February 11:27
+1 for Automotech.
https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7...
I have a 7532 lift which is the mid rise scissor with non linked platforms. The choice was between this and the Strongman Clifton.
They are both slightly but importantly different.
The Automotech ones feature dual hydraulic rams on both platforms which, when commissioned, ensure the platforms raise and lower synchronously and do without any centre support bars to improve access. They don't require an air supply as there are no mechanical locks. This means there is an infinite range of fine adjustment raising and lowering as they don't need to rest on a preset lock. They could easily been flush mounted if required. They are non moveable as bolted to the floor. Each ramp is over 250kg and required an engine hoist to move about. No doubt the fact the platforms were separate made install easier than the linked systems.
I was anxious about the hydraulic failsafe but was reassured by several hydraulic experts and forum posts. Strongman even advocated them although their ramp didn't feature the same tech. Certainly - I have had vehicles up on the ramps for several weeks and they remain perfectly level without any movement.
The Strongman Clifton uses a single ram in each platform backed up by a mechanical lock. This means the ramp raises and lowers to set points about 15cm apart. Also, their ramps are linked with bars although I understand one bar is removable. They are theoretically mobile. From memory they also had the advantage of electronic lock release mechanisms rather than the more common air ones requiring a compressor to be plumbed in.
Both companies were great on the 'phone when I was researching and Automotech's tech support was amazing when I was commissioning and struggled to get air out of the system.
David.
https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7...
I have a 7532 lift which is the mid rise scissor with non linked platforms. The choice was between this and the Strongman Clifton.
They are both slightly but importantly different.
The Automotech ones feature dual hydraulic rams on both platforms which, when commissioned, ensure the platforms raise and lower synchronously and do without any centre support bars to improve access. They don't require an air supply as there are no mechanical locks. This means there is an infinite range of fine adjustment raising and lowering as they don't need to rest on a preset lock. They could easily been flush mounted if required. They are non moveable as bolted to the floor. Each ramp is over 250kg and required an engine hoist to move about. No doubt the fact the platforms were separate made install easier than the linked systems.
I was anxious about the hydraulic failsafe but was reassured by several hydraulic experts and forum posts. Strongman even advocated them although their ramp didn't feature the same tech. Certainly - I have had vehicles up on the ramps for several weeks and they remain perfectly level without any movement.
The Strongman Clifton uses a single ram in each platform backed up by a mechanical lock. This means the ramp raises and lowers to set points about 15cm apart. Also, their ramps are linked with bars although I understand one bar is removable. They are theoretically mobile. From memory they also had the advantage of electronic lock release mechanisms rather than the more common air ones requiring a compressor to be plumbed in.
Both companies were great on the 'phone when I was researching and Automotech's tech support was amazing when I was commissioning and struggled to get air out of the system.
David.
Here’s a write up I put together years ago on my experiences that might help. It’s still going strong in a different garage. Bit rusty and raggedy now. I still find it useful, although when it does eventually die I would replace with a 4 poster these days.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=98...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=98...
chippy348 said:
In ground lift and not a mobile lift, 2 very different things !
OP I have just installed one and there is quite a lot of work involved with this, do you realise the ground works that will need to be done to get the lift into the ground ?? dig out, hard-core, concrete slab, foundation boxes / pockets then concrete the whole lot it. You will need some heavy lifting equipment to get them into the pockets as well.
If you want more info I can give you some more but like I said its lots of work.
What brand and model are these please? Cheers. OP I have just installed one and there is quite a lot of work involved with this, do you realise the ground works that will need to be done to get the lift into the ground ?? dig out, hard-core, concrete slab, foundation boxes / pockets then concrete the whole lot it. You will need some heavy lifting equipment to get them into the pockets as well.
If you want more info I can give you some more but like I said its lots of work.
decardy said:
What brand and model are these please? Cheers.
Here you go https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7...
356D said:
Both companies were great on the 'phone when I was researching and Automotech's tech support was amazing when I was commissioning and struggled to get air out of the system.
David.
What was the solution to get all the air out? I've got the same lift, think I've got it all out but would like to check again if there is a better way.David.
Corstopitum said:
Have you had a look at this company? https://sm-t.co.uk/product-category/vehicle-lifts/...
I've never used their scissor lifts but I have purchased and built one of their 4 post lifts. Good bit of kit!
I've been procrastinating over 2 or 4 post lift and have finally decided it needs to be a 4 post as I want to store another car underneath it.I've never used their scissor lifts but I have purchased and built one of their 4 post lifts. Good bit of kit!
Now checking with Automech and another supplier it seems it needs a fork lift to get it off the truck and one person cannot build it alone. How did you get on with it?
I've been procrastinating over 2 or 4 post lift and have finally decided it needs to be a 4 post as I want to store another car underneath it.
Now checking with Automech and another supplier it seems it needs a fork lift to get it off the truck and one person cannot build it alone. How did you get on with it?
Hi, I bought a secondhand 4 poster years ago. I reversed a car transporter trailer underneath the raised ramp, once in position I dropped the bed onto the trailer, unbolted the pillars and laid them on top. Secured the load, drove home. Reversed the
trailer/load into position in my garage and reverse engineered to rebuild in situ. Worked really well once all the pillars were bolted down etc. Not sure if this helps your particular issue?
Now checking with Automech and another supplier it seems it needs a fork lift to get it off the truck and one person cannot build it alone. How did you get on with it?
Hi, I bought a secondhand 4 poster years ago. I reversed a car transporter trailer underneath the raised ramp, once in position I dropped the bed onto the trailer, unbolted the pillars and laid them on top. Secured the load, drove home. Reversed the
trailer/load into position in my garage and reverse engineered to rebuild in situ. Worked really well once all the pillars were bolted down etc. Not sure if this helps your particular issue?
Setch993 said:
Hi, I bought a secondhand 4 poster years ago. I reversed a car transporter trailer underneath the raised ramp, once in position I dropped the bed onto the trailer, unbolted the pillars and laid them on top. Secured the load, drove home. Reversed the
trailer/load into position in my garage and reverse engineered to rebuild in situ. Worked really well once all the pillars were bolted down etc. Not sure if this helps your particular issue?
Thankstrailer/load into position in my garage and reverse engineered to rebuild in situ. Worked really well once all the pillars were bolted down etc. Not sure if this helps your particular issue?
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