Anyone have a garage lift at home?
Discussion
Hereward said:
I have the Automotech 3.5 tonne mid-rise scissor lift. I have a low ceiling so cannot raise vehicles as high as I would like (especially my Touareg) but it's still vastly more comfortable than working outside with axle stands.
I avoided the automech as you need a seperate compressor for the autolocks. Edited by Hereward on Sunday 12th February 22:13
Darkslider said:
daveenty said:
I've got THIS ONE from Automech Services.
As suggested above, they're probably not the best quality though it's served me well for a good few years now, from changing a subframe on my old 190E, to various other jobs on many other cars. The only one it didn't like was an L322 Range Rover which I think was slightly over it's comfort zone, though it got it to a height I could do what I wanted to on it.
The lift itself, which was a lot cheaper at the time to the currently linked one, was only the start of my expense, raising the garage ceiling was my main challenge, though I can now get a full sized car up in the air which is handy for keeping it clean. Unfortunately, this is about all I can do nowadays as, due to illness, I've lost most of my strength so struggle with lots of what used to be routine jobs.
Incidentally, I don't get the thing about not being able to work on the gearbox/prop area? I'm assuming the scissor lift in question has connecting bars between the two ramps, as I can (and have) done these things frequently with mine.
Interested as to why you felt the L322 was the limit on your 3.5t lift? I've got the Automotech single poster which is 2500kg and I've had an L322 on that, I think I had some props under it as well as I was pretty sure it was at or above the lifts capacity!As suggested above, they're probably not the best quality though it's served me well for a good few years now, from changing a subframe on my old 190E, to various other jobs on many other cars. The only one it didn't like was an L322 Range Rover which I think was slightly over it's comfort zone, though it got it to a height I could do what I wanted to on it.
The lift itself, which was a lot cheaper at the time to the currently linked one, was only the start of my expense, raising the garage ceiling was my main challenge, though I can now get a full sized car up in the air which is handy for keeping it clean. Unfortunately, this is about all I can do nowadays as, due to illness, I've lost most of my strength so struggle with lots of what used to be routine jobs.
Incidentally, I don't get the thing about not being able to work on the gearbox/prop area? I'm assuming the scissor lift in question has connecting bars between the two ramps, as I can (and have) done these things frequently with mine.
Niponeoff said:
I avoided the automech as you need a seperate compressor for the autolocks.
Not all of them. My lift isn't connected up to my compressor, there's no provision for it in fact, yet it works fine.
Baldchap said:
I have one, as do many PHers. Automotech do short and narrow ones to suit home garages.
Ah OK, I genuinely didn't realise there was such interest in these but we started getting quite a few enquiries at Concept Garage Equipment for them, and can certainly supply them no problem, but hadn't specifically been marketing to the home garage audience previously.marine boy said:
I have one of these, lost a bedroom on the new extension I'm building to fit in in but it will be worth it
Think there is a demand for compact 240V 4 post and 2 post lifts full height but more demand for mid-height lifts
That's really useful thanks! And who needs bedrooms when you have an awesome garage anyway!Think there is a demand for compact 240V 4 post and 2 post lifts full height but more demand for mid-height lifts
Niponeoff said:
Scissor lift, about 1m.
Look for:
Electric or pneumatic interlocks.
Plastic sliders or metal
Limit switches
I have a compressor but I didn't want to switch one on, every time I used the lift. I also made sure I didn't have plastic sliders.
Great point re compressor - not many folk would want one of those noisy things in or next to their house!Look for:
Electric or pneumatic interlocks.
Plastic sliders or metal
Limit switches
I have a compressor but I didn't want to switch one on, every time I used the lift. I also made sure I didn't have plastic sliders.
F20CN16 said:
I’m considering one but first I need to get a structural engineer in to see if the trusses and beams can be removed in the garage roof space (and obviously replaced with a new structure of some sort). Have my eye on the small Automotech 4 poster.
This is the exact position I'm in, but trying to find a structural engineer who will even discuss it with me is proving very difficult.Pete54 said:
I have a 2 pot lift, supplied by Prestige Lift. Makes life so much pleasanter!
Mine is at the lower end of the ranges and so has manual locks - which is a bit of an annoyance. It also take some searching around to find a supplier who would bundle all the bits and pieces together and still give a sensible cost.
Given these all come from China I suspect there is a considerable profit margin. Probably the market for private sales is not that bit, having enough headroom and suitable foundations does restrict their application but.......
We can get Chinese equipment and yes there is more profit in those lifts but we tend to steer more towards European lifts for our customers where the budget will allow, as we find they are just better quality and more robust generally. Ultimately the customer is always right in the end of course!Mine is at the lower end of the ranges and so has manual locks - which is a bit of an annoyance. It also take some searching around to find a supplier who would bundle all the bits and pieces together and still give a sensible cost.
Given these all come from China I suspect there is a considerable profit margin. Probably the market for private sales is not that bit, having enough headroom and suitable foundations does restrict their application but.......
Niponeoff said:
Hereward said:
I avoided the automech as you need a seperate compressor for the autolocks. Compressors are cheap these days and useful for other jobs. I just used hard plumbing lines for mine so I have the compressor in an insulated shed away from the garage and plug in points around the garage.
Hereward said:
I have the Automotech 3.5 tonne mid-rise scissor lift. I have a low ceiling so cannot raise vehicles as high as I would like (especially my Touareg) but it's still vastly more comfortable than working outside with axle stands.
That would benefit from sinking in to the floor like I did with mine, we dropped it so that when closed they are flush with the floor.Edited by Hereward on Sunday 12th February 22:13
daveenty said:
I've got THIS ONE from Automech Services.
As suggested above, they're probably not the best quality though it's served me well for a good few years now, from changing a subframe on my old 190E, to various other jobs on many other cars. The only one it didn't like was an L322 Range Rover which I think was slightly over it's comfort zone, though it got it to a height I could do what I wanted to on it.
The lift itself, which was a lot cheaper at the time to the currently linked one, was only the start of my expense, raising the garage ceiling was my main challenge, though I can now get a full sized car up in the air which is handy for keeping it clean. Unfortunately, this is about all I can do nowadays as, due to illness, I've lost most of my strength so struggle with lots of what used to be routine jobs.
Incidentally, I don't get the thing about not being able to work on the gearbox/prop area? I'm assuming the scissor lift in question has connecting bars between the two ramps, as I can (and have) done these things frequently with mine.
Ah yes, that looks pretty good to be fair - as you say, probably looking at the cheaper end of the market but if it does what you need that's perfect.As suggested above, they're probably not the best quality though it's served me well for a good few years now, from changing a subframe on my old 190E, to various other jobs on many other cars. The only one it didn't like was an L322 Range Rover which I think was slightly over it's comfort zone, though it got it to a height I could do what I wanted to on it.
The lift itself, which was a lot cheaper at the time to the currently linked one, was only the start of my expense, raising the garage ceiling was my main challenge, though I can now get a full sized car up in the air which is handy for keeping it clean. Unfortunately, this is about all I can do nowadays as, due to illness, I've lost most of my strength so struggle with lots of what used to be routine jobs.
Incidentally, I don't get the thing about not being able to work on the gearbox/prop area? I'm assuming the scissor lift in question has connecting bars between the two ramps, as I can (and have) done these things frequently with mine.
We do some similar mid-rise and full-rise scissor lifts, though our full-rise are a little more expensive than what you have there.
davejones said:
I’ve got a Hofmann two post duo lift which is great - bought it new around ten years ago for about £4.5k fitted - as I was fortunate to build the workshop I could specify the floor loadings needed for the columns - this is a clear floor model that makes using it a doddle. I’ve also got a “cheap” Automech four post “parking” lift - this does not need to be bolted down, however I would strongly advise anyone to do so as it moves too much for my liking if not secured to the floor. It uses a hydraulic ram system so raising and lowering takes longer than the Hofmann, I think it cost me around £1800. I guess it all boils down to budget and purpose, I use mine to work on race cars of mine and friends and a lot of my racing mates have, or are considering installing lifts.
Yes, the Hofmann ones are good quality, though quite expensive. We were offered some mobile scissor lifts by our suppliers, that can be pushed around the workshop or garage even with a car on them, which looked great, but the quality just wasn't good enough for us to sell unfortunately. Safety first when there are tons of metal over your head!KTMsm said:
I've got one and have use of a couple of others
Mine is a single post lift which is essentially mounted on a large pallet truck - which is great because I can move it around indoors or out (great if I want to jet wash the underneath of a car outside) but I don't trust it for a second and the centre bar means it's useless for exhausts etc
I have use of a two post and a four post at a friend's garage it really depends what job I'm doing as to which is most useful
I know a couple of garage owners who are using the cheap eBay Chinese lifts and have done for some years without issue circa £1,800
Wow! That's inventive! Are you sure that's safe though? I love the concept though of being able to move it around, and don't need the floor depth that you would to bolt it down either!Mine is a single post lift which is essentially mounted on a large pallet truck - which is great because I can move it around indoors or out (great if I want to jet wash the underneath of a car outside) but I don't trust it for a second and the centre bar means it's useless for exhausts etc
I have use of a two post and a four post at a friend's garage it really depends what job I'm doing as to which is most useful
I know a couple of garage owners who are using the cheap eBay Chinese lifts and have done for some years without issue circa £1,800
Hereward said:
I have the Automotech 3.5 tonne mid-rise scissor lift. I have a low ceiling so cannot raise vehicles as high as I would like (especially my Touareg) but it's still vastly more comfortable than working outside with axle stands.
That looks good. I love the makeshift jacking beam made of wooden blocks - looks a little precarious! Definitely working indoors with a lift is going to beat laying on your back in the freezing winter on the driveway.Edited by Hereward on Sunday 12th February 22:13
I'm sure you would get some interest for a higher quality non-chinese lift but expect cost to be a significant factor for a fair few people.
I specced a garage specifically for a lift, with reinforced sections of floor to bolt into, and an elevated truss design to give me height - but having spent 25k on the garage, I ran out of money and never fitted a lift.
I looked at them, but couldn't get over the fact I simply didn't have 2 grand for one, and didn't want to risk 1200 for a chinese one. Ended up with a scissor lift.
I think you'd find a larger market for a decent portable scissor lift that can lift a car off its wheels in a standard height garage - so getting the hubs up to waist height on a saloon car. That would make all the difference for a lot of DIYers without the means to reinforce the floor, reshape the roof structure, pay more for a lift...
Much of what you can do under a ramp you can do under a 2-part scissor lift especially if it's got full underside access like this one. Also it's a lot easier to dig a hole in your floor to sink this into, than to go right through the pad and dig a bigger hole to reinforce locally for a 2-post.
I specced a garage specifically for a lift, with reinforced sections of floor to bolt into, and an elevated truss design to give me height - but having spent 25k on the garage, I ran out of money and never fitted a lift.
I looked at them, but couldn't get over the fact I simply didn't have 2 grand for one, and didn't want to risk 1200 for a chinese one. Ended up with a scissor lift.
I think you'd find a larger market for a decent portable scissor lift that can lift a car off its wheels in a standard height garage - so getting the hubs up to waist height on a saloon car. That would make all the difference for a lot of DIYers without the means to reinforce the floor, reshape the roof structure, pay more for a lift...
Much of what you can do under a ramp you can do under a 2-part scissor lift especially if it's got full underside access like this one. Also it's a lot easier to dig a hole in your floor to sink this into, than to go right through the pad and dig a bigger hole to reinforce locally for a 2-post.
Caddyshack said:
Niponeoff said:
Hereward said:
I avoided the automech as you need a seperate compressor for the autolocks. Compressors are cheap these days and useful for other jobs. I just used hard plumbing lines for mine so I have the compressor in an insulated shed away from the garage and plug in points around the garage.
I had a compressor, but I got rid of it when I started collecting battery tools. Now I've got a very small one for inflating tyres and blowing air. Don't miss it at all.
I just didn't want to have to turn on two sources of power to operate my lift and fit various connections.
Edited by Niponeoff on Tuesday 14th February 11:46
I'm trying to decide what route to go, been looking at the possibility of making something along these lines rather than the £2k price tag that is attached.
it will mainly be for general underside maintenance/cleaning so plenty of room underneath.
https://www.sealey.co.uk/MR1-Carlift
or should i just go low/midrise scissor to give me the wheel off option but less underside access.
it will mainly be for general underside maintenance/cleaning so plenty of room underneath.
https://www.sealey.co.uk/MR1-Carlift
or should i just go low/midrise scissor to give me the wheel off option but less underside access.
Edited by Steve57 on Tuesday 14th February 15:16
I'd tend to go for the wheel-off option, as a lot of what you tend to do on a car doesn't involve the sills between the jacking points.
And if it did need to get at the sills, you could conceivably find a way to use your midlift scissor to get the car in the air, then use a home made construction to keep it there and lower the lift out of the way.
Major snag I see with a mid lift ramp is if you need to drop the subframe and powertrain - in which case it probably won't lift the car high enough to slide the engine out. Then you're into an engine hoist. But even then, access to everything underneath the car is a whole lot easier with a lift than with a jack and stands.
And if it did need to get at the sills, you could conceivably find a way to use your midlift scissor to get the car in the air, then use a home made construction to keep it there and lower the lift out of the way.
Major snag I see with a mid lift ramp is if you need to drop the subframe and powertrain - in which case it probably won't lift the car high enough to slide the engine out. Then you're into an engine hoist. But even then, access to everything underneath the car is a whole lot easier with a lift than with a jack and stands.
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