Which 4 post lift?
Discussion
I’ve built a 3 bay oak framed garage with each bay 6m long and 3m wide.
Thought about getting a 2 post lift but everyone I look at would foul the roof joists which have 2.9m clear between them. So I’ve sacked the idea of a 2 post and moved on to a more expensive 4 post with a jacking tray.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
Cheers
Rob
Thought about getting a 2 post lift but everyone I look at would foul the roof joists which have 2.9m clear between them. So I’ve sacked the idea of a 2 post and moved on to a more expensive 4 post with a jacking tray.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
Cheers
Rob
It depends on what you're lifting. I bought a used Challenger 4 lift. It's rated to 12000lbs. I bought this particular one in order to pick up my Ford F350 and other 1 ton trucks (at the time, i also had a Chevy C3500 454 dually which needed a transmission rebuild) and it works great for that.
If you're doing transmission work or trying to diagnose air suspension problems where the suspension needs to be loaded, a 4 post lift is useful. For any other work like brake and suspension, a 2 post lift is much better suited as you'll have better access to swing a hammer.
I also have a 2 post lift made by rotary. It's an older lift which i bought from a friend who was a mechanic and bought it new in 1981. I had it re-sealed and bought a new power unit.
My lifts are both professional grade and American made so while they're old, there's no problems sourcing parts for either. I could have probably bought new Chinese made lifts for about the same price and may consider this if I decide to buy another lift.
As the other poster suggested, you'd be better off with a 2 post lift as your only lift. Try to find one that ties the posts together from the bottom and are designed for low clearance. An example is this one from Eagle lifts https://www.eagleequip.com/product/MTP-12F.html
I have no idea what UK brands are out there given that i have not lived in the UK for almost 20 years. Eagle lifts are Chinese made but seem to be reputable. I suspect that there are dealers that supply them in the UK.
With both lifts, you'll need to anchor them to the concrete. I hope that you made your slab is strong and deep enough.
If you're doing transmission work or trying to diagnose air suspension problems where the suspension needs to be loaded, a 4 post lift is useful. For any other work like brake and suspension, a 2 post lift is much better suited as you'll have better access to swing a hammer.
I also have a 2 post lift made by rotary. It's an older lift which i bought from a friend who was a mechanic and bought it new in 1981. I had it re-sealed and bought a new power unit.
My lifts are both professional grade and American made so while they're old, there's no problems sourcing parts for either. I could have probably bought new Chinese made lifts for about the same price and may consider this if I decide to buy another lift.
As the other poster suggested, you'd be better off with a 2 post lift as your only lift. Try to find one that ties the posts together from the bottom and are designed for low clearance. An example is this one from Eagle lifts https://www.eagleequip.com/product/MTP-12F.html
I have no idea what UK brands are out there given that i have not lived in the UK for almost 20 years. Eagle lifts are Chinese made but seem to be reputable. I suspect that there are dealers that supply them in the UK.
With both lifts, you'll need to anchor them to the concrete. I hope that you made your slab is strong and deep enough.
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