Car lifts - what's best for a hobby workshop?

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Strongman lift did some planning and made it flush with floor really

That's exactly the setup I was looking at...problem is I don't have the height plus I don't have the width. I decided ideally I would need a nice wide garage so I could have a bay with the scissor.....one day I will get there!

For the moment I use hydraulic wheel ramps that are made by CJ autos....I like them becuase they have a mechanical lock plus if I use sleepers at the other end I can have the car at a good height for welding and the weight is still on the wheels. When I need the wheel off I have a high lift hydraulic jack plus a 10 ton axle stand that I use.

But that strongman setup is really the business I think

 

[armalites]

Im the total opposite , I like the four post , old Bradbury one with wheels free , as you can haul push and beat anything into place , always have some where to put tools and lever off , and I just feel safer under one with anything heavier than a small hatch back on.
I think a lot of it is what your used to , and what type of work you will be doing , the place I work in a lot has two two posts and one four post ,, and the set up works really well.

Depending on what we are working at home depends on which ramp I use and I agree with you. Whilst there is no doubt a 2 post gives good access especially on a FWD vehicle in a service environment if you work on older stuff you can really beat/swing on stuff when it's on a 4 post. I like the fact that with a 4 post you drive on and you are ready, many modern cars don't have obvious/suitable jacking points and with a 2 post I find I often have to reposition the car to get the get best fit(I am sure many places just stick the pads anywhere).

 

[armalites]

What were these type like? The listing has been removed now

They are 2 post but they operate via hydraulics. Many 2 posts have threaded rods with lift nuts and the rods are linked by a chain at the bottom or the top although some have two sychronised motors.

The hydraulic one either have one or two rams. Mine has two rams, one on each side the lift carriages are linked with balance cables. The cables effectively lock the carriages together so they move in unison and the there is no way for one ram to operate more than the other.Hydraulics will take the path of least resistance.

Pros and cons
Threaded are good in the way that a vehicle cannot drop but the wear parts can be expensive and/or difficult to find for an older unit.

Hydraulic ones will use standard parts for the rams/pumps, the carriages have electronic safety locks. I replaced all the seals in both rams when I got my 2 post for princely sum of £16.

 

[eddie49]

The electro-hydraulic "Autolift" scissor lift that I mentioned in my post #37 - there is one for sale now:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUTOLIFT-2-HYDRAULIC-2-TON-SCISSOR-CAR-RAMP-USED/184538619233
It has all the accessories and lifting pads. The auction ends tomorrow morning ( Monday 23 Nov ). I paid twice the current price for mine....

 

[Dexy]

Strongman lift did some planning and made it flush with floor really handy now and can still use the floorspace or a multi position bench when not used for cars
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Just to clarify the floor was in for several years and used the ramp on top prior to cutting out the hole in the concrete and install a flat bar frame around the edges and then pouring a concrete slab

 

[Matchless]

This thread has been excellent, thanks for the loads and loads of advice and opinions. I think the main take away is they all have their limitations but all have work arounds and all are much better than nothing. I'll have a bit more of a think but one that can be moved out of the way is attractive for me.

I have an ebay mobile single post lift in my shed, I can move it out from the wall or have it close in depending.... It lifts my wife's BMW X3, great access for most jobs, you can always put stands under and drop the lift, then move it out of the way if you want to change the gearbox, I have restricted height so often send the vehicle up half way and use an office chair, works a treat, cost me around 2K, love it for home use.

 

[Burdekin]

I have an ebay mobile single post lift in my shed, I can move it out from the wall or have it close in depending.... It lifts my wife's BMW X3, great access for most jobs, you can always put stands under and drop the lift, then move it out of the way if you want to change the gearbox, I have restricted height so often send the vehicle up half way and use an office chair, works a treat, cost me around 2K, love it for home use.

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Thanks. A single post would be good. Where did you get the high axle stands?

 

[mtt.tr]

i wish someone would make lifts like hgv column lifts but affordable and will run on single phase

 

[Matchless]

Thanks. A single post would be good. Where did you get the high axle stands?

A commercial vehicle repairer opposite my old business premises closed down and he used these with his six post lifts, not hard to make, I suspect these were home made but for £100.00......... I bought them. my single post is a reduced post height model,

 

[Burdekin]

Went to the workshop and I have less than 2.6m around the lights so that rules out the automotech single post lift and can't find another shorter one in my budget range. Looked at mobile 2 post lifts and short 2 post lifts and wouldn't be happy fitting them unless I made the concrete deeper and they would get in the way more for my setup I think. So back looking at the mid height platform scissor lifts. Strongman have changed their design so if I did sink it into the concrete it wouldn't give clear access through the centre and they also charge £180 extra for the mobility kit. Looked at other brands but I think the one for me is the Automotech AS-7530d https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7530d-garage-scissor-lift/ Any others I should look at? There is this one reasonably local but can't find any details about the make so no idea what they are like: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/261164811776301/?ref=search&referral_code=undefined

 

[gaz1]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHORT-2-...236615?hash=item4224341d07:g:45cAAOSwuJlciMW4

if need more info look here

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/22-metre-h...BEgJae_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#product-description

also remember you can spread a lifts load by fitting a spreader plate onto the lift

 

[Cuthy246]

Strongman lift did some planning and made it flush with floor really handy now and can still use the floorspace or a multi position bench when not used for cars
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Workshop envy!

 

[gaz1]

one of the members here did a steel floor to fit a lift onto it but i cant remember who

it was in a stables where it was fitted

 

[MetalMonkey]

Went to the workshop and I have less than 2.6m around the lights so that rules out the automotech single post lift and can't find another shorter one in my budget range. Looked at mobile 2 post lifts and short 2 post lifts and wouldn't be happy fitting them unless I made the concrete deeper and they would get in the way more for my setup I think. So back looking at the mid height platform scissor lifts. Strongman have changed their design so if I did sink it into the concrete it wouldn't give clear access through the centre and they also charge £180 extra for the mobility kit. Looked at other brands but I think the one for me is the Automotech AS-7530d https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7530d-garage-scissor-lift/ Any others I should look at? There is this one reasonably local but can't find any details about the make so no idea what they are like: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/261164811776301/?ref=search&referral_code=undefined

I think I already mentioned earlier in the thread I have the 7530D and its brilliant, service is great from them too. I think you can find similar ones on ebay from a range of suppliers but there isn't a huge difference in price.
They all look very much the same but some use different safety lock systems (electric actuators, air solenoids etc) the Automotech one uses air which is good and bad depending on if you have it available and if you consider it more reliable.

 

[taxi ray]

There is a few lifts being auctioned at Chesterfield, I have no idea what they are like.

John Pye Auctions: Lots

 

[3000alloy]

I was in the same situation, low garage ceiling and the constant debate with myself what car lift to get. So I bit the bullet over the summer and got the Quickjack 7000slx. And I have to say it's great for my needs. I service my wife's and my car's. It's lifts our Smax no problem and my focus no problem. To got the 12v version as I want to move it around. I recently changed the front wish bones on the Smax and it was a life saver for access. It all can be dismantled and stored neatly to free up my garage for other crap! Obviously it is not the same as a mid rise or full height lift, but I cut my cloth to suit and went with the quickjack.

 

[Mick Annick]

I think I already mentioned earlier in the thread I have the 7530D and its brilliant, service is great from them too. I think you can find similar ones on ebay from a range of suppliers but there isn't a huge difference in price.
They all look very much the same but some use different safety lock systems (electric actuators, air solenoids etc) the Automotech one uses air which is good and bad depending on if you have it available and if you consider it more reliable.

I’ve got a 7530D on my wish list - how does it lock if you don’t have a compressed air supply?

 

[Matchless]

I’ve got a 7530D on my wish list - how does it lock if you don’t have a compressed air supply?

badly

 

[Burdekin]

I have some of this racking left so was thinking of making a stand if needed as well. I have a couple of cars so one could be on the stand and one on the lift.

 

[Matchless]

Exactly my original plan, still have the beans sitting in the garden, then those stands came along for £100.00......