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Which Car Lift To Buy

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by jackdog, Oct 24, 2019.

  1. Oct 24, 2019
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
    Building a new garage and want to install a lift. Probably going with a 2 post style. Any thoughts? Symmetrical or asymmetrical ?
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2019
  2. Oct 24, 2019
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2018
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    398
    My highschool auto shop uses a Bendpak
     
  3. Oct 24, 2019
    baldjosh

    baldjosh Member

    pacific north west
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    Oct 24, 2017
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    451
    uuummmm...just a little jealous over here...(y)
     
    Dandy and scoutpilot like this.
  4. Oct 24, 2019
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
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    8,513
    We had 5 Rotary lifts in our shop, 2 post.
     
  5. Oct 24, 2019
    Admiral Cray

    Admiral Cray I want to do this again.. Staff Member

    Bainbridge...
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
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    204,347
    That's can o worms...

    Start with what is the heaviest vehicle you're going to lift?...

    My truck weighs 8800 LBS so I got a 11K LBS two post lift. I still put high jack stands under it when I'm working on my truck...
     
  6. Oct 25, 2019
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
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    526
    My 2500HD weighs around 7000lbs when I go across the scales, so I was thinking a 9000 lb lift would be good. Yes jack stands are good when you have it in the air. Still up in the air about symmetric or asymmetric.
     
  7. Oct 25, 2019
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2009
    Messages:
    3,083
    I install lifts for a living. Stay away from chinese junk such as Atlas, bendpak, ben pearson, hydralift and so on. Buy one that is ALI certified, ie gold tag. Challengers are ok, we have problems getting parts for them. It seems they have a model that it out for a few years, then change to a different model and forget which parts go to which lift. Rotary is by far top of the line. Rotary also owns Forward and Revolution, bot are decent brands that cost less than a Rotary.

    [​IMG]

    Asymmetric is good for cars and small trucks. It gets scary with longer vehicles because the center of gravity is so far back. I would not put a crew cab long bed pickup on one. The asymmetric also runs out of reach with the arms. Symmetrical lifts are better for trucks. I don't know what configuration what truck is (cab style and bed length).

    Asymmetric SPOA10 | 10,000 lb Two Post Lift | Rotary Lift

    Symmetrical SPO10 | 10,000 lb Two Post Lift | Rotary Lift

    If you are building new, I would suggest looking at an inground lift. They are fairly easy to install before the floor is poured and you will not have those annoying columns in the way. You don't need to worry about leaks or contamination like in the days of old. They come in a self contained plastic cassette that you run a 2" PVC chase way to for the hydraulic line and air through.

    Inground SL210 | Rotary Lift

    When I get my own shop, I'm going to get two mobile columns. Expensive, but being able to move where ever I want them is sooooo nice. :drool;

    MCHF14 | Flex Mobile Column Lift | Rotary Lift
     
    Dave Deyton and jackdog like this.
  8. Oct 25, 2019
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    Jun 19, 2009
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    3,083
    One brand that is local to you is Mohawk. Those things are built like tanks. I’ve never seen a new one, but the old ones from the 90s are way over built.
     
    58 willys likes this.
  9. Oct 25, 2019
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
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    526
    Thanks Nate, this is the kind of info I was looking for. My truck is a extended cab short bed so I'm thinking symmetrical?
     
  10. Oct 25, 2019
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,463
    I have a 10,000 Bendpak and I’m completely happy with it. Well built, great warranty, and customer service.
     
  11. Oct 25, 2019
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
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    526
    Just got a quote from Mohawk....$8300 ouch!
     
  12. Oct 25, 2019
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
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    Sep 19, 2004
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    1,463
    Gold Label ALI Certification
     
  13. Oct 25, 2019
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    Nov 5, 2009
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    1,691
    I can sell you challenger or rotary lifts in Rochester.
    They have price line versions as well

    Pm me if you want
     
  14. Oct 26, 2019
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
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    Jul 16, 2013
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    526
    PM sent
     
  15. Oct 31, 2019
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    Oct 10, 2015
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    1,900
    Nate, that I ground looks nice. What kind of range are they price wise?
     
  16. Nov 4, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Don’t do this.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Nov 4, 2019
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    virginia
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    Jan 11, 2015
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    HOLY SHI1 BATMAN
     
  18. Nov 5, 2019
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Jul 30, 2003
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    I always walked the shop before I went home for the night and lowered any/all lifts to just above ground level.
    Earthquakes and a vehicle 6 feet up in the air; didn't want a bad experience overnight.
     
  19. Nov 5, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    When Chuchua's was in Fullerton, they had old twin-post hydraulic hoists in the barn they used as the shop building. The lone mechanic they employed would leave the Jeeps he was working on up on the lifts overnight. One morning he came in to find one of the posts down to the ground and the other up at full height. The Jeep did not fall off, which must have been quite a sight. After that, he'd always lower any Jeeps before leaving them overnight.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2019
  20. Nov 5, 2019
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
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    8,513
    Our old hoists were twin oil like Tim mentions.
    Had one blow out with a vehicle up in the air.
    The safety catches kept the car in the air.
    We placed tires under the hoist arms and had to drive the pins out to get the vehicle lowered.
    Some oil remained and it didn't come down as hard/fast as we thought it would.
     
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