That last sentence hits home BIG TIME
As we age a lift is a HUGE plus.
As we age a lift is a HUGE plus.
Vehicle Lifts: 2-post, 4-post, etc (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Waorani
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Multiple lifts is where my head is drifting... I am toying with the idea of a second lift, possibly a 4-post lift. A 4-post lift seems like a good compliment to the 2-post. Enjoy the strengths of each lift type for the task/vehicle involved. I am still at the notional stage with this and have not started any research yet, so I know this merits flame thrower action too. Unavoidable due to my advanced age I guess
I like the safety a 4 point offers but I just don't have the room for both. Getting all 4 wheels off the ground is where it's at for me! So much of what I do includes pulling a wheel or two or entire axle. The accessories needed for that on a 4 point makes it financially prohibitive IMO if the choice was one or the other.
I feel your pain.
I retired 7 years ago and decided to build my barn/shop 36 x 48 with a two post lift.
I stopped by my local mechanics shop and asked about his lifts, and bought one like his (Forward), and had it installed.
The big thing, or one of them, is the 4 bolts holding this thing to the ground.
If they are not set and tight your 3000 lbs of car has a hell of a moment arm when 6' in the air.
I had the terrifying experience of trying to lift an F350 on my 10000 lb lift. First I had to use all of my extenders to reach the frame and once I cleared the ground I did the mandatory safety shake and the truck was put back on the ground and I learned my lesson.
So just think about the failure modes when buying these online lifts. You dead or squished, your wheels twisted and wedged in the mess, or the whole thing with car crashing through your shop wall.
I am renowned for doing stupid things, and safety is not a high priority in my daily life, but I'm very glad I didnt cheap on my lift.
Bobmo
I retired 7 years ago and decided to build my barn/shop 36 x 48 with a two post lift.
I stopped by my local mechanics shop and asked about his lifts, and bought one like his (Forward), and had it installed.
The big thing, or one of them, is the 4 bolts holding this thing to the ground.
If they are not set and tight your 3000 lbs of car has a hell of a moment arm when 6' in the air.
I had the terrifying experience of trying to lift an F350 on my 10000 lb lift. First I had to use all of my extenders to reach the frame and once I cleared the ground I did the mandatory safety shake and the truck was put back on the ground and I learned my lesson.
So just think about the failure modes when buying these online lifts. You dead or squished, your wheels twisted and wedged in the mess, or the whole thing with car crashing through your shop wall.
I am renowned for doing stupid things, and safety is not a high priority in my daily life, but I'm very glad I didnt cheap on my lift.
Bobmo
Yes it would consume a lot of floor space for two lifts, but the appeal of a 4-post is how it could complement my 2-post.
With the 2-post, clear care must be taken everytime I use it to position the vehicle correctly for safety and functionality. When I have simple tasks (changing the fluids / checking bolts-fluid levels / ...), the time required to safely use the 2-post might not be worth it so I crawl under and just get it done. A few more years on the clock and resorting to just get it done might not be a good option, the 4-post could be the better option to prepare for those days.
Additionally, some vehicles are incompatible with my 2-post lift. A prime example is my bride's Audi A4. The geometry of the swing arms will not reach the lift points with the CG centered on the posts. I could lift it unsafely positioned resulting in CG creating a turning moment that the bolts into the concrete would need to counter act, but I don't need to a Darwin award statistic.
So I will need to do my research and determine what might make sense. At this point, I am just big talk for a one-eyed fat man.
@Bob Morazes the scene you described this exactly why I went 4 post. I realize the two post lifts have well assigned safety rules, but like you I find the added security of the four post lift gives me a bit more confidence, and even when I am underneath the lift, I try to minimize my exposure. I have seen photos of vehicles with catastrophes on a lift and within the last year in the area I live there have been two fatalities from lifts. One was an experienced mechanic. The other was a tire jack and we all know how that could turn out.
The moment I saw my friends for post lift who is about 4 miles from my house I knew for me, that was the way to go, and it has proven itself over the last two years quite well. My age is limiting factor lately, although not much but still a limiting factor, I am planning on moving to an even greater rural area and if dis-assembly is not happening because the new buyer prefers to keep it, I will gladly buy the same exact lift all over again .
The moment I saw my friends for post lift who is about 4 miles from my house I knew for me, that was the way to go, and it has proven itself over the last two years quite well. My age is limiting factor lately, although not much but still a limiting factor, I am planning on moving to an even greater rural area and if dis-assembly is not happening because the new buyer prefers to keep it, I will gladly buy the same exact lift all over again .
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
Pretty sure there's more than 4 bolts holding it to the ground. Maybe you meant 14 (or more)?
- Thread starter
- #128
My 2-post Atlas has six 7/8 anchors on each post. I'm in the early stages of looking for a 4-post and, after seeing one last week, am leaning towards an Advantage 11k. However they've got a strike against them after calling last week to ask a couple of questions, not getting through to anyone past the girl answering the phones, and then not getting a call back.
I've got a building full of Advantage and BYB 4 posters. I much prefer the design over the ladder style lifts. Sales and support has always been good.
The only time I ran into any issues was when I was buying a double wide from them and it was when they were onshoring production for that model. It was a bit of a cluster, but they were doing the install, so they felt the pain, not me.
If you go to their site, just pick one of the sales ppl and contact them direct.
I don't have an 11K model, else I would try to help. I've got XLTs and the regular HD form the Advantage line.
I too have also never experienced any issues with call backs from them but frankly, it seems to be a common concern with some companies lately. I had always operated that I own the problem with any service I had provided until it was either resolved or handed off to someone who also handled it properly and would typically verify it.
I do know however…I am a smoozer as my wife calls it… she says I kiss peoples ass… maybe? But my grandmother always said …you’ll catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar….( mic drop)
I would say that helps
I do know however…I am a smoozer as my wife calls it… she says I kiss peoples ass… maybe? But my grandmother always said …you’ll catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar….( mic drop)
I would say that helps
- Thread starter
- #131
Ehh - who needs a 4-post for pressure washing anyway?
I think my main concern with going too far afield is needing any parts/service down the road. The shop I work at has three Atlas lifts purchased through Greg Smith - they're made in China. Recently we needed parts for one and were able to get them easily. I'd wonder how easy it would be to get parts from an Amazon lift? Particularly since specific "manufacturers" seem to come and go on Amazon - "AAool" lifts can't be found but "ZZanzi" lifts which look pretty much the same (but are they?) are now available. Something like a lift, I'd somewhat want to be able to find the manufacturer again in a couple years or more.
The other thing to look for is ALI (Automotive Lift Institute) Certification. I see the KATOOL lift is "CE APPROVED AND CERTIFIED." That's certified for European Union health, safety, performance and environmental requirements, which can be comparable to US certifications although I have had some issues at times with local jurisdictions accepting such certifications. These issues have mostly been in commercial settings and if you're not dealing with code inspectors, then it is something you have to weigh on your own.
From the ALI website:
I'm not saying these lifts aren't an option, just to consider and understand what you're getting.
I actually just came across this wrinkle to the discussion the other day while researching another issue.
To add to the general confusion, people are saying that the Chinese manufacturers are muddying the waters and using a symbol similar to the European Union symbol. As noted above, they're saying that a modified symbol stands for "China Export" and the difference is in how closely spaced the letters are.
If you do a search for "china export symbol" you'll find a number of pages discussing serious safety issues such as this one (the link discusses medical devices): How to distinguish CE Marking symbol vs China Export symbol? — ADA - https://ada.pt/en/cemarking2/
Digging deeper, the discussion is that this specific "China Export" issue is a myth that comes out of (basically) sloppiness on some manufacturer's printing of the mark. However, it is also noted that there is fairly widespread misuse of the mark by Chinese manufacturers.
Here is a European Parliamentary statement on the issue of the "China Export myth" as well as the misuse of the CE symbol: Parliamentary question | Answer to Question No P-5938/07 | P-5938/2007(ASW) | European Parliament - https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-6-2007-5938-ASW_EN.html?redirect
And a study specifically about the issue with Chinese manufactured chargers: UK Government Web Archive - https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20140713175508/http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/137366/60600_Booklet_proof.pdf
Again, do your research. For example, the KATOOL Amazon links earlier provide very little information and only say "CE APPROVED AND CERTIFIED" in a standard text description. Nowhere do I see an actual symbol or any further specifications beyond that one statement, nor what CE certifications it may have passed. Understand that there are multiple certifications specific to a vehicle lift or just the electrical components or other parameters. I would at least want a certification of conformity in print before proceeding any further. That Chinese manufacturers can have a (to put it kindly) loose respect for the legal issues that (mostly) govern the rest of the world and that Amazon lists counterfeit products are both a known and growing issue: Welcome to the Era of Fake Products - https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/amazon-counterfeit-fake-products/
On the one hand, it's easy to say to do your research on something major like a vehicle lift or medical equipment, but the reality is that the $5 fake phone charger could burn your house down. The whole issue really makes you stop to think about the products you're buying without a second thought.
Last edited:
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
There are economies of scale and labor and all of that, but there is a point where you just have to wonder how they are able to make something so cheaply. At that point the "too good to be true" thought should be tickling your brain cells.
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
I have some experience with equipment sourced from China having worked in Senior Management of several different Chemical companies around the world. In fact, at one time, as part of my responsibilities I had a small team in Shanghai sourcing equipment for our operations world wide. We found that you could actually get western quality equipment (large fabricated columns, vessels, heat exchangers, etc) but you would have to pay 80 to 90% of the US or European price to get a similar quality. Sometimes that was enough to source from China but often between freight, duties, and the extra inspection cost it wasn't worth the hassle. Now if you just let them do their own thing and you are willing to take their word that the materials, welding, etc. meets your specification, then you can easily source items for 50% or less than western fabricators. Caveat emptor if you go that way though.
Depending on currency arbitrage, South Korea can be a great place to source equipment. We were never once disappointed by anything that came from there.
So a Kia it is !
Skreddy
SILVER Star
I’m sure it’s been posted in here, but what’s the consensus for lifting a 40 series? Symmetrical or asymmetrical?
Starting my shop build and planning everything out. Going to get a wide and tall 10k, I have a 1 ton Ram, the 40, 60, Chevelle and Camaro, plus whatever else may come through. Want to be able to lift them all. I used a friends Bendpak symmetrical on the 40 and it was a squeeze to get the arms in and seemed a little unbalanced.
Starting my shop build and planning everything out. Going to get a wide and tall 10k, I have a 1 ton Ram, the 40, 60, Chevelle and Camaro, plus whatever else may come through. Want to be able to lift them all. I used a friends Bendpak symmetrical on the 40 and it was a squeeze to get the arms in and seemed a little unbalanced.
1911
chupacabra
Asymmetrical for me, based on advice from others here (including Woody). In either case, the 40 being very nose-heavy, needs some supporting jack stands under the front end.
