Automotive 4 post lift

[oaklandw124]

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience with Direct-Lift car lifts? I am looking for a 4 post list and they seem reasonably priced and are ALI rated. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[gsxr]

I have the Pro 9D two-post. Works ok for a Chinese lift. Remember that a 4-post is preferred for storage (i.e., parking a second car under the car on the lift), while a 2-post is preferred for actual repair/maintenance work.

 

[Hollybrook]

I installed a BendPak 4 post lift for a friend. It was nicely built and has worked well for him. Being far from an expert, I do not have much to compare it to, but I would be very happy with it.

It took a couple of days to run the electricity and properly install the lift...

 

[sheward]

Hi Eric. I recently installed a 4 post lift with slide jacks. Made by Complete. It allows me to store my car and utilize all my limited garage space. The slide jacks allow for suspension work. It was very easy to install and it doesn't need to be bolted down. I was searching for a unit that runs on 120v. The entire installation took about 3 hrs. with a good friends help. I'm very happy with it. It's "pre owned"...that's dealer-speak. There are some very good buys out there currently.

drew

 

[Maui]

I have looked four post lifts for years and just never pulled the trigger. One of these days.

 

[alabbasi]

I have an old rotary 2 post lift. Two posts are more useful as you can get under them and swing a hammer for suspension work etc.

 

[gerryvz]

I have an old rotary 2 post lift. Two posts are more useful as you can get under them and swing a hammer for suspension work etc.

I've seen folks use jack-stands to support a car on a four-poster to free up the suspension for hammer-swinging.

 

[sheward]

I have an old rotary 2 post lift. Two posts are more useful as you can get under them and swing a hammer for suspension work etc.

I agree. There's more room and less ducking under and walking around. On the other hand, I can easily open the door and get into the car for some jobs.

drew

 

[sheward]

Another thing to consider is your floor if you intend to put a lift in your garage. I believe the 2 posts require 4 inches of poured concrete. Although this is somewhat industry standard there's no way to tell until one drills the first hole to mount. A pre drill and measure after deciding on a particular model might be a good idea.

drew

 

[alabbasi]

I've seen folks use jack-stands to support a car on a four-poster to free up the suspension for hammer-swinging.

Yep, it's not ideal as you're still working around the ramps which will get in the way of just about everything except for transmission and muffler work. If you have an suspension car however, I can imagine that a 4 post will be invaluable for diagnosing air leaks on a 6.3.

 

[DarkStar]

Costco has a deal on MaxJax this week $1999

 

[600Eric]

I bought a Dannmar 7000 a year or so. I think I picked it up for about $2,700 delivered. Does the job fine for a 4 post model

 

[Ntrepid]

I bought a Dannmar 7000 a year or so. I think I picked it up for about $2,700 delivered. Does the job fine for a 4 post model

I have a Dannmar 7000 as well. Paid the same ( and they included the caster rollers and 3 oil pans) and assembled it with some friends over the weekend. Instructions suck so if you need help just send me a PM as I can help you get prepped before lifting the first piece. I can also send pictures.


Robert

 

[mistermiata]

Anyone ever see a lift like this before? Looks like you just roll it over to the car and up it goes. I kinda picture the whole thing tipping over like Fred Flinstones car when they put the big rack of ribs on the window sill

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/4895754186.html

PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE LIFT FULL TRAVEL - $3000 (LANSDALE)

I HAVE A PORTABLE LIFT WITH 80 FT EXTENSION CORD WORKS GREAT
GOES UP HIGHER THAN THE PICTURE I HAD THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN WHEN PICTURE WAS TAKEN.
CAN SEE OPERATE.
$3000 CASH​

 

[alabbasi]

Yeah that's a one post lift. It's going to be anchored so it shouldn't tip over. You might need a thicker slap however.

 

[sheward]

It looks like the poster doesn't want to get under the truck in that last photo. He may know something...

drew

 

[stevenstevensteven]

I was recently at a respected Mercedes repair shop and they only had the Ravaglioli lifts installed. I asked why, and they said it was the only lift they could find that did not include Chinese parts. Not sure if they make lifts affordable for the home user, but I've sent the company an inquiry.

 

[Harv]

Twin Busch makes an interesting product. They plaster GERMANY all over their branding but their prices almost seem too good to be true for them not to be Chinese.

$1300 for this? Seems like a dream. https://www.eautotools.com/Twin-Busch-TW242A-p/tw242a.htm

 

[skikrazey]

You might want to take a look at this company http://backyardbuddy.com/

"Made with 100% North American Steel and Manufactured in Warren, Ohio USA, makes our design and construction unparalleled in the industry."

 

[gsxr]

Twin Busch makes an interesting product. They plaster GERMANY all over their branding but their prices almost seem too good to be true for them not to be Chinese.

$1300 for this? Seems like a dream. https://www.eautotools.com/Twin-Busch-TW242A-p/tw242a.htm

Almost certainly 100% Chinese. They leveraged the idea to add "Germany" in the name like Meyle & Febi.

I don't like deceptive marketing. It may be a perfectly cromulent product, but I'd rather pay more for a company that put "Twin Busch Beijing" on their label.

 

[Maui]

I have a four post lift. It isn't ideal but with a sliding jack I can do most any maintenance.

 

[Spruce500e]

I have a four post lift. It isn't ideal but with a sliding jack I can do most any maintenance.

Whats not ideal about it?

 

[Maui]

Whats not ideal about it?

The ramps take up a lot of real estate and without the sliding jack you can’t take the wheels off. Two post is much more usable but my shop floor is asphalt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Klink]

Did somebody say, "Twin Bush"?

 

[Spruce500e]

The ramps take up a lot of real estate and without the sliding jack you can’t take the wheels off. Two post is much more usable but my shop floor is asphalt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks but 4 post seems more functional as does double duty and allows for double stack and like you said with hydraulic jack and some jack stands it allows for generally the same abilities as 2 post. Have you found any cons for your general use specifically with any slack cable issues or other general safety issues?

 

[Maui]

I haven't found any safety issues yet. The ability to stack cars is very nice but the ramps or the parking surface does get in the way and the sliding jack takes up a lot of space and can interfere with getting tools into tight spots. Still much better than laying on the floor.

 

[sheward]

I've been using a 4 post with slide jacks for a few years now. I had to rebuild the cylinder due to me allowing the car to stay suspended by the hydraulics. Safety latches were engaged but I was not relieving pressure on the cylinder. My unit was acquired used and that may have been a factor however I suggest always relieving pressure from the cylinder to the safety catches. I built some sliding container/pans that allow more storage under the cars chassis as well as acting as drip protection for the lower car. The ramps are a bit cumbersome but a small price to pay for the utility. I use them in the driveway to change the oil in my truck which does not fit on the lift.

drew

 

[Raffaelli]

Whichever you get, remember to always make sure the locks work and the cables are in good shape.

At my old job, I've seen a four post, and a two post cables snap. Scary stuff, because on the 4 post, it whipped around and would seriously hurt someone if they were under there.

At my shop, I have a two post rotary and a drive over, lift in the middle scissor hoist. It goes up approx 5-6 feet. A drive on 4 Post rack takes up a mountain of floor space (which I don't have). The only thing 4 post lifts are good for, is really fast oil changes, or alignments. Everything else is done better on a typical 2 post lift.

 

[gerryvz]

MaxJax is having a special deal until the end of 2022.

 

[alabbasi]

That would be perfect if I had a minime for a mechanic

 

[gsxr]

That would be perfect if I had a minime for a mechanic

Or minions.

 

[ace10]

There are these things called chairs. Some of which even have wheels to roll around under a mid-rise lift.

 

[RicardoD]

Also recently invented... Stools, which have worked perfectly under my MaxJax.

 

[alabbasi]

Chairs are useful but are still awkward, you don't have the same range of movement in a chair or the same leverage and more importantly, you can't really move that fast when you might need to.

 

[JC220]

Chairs are useful but are still awkward, you dont have the same range of movement in a chair or the same leverage and more importantly, you cant really move that fast when you might need to.

Mid rise lifts are necessary when there is insufficient ceiling height. I think everyone understands a full ht lift is preferable for sure but doesn't always fit. A mid rise lift is still a major improvement vs crawling around the floor and using jacks.