4 post lift question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 821
Likes: 42
From: Spring, Texas
4 post lift question
I've read through all the prior posts but no one seems to comment about lifts with caster kits to make them mobile. I've also reviewed the 2 post versus 4 post debate as well. Also research the 2 post portable lifts, where each post has built in wheels and bolts/unbolts to the floor with a single power unit that is also mobile with hydro hoses to each post. I've pretty much decided on a 4 post for the height and added storage benefit but need it to be mobile, hence the question.
Just how mobile is a 4 post lift with the provided caster kits? Can you actually move something this big and heavy using those casters? Can you move it with a car on it? I have ample room for a lift but want to be able to move it out of the way when not in use so the caster option seems ideal, provided they actually work. If they do move, can it be a one person thing or do I need two or more folks to push it? No need to rehash the 4 versus 2 debate, or brand, just need to know if these things can actually be moved around on casters or not or is that just wishful thinking?
Just how mobile is a 4 post lift with the provided caster kits? Can you actually move something this big and heavy using those casters? Can you move it with a car on it? I have ample room for a lift but want to be able to move it out of the way when not in use so the caster option seems ideal, provided they actually work. If they do move, can it be a one person thing or do I need two or more folks to push it? No need to rehash the 4 versus 2 debate, or brand, just need to know if these things can actually be moved around on casters or not or is that just wishful thinking?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 138
From: Clinton Township MI
Cruise-In III Veteran
Texaspilot180,
The caster kit actually does WORK! I haven't tried moving it with a car on it (not sure the caster wheels would handle an additional 700 + lbs. at each corner), but I've used it and 1 person can easily maneuver the 4 post lift around the garage...no problem. The caster kit is pretty rugged, built pretty stout.
My experience!
Go for it!
Regards,
Jim
In God We Trust!
ps MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The caster kit actually does WORK! I haven't tried moving it with a car on it (not sure the caster wheels would handle an additional 700 + lbs. at each corner), but I've used it and 1 person can easily maneuver the 4 post lift around the garage...no problem. The caster kit is pretty rugged, built pretty stout.
My experience!
Go for it!
Regards,
Jim
In God We Trust!
ps MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 821
Likes: 42
From: Spring, Texas
Jim - thanks for the feedback. As long as the lift could be moved easily that would satisfy my needs. If the weight of a car on it is a problem for movement I can just move it empty, use it, then move it back out of the way. Thanks. Jeff.
Texaspilot180,
The caster kit actually does WORK! I haven't tried moving it with a car on it (not sure the caster wheels would handle an additional 700 + lbs. at each corner), but I've used it and 1 person can easily maneuver the 4 post lift around the garage...no problem. The caster kit is pretty rugged, built pretty stout.
My experience!
Go for it!
Regards,
Jim
In God We Trust!
ps MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The caster kit actually does WORK! I haven't tried moving it with a car on it (not sure the caster wheels would handle an additional 700 + lbs. at each corner), but I've used it and 1 person can easily maneuver the 4 post lift around the garage...no problem. The caster kit is pretty rugged, built pretty stout.
My experience!
Go for it!
Regards,
Jim
In God We Trust!
ps MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 821
Likes: 42
From: Spring, Texas
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 138
From: Clinton Township MI
Cruise-In III Veteran
Jeff,
Along with the caster kit, checkoff the aluminum ramps vs. the steel ramps that are standard with most lifts. You're talking 14-15 lbs. vs. 40+lbs. for the steel...EACH. If you're a young'un, you'll have no problem...get a few years on yourself and you'll wish you opted for the aluminum ramps.
Jim
In God We Trust!
Along with the caster kit, checkoff the aluminum ramps vs. the steel ramps that are standard with most lifts. You're talking 14-15 lbs. vs. 40+lbs. for the steel...EACH. If you're a young'un, you'll have no problem...get a few years on yourself and you'll wish you opted for the aluminum ramps.
Jim
In God We Trust!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 821
Likes: 42
From: Spring, Texas
Jim - well, as much as I hate to admit it the need for a lift is directly connected to age and flexibility, so the aluminum ramps will be on the order list, along with a sliding jack bridge. I really don't want to be wrestling heavy steel ramps, won't have any energy left to actually work on the car! Jeff.
Jeff,
Along with the caster kit, checkoff the aluminum ramps vs. the steel ramps that are standard with most lifts. You're talking 14-15 lbs. vs. 40+lbs. for the steel...EACH. If you're a young'un, you'll have no problem...get a few years on yourself and you'll wish you opted for the aluminum ramps.
Jim
In God We Trust!
Along with the caster kit, checkoff the aluminum ramps vs. the steel ramps that are standard with most lifts. You're talking 14-15 lbs. vs. 40+lbs. for the steel...EACH. If you're a young'un, you'll have no problem...get a few years on yourself and you'll wish you opted for the aluminum ramps.
Jim
In God We Trust!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 34
From: Franklin North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '09
We have the caster kit with ours, its not really easy to move, but it can be done. Alot of it is how smooth and flat you surface is. We've moved ours two or three times in then 10 plus years we've had it. Not something you wanna do everyday.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
I use the casters for my 4 post lift all the time. With or without a car on the lift. The only problem is that with 4 casters, they always seem to want to go in the wrong direction. Using two people really helps. Aluminum ramps are mandatory. If the lift you choose doesn't offer them, Race Ramps offers a generic ramp that will fit just fine and are probably even lighter than aluminum ones.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,937
Likes: 163
From: OP Kansas
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Mine is a "Perfect Park" and I can move it with one hand empty and I've moved it a foot or two while having a car on it. The only reason you might want two people to help you move it is because the casters go where they want to go if you are only on one side of the lift. The other thing I should mention is when it is up off the ground so you can move it, the columns sway back and forth a little and when there is a car on board you have to make sure the car is centered so the columns can't come into contact with the car.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 821
Likes: 42
From: Spring, Texas
Luckily I have a large smooth epoxy painted floor to put it on. I've had car Dolly's before and they were tough to use on a bare cement garage floor but my new place is much better suited to this with the shiny smooth floors. I agree, the surface is a key factor but think I'll be in good shape with the smooth epoxy floors. Thanks Jeff
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 821
Likes: 42
From: Spring, Texas
Good info. Based on the feedback, sounds like a smooth floor is a must and an empty lift is better than one with a car on for movement. Doubt I would want to move it with a car on it anyway but if that need develops will make sure to watch the posts and get a helper to assist. I'll probably only want to move it empty and maybe not all depending on how I can fit it into the shop space. It's going to be in my airplane hangar, so it needs to move out of the way for space issues. If I can set it up behind where I keep the plane positioned perhaps I can leave it in place but won't know for sure until I get it set up. I'll get one with casters to play with position and spacing a while, maybe won't need to move it much if things fit together well. The swaying when a car is on it may be an issue when trying to move it. Thanks for the feedback. Jeff
Mine is a "Perfect Park" and I can move it with one hand empty and I've moved it a foot or two while having a car on it. The only reason you might want two people to help you move it is because the casters go where they want to go if you are only on one side of the lift. The other thing I should mention is when it is up off the ground so you can move it, the columns sway back and forth a little and when there is a car on board you have to make sure the car is centered so the columns can't come into contact with the car.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Mountain Springs Texas
Don
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 821
Likes: 42
From: Spring, Texas
Well, my shop space is also my aircraft hangar so the lift has to share the space with my plane. I won't use the lift constantly, only occasional use, so being able to store it out of the way is a big plus. I could use the two post portable style, with one post left in place the other unbolted and stored next to it when not in use. I Just need flexibility with the space as its not totally dedicated to the car hobby and the plane needs to move in and out as well. If the space wasn't multi purpose I would use a permanent mount 2 post and add a 4 post for storage and not worry about moving them, but the plane takes up a lot of space. Sounds like a caster kit is the way to go, and it should move without too much trouble on the smooth flat epoxy floor surface. Just need to get it ordered and set up, then see how things fit. Really appreciate all the feedback guys. Merry Christmas to all! Jeff
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 99
From: Lake Villa Illinois
St. Jude Donor '14
I have a Bend Pak 4 post lift that is less than 2 years old. The caster kit is damn near worthless.
Here is my thread on Garage Journal
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showt...=131103&page=2
Gerry
Here is my thread on Garage Journal
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showt...=131103&page=2
Gerry
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,738
Likes: 3,722
From: Central Arkansas
I use the casters for my 4 post lift all the time. With or without a car on the lift. The only problem is that with 4 casters, they always seem to want to go in the wrong direction. Using two people really helps. Aluminum ramps are mandatory. If the lift you choose doesn't offer them, Race Ramps offers a generic ramp that will fit just fine and are probably even lighter than aluminum ones.
I can second this. Mine seemes to have a mind of it's own about where to go when trying to move it myself, car or no car. In tight spaces two people are just about mandatory to try to manuver it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
Jeff,
Along with the caster kit, checkoff the aluminum ramps vs. the steel ramps that are standard with most lifts. You're talking 14-15 lbs. vs. 40+lbs. for the steel...EACH. If you're a young'un, you'll have no problem...get a few years on yourself and you'll wish you opted for the aluminum ramps.
Jim
In God We Trust!
Along with the caster kit, checkoff the aluminum ramps vs. the steel ramps that are standard with most lifts. You're talking 14-15 lbs. vs. 40+lbs. for the steel...EACH. If you're a young'un, you'll have no problem...get a few years on yourself and you'll wish you opted for the aluminum ramps.
Jim
In God We Trust!
my one regret (not getting the aluminum ramps), the steel ramps are heavy and you're constantly humping those things around
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
The casters work fine on my ProPark lift, though I have only used them once, to get the lift in position off the delivery truck. They just take up space, now.
I never move my ramps, (well, rarely), though i do not hook them over the lift edge, that has a provision for hooking. I just leave them back a couple inches to clear the latching rod. If I had to move them, or hook/unhook them, I believe aluminum would be the way to go.
Doug
I never move my ramps, (well, rarely), though i do not hook them over the lift edge, that has a provision for hooking. I just leave them back a couple inches to clear the latching rod. If I had to move them, or hook/unhook them, I believe aluminum would be the way to go.
Doug