Garage Lifts
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Explain
Yes. The first time I saw one, as an engineer, I thought to myself "Who has the ***** to get under that?".
Scissor jack lifts, and jack stands are also dangerous.
Two posts lifts can be dangerous, and I've seen cars fall of them, hydraulic lines fail, etc. However, due to the fact that they have mechanical safeties, and that your not laying on the ground they are inherently safer than a lift made of sheet metal that is 18" off the ground.
4 Post lifts are great for oil changes, but really suck for suspension work.
I have a rotary sp84, had it for almost 20 years.
-- Joe
Scissor jack lifts, and jack stands are also dangerous.
Two posts lifts can be dangerous, and I've seen cars fall of them, hydraulic lines fail, etc. However, due to the fact that they have mechanical safeties, and that your not laying on the ground they are inherently safer than a lift made of sheet metal that is 18" off the ground.
4 Post lifts are great for oil changes, but really suck for suspension work.
I have a rotary sp84, had it for almost 20 years.
-- Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 103
From: Centerville Louisiana
Personal experience once I was driving on my Kwik Lift and the front legs were tipping forward. Don't really know why but, I backed down and checked everything then went at it again no problem. I use mine all the time but it is limited.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 792
ZIO
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,294
Likes: 1,579
From: Western NY
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
If you look at the design of the rear legs, you'll realize how easily it could fail from any number of causes. Couple that with the fact that you could never get out from under the thing if it were to fail.
-- Joe
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
My 2 cents worth. in regards to a two or four pole:
I currently have 6 lifts in the shop but the one used more than any other is the asymmetrical two post 12,000 lb'r. If given the option again (and I won't) I'd lean toward this lift again. The ability to open the doors fully without worrying about hitting the post is awesome. Once a car is racked it's full access to suspension, brake, exhaust, and any other job, it's really a all around all-star in my opinion. On the other standard two pole lifts we have paint pads and we still have to be careful about door dings.
The least used lifts are the 4 post flat bed style. I have three of them. This style lift is good for doing interior (we have one on the detail side of the shop) jobs, wiring, buffing, oil changes and just about any job you'd want that didn't require the wheels to be pulled off. I have the huge jack plates for taking the car up while it's on the lift but it's just kind of a pita.. Yes they can be used for everything and they are way easier to get cars on and off but that two post asymmetrical lift is the cat's meow.
-Willcox
I currently have 6 lifts in the shop but the one used more than any other is the asymmetrical two post 12,000 lb'r. If given the option again (and I won't) I'd lean toward this lift again. The ability to open the doors fully without worrying about hitting the post is awesome. Once a car is racked it's full access to suspension, brake, exhaust, and any other job, it's really a all around all-star in my opinion. On the other standard two pole lifts we have paint pads and we still have to be careful about door dings.
The least used lifts are the 4 post flat bed style. I have three of them. This style lift is good for doing interior (we have one on the detail side of the shop) jobs, wiring, buffing, oil changes and just about any job you'd want that didn't require the wheels to be pulled off. I have the huge jack plates for taking the car up while it's on the lift but it's just kind of a pita.. Yes they can be used for everything and they are way easier to get cars on and off but that two post asymmetrical lift is the cat's meow.
-Willcox
