four post lift install question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 484
Likes: 5
From: Madison Wisconsin
four post lift install question
I am planning to install a Bend-Pak HD-9 lift in my garage. Based on the desired location, one of the posts will end up about 1 inch from a hairline crack in the floor. As anyone reinforced their concrete floor in order to support a four post lift and if so, how big did you make the piers and did you use rebar?
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: MidOhio
Are you putting anything other than a 4000# car on this lift? What does the manufacturer say the lift weighs (total). Do you know if there's any reinforcing steel in the existing floor (there should be some, even is it's only the "standard" steel fence).
All concrete cracks. The rebar just keeps the cracked slabs together so the "nooks and crannies" can still support a load. Prestressed steel/concrete beams are a bit different but the fundamentals still apply.
All concrete cracks. The rebar just keeps the cracked slabs together so the "nooks and crannies" can still support a load. Prestressed steel/concrete beams are a bit different but the fundamentals still apply.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Shouldn't be a problem but suppose it depends on the crack. I just installed a 10,000 lb. two post which would have higher load per post and the reqirements were 4 inch concrete. Install instructions suggest pouring a 4' X 4' pad 6" thick if the original concrete is less than 4" thick, no mention of rebar.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 3
From: MD
My uncle is installing one right now. He actually cut a square out of the floor and dropped a steel plate in with all-thread rods bolted to it. Then he filled the hole back in level with the rest of the floor and bolted the post to the rods. If you're just lifting your vette you should be fine because it is a light car and it is well balanced front to back. But, if you're ever gonna remove the engine from a truck or do something with a very unbalanced car you might want to do some reinforcement.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 484
Likes: 5
From: Madison Wisconsin
Guys thanks for the feedback. The Bend-Pak lift is rated for 9,000. For the most my Corvette will rest on the lift and sometimes my son's 87 Mercedes 300E. However I may want to lift my Expedition (5,500 lbs) once in a while. I spoke with the guys that poured my floor and they said I should be fine as well. My only concern is being right up against the outside garage wall. Here the floor is resting on backfilled soil from when they poured the walls that might not be quite as solid. I may end up cutting out the concrete, going down to the footing and repouring. This is probably overkill, but will give me more piece of mind.
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: MidOhio
Originally Posted by jimkari
Guys thanks for the feedback. The Bend-Pak lift is rated for 9,000. For the most my Corvette will rest on the lift and sometimes my son's 87 Mercedes 300E. However I may want to lift my Expedition (5,500 lbs) once in a while. I spoke with the guys that poured my floor and they said I should be fine as well. My only concern is being right up against the outside garage wall. Here the floor is resting on backfilled soil from when they poured the walls that might not be quite as solid. I may end up cutting out the concrete, going down to the footing and repouring. This is probably overkill, but will give me more piece of mind.
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
Last edited by tonymax2; Nov 1, 2006 at 10:40 PM.
