two post lift questions
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2012
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two post lift questions
I am considering buying a two post lift. I have a few questions about what features I might want. For instance symmetrical or asymmetrical? I started weighing my vehicles to see what rating I need. My heaviest truck weighs 10,900 lbs with full full tanks. Does that mean an 11K lift or would it be better to go 12K? Also the biggest truck is a bucket truck, so would a lift with a base plate and open top be a good idea?
Any other features or considerations I should keep in mind? Thanks for any help.
Any other features or considerations I should keep in mind? Thanks for any help.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 51
From: SW Missouri
I have a 2 post lift. I have a f350 4x4, 142 wb. It has a big welder and a boom type hydraulic auger, The welder is mounted behind the cab on the passenger side and the auger and boom is also mounted on the passenger side at the rear of a cabinet body. It is very passenger side/rear heavy. I can lift it , however it isn't safe. The front wheels come off the ground a LONG time before the left rear and then the right rear finally lifts. If I were going to be lifting heaver vehicles I would get a 4 post 14,000 lb drive on lift. It doesn't mater where I make the lift points it's still unsafe to lift on the 2 post. On lighter stuff I really like mine, It's totally open under it so can pull trans. fuel tanks, wheels etc. With a 4 post it is much harder to work under them. I also have a f350 bucket truck and it has the same heavy rear issue.
Larry
Larry
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Waleska, GA
I have an 11,000 lb asymmetric lift. The most I've lifted is probably about 6,000 lbs. I'm comfortable with that, but I would not want to try 11,000 pounds on it. The concrete was reinforced and poured at a thicker depth where the lift is mounted, but I'm still not comfortable with more than the aforementioned pounds on it. How thick and reinforced is the concrete in the area you will be bolting the posts to?
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2012
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two post lift questions
The concrete is 5" thick with road mesh. If I cannot lift the bucket truck safely then maybe I should not figure using it on that truck. Then I could probably get away with a 9000Lb unit.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 1,730
From: AKRON ohio
Having worked in the auto/truck/bus business for 25 years, I must say that the drive on 4 post lifts are the safest IMHO. The 2 post lifts make for easy work as you can get to everything.
I've been wanting to get a lift for myself and I guess for me, I need one of each!
I will probably end up with a 4 post so I will not have to worry about is the floor thick enough? or reinforced enough? I know my concrete is 4" thick with wire reinforcement. Is it enough? Would you feel safe?
4 post with a air lift to rais up an axle to remove tires is great! We had 2 jacks on each lift so you could pull all tires at the same time.
Dont forget that a 4 post makes nice spot to stack vehicles too
I've been wanting to get a lift for myself and I guess for me, I need one of each!
I will probably end up with a 4 post so I will not have to worry about is the floor thick enough? or reinforced enough? I know my concrete is 4" thick with wire reinforcement. Is it enough? Would you feel safe?
4 post with a air lift to rais up an axle to remove tires is great! We had 2 jacks on each lift so you could pull all tires at the same time.
Dont forget that a 4 post makes nice spot to stack vehicles too
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,296
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
I don't think you should be shopping for something that ONLY meets your actual weights. The ratings assume the load is perfectly distributed. You should add at least 20 - 25% to your actual loads IMO, more if you buy chinese (which I would not)
From another forum I'm on:
"I sell, service and install lifts as part of my living. I always get asked "can you get me such and such a part for my never-heard-of-em lift?"...Moral of the story is buy what you've heard of. I sell Challenger and Rotary, and my customers know 50 years from now I can easily get them parts. Seriously, every swinging d sells a lift and quickly goes out of business...Moral of this story, you get what you pay for. "
From another forum I'm on:
"I sell, service and install lifts as part of my living. I always get asked "can you get me such and such a part for my never-heard-of-em lift?"...Moral of the story is buy what you've heard of. I sell Challenger and Rotary, and my customers know 50 years from now I can easily get them parts. Seriously, every swinging d sells a lift and quickly goes out of business...Moral of this story, you get what you pay for. "
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: peyton, colorado
Ross, I agree on name brands. I used to sell lifts years ago. I sold aamco, a division of hennesy who makes coats tire machines. They've been around forever. I often competed with cheap, no name lifts drop shipped from somewhere. I had a customer lift a car all the way up, then the lift broke. Luckily the safety prevented the car from falling. The lift company was already out of business so they had to fashion jacks to lift the car slightly so they could access the broken part. Remember, the car is six feet in the air. A local machine shop was able to make a new part. After installing the new part, they were able to lower the car safely. The car owner was not happy that his car was stuck for several days while all this went on. That was not the only trouble they had and the lift was eventually replaced with an aamco. Our factory rep told us there were several companies selling cheap lifts with no liability insurance. If they got sued for a car falling off, they just folded the corporation and disappeared. Later you'd see the same lift in another shop with a different color and name.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,292
Likes: 8
From: sparta ky.
I have a 10,000# 4 post and love it, I do want to get some kind of a slide jack to use with the lift.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 208
From: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Having worked in the auto/truck/bus business for 25 years, I must say that the drive on 4 post lifts are the safest IMHO. The 2 post lifts make for easy work as you can get to everything.
I've been wanting to get a lift for myself and I guess for me, I need one of each!
I will probably end up with a 4 post so I will not have to worry about is the floor thick enough? or reinforced enough? I know my concrete is 4" thick with wire reinforcement. Is it enough? Would you feel safe?
4 post with a air lift to rais up an axle to remove tires is great! We had 2 jacks on each lift so you could pull all tires at the same time.
Dont forget that a 4 post makes nice spot to stack vehicles too
I've been wanting to get a lift for myself and I guess for me, I need one of each!
I will probably end up with a 4 post so I will not have to worry about is the floor thick enough? or reinforced enough? I know my concrete is 4" thick with wire reinforcement. Is it enough? Would you feel safe?
4 post with a air lift to rais up an axle to remove tires is great! We had 2 jacks on each lift so you could pull all tires at the same time.
Dont forget that a 4 post makes nice spot to stack vehicles too
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 1,730
From: AKRON ohio
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 1,730
From: AKRON ohio
The only time I think one would say a 2 post is a must over a 4 post, is if using the 2 post to lift off a cab or bed. And that would be handy when working by yourself.
In the back of my mind that is why I have not bought either type yet. I just cant decide.
In the back of my mind that is why I have not bought either type yet. I just cant decide.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,292
Likes: 8
From: sparta ky.
Kevin, I too thought that way until I tried to use my friends 2 post lift and the lift arms would not go under Homade so that was it, Homade goes right on my 4 post, something to think about, Garry
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 1,730
From: AKRON ohio
Yea I worry about the lift arms clearing the running boards. I know they have lift adapters but that can be a pain.
Garry, is your 4 post bolted down? I see some list a wheel kit? I have never used a 4 post that wasnt bolted down
Garry, is your 4 post bolted down? I see some list a wheel kit? I have never used a 4 post that wasnt bolted down
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 369
From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
I have a 1991 Bend-Pak symmetrical 2 post rated at 7000 lbs. When I replaced the cables I went to a larger 1/2" cable. Mine is on 6" concrete with fibers and rebar, under the post is 3' deep holes with rebar and "J" bolts welded to the rebar for mounting the lift to ( it is outside, sucks this time of year). That being said I have lifted my 8000 lb Super Duty, don't like leaving it up for long but I have done it and felt safe. Currently my '55 is on it up in the air covered in snow with icicles hanging off it, my daughter parks her jeep under it.
Wish it was a 9000 lb asymmetrical but I like having the suspension free for working on things.
Wish it was a 9000 lb asymmetrical but I like having the suspension free for working on things.