Thread: Looking to buy a lift...

Tweet

I'm in the market to buy a lift for my garage. My buddy has a Benpack, but I don't have that type of budget. Anyone have any suggestions on companies or brands that I should look at?

I used a Bendpack two post for years. They are not expensive (IMO), for something your going to be standing under! Whenever, I needed advice on information for city permits, they were always helpfull. Make sure you have the floor thickness for the spcific model you plan to install. Buy it, and never look back.

The ceiling height of your garage will have a big influence on what type of lift you will want. I was able to buy my two post Rotary (used) for $1400 because the person who had it had only a 9 foot ceiling and was unable to get permission to raise the roof on his garage.
How you intend to use the lift will determine whether a two post, four post or scissor lift will be better suited. Two post are better for most maintenance work, four post is better for storing and the scissor lift is better suited to low ceilings.
You might want to consider a used lift to keep the cost down, especially if you want an American or Canadian built lift as opposed to one built in China. Many of the offshore lifts are not certified so may or may not be as safe as those built here.

Other things to consider are a drive on lift is good for storage or oil changes but your screwed if you want to pull the wheels. Don't know the price as I bought 2 mohawk scissor lifts several years ago #USL6000 for my shop.
Advantages, 110 volt,portable (if you purchase the dolly) 6000 lb capacity,full rise lift.you can roll it out in the driveway(concrete) if you have ceiling clearence issues.
disadvantages, Will wear grooves in your floor after extended use.You have to have the ramps that go on each side that you drive up on for most cars to clear the lift,but you can build these yourself out of 4X4s and 3/4 plywood.

Other things to consider are a drive on lift is good for storage or oil changes but your screwed if you want to pull the wheels.

Not necessarily. You can use either a bridge that accepts a bottle jack & stands or one that has a jack built in.

Originally Posted by Steves32

Not necessarily. You can use either a bridge that accepts a bottle jack & stands or one that has a jack built in.

yep Mine is a drive on and take the wheels off the cars all the time and it makes a great work bench to hold all the brake parts and or rear end parts

Check into DIRECT LIFTS. They are certified. I bought mine a few years ago and works great. I picked up 2 of the rolling scissor jack bridges and it make wheels off work very simple and safe. My shop ceiling was 9'6" and I raised it to 13' where my coupe goes and that is more height than I need. Did the mods to the ceilng in a weekend.

look in the for sale section. I have a Direct lift scissor type for $800. Problem I see is you are in Indy and me in Pa

I just bought a 2 post lift from Greg Smith Equipment for $1,495. It's a 9,000pound capacity and installed it myself. Very happy with it.

Thanks a lot for your input and suggestions. I am considering a couple lifts right now that fit my budget I think, and now I'm in that a 2 post or 4 post debate with myself now, so your advice helps a lot. Another friend told me of a company just south of Indy here, looked on their website at a couple lifts. Using my tax return, but want to take the time to find the best lift for the best deal. Here is what I am looking at right now...

10k capacity 2 post -
http://www.completehydraulic.com/lif...cj10000bp.html

10K 4 post -
http://www.completehydraulic.com/lif...sl10000xl.html

Thanks again for your time and suggestions!