Vehicle Lift?

[Chris_911]

I find the biggest challenge in garage DIY is getting the car up in the air to work on it. Simple jobs become too much of a struggle otherwise.

On and off I have been contemplating a vehicle lift, something like this:

http://www.vehiclelifts4home.co.uk/product/quickjack/

I'm revisiting the search. Has anyone been down this road and have any experience or recommendations to share?

[Phill]

There has been lots of discussion about lifts with varying recommendations. Search is your friend but it boils down to what you have a budget and space for.

[Phill]

That one doesn't lift very high. My garage jack will lift either end almost twice as high for a lot less money.

[Busybee]

A friend just installed a 4 ton 2 post lift. I must admit, it looks a great bit of kit for £1600 but it is tall and wide. I’m a bit jealous. Would make so many jobs so much easier 

[Jonny Hart]

I’m looking at these at the moment.  I am favouring this type. I like the way that it has clear access down the centre.   It is low profile too at 110mm.   I’m considering setting it into the floor. 

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7532b-3-2t-mid-rise-scissor-lift/

[Busybee]

5 minutes ago, Jonny Hart said:

I’m looking at these at the moment.  I am favouring this type. I like the way that it has clear access down the centre.   It is low profile too at 110mm.   I’m considering setting it into the floor. 

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7532b-3-2t-mid-rise-scissor-lift/

I think these are a really good particularly with limited head height but I struggle to see how you'd save working off your back on the floor? Its a 1m max lift. Unless you is tiny that is. Is a 4 poster a better option so at least you can get the full lift? 

[Chris_911]

7 minutes ago, Jonny Hart said:

I’m looking at these at the moment.  I am favouring this type. I like the way that it has clear access down the centre.   It is low profile too at 110mm.   I’m considering setting it into the floor. 

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7532b-3-2t-mid-rise-scissor-lift/

Yes, have been looking closely at that one too.

Just now, Busybee said:

I think these are a really good particularly with limited head height but I struggle to see how you'd save working off your back on the floor? Its a 1m max lift. Unless you is tiny that is. Is a 4 poster a better option so at least you can get the full lift? 

Headroom is the problem for me in a normal garage.

One of the reasons why I've been looking at the smaller versions is portability - I could use it on my drive (perhaps!).

[Chris_911]

In fact - this one:

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7530d-garage-scissor-lift/

The downside is the structure between the lifts but being able to use it outside is a definite plus.

[Wingnonut]

Strongman do a similar one to that where the cross beam can be removed so you can wheel a trolly in and out up the middle which makes it good for getting engines out. 

7 minutes ago, Chris_911 said:

In fact - this one:

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7530d-garage-scissor-lift/

The downside is the structure between the lifts but being able to use it outside is a definite plus.

https://sm-t.co.uk/product/clifton-3-ton-lift/

 

i have this one one but other than testing it once I have never used it. It seems to work well (especially the tilt bit) but does seem awefully precarious! 

 

[Phill]

44 minutes ago, Jonny Hart said:

  I’m considering setting it into the floor

You will lose even more working height .

I don't get it, none of these examples offer any advantage over a decent jack and axle stands. Then you have to store it. Even if you have a double garage it's bit intrusive. Mind you, if I had a double garage I know what I would be putting in it and it wouldn't be a car lift 

[mean in green]

Could this thread be of interest?

[Busybee]

32 minutes ago, Phill said:

You will lose even more working height .

I don't get it, none of these examples offer any advantage over a decent jack and axle stands. Then you have to store it. Even if you have a double garage it's bit intrusive. Mind you, if I had a double garage I know what I would be putting in it and it wouldn't be a car lift 

I agree Phil. Only worth it if it takes the backache out. 

6 minutes ago, mean in green said:

Could this thread be of interest?

Looks great but where are you gonna store that flipping thing

Two poster for me all day long

[jevvy]

2 hours ago, Jonny Hart said:

I’m looking at these at the moment.  I am favouring this type. I like the way that it has clear access down the centre.   It is low profile too at 110mm.   I’m considering setting it into the floor. 

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7532b-3-2t-mid-rise-scissor-lift/

After waaay too much research and dithering thats the one I bought - seemed to work best for what I needed it for.

2 hours ago, Busybee said:

I think these are a really good particularly with limited head height but I struggle to see how you'd save working off your back on the floor? Its a 1m max lift. Unless you is tiny that is. Is a 4 poster a better option so at least you can get the full lift? 

if you are height restricted a 1m lift works ok, wheels come up to standing mid body height, a low st00l puts them at head height and you can work underneath it ok, certainly better than jackstands. 4 posters are friggin hopeless for anything other than alignment - whats the point in lifting the car up in the air but it still being on its wheels with 2 long platforms in the way.

2 posters are also a pain as the 2 posts get in the way so you can never open the doors fully or use it when you want to lean into the car to do work. They often also have a raise before you lower feature to lift off the locks - this means when fitting an engine you cant do micro adjustments as you lift or drop the chassis onto the engine - total PITA!

 

2 hours ago, Chris_911 said:

In fact - this one:

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7530d-garage-scissor-lift/

The downside is the structure between the lifts but being able to use it outside is a definite plus.

I considered that one too but the crossover bar would get in the way especially when dropping the engine and you want to use an engine trolley. I did think about flipping it round and putting the engine at the other end but the crossover end is the beefy end of the lift so should ideally be under the heavy end of the car.

1 hour ago, Phill said:

You will lose even more working height .

No you wont - you simply place the car where you want it them put rubber / wood blocks between the lift and the lifting points on the car - no lost lift height.

The Carter lift looks quite nice but you lose any access to the centre of the car which is my book makes it a non starter. Also the extendable platforms the car actually sit on make me feel uneasy - if you want to any heavy spanner work the last thing you want to be doing is having the car wobble about while you gorilla a breaker bar.

The The AS-7532B Mid rise scissor lift really is the best option if you are height limited and want most flexibility over how you will use the lift - sinking it into the floor makes it even better! When I move I will be sinking it into the floor and also extending the hoses so I can put the control plinth a bit further away from the lift.

[PeterK]

2 hours ago, Phill said:

You will lose even more working height .

1

As Jevvy said, just use blocks for a little more height.  More importantly, when the lift is down, you'll have a level and clear floor space.  No need to find a corner to hide the lift when not needed.

Peter

[Phill]

1 hour ago, jevvy said:

No you wont - you simply place the car where you want it them put rubber / wood blocks between the lift and the lifting points on the car - no lost lift height.

 

1 hour ago, PeterK said:

As Jevvy said, just use blocks for a little more height.  More importantly, when the lift is down, you'll have a level and clear floor space.  No need to find a corner to hide the lift when not needed.

Yes, yes, I didn't think of that.......I'll get me coat

 😪

Edited February 15, 2019 by Phill

[MaxDiesel]

I've just picked up one of the BH Repairs scissor lifts (http://bhrepairs.co.uk/) secondhand this week. I'd had an eBay search for a year for one within 15miles and it finally came good. Its a much bigger, heavier bit of kit (450kg!) than the pictures would lead you to think. Getting it out the work's van and down my garden took six of us and methods similar to those they used to build the pyramids!

I've got under my 914 and given it a go - it's got plenty of lift height - I'm not planning on going under it when its this high - but glad I built the shed with a high ceiling!

Photos below from late Wednesday night after hauling it down the garden:

I think it'll be more this height whilst I'm working on it - its rock solid on the lift alone, but the axles stand give some extra reassurance!

I'm going to have a better look at it this weekend - but initial impressions are it's a great bit of kit and will make engine drops, suspension work etc. a hell of a lot easier.

Edited February 15, 2019 by MaxDiesel
typo

[World Citizen]

Like MaxDiesel I kept searching on Ebay and bought something slightly different,

Went for a more general use full table scissor lift for a fraction of the price of a new one

This is the one, 

https://www.llmhandling.co.uk/product/static-scissor-lift-table-1500kg-tm1500/

Edited February 15, 2019 by World Citizen

[Jonny Hart]

I have limited ceiling height so 1m is my lift limit.  

 

@jevvy  What’s the size of the control unit?  It looks fairly big in the photos but no dimensions are given. 

[jevvy]

38 minutes ago, Jonny Hart said:

I have limited ceiling height so 1m is my lift limit.  

@jevvy  What’s the size of the control unit?  It looks fairly big in the photos but no dimensions are given. 

I'll put a tape measure on it next time I'm in the garage, pics on the site make it look larger than it is but the plan view in the PDF gives a fairly realistic representation of its size I would say.

 

[Chris_911]

On 2/15/2019 at 11:41 AM, jevvy said:

After waaay too much research and dithering thats the one I bought - seemed to work best for what I needed it for.

if you are height restricted a 1m lift works ok, wheels come up to standing mid body height, a low st00l puts them at head height and you can work underneath it ok, certainly better than jackstands. 4 posters are friggin hopeless for anything other than alignment - whats the point in lifting the car up in the air but it still being on its wheels with 2 long platforms in the way.

2 posters are also a pain as the 2 posts get in the way so you can never open the doors fully or use it when you want to lean into the car to do work. They often also have a raise before you lower feature to lift off the locks - this means when fitting an engine you cant do micro adjustments as you lift or drop the chassis onto the engine - total PITA!

 

I considered that one too but the crossover bar would get in the way especially when dropping the engine and you want to use an engine trolley. I did think about flipping it round and putting the engine at the other end but the crossover end is the beefy end of the lift so should ideally be under the heavy end of the car.

No you wont - you simply place the car where you want it them put rubber / wood blocks between the lift and the lifting points on the car - no lost lift height.

The Carter lift looks quite nice but you lose any access to the centre of the car which is my book makes it a non starter. Also the extendable platforms the car actually sit on make me feel uneasy - if you want to any heavy spanner work the last thing you want to be doing is having the car wobble about while you gorilla a breaker bar.

The The AS-7532B Mid rise scissor lift really is the best option if you are height limited and want most flexibility over how you will use the lift - sinking it into the floor makes it even better! When I move I will be sinking it into the floor and also extending the hoses so I can put the control plinth a bit further away from the lift.

Thanks Jevvy - that's really useful.

Still liking the mobile AS-7530D but as you say it would be a potential challenge for an engine drop. Do you think the cross bars would prevent an engine drop?

[Chris_911]

On 2/15/2019 at 10:25 AM, Busybee said:

I agree Phil. Only worth it if it takes the backache out. 

Looks great but where are you gonna store that flipping thing

Two poster for me all day long

Interesting but £3k+ !!

[Busybee]

35 minutes ago, Chris_911 said:

Interesting but £3k+ !!

£3k? https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-6140a-twin-hydraulic-ram-2-post-lift/

[Chris_911]

10 minutes ago, Busybee said:

£3k? https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-6140a-twin-hydraulic-ram-2-post-lift/

The Cartar product that was linked appears to be £3+

Two poster no good for me.

I do think I am being incredibly naive thinking the Automech AS-7530D could be moved around though - the sheer weight of the thing means it's never going to be mobile.

So the preference swings back to the one that Jevvy has, the AS-7532B.

[jevvy]

1 hour ago, Chris_911 said:

Thanks Jevvy - that's really useful.

Still liking the mobile AS-7530D but as you say it would be a potential challenge for an engine drop. Do you think the cross bars would prevent an engine drop?

I wouldnt say it would prevent an engine drop but perhaps make it a little more awkward as the floor space between the platforms is narrower and you have that linking bar in the way. I actually fitted the platforms of mine slightly wider than the drawings which gives more room down the middle without really causing any issues on the outsides.

I also wouldnt class either options as portable - its a bit like building stone henge moving the platforms around as they are firkin heavy but at least with my lift they are independent so you can move one at a time more easily if needed. I havent had to yet but I also thought having the separate platforms would mean I could push them together if a particular job needed less room down the middle and more access round the sides, you could probably lift the car with 1 platform if needed  I actually dont use the fold down ends as they are kinda badly placed for the short 911 body and can get in the way - easily removed and I have just build a couple of small ramp / platforms instead which I put to one side when the car is up onto the lift.

Also worth noting the 7532B has dual hydraulic rams on each platform and Hydraulic failure safety devices whereas the 7530D has single rams and Pneumatic safety locks which IIRC requires a compressor hookup. The height on mine can be adjusted by the millimetre pretty much.

Like many things like this once you buy one you wonder why you hadnt bought one 10 years ago and kick yourself for not doing so. Zero stress and hassle free car lifting really does streamline any garage grafting.

Finally when I bought mine I called them about discounts and although they couldn't offer any they did just have a leased reclaim unit that was as-new, had been used a few times and came with full warranty but was a bit cheaper than the full price unit so it might be worth giving them a call

HTH

 

[Chris_911]

29 minutes ago, jevvy said:

I wouldnt say it would prevent an engine drop but perhaps make it a little more awkward as the floor space between the platforms is narrower and you have that linking bar in the way. I actually fitted the platforms of mine slightly wider than the drawings which gives more room down the middle without really causing any issues on the outsides.

I also wouldnt class either options as portable - its a bit like building stone henge moving the platforms around as they are firkin heavy but at least with my lift they are independent so you can move one at a time more easily if needed. I havent had to yet but I also thought having the separate platforms would mean I could push them together if a particular job needed less room down the middle and more access round the sides, you could probably lift the car with 1 platform if needed  I actually dont use the fold down ends as they are kinda badly placed for the short 911 body and can get in the way - easily removed and I have just build a couple of small ramp / platforms instead which I put to one side when the car is up onto the lift.

Also worth noting the 7532B has dual hydraulic rams on each platform and Hydraulic failure safety devices whereas the 7530D has single rams and Pneumatic safety locks which IIRC requires a compressor hookup. The height on mine can be adjusted by the millimetre pretty much.

Like many things like this once you buy one you wonder why you hadnt bought one 10 years ago and kick yourself for not doing so. Zero stress and hassle free car lifting really does streamline any garage grafting.

Finally when I bought mine I called them about discounts and although they couldn't offer any they did just have a leased reclaim unit that was as-new, had been used a few times and came with full warranty but was a bit cheaper than the full price unit so it might be worth giving them a call

HTH

 

Thanks Jevvy. Yep, I am being very naive thinking that the mobile unit is going to be in any way mobile.

Have also just discovered the need for an air supply with the 7530 - as you point out.

When you bought it was it a reasonably easy two-man job to move the platforms into position?

Edited February 18, 2019 by Chris_911