Looking at the various car hoist.
Pretty much want a CLEAR FLOOR model, so I can get the tranny jack under the rig, etc.

I can see advantages/disadvantage to either two or four post systems. I like the two post for wheel/axle work.... the four post so my damn Land Cruiser doesn't land on my head! One concern with the two post system is that top bar at 120". Cruiser is at almost 7', so it means only a 36" lift height off the floor.

Nice to have a four post with room to get the cruiser up to 72" without any problem. Also the four post will let me park the SO's Honda under it! :p

So those of you with hoist... I would appreciate your feedback! (Meeting with the foundation engineer this week for designing the slab... )

American Equipment Car Hoist (http://www.americanautomotiveequipment.com/page729448.htm)

Originally posted by roundrocktom
Looking at the various car hoist.
One concern with the two post system is that top bar at 120". Cruiser is at almost 7', so it means only a 36" lift height off the floor.

Nice to have a four post with room to get the cruiser up to 72" without any problem. Also the four post will let me park the SO's Honda under it! :p


If your cruiser is 7' from frame to rollbar, I want to see a pic!!!! :eek: A 2 post like that shouldn't be a problem. I've used 2 post clear floor models, but I prefer the open top style. If you are pouring the pad specifically for the hoist, pour in a little recess in the floor. Set the base of the hoist down an inch or two, run the connecting chain slightly under the concrete, cap with a chunk of flat steel.

Best of both worlds. you've got the clear floor w/o the overhead bar.

Matt

You have more options than just 2 or 4 posts.

First off, go with a 2 post. Its a little harder to get in and out of a vehicle, but otherwise, a better choice. You will have more room where you really need it.

Some 2 posts lift have a bar at the top and some dont.

Some bars at the top go up and down with the lift, and some stay put.

My neighbor has a nice snapon lift. To lift a truck, simply raise the lift up a couple feet (just under frame) then drive the truck in. The top cross bar raises with the lift. and its WIDE. anything street legal can be lifted with this hoist.

Go with the 2 post you can also pull the body off a vehicle and roll the frame out from under it. And like Benny Boy said you can get them without a bar on the top. They make the for ceilling height as low as 9'6".

I have a 2 post lift in my shop and love it. We looked at 4 post but they take up too much room and axle work is impossible. The top bar on mine has the shutoff bar but is 12ft high. I am not that tall but my employees are and dont have any probs lifting any lifted vehicles high enough to work comfortably. I say go with 2 post.

Tom, go with the 2 post. My buddys shop out in Liberty Hill has 2 posts lift and they work great, no fear of it falling off or anything (we've had every size vehicle on them). If you want to take a ride out and see it let me know, happy to.

THANKS! Two post does make more sense for what I do, just don't like the thought of a cuiser landing on my head! Doesn't sound like that will happen. :)

Good thought on having the recess for the lift, and chain, only catch is the concrete guys in Texas like to have FLAT slabs, or just a "tire stop" where a whole section (like a garage floor of a house) is lower. I had thought on using a raise 1' section around the base to raise the whole building to save $$$ on building material, but just "ain't built that way" around these parts.

Joe... need to get out to check that lift/shop in Liberty Hill!

Tom :usa: