Cheap four post lift

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,700
they are superb Italian made lifts and one of the best available, I have a 4 poster and 2 poster fitted and can thoroughly recommend them
Do they have a hissy fit if not used and refuse to work if the power is not up to scratch?
 

azapa

Member
Messages
1,300
Probably a very stupid question, but am building a garage soon, and was wondering what height ceiling would the garage need in this case, thinking of keeping a car up there too.

I imagine that the above car needs to be high enough to walk under (2m from ground) and then another 1.5m for car? Like 3.5m then?

My option is to keep roof line low, and dig a pit. But loose 1 parking space.
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
Probably a very stupid question, but am building a garage soon, and was wondering what height ceiling would the garage need in this case, thinking of keeping a car up there too.

I imagine that the above car needs to be high enough to walk under (2m from ground) and then another 1.5m for car? Like 3.5m then?

My option is to keep roof line low, and dig a pit. But loose 1 parking space.

3.5m is spot on and absolute minimum if you want to take car to full height, concrete slab should be 150mm minimum depth and strong mix such as C30/C35

Edit: if you go for a baseless 2 post ramp then you'll need to make your slab at least 200mm deep and with re-inforcing mesh
 
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azapa

Member
Messages
1,300
3.5m is spot on and absolute minimum if you want to take car to full height, concrete slab should be 150mm minimum depth and strong mix such as C30/C35

Edit: if you go for a baseless 2 post ramp then you'll need to make your slab at least 200mm deep and with re-inforcing mesh
Thanks! Probably baseless. Do you have to set the studs in whilst pouring the base, or are they drilled in and bolted after base has set?
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,223
I have 3.5 eaves and 4.0 apex across the lift which gives me enough to lift a partner van over the GS but it is millimetre tight! Really you want 4.0 metres clear overhead as a minimum, if your building regs will let you. Make sure you have an engineered base as has been advised.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
I would have thought you need more than 3.5 or 4m. I will measure and see what I've got. Off top of my head I have a number of 16 or 17ft in my head so is very comfortable above and below. Had the XC90 up there to fix exhaust joint leak and can have lift at full height.
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
3.5m from top of slab to bottom of ceiling joists is ample for cars to be lifted full height , if wanting to lift say a 4x4 or van then naturally you'll need to go higher and all depends on what restrictions you have with planning permission with heights as well. My ramps here are at full height and have about 150mm left above the car roof.
View attachment 52703
 
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rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Very nice

One thing I never thought about before when I was looking at lifts. Is it better to have a car on a 4 post lift or 2 post lift with arms for longer term car storage?

In essence the 2 post won't cause flat spots on your tyres as no weight is on them. Is the car better stored with unloaded or loaded suspension?
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,223
Unloaded I guess but then you walk around motor museums you don’t see all the cars up in the air do you?
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
Very nice

One thing I never thought about before when I was looking at lifts. Is it better to have a car on a 4 post lift or 2 post lift with arms for longer term car storage?

In essence the 2 post won't cause flat spots on your tyres as no weight is on them. Is the car better stored with unloaded or loaded suspension?

4 poster is handy and simple, just drive on and press the button so fairly fool proof, however, does take up more overall space, the 2 poster takes up less space but more faffing about on your hands and knees to make sure the lifting pads are in the correct lifting points and winding pads in/out so your lifting car fairly level and safely, 2 poster is very useful for underside repairs especially suspension, floor pans, brakes etc.

if you're not heavily in to doing your own maintenance/repairs where you will need clear access to the whole underside and wheels off I would recommend the 4 poster
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,594
I may go 4 post next time, purely because I feel its safer and you can store another car underneath and still sleep at night.

Am i right in thinking that a 4 post lift has a worm gear in each upright...so the car has to be wound up and wound down again and not relying on hydraulics?
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,223
Some are worn gear but most are cable lifts Matt, all cable lifts have a fail safe so it shouldn’t be able to drop significantly if a cable fails.

All lifts have inherent dangers, use them sensibly and think about weight distribution of the vehicle you are lifting and balance it as best you can.
 

Spartacus

Member
Messages
3,184
You want a 2 post . You can't get the wheels off on a 4 post and the ramps are in the way unless you buy an MOT ramp . You can still get another car under a 2 post .
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
I may go 4 post next time, purely because I feel its safer and you can store another car underneath and still sleep at night.

Am i right in thinking that a 4 post lift has a worm gear in each upright...so the car has to be wound up and wound down again and not relying on hydraulics?

all modern and high quality 4 posters have a single hydraulic ram that operates steel cables, each leg has a notched steel bar so when parking the ramp at a certain height it will sit in the notch/cutout and taking the load and not relying on cables or ram. Some 4 posters require an air compressor like the Ravaglioli and have a number of safety features
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
You want a 2 post . You can't get the wheels off on a 4 post and the ramps are in the way unless you buy an MOT ramp . You can still get another car under a 2 post .

I think 4 poster would be better and far far safer and you can always get a jacking beam for a 4 poster if you do want wheels off, 2 posters are great if you're really into your own regular repairs underside
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
seems the youtube video was not allowed on here and got a telling off by Conaero, feel like a naughty school boy now, apologies to anyone that got upset by it