OT: 2 post car lift, Opinions welcomed |
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OT: 2 post car lift, Opinions welcomed |
draganc |
Jan 25 2021, 12:42 AM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 725 Joined: 2-November 09 From: central new jersey Member No.: 11,000 Region Association: North East States |
Hello folks!
I'm looking for advice and recommendations on a 2 post car lift with top only connection. Lift capacity 9-10,000 lbs for “medium” commercial usage, such as 2-3 car/week. I have seen a lot of them between $1750 to $2200, incl free shipping, mainly from Atlas , Triumph and Stratus. Used “name” brand vs new budget brand as above mentioned? Need one within the next week or so and are located in NJ. Open to opinions and recommendations. Thanks, dc |
mate914 |
Jan 25 2021, 07:01 AM
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#2
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Matt Group: Members Posts: 782 Joined: 27-February 09 From: Eagles mere, PA Member No.: 10,102 Region Association: North East States |
Find a dealer going out of business or up grading the lifts.
Name brand from before China made it, is your best choice. |
mepstein |
Jan 25 2021, 07:24 AM
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#3
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,518 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
If you decide on the Atlas lift, greg smith equipment is 5 minutes off 95, exit 1 in Delaware. Save the sales tax and prices are better if you pick up.
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VaccaRabite |
Jan 25 2021, 07:33 AM
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#4
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En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,554 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Is this for a shop or a garage?
Many of the 2 post lifts you are talking about need 11-12 feet of clearance to fit in your shop. That's a hell of a tall order for your usual garage. Also, some of the commercial lifts are going to require more then single phase wiring. Just remember to be sure the motor on the lift you are looking at is single phase. Most (all?) light duty lifts will be fine. There is a 2 post 9 foot lift that is specifically made to fit in the usual garage, but it has the joiner on the floor, and can't lift quite as tall (6.6ft). (edit - now there are two. The NW brand and Tuxedo.) https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/nation...HBoC9WcQAvD_BwE https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/tuxedo...p/tp9kf-tux.htm And there is the MaxJax that has no joiner and runs on 120v but only lifts your car about 4 feet off the ground (this is what I have). I linked to Best Buy Automotive as that is who I went through and they were good people when the equipment I ordered ended up getting backordered. They never got frustrated with my status calls and we always trying to assure me that things would arrive when the lifts cleared customs. They have an office in NJ, but I do not know where. Mark mentioned Greg Smith - they are also a very solid company to deal with. Also, nearly everything new is going to come from China, or be an order of magnitude more expensive. Zach |
dhuckabay |
Jan 25 2021, 07:36 AM
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 231 Joined: 14-June 20 From: Idaho Member No.: 24,379 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Have a China one, off eBay. Gets used every day. Well built.
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draganc |
Jan 25 2021, 07:47 AM
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#6
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 725 Joined: 2-November 09 From: central new jersey Member No.: 11,000 Region Association: North East States |
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draganc |
Jan 25 2021, 07:51 AM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 725 Joined: 2-November 09 From: central new jersey Member No.: 11,000 Region Association: North East States |
Thanks for all the feedback. Additional clarification, height and 2 phase power is not a issue.
Also, thanks @mepstein GSE pick up tip in Delaware! |
mepstein |
Jan 25 2021, 08:35 AM
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#8
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,518 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Is this for a shop or a garage? Many of the 2 post lifts you are talking about need 11-12 feet of clearance to fit in your shop. That's a hell of a tall order for your usual garage. Also, some of the commercial lifts are going to require more then single phase wiring. Just remember to be sure the motor on the lift you are looking at is single phase. Most (all?) light duty lifts will be fine. There is a 2 post 9 foot lift that is specifically made to fit in the usual garage, but it has the joiner on the floor, and can't lift quite as tall (6.6ft). (edit - now there are two. The NW brand and Tuxedo.) https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/nation...HBoC9WcQAvD_BwE https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/tuxedo...p/tp9kf-tux.htm And there is the MaxJax that has no joiner and runs on 120v but only lifts your car about 4 feet off the ground (this is what I have). I linked to Best Buy Automotive as that is who I went through and they were good people when the equipment I ordered ended up getting backordered. They never got frustrated with my status calls and we always trying to assure me that things would arrive when the lifts cleared customs. They have an office in NJ, but I do not know where. Mark mentioned Greg Smith - they are also a very solid company to deal with. Also, nearly everything new is going to come from China, or be an order of magnitude more expensive. Zach I just purchased a Maxjax from Bendpak. I'm pretty sure Danmar sold the product to Bendpak and they are the only distributor for them. I no longer see them sold through places like Costco or Home depot. They shipped my direct and it worked out well. They made some upgrades to the unit but and it sells for more. My garage height is only 8.5' so I had fewer options than the OP. |
SavingManuals |
Jan 25 2021, 08:56 AM
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#9
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Member Group: Members Posts: 100 Joined: 5-January 21 From: Metro Detroit Member No.: 25,044 Region Association: None |
[/quote]
I just purchased a Maxjax from Bendpak. I'm pretty sure Danmar sold the product to Bendpak and they are the only distributor for them. I no longer see them sold through places like Costco or Home depot. They shipped my direct and it worked out well. They made some upgrades to the unit but and it sells for more. My garage height is only 8.5' so I had fewer options than the OP. [/quote] @mepstein Any issues with the Maxjax so far? I was considering it |
mepstein |
Jan 25 2021, 09:33 AM
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#10
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,518 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
[quote name='SavingManuals' date='Jan 25 2021, 09:56 AM' post='2885590']
[/quote] I just purchased a Maxjax from Bendpak. I'm pretty sure Danmar sold the product to Bendpak and they are the only distributor for them. I no longer see them sold through places like Costco or Home depot. They shipped my direct and it worked out well. They made some upgrades to the unit but and it sells for more. My garage height is only 8.5' so I had fewer options than the OP. [/quote] @mepstein Any issues with the Maxjax so far? I was considering it [/quote] I have not installed it yet. All the reviews of the new model are very positive. For my garage, with its limited height, it’s the only 2 post lift available. I could have used a mid rise lift but I’m pretty sure I can stack one 914 above and another below with the maxjax. That’s not my only reason for purchase but one possibility. All the lifts offer benefits and compromises. You just have to figure out which one is best for you. |
GregAmy |
Jan 25 2021, 09:53 AM
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#11
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,385 Joined: 22-February 13 From: Middletown CT Member No.: 15,565 Region Association: North East States |
I installed a Bendpack, a commercial-grade used unit from a garage that was going out of business. Standard height, we modified the garage bartn to make it work. Love the thing.
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Mark Henry |
Jan 25 2021, 10:02 AM
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#12
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that's what I do! Group: Members Posts: 20,065 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Port Hope, Ontario Member No.: 26 Region Association: Canada |
Is this for a shop or a garage? Many of the 2 post lifts you are talking about need 11-12 feet of clearance to fit in your shop. My Ammco is 12'-3", it really 11'-11" tall but at full rise the freaking ram's stick 4" out the top. Without any pad risers a 914 bottom is 6'-2"-ish high down the middle, My 6'5" kid ducks or he hits his head. I choose a well maintained used USA made lift, I removed and installed it by myself. The seller had a forklift and I have a 2 ton crane in my shop to stand it up. With the overhead bar type of lift some trucks, vans, etc., you can't lift them as high as you might like. No problem with most cars and you can lift tall vans enough to do most jobs. Thanks for all the feedback. Additional clarification, height and 2 phase power is not a issue. Also, thanks @mepstein GSE pick up tip in Delaware! No such thing as 2 phase power, single and 3 phase only. 220-240v is still single phase. You want single phase, unless you're commercial. |
VaccaRabite |
Jan 25 2021, 01:26 PM
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#13
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En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,554 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
QUOTE I just purchased a Maxjax from Bendpak. I'm pretty sure Danmar sold the product to Bendpak and they are the only distributor for them. I no longer see them sold through places like Costco or Home depot. They shipped my direct and it worked out well. They made some upgrades to the unit but and it sells for more. My garage height is only 8.5' so I had fewer options than the OP. @mepstein Any issues with the Maxjax so far? I was considering it Buy one and don't look back. They are fantastic. But they are not commercial units, and only raise about 4 feet. For a hobbyist like myself, its very good. Zach |
Calwaterbear |
Jan 25 2021, 02:10 PM
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#14
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Member Group: Members Posts: 207 Joined: 15-November 14 From: United States Member No.: 18,123 Region Association: Central California |
Just remember you need significant concrete footings to support your 2 posts. If i remember right my 10K lb western required 2foot X 3 foot X 1 foot deep at the mounting points. the rest of the pad was 3 inches, but I had to dig out and rebar the mounting locations before I poured the slab
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jhynesrockmtn |
Jan 25 2021, 02:38 PM
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#15
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Member Group: Members Posts: 425 Joined: 13-June 16 From: spokane wa Member No.: 20,100 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Hello folks! I'm looking for advice and recommendations on a 2 post car lift with top only connection. Lift capacity 9-10,000 lbs for “medium” commercial usage, such as 2-3 car/week. I have seen a lot of them between $1750 to $2200, incl free shipping, mainly from Atlas , Triumph and Stratus. Used “name” brand vs new budget brand as above mentioned? Need one within the next week or so and are located in NJ. Open to opinions and recommendations. Thanks, dc Mine was bought locally and installed by a dealer. It's a 10k "launch tech". I bought the 4 post from them at the same time and negotiated a bit of a discount. Maybe you have a similar type of dealer locally. https://www.cemlifts.com/ |
mepstein |
Jan 25 2021, 03:07 PM
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#16
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,518 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Just remember you need significant concrete footings to support your 2 posts. If i remember right my 10K lb western required 2foot X 3 foot X 1 foot deep at the mounting points. the rest of the pad was 3 inches, but I had to dig out and rebar the mounting locations before I poured the slab 4” for a Maxjax. |
Bucci |
Jan 25 2021, 03:42 PM
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#17
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Bucci Group: Members Posts: 106 Joined: 11-August 08 From: Carlsbad,Ca Member No.: 9,407 Region Association: Southern California |
Not sure if this will fit your application, but I’ve been reading about this lift on the other forms..! I think I’m going this direction as my garage ceiling is only 8 feet tall plus this one you do not have the bolt down you could fold it up and lean it against the wall. I’m only lifting a 2100 pound 914.!
https://www.ezcarlift.com/ |
Rrrockhound |
Jan 25 2021, 04:34 PM
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#18
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Member Group: Members Posts: 192 Joined: 30-November 05 From: Delaware, OH Member No.: 5,213 Region Association: None |
I've had a MaxJax for over 10 years now and have had it at 3 different properties. The 4' lift height is low but with a roller stool you can move around easily under the car. I had my latest garage custom built taller than standard so I have clearance for an SUV. I put a rolling door at the service bay so I don't have to worry about an open garage door interfering with the car while it's lifted. The MaxJax is rated at 6000 lbs but it does labor a little with my 4600 lb Mitsubishi Montero. For my current installation, I had a hydraulic shop fab up a pair of extension hoses so I could run the hoses up into the rafters and down the walls to the hydraulic pump rather than running them across the floor. Then I took the pump off the cart and mounted it directly to the wall.
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930cabman |
Jan 25 2021, 05:11 PM
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#19
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,546 Joined: 12-November 20 From: Buffalo Member No.: 24,877 Region Association: North East States |
I have been using a HF scissors lift for about a year now, works good. Some guys dig a pit and flush it out with the floor. Our Alfa spider can drive on, set the lifting pads and go. Our 911, 914 and 930 require a double layer of 2x10 lumber to get it up for clearance. I simply have it sitting on my floor slab but have it pinned to the floor and have leveled it. Currently rebuilding our 914 rustout.
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Cornerlot |
Jan 25 2021, 05:26 PM
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#20
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Member Group: Members Posts: 89 Joined: 4-June 16 From: New Braunfels, TX Member No.: 20,070 Region Association: Southwest Region |
About 7 years ago a local company went out of business and sold off about 40 Rotary lifts, U.S. made ones. I bought a 9000# asymmetric version, runs on single phase 220V. Easy to put in, I did it myself and consider it the best tool in my garage. Well worth the cost, about $2400 used.
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