Automotive Lifts

do not buy the perfect park from lifts unlimited because they had cars fall off their lifts before
plus
when they ship out lifts some of the parts don't fit
i know first hand

mohawk's are good

 

Vito - I've installed one of Direct Lift's Pro-Park 7's, and have been very pleased with it....

 

I have had a Challenger 2 post asymmetric for 6 years, and it is fabulous in every way; nothing is better for working on a car. I considered, and would still purchase a Rotary, both are frequently seen in professional settings. However I just bought a Bend-Pak 4 post and it was pretty reasonable. I think I paid $2300, including shipping. Be sure you measure everything twice and very, very carefully. I thought I had done that and found that mine was closer to not fitting correctly than I had thought. I consider myself fortunate, not smart, this most recent time around. Don't forget that rear mounted antennas are taller than your car's roof...I found this out post facto! In addition, unlike my Challenger which uses hydraulics to drop the "locks", the Bend-Pack, I found out AFTER DELIVERY, requires compressed air to do this. I bought a neat light weight air compressor from Harbor Freight because I didn't want to drag a hose across the garage from my big compressor. Just something to keep in mind that they don't tell you. let me know i can help. steve

 

I have the Autolifters M6. Commercial grade heavy duty build, free standing with box-tube posts with cast drop locks, big 3.5" hydraulic ram, cables rated at 22,000 each. I also purchased the sliding 12" jack trays and caster kit so I could move it from bay to bay or outside.

Rated for 6.5 earthquake.

Ideally I would like to have an asymetrical two-post to go with it.
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I have SS7000. Works fine. Easy install. No problems. $2300 or thereabouts IIRC.

 

Rotary makes a great four post. I am working with one tonight. The nice thing about four post lifts is they make working on your car seem like bench work. Drive it on, lift it up, lift the car with the sliding jack system, and spread your tools out on the ramps like a bench. Very nice.
Safe as can be too.

John

 

I got a quote for a 4 post lift from America's pride for $2395+shipping. Their web site is: www.americasprideonline.com
The one I was looking at is the PP-4, 7000 lb. lift
I am a bit worried though - I live in earthquake country here in CA and I don't want the car falling off damaging itself or another car. My plan was to secure it on the lift like I would a trailer when not in use (i.e. for storage). But, I didn't think about the fact that the lift itself could just fall down. Not sure what to do about that. I haven't bought it yet.
Where did you get the autolifters? Did you compare to any others?
One thing that I found out in my research was about the need for a compressor - this one doesn't require that. Also, I think there is some re-branding going on here as Rotary, Bend-Pak and a few others are sold by different companies under different names.
The other thing is the steel gauge. The cheaper ones are imported steel. As Seinfeld would say, not that there is anything wrong with that. They seemed to indicate that the USA steel is better quality and easier to get parts for. One concern I have is the ramps - I want to make sure that they are long enough so that the car doesn't scrape. I think most indicate 36" ramps but I have no idea if that is long or not.

Scott

 

I honestly believe that this is one of the better lifts out there.
Check the specs, 8,000 lb capacity.

I am not affiliated with this company. I AM convinced that this is one of the safest out there.

AutoLifters

The M6

Why it can withstand earthquakes.

Made in KANSAS

I am not affiliated with this company.

Below is commentary from the site.

“I had a 1936 Oldsmobile touring sedan (98% restored under contract) on my lift when the 6.6 earthquake hit Paso Robles, California, in December 2003. The lift tap-danced about 18 inches across the shop; but the lift remained standing. The car stayed on it and things were in good shape. No other lift could have taken it—but this one did! I finally realized what it meant in your video and why it showed the forklift smashing the lift post. The building that the lift was in was condemned for earthquake damage.”

– Pat, Paso Robles, California



“I bought one of your lifts for my garage. I store my 1959 Mercury station wagon at the highest level that the lift can go. The car weighs 4,400 pounds. December 22, 2003, the car and lift went through a 6.5 earthquake on the central coast of California. And, I am happy to say that the car stayed on top! The whole lift and car moved one inch west. Now, you can put this in your advertisements—that your lifts are stable through 6.5 earthquakes! Two photos are attached. Thanks for a great piece of equipment.”

– Sal Orlando, Arroyo Grande, California

 

Spasso, are the jack trays just a metal piece in between that you put your own jack on, or are they the type like I see at the mechanics shop that actually jack up the car?

 

Only pansies worry about Earthquakes. I want to know if it can withstand a Category 5 Hurricane LOL

 

Earthquakes? Hurricanes? We need to also be concerned with the poor guys in Tornado country. ie Kansas. What about floods? Ah...mud slides...for God sakes man---mud slides. Category 5 mud slides. William, go ask Kermit Weeks about all of his antique airplanes he lost in a tornado a few years ago. If I were him id build a bunker for my stuff.

 

Hi Spasso and greetings from here in New Zealand.

I'm very intersted in your post and wonder if you have a contact at Autolifters who I can e mail for a quote to send to NZ. (or a fax number)

My other questions are:

What was involved in assembling the lift?

How do the cross and side beams attach to the posts?

What on going maintenance will be required?

Look forward to hearing from you...
Regards
Rob Wilby ([email protected])

 

Spasso,

Where did you get that nice oil dump tank with the extendable neck? It has an orange tank on wheels.

Thanks,
Brent

 

I bought 2 Rotary 4 posts and a Rotary 2 post for my Garage. I like the Rotary name and quality, be sure to get drip trays though.

The four posts are good, but my Challenge cars need a little help getting on them, both the 348 CH and the 360 CH drag anchor when backing them up on the lifts. The thing I don't like is the fact that you have to remove the ramps as they hang down as you lift the top cars up. Not very difficult, but a pain indeed.

As far as the 2 post lift, if you buy one of those don't beleive the hype! Buy a lighter duty lift, like the 7000 lb, the ground clearence is less, and you won't have to jack up your cars to get them on the lifts. I bought 10K lb lift and it sucks for all of the race cars and Ferrari's. You have to jack them up, slide the arms under, etc. If the say that they are 3.5 inch clearance, just know its a good 5 -6 inches instead.

Hope this helps, all three lifts installed, bolted to the ground, with 4 drip trays, in red ,cost me right at $11,000 with tax.

Wes

 

I'm now thinking seriously about the autolifters. Their web site is very informative - a lot more than most of the others. Of course, they taut their own stuff but everyone else does too. The one bummer is that if I want to work under the car, it seems that you have to bend down unless you are only 5'3" (63" clearance).

My plan is to use it dual purpose: mostly for storage of 2 cars one on top of the other - second use is for working on the car. They sell the oil pan for $99.

I'm also debating about the merits of bolting it to the floor vs. not. Seems like you'd want it bolted in an earthquake but it also seems like you don't "need" to do it.

Comments?

Scott

 

Bend-Pak says you don't need to bolt down their 4 post, but I've seen mine move a little and am having the guy come back to bolt it down. I "wedged' my drive on ramps up with 2X4 about 18" long and the holds them up so you don't have to remove them when you drive the lower car in. Bend-Pak does come with metal devices that do the same thing, but the wood gives about another 1/2", which I needed.

Does the Autolifter need compressed air? Anybody try Cytc "Double Park", also made in my home state of Kansas. Supposed to be excellent as well.

steve

 

No, Just electricity for the pump, 110 or 220 volts.
The locks are spring loaded.

 

They span the ramps, slide back and forth the length of the ramps and can be lifted out if desired.

See post #78 for assembly and details.
M6 Assembly and Details

 

Hi Rob,
Go here; www.autolifters.com and click on "4 post" in the yellow tool bar up top then click on M6.

Click HERE and go to post #78 for assembly and detail pictures.

The cross beams have large square collars that slip down over the vertical box tubes that make up the posts. The ramps are bolted to the cross beams

I assembled mine by myself in about 5.5 hours using a small tractor. I recommend at least one other guy AND the tractor OR 4 guys and beer.

Maintenance; This lift has sealed bearings in each pulley as opposed to bushings found in most other lifts. No grease or lube required on posts. Change the fluid every couple of years in the pump reservoir, 10 quarts of Dexron automatic transmission fluid. Keep the ram clean.

 

Hello,
I purchased the Bendpak MD-6XP and have my Dino on it. It cost me 1500 delivered. I had to use 2x12x12's to drive the Dino on to raise it just above the lift points. It was easy and I look forward to using it. It allows for easy access below the car. I needed this over the 4 posters due to having to take the right rear wheel off to access the pulley side of the engine. It will also make it easier to do the brakes. It is portable within the garage and I didn't have to bolt anything down.

Rich
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The one is an 8 gallon built by TODD that ordered with the lift. It can be had through online warehouses for slightly less than what Autolifters sells it for. I ordered an 18 gallon version for oil and the 8 gallon I use for coolant only.

Note; The 18 gallon reaches up higher and has a drain spicket on the bottom.

 

I'm 6'2" and the M6 works pretty good. Sometimes I could wish for an extra inch or two of height. The 63" is to the bottom of the ramp isn't it? The bottom of the car is much higher.

The M8 is bigger all around and good for full size cars and SUV's. Higher load rated. Better head room and not much more in price.

 

For doing brakes and suspension work.
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Very nice garage, lift and of course car.

Any suggestions to those who have 8 foot garage ceilings besides the obvious raising of their ceilings? I do not think that is an option on our home.
Ideally would like to have a four post M6 like yours. The M6 manufacturer says 9'3" is the minimum ceiling height if I am reading it right?

thanks

Paul