Single post lifts - anyone got one?

I once had one and it was a very good thing. it was moveable on a flat floor and if I had to work on one side of a car it was easy to reach there all because no post was in the way. but I sold it for a very good price that was offered to me whe I moved to my new garage 14 years ago.
advantage was, that it took not so much space in the garage than a 2 post lift. but to work on the other side of a car where the post is gets more difficult.

 

In a previous house had installed one. Great for storage and minor repairs. Cut 4 wedges from 6x6 posts and dowled two each together to ride up as really low lower valance.

 

If you have a Testa and perhaps a Boxer then you can't get the engine out too easily with this style. I have a scissor lift that lifts on the car lifting points so the engine, gearbox and rear subframe can be left on the ground in one single move.


Phil

 

Phil, do you have a link to that lift or brand name and model?

 

you may tell her she may be glad that you don´t built the lift in the living room

 

I installed a narrow 4 post lift. It takes minimal space as the ramps not much wider than the car. Pretty much lost no useable garage space, you dont have to bolt it in and its pretty simple. Bendpak 9st.

Was thunking single post, but it really did not confer advantages, that single post absorbs a lot of space.

 

I've got a single post Lift. Installed in '05. Pretty nice. Bolted down. I can't imagine trying to roll on wheels. Post alone is~700lbs! Working with a lift has pros & cons. A service lift is different than a parking lift. Ramps interfere with wheel/suspension work. Exhaust, oil changes are great.

 

I have a BENDPAK single post I retro-fitted to a small lock-up garage at home about 10 years ago.

They're great in a confined space and allow free floor space. You obviously need the head height clearance also. When raised you forget its even there. The pics below have a car loaded.

You do have to allow for the width of the post and the control/pump/hydraulics however.

I recessed mine into the floor to maintain a flat floor surface. Far better to build it into an initial garage design rather than retrofit like I did.

Mine isn't entirely rock solid like a 4 poster and sags an inch or so on the off-post side when loaded, particularly with a wide and rear engined car like the TR. In fact the tray on mine is over engineered and too heavy on its own in my view. I'd have looked at a lighter aluminium tray area to be honest if designing it.

Despite being rated at 2.5 - 3ton from memory, I personally wouldn't use it as a work lift, just storage. In that regard its been perfect.

Be conscious to put the post on the opposite side of the drivers door......I unfortunately couldn't do that in my application (RHD) unless I reverse cars in of course. However it did give me a lock-up park where there previously wasn't one!!

If you're serious about real work I'd go 4 or 2 post. Some 4 posters (like mine), have a scissor jacking system built within also to allow wheels-up as well. I did both in my real "toy box".

These things are relatively cheap these days.

Cheers
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I have the narrow one, the vette guys use them. Boxer with 275 rears fits fine, Gt40 fits fine Loutus fits fine. Whole lift not really much longer than the cars so space for motorobikes in front etc unaffected. Most lifts are too long and rob space. Not sure how a Tr would fit, but bendpak shows all the dimesions.

Witht he narrow one you just have to line the car up well when driving on, I would say entry and egress on car from ramp not an everyday occurance, but easier than putting it on a trailer.

My ceiling is low, slightly less than 9ft, i can fit any two of the sportscars, but cant do M3 and another car.

There is a sliding jack which allows for tires off brake work etc.

I am very happy with the choice, it fits my garage well, kept space and seems to work well, easy to move.

Single post would have been a PTA for me, but if you have lots of ceiling height and dont mind the big colum and bolting to the floor, then it may have some advantage. Other thing about single post, the legs on floor need to be traversed by bottom car going in and out, on some car clearance could be an issue.

 

Forgot to mention width clearance. TR fits but only half an inch tyre clearance each side at the rear.

You do have to get it lined up perfectly. 930 Porsche no issue at all.

Also mine is flush to the floor which lowers the ramp angle. The TR front clears the ramp no issue but it may not if the lift were not flush mounted. Might have to check that aspect to the specs.

 

I presently have a total of Four (4) Two (2) post lifts and Five (5) Four (4) post lifts.
I had a conversation with my lift installer who has been in the industry for in excess of
Thirty (30) years. The installer who I have been a customer of for over Fifteen (15) years when asked about One (1) post lift said he would never stand under One (1) no less ever in-
stall One (1).

 

Earthquake areas would concern me a little also. We don't have them in Terra Australis. Last minor tremor was 49 years ago.

 

AS-7630 Mobile Scissor lift - Automotech Services Limited

This works well for me.

Phil