2 post car lift?

[madkayaker]

the adaptor is only to make the plug fit and does nothing for the current draw.

 

[Vdub lover]

The 2 post ramp down my mates unit needed repair so we called in a pro guy to fix it after having a chat with him I would not buy a second hand ramp.. (I also won't use the ramp we have)

The reason for sale is normally they need alot of repair work doing to it make it safe, the companys won't pay £££ for them to be repaired so they buy a nice new safe ramp and sell the old one on e-bay etc which just get used and not fixed.
check out the serial numbers on the ramps and you'll find most are 10+ years old and are well worked.

You might get lucky and get a good one but if you get a ramp for under a grand have it checked out, your life is worth more!

 

[Superbad]

yes but your paying a grand there for a piece of junk where as in the used market you could get a proper ramp for a grand or less.

ok,so how have you evaluated it being junk? I ask inquisitively because I'm none the wiser

 

[NeilH]

ok,so how have you evaluated it being junk? I ask inquisitively because I'm none the wiser

because ive seen and used them.

i know ramp fitters that wont even install them. im not talking about cowboys either. i know lads working for the big boys like Gemco.

and yes im serious.

 

[Superbad]

because ive seen and used them.

i know ramp fitters that wont even install them. im not talking about cowboys either. i know lads working for the big boys like Gemco.

and yes im serious.

That's good enough for me,as you are speaking of experience,so I'm thankful of the advice. I'm keeping an eye out on an Isobal

 

[malcolm]

I'm tempted to get hold of a 2 post lift myself. Only have single phase and they take enough time to install so don't want to be messing around converting from 3 phase. The new ones on eBay for about £1200 look appealing.

What exactly is wrong with them and can anyone offer recommendations to help choose or about what to avoid? It won't get every day use so wearing out shouldn't be a big issue. Keen not to be dropping cars, though they all appear to have safety locks.

 

[alex_holden]

Here's what can go wrong if you don't keep on top of the maintenance:
http://morrisminorowners.co.uk/about1693.html

 

[Paul G]

I bought a 2 post lift a few weeks ago with the intention of fitting it in my workshop.
Unfortunately I didn't have a tape measure with me when I looked at it and it's a wee bit too tall to fit in.

I bought it from a builder that removed it from a garage as an insurance job as the car on the lift next to it caught fire.
Just the plastics are damaged, motor end cover, control panel and the oil tank. The rest of it looks new.
I was going to replace the 3 phase motor with a single phase one which would need a different control box anyway.
A 3.5 tonne twin ram lift for £450 ( with a few quid for a motor ) seemed like a bargain at the time.
I can't see a makers name on it other than SnapOn which I dare say only sell them, not make them. ( Anyone know? )

You live and learn.
Paul G

 

[rambo]

Must admit, I find ramps scary!
If I had one, I would put a scoffold bar under each side once the ramp is raised, just for safety.

 

[Mick Annick]

If buying new beware cheap Chinese ones - check out the HSE website - there's been problems with the safety locks on several.

The small footprint on a 2 poster is an attraction, though given the money I'd always go for a 4 post with jacking beam.

When working on a 2 post also remember the balance of the vehicle - my local garage, a family-run firm with some good long-serving mechanics - dropped the engine out of an old but mint Beetle a couple of years ago, I'll leave you to picture the scene...

Mike H

 

[Rick]

If buying new beware cheap Chinese ones - check out the HSE website - there's been problems with the safety locks on several.

The small footprint on a 2 poster is an attraction, though given the money I'd always go for a 4 post with jacking beam.

When working on a 2 post also remember the balance of the vehicle - my local garage, a family-run firm with some good long-serving mechanics - dropped the engine out of an old but mint Beetle a couple of years ago, I'll leave you to picture the scene...

Mike H

I called round a load of people, 90% of them were Chinese parts. I ended up buying Chinese direct. The first thing to break was the contactor, took it out and it was made in france. After looking them up on the net I found they had an office about 6 miles from me, I returned it and they gave me a replacement for free!

I hate things made in china, but figured even the "UK" or "US" made ramps are made there. Like most stuff these days.

 

[tigler]

Here's what can go wrong if you don't keep on top of the maintenance:
http://morrisminorowners.co.uk/about1693.html

Thats a screw and nut ramp though. I wouldn't touch a used one with a barge pole unless it had been checked out and new nuts and or screws fitted.

The best type to get is the hydraulic and cable type, almost impossible for them to fail like the above. The worst that could happen is for the cable to break but even then the safety locks on each column would prevent any drops further than 3 or 4". As the cable is at least 4:1 safety though I doubt it could happen as long as regular safety inspections were done.

 

[malcolm]

Thanks for the info. Quite tempted to go for a new hydraulic 2 post lift. Fair bit of work sorting out the floor and maybe raising the roof trusses a little if I want more than 4 feet, but it should do away with dodgy jacking and axle stands. I've asked for installation specs for this one on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330666330125

 

[Shox Dr]

I doubt it could happen as long as regular safety inspections were done.

Yearly inspection and test cert are mandatory, if you want to have valid insurance.