2 post car lift?

[Superbad]

Just been doing a google search for recommendations. Do lifts that operate just on hydraulics,or are they all electro-hydraulic? Thanks

 

[tigler]

The newer types are hydraulic only, driven by an electric powered pump. The ram is in one leg, connecting to the other leg by a cable which raises the lift on that side.

 

[Superbad]

aha,thanks tigler.I was hoping just hydraulic. I've just recently acquired a unit,but it has domestic mains. I've done a search and found this
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=18579&highlight=lift

 

[Rick]

The newer types are hydraulic only, driven by an electric powered pump. The ram is in one leg, connecting to the other leg by a cable which raises the lift on that side.

Normally they have a Ram in each side and have the cable (usually 2) for balancing the 2 ram's.

aha,thanks tigler.I was hoping just hydraulic. I've just recently acquired a unit,but it has domestic mains. I've done a search and found this
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=18579&highlight=lift

You can run single phase hydraulic lifts off a dedicated supply. around 20 amps IIRC.

 

[michael1703]

you dont get hydraulic 2 posts as far as i know

there is a motor on one post which turns a screw which one arm rides up and a chain runs across the bottom and drives the screw thread on the other side

I got rid of mine as was too cumbersome and got a 4 post

my two post had worn lift nuts, they cost £85+ each and need replacing every few years

 

[tigler]

My 2 post lift has a hydraulic ram in one leg coupled to the other leg by a cable on pulleys that lift that side. All safety interlocked to fail safe if the cable or hydraulics fail.
It's single phase and will run quite happily from a 13 amp plug.

 

[Rick]

you dont get hydraulic 2 posts as far as i know

there is a motor on one post which turns a screw which one arm rides up and a chain runs across the bottom and drives the screw thread on the other side

I got rid of mine as was too cumbersome and got a 4 post

my two post had worn lift nuts, they cost £85+ each and need replacing every few years

I've got a hydraulic 2 post.

My 2 post lift has a hydraulic ram in one leg coupled to the other leg by a cable on pulleys that lift that side. All safety interlocked to fail safe if the cable or hydraulics fail.
It's single phase and will run quite happily from a 13 amp plug.

Ah right, shows how much I know. Mines got a ram in each side and 2 balance ropes.

 

[davenport]

the 2 poster in my workshop has a motor on top of each post...

no chain across the top or bottom...

its a stenhoj?? from memory:

only pic i could find...



i prefer 2 to 4 posters.. it leaves all the wheels and suspension clear to work on..

 

[NeilH]

certainly looks like a stenhoj to me mate.

they are one of the best ramps on the market.

have you painted it? never seen a red one like that before?

 

[davenport]

it was red when my father bought it 2nd hand... must be over 15years old now..

 

[anto]

How much would a decent second hand 2 post be?

 

[Jammy James]

There is some for sale on here type in car lift for sale

 

[tigler]

the 2 poster in my workshop has a motor on top of each post...

no chain across the top or bottom...

its a stenhoj?? from memory:

i prefer 2 to 4 posters.. it leaves all the wheels and suspension clear to work on..

Yes, that will be a screw and nut type lift, each leg independant, with the advantage that any car regardless of ground clearance can be lifted by it.

My vote goes with 2 post for most work, the only advantage a 4 poster has is for MOT work, otherwise they take up too much space and are a much bigger job to install.

 

[tigler]

How much would a decent second hand 2 post be?

Hydraulic is best, you should be able to find a good one for between £750 - £1000. You could be lucky and find a bargain for £500 somewhere like my mate did recently at an auction.

 

[davenport]

with regards to the ground clearance comment.. the pads on mine when wound fully down are probably 100mm off the floor.. and theres a few cars i work on that still need to have 2 people to get the legs under.. (but then i do deal with some very low vehicles)

its also been called in to duty as an impromptue engine crane on a few occasions.. another perk of a 2 poster lol...

 

[tigler]

Thats surprising !! Little tip for low cars, get some old carpet tiles and use them as packers to roll the car onto, that raises it enough to get the legs under.

I too break all the H&S regs and use mine to lift all sorts !!

 

[anto]

Hydraulic is best, you should be able to find a good one for between £750 - £1000. You could be lucky and find a bargain for £500 somewhere like my mate did recently at an auction.

I didnt realise they were as little as that, ithought we would have been talking upwards of £5k.
Always imagined it was a tool id only own if i won the lottery.

 

[Superbad]

Looking and the prices of 2nd hand compared to brand new,there isn't a great deal of difference.
The 2nd hand lifts might require servicing and parts need to be replaced,naturally coming at a cost nearing the price of a brand new one.
I'm considering this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/330546259142?...59142&_sacat=See-All-Categories&_fvi=1&_rdc=1
Since it comes in a phase one,and the unit I have has only domestic mains sockets,perhaps this might aid
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-13Amp-32Am...al_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item33691b4ae5

 

[NeilH]

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.

a service on a 2 poster is about £200 by the way. not a lot of bread for peace of mind.

 

[Wozzaaah]

^^ I'd be surprised if you could run one of those off a 13A supply.
Just because it says 'single phase 220v/50hz' in the spec it doesn't mean it can run from a normal 3 pin plug. What you'll need to know is the current draw of the motor.