2 Post Lift purchase

[scottmk1]

My old man is looking to buy a 2 post lift for his workshop. What do folk reckon about the Chinese one's on eBay and like what Automotech sell? Obviously second hand is an option but would rather not have to spend time repairing one. Power can be single or 3 phase, and capacity about 4t.

Anyone got any suggestions?

 

[Ruffian]

Got a automotech in floor sissor at work and will lift a discovery 3 easy enough. Been in daily use for 4 years and no worries

 

[scottmk1]

Ok cool. I have a no name 3t scissor lift which is ok, apart from dropping back down at fair old rate! It's probably the same as the Automotech ones I'd imagine.

 

[grim_d]

Don't bother with Chinese rubbish. Remember you are standing under very heavy objects.

Get a second hand one from a well known brand.

Just make sure spares are still available. I have an 80s tecalemit and everything is still available for it, not that I've ever needed anything.

Paid less than £600 installed and that included £70 of anchor bolts.

I would also go screw rather than hydraulic but that's really personal opinion.

 

[scottmk1]

On the screw operated one's do they have a chain or something to transmit drive to one of the posts?

 

[grim_d]

There's a chain running through the base plate to the other column.

 

[scottmk1]

Ok I'll keep an eye out for used one's, don't mind having to do a little bit of work to one but certainly don't want to make a project out of it.

 

[Fazerruss]

Screw lifts are great for storing long term projects. My car sits up there for months on end and never drops a mm.




There is a 20 foot long chain in the base linking the screws.

 

[Bsmith]

If buying a second-hand screw, make sure the main and safety nuts are in good condition. I had to buy new brass main nuts for mine @ £260 each 10 years ago.

 

[scottmk1]

Yes I had noticed that new nuts were not cheap, are they easy to replace? On a hydraulic lift is there any common wear items?

 

[Fazerruss]

If buying a second-hand screw, make sure the main and safety nuts are in good condition. I had to buy new brass main nuts for mine @ £260 each 10 years ago.

I got some from a place in Sheffield for about £70 for the pair 5 years ago

 

[grim_d]

I got some from a place in Sheffield for about £70 for the pair 5 years ago

It varies wildley between manufacturers.

Some of them are simple and some of them are rediculously convoluted.

My first ramp was from a long gone manufacturer, a pair of nuts (needed 2 pairs) would have cost £800+ to have made. Lesson learned, the ramp was cheap because the main nuts had failed... obviously they knew they were impossible to source, the rascals!

Another ramp sourced and the gap between the mains and safety was within spec, hasn't moved at all and likely I'll never have to replace them.

It's a bit of dismantling to change them but if you did it before it was installed it would be a doddle.

 

[dan treg]

hi each to there own but having had both screw lift and hydraulic much prefer hydraulic for following reasons. screw lift need a big powerful motor as a lot of the power transmitted is to overcome the friction of the nut and screw thread irrespective of the load being lifted and the motor starts under load conditions so start up current is high. The nuts are a wear item especially on a second hand lift . also motor power is reqd up and down . good maintenance and greasing and setup of load nuts is imperative. hydraulic lift has much less friction or wear items. starts on moderate load as only running a hydraulic pump so motor has a chance to get up to speed before lifting load. only uses power to lift ie comes down by gravity. also mine at least has built in dead bolts so lift can be left raised indefinitely.

 

[Pete.]

I got some from a place in Sheffield for about £70 for the pair 5 years ago

Not Werther Originals then?

 

[Fazerruss]

Not Werther Originals then?

No, they are manufactured by the company I got them from. They make parts and wear items for all the main lift manufacturers.
Can't remember the name but they are in Attercliffe behind Spear n Jackson (i think)

 

[grim_d]

Not Werther Originals then?

I think it went right over his head! (Pun intended!)

 

[grim_d]

hi each to there own but having had both screw lift and hydraulic much prefer hydraulic for following reasons. screw lift need a big powerful motor as a lot of the power transmitted is to overcome the friction of the nut and screw thread irrespective of the load being lifted and the motor starts under load conditions so start up current is high. The nuts are a wear item especially on a second hand lift . also motor power is reqd up and down . good maintenance and greasing and setup of load nuts is imperative. hydraulic lift has much less friction or wear items. starts on moderate load as only running a hydraulic pump so motor has a chance to get up to speed before lifting load. only uses power to lift ie comes down by gravity. also mine at least has built in dead bolts so lift can be left raised indefinitely.

Good points though less relevant if for infrequent non commercial use, also need to make absolutely sure the floor is up to spec for a column lift.

I certianly do notice the meter going mad when using the ramp!

Baseplate lifts require much less in the floor department and can be extended if there's any doubt at the expense of having the baseplate.

Mine is on 4” of unreinforced concrete with baseplate extensions and is solid! (I'm sure that will upset some people )

 

[dan treg]

in our garage the lift is bolted to rsjs submerged in the floor so there is no ramp in the middle just completely flat. agree with 2post lifts floor is crucial .

 

[Fazerruss]

I think it went right over his head! (Pun intended!)

Ha ha

 

[scottmk1]

The floor is solid. The workshop was originally built for HGV maintenance, and since then has had 2 and 4 post lifts in there without issue. I guess the main thing is buying one that isn't a wreck, also noticed when googling that the locks for the arms are quite dodgy on some of the cheaper lifts