Educate me about two post lifts please.

ajlelectronics · Nov 27, 2016

I'm still pondering about the body lift and it occurred to me that the ideal tool is a two post lift. I know little about their requirements and would like some tuition.

CJ Autos do a portable version which seems like a good idea until you find out that it still needs bolting down and it only does a low lift, not enough to work under.

What base requirements do they have, I can't imagine that any would be freestanding. I could install one in my workshop perhaps but one column would be very much in the way.

Could I mount it outside without much pre work? Car park is a thin tarmac over an unknown ground surface. Possibly just earth by the way is has sunk in places.

What do I look for seconhand and how do I know I am not buying a heap of junk?

Do they take much commissioning if I bought a ready dismantled item?

How about transport, I assume it would need a decent truck with crane to move?

grim_d · Nov 27, 2016

You need a good solid floor. They vary between manufacturer but somewhere around 4/6 inch reinforced concrete as a minimum they say. Lifts with a baseplate (older style) require less floor requirements than column styles as they spread the load more.

For your reference my baseplate style 3 Tonne lift is mounted on 4 inch unreinforced concrete, I welded some extension legs on the baseplate to spread the load even further. I've had all sorts on it and I am completely confident with it but I do not use the lift commercially, this wouldn't be acceptable in a garage.

They can be used outside to my knowledge with a bit of care, protecting electrics and keeping things greased etc, but by the sounds of it your ground is unsuitable at present.

Look for a name brand with spares availability, Tecalemit, bradbury, Stenhoj etc. If you can't get spares the lift could potentially be scrap...I've been there. Again for reference, mine is a mid 80's Tecalemit and spares are abundant. I would recommend a screw type over hydraulic for a cheap second hand purchase.

How much work they require would be dependant on it's condition, if possible view the lift installed and working, and if you can then check the condition of the load nuts if it's a screw type, usually the wear indication is how close the main nut has moved towards the safety nuts, the manual will stipulate the limits. information overload I know

They are bloody heavy, we handballed it onto a trailer with large lads and manhandled it into position at the other end, it wasn't easy, if you had access to a crane of some sort that would be ideal.