4 post lifts

[Bill Rose]

Been starting to research lifts for the storage garage I will be putting up out back. This will be pretty much just a storage lift. I will have a 12' high ceiling/I'm limited to 15' total roof height for the local zoning/engineering Nazis...

I want to be able to put my Dually under the lift, which needs 76" height, and 96" between the posts.

There's a bunch of choices out there. Money really isn't an issue, when it comes to safety. Anyone have a favorite, or one they'd stay away from?

[PxTx]

Back Yard Buddy has a great design and is safe. They are made in the USA and should be able to build one to meet your requirements. I would be comfortable with most wives operating one. They typically cost 3x what the economy guys offer.

Greg Smith has a place in Deleware. He sells economy lifts. I've installed both BYB and GS. I would own either. It is just a bit more critical that the GS lift is kept in adjustment. If the posts were out of adjustment AND you were lowering the lift AND you started to relax on the lock release handle AND you were not paying attention for a bit you could experience an operator induced problem.

[92646]

Bill,
I installed a Bendpak in a garage that I was restricted with space. It has worked out well. I have seen these for sale with free shipping and by the time you factor in the shipping on the cheap lifts it is not much more money. These things come in a whole bunch of different sizes and they have the 4-post adjustable ladder locks. If I had to do it over again I would get the extra wide lift that you raise and lower 2 cars side by side at the same time so you do not have to mess with the posts in the middle of the garage. I had to go with a lift that was not as wide as I would have liked to give room for my wife to pull her Toyota Sequia into the garage around the posts in the middle of garage. If I remember right the Bendpaks are built in the US but with imported parts.

[Mr. Chevy]

Bill, Back Yard Buddy is the way to go. My friend has one and I helped him pick it up right here in Youngstown, Ohio where they are made and assemble it. Very well made and very safe..

Rich

[Bill Rose]

Thank you gentleman. I just read all about the ones you guys suggested. It seems like the back yard buddy is the best built, but the others aren't far behind. The Bendpak needs compressed air to lock them, or am I reading it wrong? I wasn't planning to run the air to this building. Sounds like the Back Yard Buddy would be best for my needs. It has the height and width for my truck. I have time to make this decision. Thanks again!!

[tabooo]

How about a Stinger, Made in USA.

[92646]

Bill,
You are right you need compressed air to set the locks when lowering the Bendpak lift. You do not need much pressure so I bought a $150.00 compressor that I plug into a 110 outlet just for the lift. Also I had to wire the garage for 220 for the lift and I had to upgrade my electrical panel. The one thing about the Bendpak lifts is that many dealerships have other styles of lifts in their shops at least from what I have seen out here in southern California.

[Bill Rose]

No problem with the power supply Mark. I'm running juice to a sub panel to the new building, for heat/air cond, so a 220 line to a lift is easy. We have Bendpak dealers around here too. The Bendpak would save me a couple thousand bucks, and they do have one that is high and wide enough to drive my dually under it. Running a small air comp is a simple solution too. I would think they would offer an optional air comp built into the lift. My understanding is, it only needs 30 lbs............none of this is a an issue really. I have to dig a ditch out to the building from the house garage/shop for power, gas, cable/net. etc.

[TimG]

Does anyone know if a 10 foot ceiling a problem if I'm storing a Corvette on the top with a Corvette on the bottom?

[92646]

Tim,
It all depends on the height of the 2 cars plus the thickness of the ramps. I would guess 12" should cover the thickness and I have heard 10' is doable. The only other issues would be the height of the posts around the garage door opener and how close you are to the garage door. If you decide to get a lift please watch your head while getting into the lower car and make sure the antenna is down before pulling in. Another thing I have done is install large convex mirrors on the back walls so I can see the entire car as I am raising it and as I am driving it up the ramp.

[bilede]

I installed the Atlas 9000 from GS and am very happy with it. Will lift the duramax for oil changes, etc and way over kill for cars to store on safely. Couldn't beat the price including rolling jacks was cheaper than anyone elses comparable lift I found. I like the BYB design but could get almost two of these for the price and wasn't worth it from my perspective.

[Bill Rose]

Thanks Bill....The Atlas lifts are on my "lifts to look at" list too.


Mark is right Tim. With 2 Vettes, the 10' ceiling should be enough, if the overhead door is not a problem. My new building will be 30' deep, so I can put the lift closer to the back of the building, so the door will not hit anything. With a 10' ceiling, the door tracks can also be run up to the ceiling. That would put the door over the deck lid of the car, when the door is open. In the garage in the house, I have openers that mount on the side of the door, so that would eliminate the opener as a problem. Plus they're great openers, with dead bolts. very secure.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/100_4185.jpg

[PxTx]

When I was doing mroe of these, I grabbed a few pics to help people reference the fit in low ceilings. I've done plenty of 10' garages.

Here are a few pics, not all are mine.

Low ceiling
http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww101/Plowman7/Lifts/1_zpsb89de821.jpg (http://s710.photobucket.com/user/Plowman7/media/Lifts/1_zpsb89de821.jpg.html)

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww101/Plowman7/Lifts/garage_d_zpscdbbf990.jpg (http://s710.photobucket.com/user/Plowman7/media/Lifts/garage_d_zpscdbbf990.jpg.html)

These are standard lifts whihc have a column that is about 7' tall. The larger hobby lifts have columns which are about 1 foot taller and also about 1 foot wider, FYI.

I've often leaned towards a 2 post base plate lift in these 10' applications. It gives you the ability to park on top of another car, with the tires above breaking the plane of the roofline of the car below.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww101/Plowman7/Lifts/3_zpsbb0c7454.jpg (http://s710.photobucket.com/user/Plowman7/media/Lifts/3_zpsbb0c7454.jpg.html)

Here is one i actually was involved with. You can maximize the stacking space AND drive on. The drive on was a custom part, but for someone who wan't both options, I figured I would throw it out.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww101/Plowman7/Lifts/2postramps_zps65e00a41.jpg (http://s710.photobucket.com/user/Plowman7/media/Lifts/2postramps_zps65e00a41.jpg.html)

[Zedder]

I have the Direct Lift and love it. My ceilings are 128 inches and I have the jackshaft opener. The lift I have is 58 inches clear underneath, so you'll need the next model up to clear your truck. I'll go out and take a quick pick and post in a minute...
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s177/Zedder_photos/lift2.jpg (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/Zedder_photos/media/lift2.jpg.html)
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s177/Zedder_photos/lift1.jpg (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/Zedder_photos/media/lift1.jpg.html)
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s177/Zedder_photos/GS.jpg (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/Zedder_photos/media/GS.jpg.html)

[Material_Boy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TimG</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Does anyone know if a 10 foot ceiling a problem if I'm storing a Corvette on the top with a Corvette on the bottom? </div></div>
Tim,

Should not be any problem. I have 9 1/2 ft floor to ceiling heighth. I have a BYB with 2 mid years top and bottom. I also have a Superior 4 post with a 70 Z-28 up top and another midyear below. Plenty of room, At least for these cars. However, I am in the process of getting a contractor buddy of mine to notch the ceiling above the Superior lift so I can get to full heighth on the lift. This will allow me to park other taller cars besides the Z-28 and a Corvette. The plan is to put an 8 to 10 inch notch in the ceiling. Obviously this will require some ceiling joist work which I am in no way qualified to do. Hope this helps.

Dave

[Zedder]

One other point...the steel ramps are heavy as hell! Get aluminum or the race ramp ones that I got <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[tjs44]

I have a pair of Backyard Buddies for 10 years now.No problem.Get a jack for it if you by one.Tom

[TimG]

Thanks for the information, guys.

[Material_Boy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Zedder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One other point...the steel ramps are heavy as hell! Get aluminum or the race ramp ones that I got <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif </div></div>

Amen to that suggestion.

[TimG]

Does anyone have a double wide lift for two cars?

[olredalert]

----I have seen them, Tim, but remember you have to move two cars out to get at one on top. Not a big deal but might be a deal breaker!......Bill S

[TimG]

True, it may be the only way I can house everything. I don't want to store off site.

Good to see you at the show.

[92646]

Tim,
If I could do it over again that is the route I would go. If nothing else put a solid floor between the ramps on one side and use it for storage.

[PxTx]

Phantom Park has some great solutions if you don't want to move cars to get access. They will prerry much make the way you want it.

[TimG]

Thanks, good website, also.

[GreenLS6]

I went a little overboard and installed a Challenger 12K 4 post. I planned on servicing a crew cab F-450 or a C4500 Kodiak tow vehicle. I new it was overkill , but for the extra $1,500 it was worth it to me for the Double duty as a heavy truck hoist and piece of mind storing my 68Z.
Thing is a beefy monster !!!! And I never have to worry about spindly legs collapsing on another car!!!

[enio45]

I bought 2 direct lifts at the B Jackson show some yrs back. For the minimal use other than storage, they have been working fine - no issues what-so-ever http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/12/full-699-8393-garage_full_065.jpg

[olredalert]

----Like the curtains, Eddie! Did you buy them somewhere?......Bill S

[enio45]

I ordered them to size from a company I believe is called FUROL Industires, in Fond du lac Wisconsin. I search all over when I was building the garage for a clear, fireproof curtain that would keep the separation from the work area to the storage area. The garage has heat and ac system and the back side is where the ac return is, so it keeps thing nice and clean - although i still use covers on the car.

If I recall - this company makes these curtains for fire departments use and other applications . I tried to look up the web site but could not find it for you - when I get home this weekend, ill double check the name and see if I can provide the link. Best thing I purchased for the garage besides the lifts!

[m22mike]

Bill
Google paint booth curtains, all kinds of links pop up. Just a thought. I have seen Eddie's, very nice.

Mike

[hiperf406]

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/hiperf/My%20vettes/DSC02858.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/hiperf/media/My%20vettes/DSC02858.jpg.html)
I put this in last year in our Az place. I have a 10; ceiling but I cannot stand straight up under the car. An 11'ceiling would work out better. It works good for my needs - storage &amp; ocassionally working on cars.
lorne

[Musclecars4me]

I have yet to see a double wide left tht is certified.

Has anyone found one?

[black69]

If your ceiling is 12', you may want to check out getting a higher lift option. I had these in my mom's garage for a while (10' ceiling) and later having that additional 1 ft or so lift paid off when I moved them.
Not all lift companies offer the higher lift.

Its nice, I can walk under mine (I am 5'9).

http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo29/xxxblack69/DSC_0503_zpsc6c31638.jpg (http://s358.photobucket.com/user/xxxblack69/media/DSC_0503_zpsc6c31638.jpg.html)

[ss427copo]

Compare a Rotary 4-post lift BEFORE you buy a Back Yard Buddy. Far superior all the way around and is certified, unlike BYB and most others.

[427TJ]

You guys are killing me with these garage pictures!

[Zedder]

I had a pm asking me where all my &quot;junk&quot; was because they couldn't see anything in my garage <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s177/Zedder_photos/garage5.jpg (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/Zedder_photos/media/garage5.jpg.html)
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s177/Zedder_photos/garage6.jpg (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/Zedder_photos/media/garage6.jpg.html)
Tada..... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s177/Zedder_photos/garage11.jpg (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/Zedder_photos/media/garage11.jpg.html)

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s177/Zedder_photos/garage10.jpg (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/Zedder_photos/media/garage10.jpg.html)

[Double J]

I bought a bendpak HD-9 last year very nice lift. 13 foot ceiling in the barn

http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo69/jayjezowski/1972%20Camaro/DSC02445_zps2332adb3.jpg

http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo69/jayjezowski/1972%20Camaro/DSC02454_zpsc5940483.jpg