Installing a two-post lift

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationI've wanted for years to install a two post lift in my garage.

I'm not taking the car apart on a regular basis or anything, nor am I producing parts, but day to day when I drive my car I might hear a bang or feel something funny, and I'd like to lift the car and look around.

I found a two-post lift for sale on eBay:

My question is....how do you anchor this to the garage floor? Does one need to pull a permit to install something like this? For what it is worth, I have no idea about the strength of the concrete on my garage floor. I have the plans for the house, which was designed in 1961 and built in 1962-

Thanx in advance!

N!

I can't imagine that you would not need to anchor it, probably requires a 4" or 5" minimum slab underneath, ideally reinforced concrete.

A permit will depend on local laws.

Thanx Stan!

The plans of the house detail a 4 inch slab [basements in Flori-duh are also known as "indoor pools", since the water table is 60 cm below grade], and reinforcement bar.

I was just concerned while looking at that lift. It occurs to me that the threads on the anchors that the bolts that hold that thing upright while my 3350 pound 928 is up in the air would be the only things keeping it sitting on its ass or plowing forward into my tool bench. I'd prefer that that didn't happen; I suspect that both situations might mar the paint~

N!

I know Dave Tassinari installed two in his garage and they hold his 928s. At one point I had my Suburban on one, much heavier than a 928.

If you provide an email, I can drag Tass into the conversation, perhaps ideally here, so others can be informed on the requirements as well.

6" is the minimum slab depth, so you will need to cut a 3' X 3' square in the floor, dig it out, and repour a re-bar enforced slab 6" + deep. You can set your anchor bolts when you do this. Remember, you will be standing and sitting under this thing, with a one and a half ton plus car over your head. I wouldn't cut a single corner on this part. There is an extensive write up on RL, but I'm sure you can get it elsewhere. The best place to get the install info would be from the manufacturer.

linderpat;13945 wrote: 6" is the minimum slab depth.... The best place to get the install info would be from the manufacturer.

I agree that the manufacturer should be checked with, and you will find, as I advised that in some cases 4" is enough, such as this one: www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-BP8000
"Requires a minimum of 4" of concrete with 3000 psi."

4" minimum is just that, minimum.6" gives you more anchor depth for more strength. I have the same lifts that Dave Tassinari has and the base flanges apear to be wider than the picture of the one you want to buy. Also there is no overhead tie bar which helps with side to side stability and over all rigidity. The bar in your picture on the floor is to protect the hydraulic lines.
Since you have a 4inch slab, I would feel more comfortable if you were to weld on fore and aft supports to the base flanges so you could spread the load further out on the floor and you could add more anchors.Also when drilling the floor for the anchors, drill at a slight angle in different directions on each of the holes for strength. I also prefer the epoxy anchor kit from Hilti for the anchors. You don't want to skimp on the hardware.

personally I would buy a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 inch plate and bolt it to the plate, then bolt the plate to the floor.

I like over kill

Note: do you live in earth quake country where the car could be in the air and you under it?

Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net;13944 wrote: I know Dave Tassinari installed two in his garage and they hold his 928s. At one point I had my Suburban on one, much heavier than a 928.

If you provide an email, I can drag Tass into the conversation, perhaps ideally here, so others can be informed on the requirements as well.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thanx Stan!

N

928mac;13984 wrote: personally I would buy a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 inch plate and bolt it to the plate, then bolt the plate to the floor.

I like over kill

Note: do you live in earth quake country where the car could be in the air and you under it?

Good question, but I've already researched that. I've been told that Florida is geologically very stable. The whole state is basically a big coral reef, and coral is very brittle. If we had earthquakes here, then the whole state would be under water right now.

N

I hope you give us a review of the lift when its up and being used. Thats a heck of a good price. Wish I was closer to "help" you use it.

Hi all

My lifts are Rotary brand and I bought both of them used. They are what I would consider commercial quality and very rugged compared to some of the imported stuff I have seen recently. I bought the first one about 15 years ago for 2,000 and then the 2nd last year for 800.00 (local c-list score).
My floor is about 5" of mesh reinforced concrete and I used the wedge type anchor bolts. The rotary brand uses a larger base plate than most I have seen so the loads are spread over a wider area.
My lifts are the asymmetric style. This design allow you to open the car doors without hitting the lift structure. The down side is that the car's weight is not as evenly distributed front to back as it might be on a symmetrical design.
If I had concerns about the strength of the concrete, I would definitely go with a symmetrical design that distributes the load straight down.

A few years back, our neighbors and good friends lost their 16year old son to a car lift accident. He is a professional mechanic and his son was working for him. As more and more of these things get into home hobby garages, I sometimes worry about the potential for tragedy. Please don't ever take the safety aspect for granted ! You will see in the pictures that whenever I have car in the air, I throw a safety stand under it just as an added precaution. It prevents shaking and movement of the car if you happen to be yanking on something

Attached files [img]media/attachments/14046=1660-black cars on lifts 2.jpg[/img] [img]media/attachments/14046=1659-Carl and Worf.jpg[/img] [img]media/attachments/14046=1661-lifts.jpg[/img]

You guys make me jealous with all of this talk about adding/possessing lifts. I wish I had one at home. I do have access to a lift at all times, though. That's nice for any heavy duty stuff.

At home, I do it all on my back. Jack stands are all that I have allowed myself to spend for working under a car so far. But.. I do have a nice creeper.

Kiln_Red;14047 wrote: .........At home, I do it all on my back. Jack stands are all that I have allowed myself to spend for working under a car so far. But.. I do have a nice creeper.

here's a nice creeper! www.wimp.com/hydraulicchair/