4 Post Lift Suggestions

[joe smith]

I am familiar with the two post lifts from my mechanics shop, but no experience with a 4 post.
Are the 4 posts mainly to store a car on it with one below it?? It would seem to me you could easily change oil and do alot of maintenance with a 4 post lift??
If you needed to work on the front brakes or suspension, can you jack up each side with a bottle lift or a similar jack??
Seems as if the negative ( with a 4 post would be rear end work??

What are the negatives for using a 2 post for storage?
TY all

 

[Dave P]

Thanks to everybody for their comments.
I looked at the website for the Wildfire lifts,going to chase down more details
about that one.
Dave P

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

Thanks to everybody for their comments.
I looked at the website for the Wildfire lifts,going to chase down more details
about that one.
Dave P

My wildfire lift is in transit. Really excited. Researched them all, and wildfire was the only company to return my call. Co owner Brad chatted with me for almost an hour.
I hope I'm not disappointed.
https://www.wildfirelifts.com/

Gentlemen, I took a look at this Wildfire lift just out of curiosity since I've already purchased my own personal choice of 4 post lifts. I don't think there is a "perfect" choice of lift out there to fit everyone's needs but I have a couple of quick comments about the Wildfire lift and then I'll leave you to your own preferences.

1st, the locking system on the wildfire is NOT adjustable. It is fixed due to the rectangles cut directly into the 4 corner posts. Why is this a problem? Because hardly EVER is a concrete floor completely level, especially if it has some slope built in to assist with water drainage (like mine). So, when you level the runways, (and you absolutely WANT the runways level with a car on them) the lock system will not engage all four corners uniformly if the concrete floor is not 100% level as well. This is a safety concern, no way I would want to work under a lift without all 4 corners locked securely.

2nd, I don't care what anyone tells you, those casters are NOT meant to move the lift WITH A CAR on it. Only move the lift when it is empty. Those casters are much lighter duty than the ones I have for my lift and the lift company specifically states NOT to move the lift with a car on it. Again, a big safety concern with this.

I did not go into a detailed examination of the specs on the lift but just those two things I got from watching the video scared me away. But to each his own, I just wanted to comment on this and hopefully prevent someone from getting hurt and/or being disappointed with their lift.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[dadsbee]

^^^^ + cables out in the open = pinch points and unprotected lock pawl mechanisms easily susceptible to damage.

 

[Dave P]

Thanks for the comments about the lock setup, need to look at that.
The casters are not a personal concern, I never envision wanting to roll it out with a car on it.
Will look at the cable routing also.
Before ordering anything I'm going to see it in person. Not too big on mechanical surprise.
Dave

 

[Billccm]

Well I'm in process of assembly. Loading it was a breeze, but unloading was quite a bit of work. One of the harbor freight 1000lbs dolly wheels shattered, and it took finesse, a floor jack, 4 guys, and a bunch of 2x4s to get it off the trailer. It's unpacked and in position. Next Friday I'll borrow a engine hoist and we will assemble.

 

[Billccm]

Few more pictures

 

[ckessel]

I was lucky. My lift was in pieces due to my move. Made it easier but I did have a friend help me get the ramps out of the trailer. I put it together using my floor jacks, old t-bar for leverage, moving dollies and grunt. I asked the friend to help me assemble some of it but he didn't show. Was not about to pay $1600 to assemble when I paid $500 to disassemble.

 

[mrhemi]

I unloaded and assembled mine by myself with the use of an engine hoist and floor jack. Manageable, just be careful.

 

[ckessel]

Yup. I used my picker to set the rolling jack in the tracks.

 

[Billccm]

Friend dropped off his hoist. I rearranged all the posts myself and built the front. Starting to look like a lift. Off for a handful of ibuprofen. Friday we will convene and try to build this thing.

 

[ckessel]

If you are bordering on antique like me, soon to be 63 with RA, I can highly recommend using Turmeric for anti inflammatory daily meds. I use the liquid Qunol in the orange box from Costco. With this stuff daily, I can function pretty well and it doesn't jack up any internal organs. Takes a month or so before you notice pain and stiffness dissipated. The docs had me taking injectable Methatrexate, didn't work. From there it was an oral med used for pregnant women. The pharmacist asked me if the doc mentioned I would have to get my eyes checked several times a year with that. That was a nogo for me. From there it was Humera which really causes problems. Ibuprofen use over time is bad on the liver. Save the damage for alcohol abuse.

 

[hunt2elk]

Gentlemen, I took a look at this Wildfire lift just out of curiosity since I've already purchased my own personal choice of 4 post lifts. I don't think there is a "perfect" choice of lift out there to fit everyone's needs but I have a couple of quick comments about the Wildfire lift and then I'll leave you to your own preferences.

1st, the locking system on the wildfire is NOT adjustable. It is fixed due to the rectangles cut directly into the 4 corner posts. Why is this a problem? Because hardly EVER is a concrete floor completely level, especially if it has some slope built in to assist with water drainage (like mine). So, when you level the runways, (and you absolutely WANT the runways level with a car on them) the lock system will not engage all four corners uniformly if the concrete floor is not 100% level as well. This is a safety concern, no way I would want to work under a lift without all 4 corners locked securely.

2nd, I don't care what anyone tells you, those casters are NOT meant to move the lift WITH A CAR on it. Only move the lift when it is empty. Those casters are much lighter duty than the ones I have for my lift and the lift company specifically states NOT to move the lift with a car on it. Again, a big safety concern with this.

I did not go into a detailed examination of the specs on the lift but just those two things I got from watching the video scared me away. But to each his own, I just wanted to comment on this and hopefully prevent someone from getting hurt and/or being disappointed with their lift.

Good luck to everyone!

Curious what brand 4 post you went with?

 

[MCODECUDA]

Friend dropped off his hoist. I rearranged all the posts myself and built the front. Starting to look like a lift. Off for a handful of ibuprofen. Friday we will convene and try to build this thing.

View attachment 1111122

I’m planning to use the forklift attachment on my compact tractor to put mine together. I’m thinking about putting it together outside then rolling inside.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

Curious what brand 4 post you went with?

Well, I knew somebody was going to ask this eventually. I don't profess that the brand/model lift I purchased is the best lift, it just was what worked for me. Everyone is different and has different needs. My biggest objection to that Wildfire lift was the fixed locking system, along with the light weight that I didn't mention. As I recall it was only about 2100 lbs shipping weight?

I purchased an Atlas Apex 9 for my shop, shipping weight about 3000 lbs. So right off the bat there's about 900 lbs more "meat" in the thing somewhere, don't know what components are heavier, but something sure is. Also the design has adjustable "lock ladders" on each post to compensate for uneven concrete floors. Just two differences that to me make a big difference.

https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-Apex-9

 

[ckessel]

Something I made up for mine which would be handy for others. I got ahold of some 4x5 rectangle tube to make some crossbeams that fit between the ramps. With these I can put some wood under an area after lifting with the rolling jack, set it down on the wood then move the jack to a different area.

 

[Dean Prevolos]

I am buying the Atlas Garage Pro 8000, online cost from company is $2,681.11. 110 volt plug, 83" height, 104.5" wide (115" wide with motor) and 175.5" long(207.5" with ramps). Free shipping according to the website.

that's my 2 cents

 

[hunt2elk]

I am buying the Atlas Garage Pro 8000, online cost from company is $2,681.11. 110 volt plug, 83" height, 104.5" wide (115" wide with motor) and 175.5" long(207.5" with ramps). Free shipping according to the website.

that's my 2 cents

That sounds like a really decent price considering the escalating steel and shipping prices as of late.

 

[Andew Sury]

I've got a Danmar and an Eagle in my toybox. Paid a grand a piece used. You can do quite abit on them and both have jacking plates.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

I am buying the Atlas Garage Pro 8000, online cost from company is $2,681.11. 110 volt plug, 83" height, 104.5" wide (115" wide with motor) and 175.5" long(207.5" with ramps). Free shipping according to the website.

that's my 2 cents

I'll add that my Atlas Apex 9 did NOT cost me $4675 like the Greg Smith Equipment web site shows now. Evidently a price increase since I had ordered the lift.

I ordered from Best Buy Equipment

https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/atlas-apex-9-ali-4-post-parking-lift-p/apex9.htm

Best Buy Equipment still lists it at $3645 + shipping. Best Buy was VERY easy to deal with and I had the lift within 2 weeks as promised. The other place (Greg Smith Equipment) in Indianapolis is where I wanted to buy the lift, but they WOULD NOT answer the phone or return messages or emails. So I called Best Buy and wouldn't you know it, my lift was shipped to me from none other than the Indy address that wouldn't answer the phone.