• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Don't buy that cheap Chicom lift

Photon440 said:
It's an old GP30 - 245,000 lbs. The newer mainline locomotives, such as the GE Evolution series can weigh 420,000 pounds (including extra ballast for traction).
Click to expand...
In the early 2000's, shortly after my Dad died, I applied to NJ Transit as a diesel train mechanic. I went all through the hiring process, only to be offered the job at a location 2 hours from my house. I turned it down, but have always been fascinated with diesel locomotives.
 
I don't know that mines certified but it is American made and super beefy. I've examined the construction, welds, etc... it isn't going to break.
20180604_201210.jpg
 
Ironbuilt said:
I want to come to your shop and spill something on the floor. It's just too perfect!! :lol:
Click to expand...
It doesn't look like that anymore unfortunately. The plan was for this part of the shop to be for mechanical work only... NO PAINTING but it didn't pan out. My dad gave us a good scare with a heart attack, after that I decided I better finish his truck before anything else including finishing the paint shop. Hoping it will clean up good enough to reseal.
 
747mopar said:
It doesn't look like that anymore unfortunately. The plan was for this part of the shop to be for mechanical work only... NO PAINTING but it didn't pan out. My dad gave us a good scare with a heart attack, after that I decided I better finish his truck before anything else including finishing the paint shop. Hoping it will clean up good enough to reseal.
Click to expand...
Did you finish the Dodge for Dad?
 
That rig Jay Leno has is pretty darn impressive to me (Stertil-Koni).
He's had fire trucks and all sorts of stuff on that thing; I forget how many bazillion pounds it's
rated for.
 
my two cents for what its worth.
i have used many lifts in my time turning wrenches but the one i bought for me had to have certain features. I got a 9K lift from "Greg Smith equipment". It had to be that capacity minimum to lift my Ram 2500 which weighs 8k and change with a full tank and my butt in the seat. It had to have a lowered lift pad height of 3" to allow for my Challenger and other stuff i have. And this is important it had to be a clear floor lift
The lift is an Atlas and works well, no complaints. Prior to that i had an asymmetrical Rotary lift which i would have kept but it wouldn't lift the truck
The pad requires a minimum of 6" of concrete but remember to let it cure a minimum of 30+ days
 
33 IMP said:
Agree. Most published "shipping weights" are pure fantasy land. They are usually around 200lbs light, in my experience, often more.
Click to expand...
I too agree with the shipping weight being light. I figured my 68 Charger with a 6.1 would be lighter than a 440 powered R/T. I was surprised when it showed up just under 4000# on the scale without my fat ***. Guess I won't have to worry about a lift in my shop with a 7' 6" ceiling. I wasn't smart enough to add a couple rows of block when I built it.
 
The China vs US made can be misleading. Even "US made" can include components manufactured in China. First lift was from an outfit in Texas, branded a Triumph. Did not have equalization cables, used a flow equalizer to keep the arms in sync. Worked for awhile, but eventually one arm started lagging the other. Contacted the company, they had to send my info to their "technicians" in China. Answer was always the same, add an external flow control, which is BS. That lift went to the steel recycler.

Next time around, went with an Atlas 8K. Couple local repair shops use them. As some have mentioned, the foundation is a key element. Had a standard garage pad, 3.5-4", likely 3000psi strength. Excavated a 3' x 3' section, 18" deep, for each post. Undercut the slab, and installed a rebar cage. Poured 4000psi concrete. Let it cure 45days. Drilled 1" holes for Wej-it Power Sert 3/4" epoxy anchors. The lift came with mechanical wedge anchors. Done correctly the epoxy anchors have much stronger pullout specs against a dynamic load. I personally wouldn't use wedge anchors as it's too easy (for me) to drill an oversize/bad hole which could compromise the wedge strength. Very happy with the Atlas.

Something to consider, if your lift doesn't have it, add a safety switch ahead of the lift pushbutton. They are cheap insurance against a stuck pushbutton.

HeG8fNj.jpg
 
Ironbuilt said:
I would like to get one similar to this one...

rotary-hdc-semi-jpg.jpg
Click to expand...
That appears to be a mobile four post lift with an accessory ramp between the posts. When I was working the municipal garage had a set up like this to lift fire trucks. From the looks of the photo those are extra heavy designed to be moved with a fork lift. I believe we had a 8" slab in that area. Part of the garage for the light car shop was a structural slab that was a rib slab. We had to place the two post lifts on the beams.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

66 383
Recommendations on a 2 post lift
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
OzCharger69
OzCharger69
SteveSS
Let's hear about cheap fast cars.
2
Replies
20
Views
910
DeltaV
DeltaV
J
Ski lift Accident Avoided
Replies
15
Views
622
j-c-c-62
J
pturner
Question About Two Post Lift
2
Replies
20
Views
3K
Krooser
Krooser
R
  • Locked
SOLD 1969 Superbee A12 Lift off Hood
Replies
0
Views
815
ROB SHARON
R
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top