BlackICE
GT Owner
Single post a better, space wise, for storing cars and the tradeoff, being less friendly for servicing.
Garage 4 Post Car Lifts
- Thread starter 69RS/SS
- Start date
Single post a better, space wise, for storing cars and the tradeoff, being less friendly for servicing.
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
MAD IN NC
Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
I like the service aspect with the "rolling bridge". Add a jack tray and four wheels can be raised off the ramps if needed.
I've done 3-4 transmission pulls, 1 rear end, 20+ oil changes, tires, multiple brake jobs and will also use the lift to set the body/ chassis together on a 65 vette.
I've also used it to lift engines from the tailgate to an engine hoist single handed... and from the engine hoist to the tailgate respectively.
When the car won't run (engine out etc..) and I need the use of the lift - I push the car off then pull it back onto the ramp with a come along winch....
One of my best tool investments I have made.
Be sure to get one tested by the American National Standards Institute (ASI)/ American Lift Association (ALI) tested by the Canadian ETL labs. If it's not listed - it's more than likely cheap Chinese..
check out this site and the FAQ section.....
http://www.ali-directory.org/ali/ali2.nsf/frmHome?OpenForm
ObeyMyFast!
GT Owner's son
I have one too. Although, there was one time where one of the legs kind of gave way, and moved a little. (we dont have ours bolted to the floor) And our Testarosa was on the top :O
After running for our lives, we came back, lifted the car a little more, and the leg popped back in place. Idk what happened, but it hasnt happened ever since...
Sinovac
GT Owner
I personally don't like the light duty lifts like the Backyard Buddy, etc. I know others like them but for the same price you can get a true high capacity commercial lift made in the USA. This is my Rotary 12,500 lift. Look at the thickness of the steel beams on the platform. It lifts my F250 diesel with no problem. This lift was the same price as a Backyard Buddy. However, it must be bolted down (as all lifts should) and the thickness of the platform requires ramp extensions for low profile cars. Note my high dollar, 3/4" plywood ramp extensions (aluminum ramps are available).
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MAD IN NC
Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
3 cars in a two car garage - nice Timmy......
I going to be at 5 cars in a 3 car by the end of this year with two lifts... one holding up a 5,900# Cadillac :eek
Think I'll go Sinovac's route of a 12k lift there but matching BendPaks will look good.....
.........to Chips earlier post about maximizing the height, i had my one G door raised within 6" of the ceiling as you can see in the Pic below. Cost $750. Done with track extensions. Now the limiter is a beam at 10' 6'. Now I have to do the other door......
I going to be at 5 cars in a 3 car by the end of this year with two lifts... one holding up a 5,900# Cadillac :eek
Think I'll go Sinovac's route of a 12k lift there but matching BendPaks will look good.....
.........to Chips earlier post about maximizing the height, i had my one G door raised within 6" of the ceiling as you can see in the Pic below. Cost $750. Done with track extensions. Now the limiter is a beam at 10' 6'. Now I have to do the other door......
Attachments
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....and believe it or not, 3 motorcycles fit in there too.... dirtbikes and one is timmy's 50, but non-the-less, 3 :cheers
Rotary Revolution.
Yes, I am sure.
There are still a few of the old "Made in the USA" Rotary Revolutions in dealer inventory. My local dealer in Phoenix bought a bunch of the last American made Rotary Revolutions. The China built replacement is still called the Revolution but is no longer listed as being built by Rotary. It's slightly larger, has a higher capacity, and is less than 1/2 the price. The home 4-post lift market is very price sensitive and the Chinese products with their much lower cost were outselling the more expensive American versions by a huge margin.
Rotary has formed a new company to market their Chinese built lifts, the Revolution Lift Company. They are still marketed by Rotary dealers. They may contain some American built parts but the new Revolution lifts are produced in China. Here's what to look for.
The last genuine American made, Rotary built, Revolution 4 post-lift was the RFP7, it had a capacity of 7000 pounds and the list price of about $6,500. It was built, start to finish, in America.
It's replacement is the Chinese built RFP9, which has a capacity of 9000 pounds and a list price of only $3095. So as to not dilute the Rotary brand, they have formed a separate division to market their Chinese lifts which is called now called "Revolution Lifts". They are sold by Rotary lift dealers who tell customers that they have many American-made parts, but they are not American Made and their price reflects that.
Rotary still makes commercial grade lifts in America. Perhaps your dealer has some USA built Revolutions in stock that were made over a year ago. The American built Revolution is a top quality product with welds and workmanship that I believe are superior to any of the Chinese made lifts. Their quality may be 20% better but they cost 200% to 300% more and the Chinese lifts are not failing and dropping cars on their owner's heads. The foreign-made lift is a much better deal unless you really want an American-made product, which I did. All the best.
Chip
Yes, I am sure.
There are still a few of the old "Made in the USA" Rotary Revolutions in dealer inventory. My local dealer in Phoenix bought a bunch of the last American made Rotary Revolutions. The China built replacement is still called the Revolution but is no longer listed as being built by Rotary. It's slightly larger, has a higher capacity, and is less than 1/2 the price. The home 4-post lift market is very price sensitive and the Chinese products with their much lower cost were outselling the more expensive American versions by a huge margin.
Rotary has formed a new company to market their Chinese built lifts, the Revolution Lift Company. They are still marketed by Rotary dealers. They may contain some American built parts but the new Revolution lifts are produced in China. Here's what to look for.
The last genuine American made, Rotary built, Revolution 4 post-lift was the RFP7, it had a capacity of 7000 pounds and the list price of about $6,500. It was built, start to finish, in America.
It's replacement is the Chinese built RFP9, which has a capacity of 9000 pounds and a list price of only $3095. So as to not dilute the Rotary brand, they have formed a separate division to market their Chinese lifts which is called now called "Revolution Lifts". They are sold by Rotary lift dealers who tell customers that they have many American-made parts, but they are not American Made and their price reflects that.
Rotary still makes commercial grade lifts in America. Perhaps your dealer has some USA built Revolutions in stock that were made over a year ago. The American built Revolution is a top quality product with welds and workmanship that I believe are superior to any of the Chinese made lifts. Their quality may be 20% better but they cost 200% to 300% more and the Chinese lifts are not failing and dropping cars on their owner's heads. The foreign-made lift is a much better deal unless you really want an American-made product, which I did. All the best.
Chip
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fjpikul
GT Owner
BM SoCal
GT Owner
You guys are costing me money again. These lifts look great so now I will have to measure. Here's what I see as costs: Relocate tracks. Cost of lift and install. More cars.
Jeep
Frank,
I sold my yellow Jeep Rubicon. I've had that V-8 CJ-5 Jeep for 18 years now. It has only 6000 miles on it and is perfect.
Chip
Frank,
I sold my yellow Jeep Rubicon. I've had that V-8 CJ-5 Jeep for 18 years now. It has only 6000 miles on it and is perfect.
Chip
Mullet
FORD GT OWNER
I own a Backyard Buddy and a Gemini. Both are American made.
Have their been any reports of the Chinese ones failing? Articles to back up story would be good.
Have their been any reports of the Chinese ones failing? Articles to back up story would be good.
A good deal or a "slightly" better lift.
Mullet,
Although it may have happened, I'm not aware of any Chinese lifts that have failed and dropped a car or caused an injury. My dealer told me that they need to perform a quite a bit more warranty work on the Chinese lifts, but it's things like hydraulic leaks, faulty fittings, or electrical problems. Because all lifts incorporate safety latches that prevent them from unintentionally lowering a car more than a few inches, these are generally not safety problems. He told me that if you want a good deal on a perfectly serviceable 4 post-lift, the Chinese lifts are the way to go. But if you can stand the price, the very best 4 post-lifts for home use are still "Made in America".
Chip
Mullet,
Although it may have happened, I'm not aware of any Chinese lifts that have failed and dropped a car or caused an injury. My dealer told me that they need to perform a quite a bit more warranty work on the Chinese lifts, but it's things like hydraulic leaks, faulty fittings, or electrical problems. Because all lifts incorporate safety latches that prevent them from unintentionally lowering a car more than a few inches, these are generally not safety problems. He told me that if you want a good deal on a perfectly serviceable 4 post-lift, the Chinese lifts are the way to go. But if you can stand the price, the very best 4 post-lifts for home use are still "Made in America".
Chip
MAD IN NC
Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
Mullet, here is a link to a Gemini lift that failed..
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-tech-performance/274802-4-post-lift-failure-now-i-wait.html
Here is a two post miss rated....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLUjq6ijvVc
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-tech-performance/274802-4-post-lift-failure-now-i-wait.html
Here is a two post miss rated....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLUjq6ijvVc
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jim gibson
GT Owner
Again buy a Backyard Buddy. They have optional dolly wheels that allow you to roll around with with car on it. They are powder coated, but best of all they are made in the USA! Call Larry at Backyard Buddy He has anything you want, including one that will pick up a 1 ton dually. This a high quality lift.
MAD IN NC
Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
Wheels, pans, dolly's, stands, oil pans... you can get them for any lift and all have them.........
Opinions, your choice of lift and a$$holes have one thing in common - everybody has one...
Opinions, your choice of lift and a$$holes have one thing in common - everybody has one...
PeakCompletions
Boost is an addiction...
I am looking for a lift which will be flush with the floor (no ramps to drive on)... lift the car up and then be able to store another car underneath... (understand there must be something to take up the gap off the ramps once lift is up)...
might need to engineer something but wondered if there was something out there somewhere...
might need to engineer something but wondered if there was something out there somewhere...