Talk to me about mid rise lifts

[VaSteve]

My orginal plan was a 4 post for strorage, and then a 2 post, but I think the space is too limted for that. So, I'm thinking mid rise for work only.

I know a couple of you have scissor or mid rise lifts. Can you help me get smart on them? I have done a little looking around and all I see are scissor lifts that look like they move along the floor. I thought I had seen others that look like the frame stays in place, but can't locate any. I would like the latter, looks more stable to me and won't grind along my garage floor.

What type do you have??
What type of electricity does it need? 120/220?
What jobs *can't* you do with it? (I am assuming the engine could come out that way...right)
Where did you get it, how much, etc. etc.
Photos?

Many thanks!

[Jase007]

Shoot APKhaos a PM. :)

[Eli]

Talk to Jazz/Kurt/Tony, etc... Matt DeMaria uses one in his shop.

[Lucky]

Steve,

I know you asked about scissor lifts, but have you thought of a parallelogram style? I have a Rotary parallelogram and really like it. Versus the typical scissor lift, it has the following pros & cons.

Pros: Does not tear up the garage floor the way a scissor lift can (steel plates on the floor prevent this problem); very stable and strong; pretty cheap when bought used ($400).

Cons: More expensive (if bought new); car moves forward while lifting (which can be good or bad depending on which end of the car you need to work on); some scissor lifts go up 48", most parallelogram lifts only go up about 24" (which is plenty, btw).

I've used my lift on many different sizes, shapes, and weights of cars. I don't think I would be as comfortable lifting my wife's 4100 pound Highlander on a scissor lift (they just aren't that stable) and then crawling under it.

You are welcome to come see my lift and give it a try... let me know if you are interested and I'll PM my numbers.

[Jazzbass]

What Lucky said. I have the same lift that he does, and see the same pros and cons. BTW, these lifts are usually called "low rise" lifts, as opposed to the "mid rise" scissor lift.

If you can do a 2 post, do it. Nothing better than standing under the car working. otherwise, you're laying down, and a low rise or mid rise lift will get the car high enough for both. Most likely you'll have to build ramps to get the lowered cars over the lifts, though.

[APKhaos]

What type do you have??
>> Rotary mid-rise hydraulic 4000# Its a frame design, where the ram drives a parallelogram frame. No scraping, and extremely stable.

What type of electricity does it need? 120/220?
>> 120V

What jobs *can't* you do with it? (I am assuming the engine could come out that way...right)
>> REOC engine drop a snap, FEWC would be easier out the top than a drop.
>> I decided it was going to be too hard to replace the clutch in Chris' 328i - the lift frame made access more difficult, and complicated the transmission drop.

Where did you get it, how much, etc. etc.
>> Mine fell off the back of a [red] truck. You don't want to know how much :D
Looks like Rotary may not make this model now - could not find it on the Rotary site.

Photos?

[TD in DC]

Does anyone know whether the low rise lifts will tolerate any amount of garage floor slope?

What do your installation and/or users manuals say?

Thanks.

[VaSteve]

Yes, I like the parallelgram kind better, I think. It seems more stable. Doe they come apart to install? I talked to a guy who deals in Bendpack (scissor type) and he said that the come fully assembled at 900#!

[Jazzbass]

Pictures:

[VaSteve]

Chris, is that pretty stable?

Tony, how much more difficult to pull out the 944 motor with this lift?

[TD in DC]

Steve, buy the damned lift!

[Jazzbass]

Doe they come apart to install?
Yep:

[Jazzbass]

Chris, is that pretty stable?
Very stable.

[VaSteve]

Steve, buy the damned lift!

LOL. I called Rotary and their lifts are fairly pricey ~ $3100. Yikes.
The scissors are about 1/2 that, but are 1 piece which means uber heavy. They "claim" that the scissors are stable though they don't looks that way. :confused:

Chris/John/Tony do you have that bolted to the floor somehow?

[APKhaos]

Yep:

Now that's doing it right, Chris!

Steve,
Kurt & I took the entire assembled lift off the back of his pickup. Dropped one end, then drove the truck forward. It nearly screwed my back when it dropped off, but that's another story. Its doable in one piece, or you can take major elements off [Chris' pic] until the weight is manageable. It slides around on its base fully assembled, but don't think about dragging it up an inclined driveway [think Sisyphus].

I've never felt the slightest need to bolt it down. Its rock solid.

[cmartin]

Midrise is nice, especially for 911s, but I'm not sure about most other cars. Brakes and suspension work, no problem. What about clutch, exhaust or anything in the middle?

I've been looking for the perfect, affordable 2-post and it just doesnt seem to be falling out of the sky. This thread is very interesting.

How much a PITA is moving the 'ramps' out of the way? Do you find it manageble to work around them, or do you move then for every job?

[OldTee]

I love my mid rise lift. Paid about 1300 for it. The damn thing weighs 1000 lbs and arrived in one of those road haulering tractor trailers. It took three of us to get it off the truck since it did not have a tail gate lift. Pay extra to have it delivered that way. I move mine around as I need and recently it was outside while Michelle cleaned the underside of her Carrera. 110v. I cannot imagine how I would do what i do with out one. Mine is a bend pak. U R welcome anytime to come look.
ARF

[Vicegrip]

Note that John said he moves his around. The bend pack has small wheels on one end that come into play when the other end is lifted up some and moved using the power pack unit as a trolly. Note the tab with hole on one end of the lift and the hook on the base of the power pack unit.

mid rise parallelogram or X type lifts are handy for many things, work where a full size could not but not a replacement for a 2 post. Some 2 post lifts are well less expensive than the rotary parallelogram low or mid rise lifts and will fit under a surprisingly low ceiling. Bend-pack makes one that sells in the $2400 delivered and fits under a 9 foot ceiling. The 3 from that suburban auto dealer were sold kinda cheap, no? ;) :)

[VaSteve]

Interesting. John how stable is it? I'd like to come over and see it sometime.

[cmartin]

I'm spoiled, my buddy has Mohawk assymetric that's exactly what I want. Low arm height, low post height, no cables to drive over, posts can be installed as close together as you want... if it werent so damn expensive.

[BillJ]

I have the same rotary mid-rise with a 4 foot lift that Kurt and Tony mentioned (same red truck?) and it works great. Have lifted the Tahoe with zero issues and with the 10 volt it works anywhere. Although it has no wheels, you can jack it up and get a creeper/furniture dolly under it easily and slide it around. The main issue is that you cannot drop motors based on the fact that the assembly itself gets in the way. I also built ramps on either side to allow the car to clear after lowering it. If you are ever oout in Ashburn you are welcome to see it.

[OldTee]

Interesting. John how stable is it? I'd like to come over and see it sometime.

Very stable on a good garage floor. What is nice, as Kurt so competently stated, is you can move it around and you can place the car forward some to get at transmissions. Can be a pain for exhaust work, but other than that does all I require. I made some ramps so when it is not in use I simply drive over it.
ARF

[KevinOyler]

The main issue is that you cannot drop motors based on the fact that the assembly itself gets in the way.
This is even more of a limitation for front-engine or mid-engine, rear-drive cars. Rear engine folks have more access from scissor type than anyone.

Four-post is no faster than jack stands with changing tires and working on suspension (though standing is better) And under car lifts are third is my book cause you're still on your back or knees + needs ramps.

There are also single post lifts which help with space constraints, but have the same drawbacks as 4-post + higher cost.

If you have space, two-posts really are the winner from cost (~$1500) and versatility standpoint. I'd even consider installing one outside if I could hide it from the neighbors somehow.

[BillJ]

And under car lifts are third is my book cause you're still on your back or knees + needs ramps.

I have done oil changes, muffler swaps, suspension changes, steering rack braces, brakes jobs, etc all from a nice cushy seated position on the shop stool with my mid-rise. ;) BUT - there are certan drawbacks like on the 993 the draining of oil necesitates actually holding the pan/bucket over the assembly itself. Kind of a pain. For a 944, I think it is straightforwar for the engine, but if you wanted to change out the gear oil you would have the same issue.