[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
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?