looking for a car lift to mainly store a car on whilst having a car underneath for long periods of time .
The 4 post seems like the best idea but might get in the way as its going to be placed at the front of the shed but in the middle of the shutters so
the other cars will need to be able to get either side of it and behind it .
Would a 2 post be safe to store a car on ?
cheers
2 posters are meant for jobs like changing tyres and brakes. 4 posters will take more weight ad are better for engine swaps etc as they can deal with
the weight shift when the engine is out.
you shouldn't be storing anything on either of them full stop they are not designed for it.
In the back of Practical Classics there is an advert for a four-post lift describing its use for storage (pic of mk2 Jag on it I think). Can't recall the company though.
It looks like Strongman tools also cater for the same type of thing
clicky
But i think your right about the 2 post not being ideal for storage
thanks guys
[Edited on 2/3/10 by OX]
Unless they come with some kind of locking device (pins or some such) then I wouldn't put anything valuable underneath.
4 post ramps are usually hydraulic & have a dirty great locking pin you can put in if leaving anything underneath being hydraulic I would say far
from ideal tho'
Most 2 posters (but not all) are screw operated - basically an 8- 10 foot long screwthread, so once up can't come down without power assistance
to turn the threads - no reason why you couldn't put something on a screw 2 poster indefinately as long as it's correctly located IMHO
I'm sure either will be fine as a storage solution but chose a ramp which has the pin locking and you will not have any 'surprises' that way!
could you belt and braces what ever you do with some large bits of wood or steel under the ramps by the posts?
If it does fail it drops 5mm onto your wood / steel and then is held till you return.
You'll hear four-post hydraulic lifts as they go up - clunk, clunk, clunk as the anti-drop ratchet engages....
I use my four poster for storage, its great. You can drive a normal car underneath it when its up.
Don't ever, ever buy a lift that doesnt have a mechanical locking device, mine has lever that when released allows pins to engage with holes in
the guides which stop it going down if the hydraulic system or cables fail. Although, even after 4 weeks of being left alone it still hadnt lost
enough height for the pins to engage.
Lift is one of the best things I've bought, makes a lot of jobs much easier, even just bringing the car up to the right height.
4 poster does get in the way sometimes, but is quicker to use than a 2 post one, and worth the hassle imo.
quote:
Originally posted by ashg
2 posters are meant for jobs like changing tyres and brakes.
Only job you cant do on a 2 post is sills and tracking.