Anybody use a 2 post auto lift

InlineDieselFan · Jul 8, 2006

I would spend the money on the U.S. made one, as mentioned you are under several thousand pounds of metal and plastic. Why take a chance, wait a little bit and buy a quality item.

steve

Dargo · Jul 8, 2006

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I knew the answer of what I should get before I asked the question, but it sure does make it tempting when the cheap imports are, well, so much cheaper. I guess it really hit home when I realized that the cheap Chinese lifts are lifts they sell for about $600, and they are making a profit at that price. I can't buy top quality U.S. made steel just to make a lift for that price. Besides, a lot of the cheaper lifts used chains etc. for lifting rather than two actual 3" hydraulic rams; one on each side.

I went ahead and ordered the U.S. made lift. It is scheduled for production on Tuesday and I should have it the week after next. No more crawling under a car on a creeper to change the oil for me.

George2615 · Jul 9, 2006

Dargo,
I have a 2 post lift made in the USA by Challenger Lifts located at 200 Cabel St. in Louisville, Ky (challengerlifts.com) Mine is rated for 9000#, only needs 12' height to bottom of rafters, will lift 6' high. They sell 2 and 4 post lifts up to 60,000#. I bought mine in Oct. 99 for under 3200 installed. I wired it myself. Make sure the lift you by is tested and certified by the Automotive Lift Institute for ANSI/UL standard 73. I bought mine because of Murphy's law. Seemed everytime I had to work on a vehicle it was either raining or snowing. I use mine on a weekly basis and have not had any problem since installed. I don't know the quality of Chinese brands or whether they have been tested or certified. Rotary lift is another company but they were more expensive in my area. Any other questions just ask.
George

Dargo · Jul 9, 2006

Thanks George. I definitely did make sure that my lift is certified and even that the manufacturer is well insured. To have big liability insurance coverages, a lift manufacturer is inspected rather frequently by their insuring company.

I'm going to install the lift myself and can't wait. I don't know for sure that the Chinese and Korean lifts are junk, but I do know that the lift I bought is of a known and certified level of quality. Besides, if you got mashed because a Chinese or Korean lift crushed you, what chances do you think you'd have filing any suit against them with success? I'm sure those companies know that as well. Just the hydraulics and lift lock mechanisms cost more than the Chinese lifts cost in China.

InlineDieselFan · Jul 9, 2006

Dargo,

When I was looking into lifts Bend Pak and Challenger (yet to buy one), the installation was only $300. Then that added a bunch of time to the warranty. It is worth a phone call to a 1-800 number to find out.

steve

George2615 · Jul 10, 2006

Dargo,
I could have installed mine myself as well but chose to have the selling dealer install so I would not be blamed for a faulty or improper install should something happen in the future. I think my install cost was about 350-400. The install took a 2 guys plus myself about 4-5 hours then another hr. for testing.
George

Dargo · Jul 10, 2006

Man, you guys are brutal with my money.

First you won't let me buy cheap Chinese or Korean stuff. Now you want me to pay somebody to actually install the lift?!

Hot dang it, I'm just gonna run out of money perty soon...

dubba · Jul 11, 2006

$400.00 for the ability to say "It wasn't me" seems cheap IMHO. You might also ask your home-owner's insurance company who they want to install their liability.

George2615 · Jul 11, 2006

Dargo,
It's really no problem at all. Anytime anyone asks, I'm more than willing to tell them how to spend money. And if there's any left you can send it my way as a consultation fee.
George

Dargo · Jul 11, 2006

I'm just joking around. I'm a bit cautious when it comes to walking around under 4 ton truck and for having my "baby" stored up there. I have a guy who has installed several install it with me. He is going to be here Saturday and get all the electric setup for it. Hopefully it comes in next week as planned.