New Garage, Grease Pit?

[Paddy]

Hello,

Has anyone built a garage with a "Grease Pit"? By this I mean a pit in the garage floor where you can stand below your car/truck to work on it. They are normally 5 1/2 feet deep and have a set of steep steps at the end. When not in use a steel grate covers the pit.

My new garage location is on a slope so I have a bunch of filling to do to get it up to slab grade. I'd have about half the depth to get the height I want. I'm thinking of going only 10 feet long. Pull in front wise to work on the front, back in to work on the back.

Feed back welcome

Patrick T.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

A lot of towns no longer allow grease pits for several reasons.

First, they have a tendency to accumulate pollutants that end up in the water supply since spills usually aren't cleaned up as thoroughly and promptly as those on a flat floor.

Two, they are a falling hazard, no matter how meticulous you are about keeping it covered.

Three, they are a significant CO/CO2 accumulation point; which means they're killers lurking in plain sight. Since your particular situation sounds like it has an open end for the gasses to flow out of, this might not be much of a problem, unless you keep it closed in all the time.

Four, for some odd reason, maybe one of Murphy's Laws, the tool you need won't be in the pit or reachable from it. Which means you have to go around and climb out, get the tool, then climb back in, find you grabbed the wrong socket and need to do it again. Putting your vehicle on a lift means you can roll your entire tool box right up to your work area.

If this sounds like I'm saying a lift is superior to a pit, you've got it. Sure, a pit should be cheaper; but there are tradeoffs.

 

[DHD]

I got a buddy who has one, and has worked ok for him over the years.
I think that now he'd rather have a lift though, because he doesn't like climbing in and out of the pit now that he's aged a little
When I go to visit, I'm always aware, of where I step.

 

[tjcarguy]

I dug a full pit and put in ramps. More comfortable when you have lot's of room to get out. Iv'e a lift as well it was cheaper ---Trevor

 

[George2615]

Agree with DHD about getting older and climbing out of the pit. I worked garage pits back in the 70's and it was tough getting in and out for tools all the time. When I built my 24'x24' attached garage I made sure it was high enough for an about ground lift. The floor is re-enforced concrete (fiberglass and wire mesh) about 8-9" thick where the lift sits and 6-8" on the edges. I put in a 9000 lb. twin post lift and love it. Around here new lifts run 3-4K average. There's a half dozen or so used ones on CL most of the time. In planning your garage spend the few extra bucks, build it a little higher and buy a lift. Lots of 2 and 4 post lifts to choose from. I prefer a USA made lift. I helped a friend install a china made lift he bought and it had very poor installation instructions, sharp edges on a lot of surfaces and was not ALI certified.

 

[AGRIMAN]

Agree with DHD about getting older and climbing out of the pit. I worked garage pits back in the 70's and it was tough getting in and out for tools all the time. When I built my 24'x24' attached garage I made sure it was high enough for an about ground lift. The floor is re-enforced concrete (fiberglass and wire mesh) about 8-9" thick where the lift sits and 6-8" on the edges. I put in a 9000 lb. twin post lift and love it. Around here new lifts run 3-4K average. There's a half dozen or so used ones on CL most of the time. In planning your garage spend the few extra bucks, build it a little higher and buy a lift. Lots of 2 and 4 post lifts to choose from. I prefer a USA made lift. I helped a friend install a china made lift he bought and it had very poor installation instructions, sharp edges on a lot of surfaces and was not ALI certified.

I agree, go with a lift. Money well spent.

 

[Parkanzky]

You're pretty fortunate to live near where I bought my lift:

Greg Smith Equipment Sales Inc. - The car lift professionals with quality automotive equipment at discount prices.

They have an option for every budget. I have a four-post lift that I used for winter storage of one of my cars at the old house and for servicing our vehicles. Amazingly inexpensive for what you get. I only regret not buying it sooner.

 

[byronlj]

Here is a picture of my pit-I mean lift. I am getting too old to be crawling around in a pit. My lift ran $2k and some change.
Dave [

 

[dragoneggs]

Here is a picture of my pit-I mean lift. I am getting too old to be crawling around in a pit. My lift ran $2k and some change.
DaveView attachment 406107[
View attachment 406109

Dang your garage/shop is clean. I would need a maid for it to look like that but I think the wifey might have a problem if I employed one! :dance1:

 

[woodchipper]

I dug a full pit and put in ramps. More comfortable when you have lot's of room to get out. Iv'e a lift as well it was cheaper ---Trevor

Trevor,
Could you post pictures and dimension of your pit?
When I will build my post barn (this summer hopefully), this is something that I would like to do where I will be putting my back hoe. A pit still has its place!
That said, a lift will be mandatory in my Shop "section".