auto lift suggestion?

[chickenwing]

My shop is gettin oh so close to completion. I have started day dreaming about what to stuff in it. first on the list is a lift. A 2 post lift in the 9k lb range. Been surfing about lookin at em. Was hoping some other tool nut on the site might be able to lend me some of their experience/wisdom about em. What to look for, what to stay away from, brands, models... Hell ANY info would be appreciated. Kind of a big ticket item, wanna get the most bang for my buck.

[fastwillie 696969]

check the cables real good and the lift arms make sure there level and not tweaked,also where the lift arm is connected with pin,check for slop pin placement,you should find them used 1k aND UP

[big_al_71]

I would suggest Rotary Synmetric I have thirty of them in my shop. I never have any issues with any of them. These lifts are up and down all day long as we run over 120 cars thru everyday...

[fastwillie 696969]

one more thing check with dealerships that may be closing
we had chev dealer closed and had a shop sale ,i know the display rack for used car went for 500 bucks

[chickenwing]

Hmmm. Used, I actually hadnt thought of that. Barring that, the rotary brand name is a good lead.

[Richard H.]

I just bought a 2 post, what is your ceiling height?

[chickenwing]

I have 12' sidewalls. My trusses intrude upon that a little. Trusses are only 10' apart though. Gottal look into if that will pose a problem. I might hafta place it in the middle of the building instead of right in front of a bay entrance.

[chickenwing]

I looked on the Rotary site for a 2 post base plate model and they did not show one. Although there were plenty of dealers advertising a Rotary brand 2 post base plate model....
Wonder if it was discontinued and they are selling NOS?

[1tonblaze]

stay away from the forward brand lift they have some issuses . rotory is the best brand to get .

[chickenwing]

This is the rotary lift I am interested in http://www.liftandlube.com/Rotary_Re...rot%20rtp9.htm
This is the dannmar lift http://www.dannmar.com/dannmar-produ...fts/D9-2X.html
And the bendpak http://www.bendpak.com/products/auto...fts/xpr-9f.php

[piecesparts]

I purchased an 8000 lb Rotary two post lift from a car dealership that went out of business a few years ago. It is great and when not in use, it takes up very little space.

[cableguy0]

if you have room above the trusses you can simply run the cables over top of the trusses and will be able to use a clear floor lift. the floor plate is always in the way. it doesnt seem to matter what your doing the floor plate is always in the wrong spot.used lifts are the way to go. you can probably pick one up for less than a grand from a closing shop etc. just make sure its a quality brand

[oldiron]

Check out www.garagejournal.com for some good info.

[chickenwing]

I have thought of the floor plate. I can definately see the bottom plate being a pain with a tranny jack. The reason I am considering it is I wanna make sure the lift can get my truck up high enough for my 6'-2" to stand up semi erect under it. How tall does a top plate lift need to be to attain that kind of ground clearance while lifting a truck or say a chevy tahoe? .

--Cool site oldiron. surfin it now.

[Richard H.]

The third one down is the one I have.
It requires 12 ft; and is made by that company who bought Rotary Lift and made some changes to improve the design. Call them ,it's a free call.
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Ve...Lifts-s/37.htm

[68C15]

funny how no one has mentioned Mohawk. we have a System 1 and I have yet to see a better built lift. it's been in place for 12-15 years and has not had a single problem. granted they are pricey. check out their web site (I don't have a link, sorry) and view the slideshow of how they are made. you will be amazed.

[chickenwing]

I saw a discussion on the garage journal site. It was pricey. Went to the mohawk site and they are an awesome machine. I sent off for some literature and quotes. Doubt I can afford em though.

[big_al_71]

I have the contact as I have bought dozens of them thru my career I can put you in contact with my supplier and maybe have it dropped ship to you. if I can help let me know.

[chickenwing]

pm sent

[68C15]

last I checked the system 1 is ~ $6K

[Richard H.]

Originally Posted by 68C15

last I checked the system 1 is ~ $6K

Finished my Direct lift 8000 asymmetrical today with a total cost of less than a third of that , but if was to want one for continuous duty and heavy loads I would consider Mohawk.

[shifty]

everyone i know uses the Rotary brand 7000lb lift (2 post, asymetrical). it has been FLAWLESS, I highly recommend them. the trick to installation is to use an engine hoist to stand up the verticals, then it all bolts together. right around $2500 - a little expensive but worth every penny, and built like it will last a lifetime. it needs a lot of vertical space, it's like 10' high...it's bolted to the slab with expansion bolts - the weight of the car ends up pretty close to balanced, so it doesn't want to lean that much...


they make a 9k version if it also.

[fastwillie 696969]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/pts/1324755399.html

[chickenwing]

Hey Shifty. Good ta hear from ya. Appreciate the input. Starting to lean that away. Just got the Mohawk quote. $5600. Can't even think of that. Awesome machine though.

I'm lookin about for used still. The population density around here does not really support a big used lift market. Kinda hesitant buying used from that distance. Unless it belongs to a board member?....

[shifty]

My friend craig got his Rotary 7000lb lift for around $2250, as I recall. That's more than half off the price of the Mohawk you posted.