Jim Shepard Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) I've had this discussion with Tim and thought I'd mention it here and get some feedback. I've got a line on a couple of car lifts (four-poster type) and was wondering what the collective experience here is. Any thoughts on lifts, design, safety features, etc? Edited January 22, 2014 by Jim Shepard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 they are only as safe as the operator using them..I think any search online will find that accidents with lifts have been traced to humor error...over stressing the deisgn, bypassing safety locks...leaving the pressure on the cylinder with the load not secured in the locks (all lifts require pressure off and all locks engaged prior to going under the lift) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) If it were me I'd be sure to get the rolling air jack option or at the very least a jack tray if money is a problem. Kinda a hassle to use though. A must if you want to be free to quickly do all wheel and brake repairs on your 4 poster. I have 2 rolling jacks on one of my lifts. Edited January 23, 2014 by Dodgeb4ya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48Dodger Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 I've never used a rolling jack...that looks cool. I have a tray but would trade it for that jack. 48D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 my new house and garage (when I get to do it) will have a pit and radiant floor heating...just saying... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48Dodger Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) Jim mentioned the fact my 4 point lift can roll around to different locations. I told him a 2 point is easier to get under a car and do some work. I did use my 4pt as a scaphold when putting lights up in my shop...oh, and wiring for the welders/plasma cutter. in a perfect world for me, I'd have both. But I really like the look of that rolling jack. If you can't tell from the picture in post #3, the two ramps that connect the lift have a rail along the inside. That means everything black in the picture can slide back and forth underneth the vehicle and get in position. Very cool. My tray does that, and is what I put my small floor jack on to lift the tires off the ramp. When I built my shop, a guy told me to put a septic tank in the ground and build the floor around it. Then I'd have a pit...I was intrigued, but had my plans already approved and the lift ordered. When I visited his shop for the first time, there it was...a septic pit....it worked awesome. lol 48D Edited January 23, 2014 by 48dodger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TodFitch Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 my new house and garage (when I get to do it) will have a pit and radiant floor heating...just saying... . . . When I built my shop, a guy told me to put a septic tank in the ground and build the floor around it. Then I'd have a pit...I was intrigued, but had my plans already approved and the lift ordered. When I visited his shop for the first time, there it was...a septic pit....it worked awesome. lol 48D Gas fumes are heavier than air and will collect in a floor pit. You'll want to properly engineer a ventilation system designed for explosive environments for that to be safe. Visited a fellow once who did it the easy way. As he had a hilly lot, his "pit" was actually just a slot cut out of the fill he used to level off the area so it had a slight downslope to the outside. But if you have a flat piece of land to work with you'll need something with mechanical ventilation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 yep of course I'd have to be safe...knowing me I'll overengineer it anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Just yesterday as I was returning home the street was blocked off with several fire trucks. I had to pull into a driveway to turn around. When I did I observed a recently built detached garage up in flames. I have never been inside this garage but I have seen the owner working on a 40's vintage pickup inside the garage. There is also a smokestack going up an external side wall on the garage indicating a wood burner and it appeared the fire was related to this smokestack as that is where the firemen were directing most of the water. I know this is not lift or pit related but only posted as a reminder to proceed with caution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Just yesterday as I was returning home the street was blocked off with several fire trucks. I had to pull into a driveway to turn around. When I did I observed a recently built detached garage up in flames. I have never been inside this garage but I have seen the owner working on a 40's vintage pickup inside the garage. There is also a smokestack going up an external side wall on the garage indicating a wood burner and it appeared the fire was related to this smokestack as that is where the firemen were directing most of the water. I know this is not lift or pit related but only posted as a reminder to proceed with caution. IF, and that's an IF I heated with wood, it'd be like up the UP of Michigan where the burner is detached from the buildings so you don't have to worry about a burner getting out of control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desoto1939 Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 When having a fire place gas insert installed in my house the gas pipeline runs throught my garage and leads to my gas dryer in the hallway behind the gage inner wall. They ran the hardsteel pipe up the wall and then a flexible line to the insert. During the installation of the hard steel line I had them put in a tee and a shut off valve. This is in case if I ever want to put a heater that hangs from the ceiling all i have to to is now hook up the gas line to the heater. It did not cost me any more tohave the extra tee when the install was being done and the technician siad it was a good idea. Rich Hartung Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 23, 2014 Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 a pit is a viable option if your water table permits such at your location. I remember well the open long ramps on most military bases where the car was driven onto..parked and serviced, usually several at a time...and driven forward and off or back down as the situation allowed. My friend here locally has a pit..I really care not to work form them myself..but one does what one must at times... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Elder Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Especially when welding with gas........nighty night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 (edited) I built my pit three feet lower than the water table. I put in good drainage, and fresh air, power, hard wired phone ect. I have heavy grade grating over it so I can drive over it too. It's been in 23 years now. I built it to use for heavy equipment work. I don't use it much at all but it is very dry all year round and a pretty cool work pit. I would put real stairs in it and made it longer if I did one again. I mainly use my three different lifts for my old car work and storage. Lets not go into the dangers of a pit and the home owners insurance companies. They won't let you have one.Even a lift for home use is considered an extreme risk to them! I don't care-I want to do things the fun and easy way! Edited October 18, 2017 by Dodgeb4ya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 So you have to open the pit and climb down there every time the phone rings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Thats the automotive "Hotline" parts phone Don. That phone will get me the needed parts NOW when down in the hole!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Mark you planning on staying in MN? I think pits are illegal here..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Thats silly that a pit is illegal.Ha Ha Ha Listen to the govment. They will protect you and your money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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