4 post lift
 

I am seriously considering installing a 4 post lift in the near future. Those of you that use them, what to look for? What to avoid? I dont mind spending a bit more to avoid cheap imported junk. Definitely want something I can get parts for in the future.

I also have a couple of Corvettes so shallow ramps are important.

Re: 4 post lift
 

I really like my 9000 lb 4 post Advantage Lift. I also went with the taller one so I wouldn't scalp myself every time I walked under it. It has nearly 7 ft clearance underneath as well as casters so it can be moved. I went with 120V so it can be plugged in where ever I place it. I've had it for 5 yrs and no problems. My son's F350 crew cab will fit but just barely.I hope this helps.


TOB

Re: 4 post lift
 

Thanks Terry. Were you able to assemble/install it yourself?

Re: 4 post lift
 

I asked a similar question last May and got some good information.


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=280369

Re: 4 post lift
 

I have a Backyard Buddy 4 post lift. I use it for different things. I can back my truck up to it and slide the camper shell off and on. I have backed a car trailer to it and rolled a car off on to it.
I had a roadster body on it and rolled it onto the chassis. If you work by yourself it's like having a extra pair of hands.
I can also hang parts off of it for painting.
Wick

Re: 4 post lift
 

BendPac I love mine

Re: 4 post lift
 

Eagle with #7000 Cap. Also casters to move it around Perfect

Re: 4 post lift
 

Any lift would be better than no lift! But to me wouldn't a two post be better? A two post you could lift a body off the frame, remove an engine, have less objects when removing rear ends. Maybe the question is what are you going to do under a car just oil changes or major work. With a 4 post it looks like a pia to work around thr ramps and cross members.

Re: 4 post lift
 

Backyard Buddy is best and safest.
Avoid the others.

Re: 4 post lift
 

I agree with you and in a perfect world I would have a much bigger shop and one of each! I have limited space and like the idea of not having to bolt the lift to the slab. I really would like something to make general maintenance easier (especially on the Vettes). If I start pulling bodies off of frames, I will need a bigger building anyway.

I saw a 4 post setup recently where there were sliding crossmembers about a foot wide that could be moved anywhere along the ramps. He had pneumatic jacks that sat on those and could lift axels, etc. That made it easy to remove all 4 wheels.

Re: 4 post lift
 

Stingray I have used my 2 post on C1's and My Model A. Just like Big said you can do more and easier than with a 4 post.

2 posts take up less room (you don't have 4 posts and you don't need the extra length for the ramps), you do have to drill into the concrete (need about 4 inches), you can store cars on them, and you do not have to purchase a rolling jack to work on brakes or front end.

https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-9KOHX

Re: 4 post lift
 

I agree with you Big Hammer- would think the 4 post would be best for storage.


doing a brake job and Im thinking the 4 post would always be in the way.........

Re: 4 post lift
 

Along with my son we assembled it in 2-3 hours...The track with the cylinder is pretty heavy (my engine hoist came in handy) . Another nice thing about the extra height is that the ramps hang down a little lower when the lift is raised and if you don't take them off I still have head clearance...(I'm 6 ft).


TOB

Re: 4 post lift
 

I just looked on the Advantage site and they now build the Backyard Buddy lifts. Also they look to be quite a bit lighter (smaller components) than the Advantage. I first saw the Advantage at Hershey a few years ago and was impressed enough to save a flier and compared with other brands before I bought one.

Re: 4 post lift
 

I have neither, but if and when I get one it will be a 4 post. I think they both have their advantages and disadvantages. My thought process and I may be wrong, is that a 4 post is a bit safer, and offers better/safer storage. As for buying one, I would approach like any tool, buy the biggest and best you can afford. I looked at Backyard Buddy a few times at Carlisle and they def were a quality product. At the time they were being made in the US.

Re: 4 post lift
 

I thought at one time Backyard Buddy was a 'mom n pop' type of manufacturer, I recall reading that they were sold to another company, I suppose it was Advantage.

Re: 4 post lift
 

The tracks are great to put the parts and tools on when working on brakes plus if you have a large shop you can put it where you want it even outdoors...


I don't think I feel comfortable anchoring a 2 post lift in only 4 " of concrete...JMHO



TOB

Re: 4 post lift
 

I have an EAGLE 4 post lift. My 1930 Model A is on it now raised up about 3 feet and dressed to keep the mice out (Hopefully----I spray it once each week with peppermint spray too). Wheels are lifted to take the load off the bearings for the winter. Nonetheless, it is a very versatile lift that I can use for all of my cars and tractors. It is safe. I raise the cars and tractors high enough that I can walk under them. It is permanently located and attached to a concrete slab.

Re: 4 post lift
 

I don't think I feel comfortable anchoring a 2 post lift in only 4 " of concrete...JMHO





dont know a single person who doesnt install at least 8" around posts.


4" would def not pass muster at any township permit.

Re: 4 post lift
 

Several years ago I checked this out. Ended up with a Autolifter (since under another name) four post. Made in the USA and was certified vs. most then were just "approved" by a marketing association. While I had the floor in that bay poured six inches thick I thought the four post safest and take care of my needs. The movable jack bridge took care of most things. This lift is movable which I've done though not frequently. The MAIN thing to check on a four post is how the cross beams attach to the posts. IMO they need to be around the post NOT inside a slot in the post. If in a slot I would definitely anchor to the floor. I've seen pics of that type collapsing. A two post has some advantages and requires special extensions for a Model A to clear the running boards. Have seen some lifting under the radius arms! A friend's co-worker dumped a car when he removed a rear-end because he didn't think about putting it out of balance. So, I have a four post.

BTW, I brought it home on my open car hauler. Went to the trucking terminal so I had a dock to back up to as there's no way to unload off a semi at home. They loaded on with a fork truck with long forks and chains. I unloaded in my garage with a cherry picker on one end and chain fall on the front side of the trailer (1700 lbs.) Assembled by myself with the cherry picker. The one exception was needing my wife to keep the main runners from moving while positioning. Took 3 to 4 hours.

Re: 4 post lift
 

I have a "Lift King" 4 post, 7000 lb, hoist, bought used in very good shape, and I'm quite happy w/it. Moved it home all assembled on my 14' car hauler trailer. Shoulda took a picture.
I bought used because of the price, about 1/2 of new.

Re: 4 post lift
 

Great ideas guys. Keep them coming.

Looks like I am going to have lots of reading this weekend. Interesting how backyard buddy and advantage are both from the same company. They advertise the "buddy" as made in USA. I don't see that on the advantage line. I wonder if that is the same lift but made overseas?

Re: 4 post lift
 

I have had 7 different 4-post lifts. All of them have worked great!

Re: 4 post lift
 

Having worked around both types, for doing any real work on the car I would go with the 2 post. The 4 post in my OP would be fine for general maintenance and storage but all those post and rails I find to be in the way. I took a look at some of the sites that sell the 4 post, you don't see many touted for working, most every one shows cars being stored. If you want to change tires or do brake work or ?, you then have to buy more "stuff/things" to lift the car up off the rails if it does not come with them. One site I looked at, those jacks run $800 to $1600 more over the cost of the lift. that may be the top end prices, I only check one.

I was just thinking about how nice it would be to have a 2 post lift today before I read this, wishing I had space for one for.

Re: 4 post lift
 

The Advantage Lift is built in China (the only thing I don't like about it) but is much heavier than the Backyard Buddy I looked at a few years ago. I made a couple of calls before I bought and asked where it was built. The answer was China but made heavier with thicker steel than the competition. It does have the post completely encased by the beam rather than the slot. It would be nice to be able to check them out in person before purchasing.


TOB

Re: 4 post lift
 

Now that is what I call a garage. WOW. :D

Re: 4 post lift
 

I'm too old to crawl on the ground to place the arms on a two post lift

Re: 4 post lift
 

My neighbor had a really nice 2 poster. He died unexpectedly, after some time had passed I approached his widow regarding helping her clean out the shop. Which was full of cars and parts. She was much appreciative. I asked if she would be interested in selling the lift, at which time she said it had already been sold and was waiting for the guy to come get it. Fast forward 3 years, she was moving, I went back over to help with the 'final' cleanout, lift still there. I asked her again, saying it would be cash in her hand by the end of the day, out of the garage the next. Same thing, 'her mechanic' wanted it and was going to pick it up. New people have been in the house for a year and half now, lift is still there!!

I suppose I should have walked over with cash in hand!!!

Re: 4 post lift
 

Like brokenspoke wrote, because of age, it hurts too much to get down on the floor, position lift arms, and get back up like I’d need to do with a 2 post lift. With the four post, jack positioning can occur at a more comfortable height when wheel removal is necessary. On top of that, nice to be able to observe clearances for exhaust, etc., with the vehicle weight supported by the suspension.

2- versus 4-post arguments will be with us until anti gravity lifts are invented. Everyone needs to decide what works best for their needs.

Re: 4 post lift
 

Without jacks both front and rear a 4 poster is just for oil changes and extra parking space. Also safer on the floor no torsion and faster to get on and ready to lift.

2 post is major pain to set up and not as safe.

Re: 4 post lift
 

What are the recommended bay heights for these lifts?

Re: 4 post lift
 

I have 2 Rotary 4 posts lifts. No issues and very safe .

Re: 4 post lift
 

I would say 10’. You want enough height to be able to stand under the car when you are working on it. If you are ok with being bent over while working on it, then you could get by with less height. For storage purposes, you add the height of the top car, the height of the bottom car + approximately 6” and that will tell you the overall height needed.

Re: 4 post lift
 

My shop has 12' side walls and 17' in the center. My lift has 6' 10" under the tracks at full height and a truck (F350) is probably another 6-7 ft so I would need a minimum of 12' and someone to watch to make sure I stopped the lift before I reached the top. Of course if you were lifting a car on a standard height lift you probably would be ok with 12'.


TOB

Re: 4 post lift
 

I bought the two post lift. The idea of being able to remove wheels, brakes, suspension, etc. without using jacks is just too good of an idea to me.
https://www.garageappeal.com/dannmar...two-post-lift/

Re: 4 post lift
 

How often do you remove the wheel, suspension?

Re: 4 post lift
 

How often do you remove the wheel, suspension?



if you like restoring cars- often.

Re: 4 post lift
 

ANY lift is better that no lift. Buy what suits your needs. If you want to store cars on it and do general maintenance (grease and oil changes), I would get a 4 post IF you have the room. Of course you can do those things on a 2 post but setting the arms can be a PITA ESPECIALLY on cars low to the ground. I went with a 2 post for a couple of reasons. The 2 main ones were 1-I didn't want to dedicate the floor space for a 4 post and 2-I wanted the ability to lift off car bodies. The 2 biggest advantages of a 4 post IMO, is that you don't have to set the arms and you don't have posts beside the doors. The beauty of that is that when doing under dash wiring you can lift the car to a comfortable level and stand beside it and reach up under the dash rather than being a contortionist all twisted up and upside down in the cab.Of course, on the flip side, to do wheel work you need jacks with a 4 post As far as safety goes, if you question your own ability to set the arms correctly you probably can't set the jacks required for wheel work on a 4 post safely either and maybe working on cars isn't for you. Would I trade my 2 post for a 4 post??. nope. If I had the room would I add a 4 post to the shop?, in a heartbeat.

Re: 4 post lift
 

FWIW, my shop is 32' X 60' w/a 13' ceiling.

Re: 4 post lift
 

Anyone use the max Jack 2 post lift? I like the idea of being able to unbolt from Floor and with the attached wheels move the post out of the way when I need the room in my small garage.