05-03-2020, 09:44 AM | #21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
|
Re: Garage Hoist
I have an asymmetrical 2 post bend pak (10,000 lb). Like was mentioned, 2 and 4 post each have their pros and cons. My brother has 2-4 post bend paks. The advantage of the 2 post is that you don't need extra jacks to do wheel/tire/brake work and you can use it to lift off car bodies (no so much with model A's though). The disadvantage is that it can be a tight fit getting in and out of the car as the post is often pretty close to the door. 2 post takes less room also. A 4 post is easier to just drive onto, like was mentioned you can roll it around (out of the way when not in use) and is great for working/wiring under the dash. Just lift to a comfortable height reach up under the dash. You don't need to be a contortionist. Ideally, I would like to have one of each. One disadvantage of my 2 post for model A's is that I installed it in the wide configuration to give me more room to open doors and such and being asymmetrical, the from arms are pretty short and with the narrow frames of the model A I have to be EXACTLY entered for the two front arms to reach the frame rails. That can be a PITA. It's also a pain that I have to set the arms as opposed to just driving on. However, for me, I would still take the 2 post over the 4 post but I sure would like one of each. BTW, I also use mine for lifting my SXS, my snowmobile, and I use it to do tires and wiring on trailers. Just back the trailer up, life the back with the rear two arms and leave the trailer hooked to the tow vehicle. I also hang parts on it for painting and my brother has hung deer and such from his.
|
05-03-2020, 10:31 AM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Battle Ground WA
Posts: 293
|
Re: Garage Hoist
No question, the best tool in the shop. Mine is a 4 post, bought about 30 years ago when they first became popular, and used about twice a week ever since. While both 2 and 4 post both have their place, I vote for the 4 post as most convenient, overall. 2 posts only real advantage is for wheel / brake work, but positioning the arms and lift extensions for a model A is a pain.
For wheel / brake work using a 4 post, drive on, lift the car, slip jack stands under the axles, lower the lift until the wheels are hanging and go to it. Probably easier than positioning the 2 post arms under the model a frame. (Of course newer vehicles with lower frames don't have that issue.) Just my opinion..
__________________
Corley ----------------- Subscribed to the KISS principle! |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
05-03-2020, 10:41 AM | #23 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,085
|
Re: Garage Hoist
Quote:
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn! |
|
05-03-2020, 12:22 PM | #24 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
|
Re: Garage Hoist
|
05-03-2020, 12:38 PM | #25 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Jordan, MN
Posts: 1,411
|
Re: Garage Hoist
Two post symetrical 9000lb BendPack. I have a vaulted ceiling in my shop at about 13 ft to the peak. The lift is centered under the peak as well as an 8" steel beam with a rolling trolley for a 3000# chain hoist. Both work well in my shop.
|
05-03-2020, 09:44 PM | #26 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SW Virginia near the Blue ridge Parkway
Posts: 674
|
Re: Garage Hoist
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
|
05-03-2020, 10:46 PM | #27 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Klawock, AK/Kanab, UT
Posts: 301
|
Re: Garage Hoist
I picked up a 12000 Aamco, made in Canada, a few years ago. Its a 4 post and I love it. My son in law hates it and thinks a two post is better. He doesnt understand the pain of getting under a car to position the arms on a two post. I love being able to drive a car or truck onto the lift and not having to worry about position. There are options to allow the wheels to be removed and I have done that many times. I have the place with the 4 post up for sale and I am removing the lift to take it to my new house. At my age I dont think I can get by with anything but a top of the line 4 post.
|
05-04-2020, 08:22 AM | #28 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
|
Re: Garage Hoist
A lot of great posts (no pun intended) and many that point out the pros and cons of 2 post vs 4 post. I have a 2 post and, for me and my purposes, a 2 post is preferable to a 4 post. However, if I was only maintaining vehicles and doing the normal repairs and, especially if my first focus was model A's, I would have a 4 post instead. before I bought my 2 post, I went on a hotrod forum that I follow and asked for advice, much the same as the OP here. The OVERWHELMING response was "get a 2 post" followed by the reasons why. One of the main reason i bought what i did was room. A 4 post would simply take up too much room in my little 40X60 shop so really wasn't an option for me. There was also one other BIG advantage for me to a 2 post and that was to lift the body off cars/trucks.Without the room restriction and without the desire to lift off bodies, I would have gone with a 4 post. I suspect that most people that haunt a forum like this one would find a 4 post much more practical.
|
05-04-2020, 08:59 AM | #29 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wilmington, OH/Lakeland, FL
Posts: 954
|
Re: Garage Hoist
I have the Backyard Buddy 4-post lift in my garage. Have had it over 15 years with no problems. Great for oil changes, brake work, exhaust work, I even used it while replacing the rearend in my '40 Conv.
When I built my garage, I built it with the lift in mind. I have no ceiling over the lift and have 12'x12' pitch roof. And keep in mind, the Backyard Buddy is built in America (Warren, OH) and they use only U.S. or Canadian steel. I won't compare it with the 2-post lift as I have never had one. Stay Safe, Pat |
05-04-2020, 10:16 AM | #30 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,085
|
Re: Garage Hoist
Home made style:
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn! |
05-04-2020, 06:08 PM | #31 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Sonoma, CA.
Posts: 1,508
|
Re: Garage Hoist
I have a Mohawk 2 post its the best lift I've ever used. I have had it for about 25 yrs.
It's never had a problem. In my air plane hanger I have a single post lift with a leg on one side. I couldn't use a 2 post lift there because of the width. It works great for working on a car or storing one above the airplane wing. The disadvantage is it has the 4 arms on a platform in the middle so pulling a trans out of a modern car is out of the question. |
05-04-2020, 07:32 PM | #32 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Young Harris, GA
Posts: 1,836
|
Re: Garage Hoist
Why not both?
__________________
Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!" |
05-04-2020, 08:42 PM | #33 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 114
|
Re: Garage Hoist
I was looking at the garage journal page and read about single post lifts. Anyone use these?
https://www.redmount.ie/single-post-vehicle-lift# |
05-04-2020, 11:56 PM | #34 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,126
|
Re: Garage Hoist
|
05-05-2020, 08:50 AM | #35 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wilmington, OH/Lakeland, FL
Posts: 954
|
Re: Garage Hoist
I understand that The Backyard Buddy Company has been sold. The new owner is Steel Valley Lifts. https://steelvalleylifts.com/
Here is another website that explains the sale: https://businessjournaldaily.com/lan...ackyard-buddy/ They are still located in Warren, OH. Stay safe! Pat |
05-05-2020, 10:11 AM | #36 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,085
|
Re: Garage Hoist
Quote:
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn! |
|
05-05-2020, 10:28 AM | #37 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,085
|
Re: Garage Hoist
Quote:
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn! |
|
05-05-2020, 12:12 PM | #38 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Durango CO
Posts: 1,312
|
Re: Garage Hoist
When I bought my BYB, it was less than $2,000 at a Goodguy’s show in Scottsdale 20 years ago. There’s no comparison with the off shore brands, some of them are real crap and I wouldn’t walk under them for any amount of money
__________________
No restorable Model A's were harmed in the building of this truck! |
05-05-2020, 06:38 PM | #39 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Kankakee, Illinois
Posts: 227
|
Re: Garage Hoist
I'm thinking real hard on buying a four post lift. My top choice was a lift from Advantage lifts. I like some of there upgrades over other lifts.
I went to their website and they have a live chat that pops up. So I asked where are they Manufactured? Comes back "CHINA" Are any made in the USA anymore? |
05-06-2020, 07:58 AM | #40 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Durango CO
Posts: 1,312
|
Re: Garage Hoist
Quote:
__________________
No restorable Model A's were harmed in the building of this truck! |
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|