install of a lift on Swiss Trax floor

[csx4910]

My lift is getting installed after Barrett Jackson and I am wondering if anyone has a 4 post installed on a Racedeck or Swisstrax floor? If so, did you ct out the tiles or put the lift right on top of them?
Ron

[tcrist]

If it were me I would cut the tiles and mount it directly to the floor. But I dont have the floor tiles or a lift. So what do I know.

[mikiec]

cut the tiles

[Scotchman]

Ron,
My 4 post is free standing ( not mounted to the concrete ) and has roller jacks I can put on it to move it around. I've moved it once in 2 years. If you have that option, I would wait to permanently mount it. If you'ld like to see it, let me know. Scott.

[csx4910]

Thanks. I forgot about the rolelrs but I think mine will have that as well. That would help to make sure it is in the right place before bolting it down.
Thanks

[Tony Ripepi]

Hello 4910,

I have a Backyard Buddie four post lift sitting on a race deck floor. I did not cut the tiles and have had no problems/issues, I have used the rollers to move it around and underneath the area where the lift sits no real indentations.

Four years and counting without a problem, pics in my gallery with the Black and White floor.

Tony R. CSX 4264

[tcrist]

Tony,

That is good information to know. I did not know they had about a 12" SQ footing to set on.

[Tony Ripepi]

I used the 18" tiles in both of the garages, the toy garage has black and white and the regular garage has tiles that my wife picked out. We have two two car garages.

Tony R.

[rms427]

I also have a Backyard Buddy installed on top of Racedeck. I placed a 12X12 vinyl tile under the 4 posts (sticky side up) but don't really think I needed to. I also put strips of vinyl tile under the ramps. This prevented scuffing of the tiles by the ramps. I don't think I needed the tiles under the posts. I have the rollers but have not used them. Thin metal jack stands will cut into the tiles. I welded pads on the bottom and no more problem. Roller jacks work fine.

[tin-man]

Originally Posted by csx4910

Thanks. I forgot about the rolelrs but I think mine will have that as well. That would help to make sure it is in the right place before bolting it down.
Thanks

Ron, make sure you know if your garage has stress tension bars installed in the floor or not. If they are installed and you drill thru one it could cause you some major issues. I installed my Greg Smith 4 post lift over the holidays and have the rollers that come with the lift. These rollers are really great since they give you the opportunity to move the lift whenever you need to. The rollers are removable and the lift just sits there. I have moved the lift twice since getting it so I could fine tune the location for my other car. Hope this helps. Cheers, John, AKA tin-man

[rms427]

You don't need to bolt down most 4 post lifts. Mine has been in place for years on top of the Race Deck and hasn't moved.

[Don]

Did you ask Racedeck or Swisstrax for their opinion ? They will probably want to know the load rating at each post. If you do inquire, please post the replies.

[Tony Ripepi]

Good point about stress tensioned floor, my garages have that and there is an alert written into the top on the concrete. Do not drill or cut into this type of concrete, it will come apart violently.

Tony R.

[tcrist]

Anybody that has installed theirs just setting on concrete (not bolted down) and had an issue with them moving?

If so, could you just epoxy some stops on the floor on the front and sides? My guess is that it would not take much of a stop to keep it from moving.

[razerwire]

I had race deck and would move when I would bring the motor coach inside. Called the rep and he sent someone out to look at my install. Gap at edges looked OK to him and screws were put threw race deck to stop movement. It did not work, floor would move if I turned any little bit or when stopping. I took out and put down 12" black and white Porcelain tiles. No more problems when bus is pulled into garage. When the concrete was poured I went 6" thick and put 1/2" re bar 12" o.c. Went with 6 sack also. I snapped lines around mill, lathe. and two post lift so if equipment was taken out later the bare spot could be filled in with tile later. The lines were snapped both ways around equipment so grout lines would be even if equipment is ever removed. Used 1/2 the thickness of grout you normally use to make floor more solid, Bus weight about 51000 lbs and I also bring 9000 lb capacity forklift inside once in a while, don"t know how much it weights. I bought a Bendpak 4 post lift and I put it on top of tile. Went to supply store that sells belting for conveyors to put under 4 posts, about 1/4" thick. I have not bolted the 4 post lift down, however it is next to side wall where closets are and I put angle iron on top of posts next to wall and bolted to wall. I bought 4 post that is a little taller so I could open closet doors. If I do heavy work on tile I put down 1/2" ply wood to protect tile, such as using engine hoist , floor jack or transmission jack. I put down leather wielding blanket if I do any wielding under lift. Floor is holding up real well and was not that expensive, I paid 90 cents each for tiles. I got extras in case I pull equipment out later or if some get chips later. You can take a tile out and replace it and never know it. Getting extra tiles at time of first purchase insures the same lot number and it has not been discontinued.

[tcrist]

Well, It sounds to me that a four post on a Swiss Trax floor and you are only going to drive a 2500-4000 pound car on it you should not have any problems.

All good points to know.

[somedayaurora]

Sorta off topic . But do these work in a normal height garage ? With two normal cars .
SDR

[hinoonaz]

You will not have a problem with the racedeck tiles. No need to bolt lift to floor either. No problem with standard wall hieght. Will have to cut whole in ceiling for windshield and roll bar though.

[Tony Ripepi]

Hi Guys,

Here is a link to the Backyard Buddy web site with specific information on dimensions etc. I have had mine for 8 years , moved it from one house to another and no complaints....great product.

http://www.backyardbuddy.com/



Tony R.

[somedayaurora]

what is your garage height ?
sdr