4-post lift

[zimmy]

To everyone considering a pit instead of a lift - be cautious! Remember, many fumes (gas, oil, propane, etc. ) are heavier than air and settle along the floor. With a pit, they will settle in the pit making it a very likely place for an expolsion due to a spark. It can also be very unhealthy to work down in the pit. If I am not mistaken, pits in service stations are no longer allowed by safety code. I believe that the oil places like Jiffy Lube get around the requirements by having very serious evacuation systems built into their pit areas. Just a thought - especially when the lifts are so safe, easy to use and give you second parking for a reasonable rpice.

[Cobra Chuck]

Originally posted by terry lee


BUMMED
Yesterday I went over to my "Toy Chest" (warehouse / storage) to see about installing a lift. Bay is 30' x24' with 14' ceiling so I have plenty of room. Only to find out that the owner and local zoning doesn't allow any automotive work on the premises, not even hobby stuff like I tried to persuade them it was.

Now comes PLAN "B":

I checked into another post here on CC about enclosed trailers, which I also need. I really like the "Trailex" low profile type trailer with 11' long ramps. What this is saying to me is that I could drive a car into the trailer, back trailer up to garage door opening, put ramps in place up on jack stands, pull car out onto ramps, and whalla, a low profile lift. At least it is up off the ground with some access below. I already have the floor dolly to scoot around on. The rear door is an awning type, and the alum ramps are detachable and stored under trailer when not in use.
Any thoughts?
TL

Consider these issues with plan "B". Misplacement of your jack stands could lead to eccentric loading of the ramp causing it to roll laterally one direction or another. It was designed to distribute it's load across it's entire width at both ends of the ramp thus making it stable. Loading the ramp on a single smaller point (jack stand) may also overload the ramp locally causing buckling or bending. I am not saying the idea could not be made safe, but I am saying be very careful about your design and using equipment for applications other than the original design. I am not proposing a design because I am not a registered engineer, but you may consider supporting your ramps with a combination of jack stands and a sufficiently large beam (wood or steel) that would span the two jack stands and the ramps. The ramps would bear upon the beam that was attached to the jack stands. It would be good to attach the ramps to the beam (bolts or pins) and to attach the jack stand to the beam (bucket, brackets or pockets). Make sure you have chocked the trailer wheels both directions and have jack stands under the rear of the trailer.

After writing all of this it may be less hassle to find a new shop space that would allow your hobby and a 2 or 4 post lift.

Cobra Chuck

[rsnell]

Terry, why not get in touch with the drive on ramp type guys. Porta lift comes to mind. This is an 13' ramp, drive on and use your floor jack to raise the back level. Most magazines have ads for this type of ramp.

If it were me, and it is easier said than done, I would show the owner of the bldg some photos of lifts being used for storage, NOT servicing and work on getting the approval. I have photos of the Stinger lifts with Corvettes, Cobras, Vipers, BMWs etc, being stored.

Ron Snell

[terry lee]

Cobra Chuck,
I was thinking along the same lines as you with a support beam holding up the rear of the ramps. A couple of concrete blocks wouldn't be out of the question. I need to check out ramps for clearance.

Ron Snell,
I jumped thru so many hoops trying to convince the powers to be that I wasn't in the automotive repair business, but it didn't matter. "No lifts" in their bays. The location is so close to my house, and the rent is so reasonable, I really can't go any place else.

I'm going to post my other remarks in the "All Cobra Talk" forum and leave this one to the 4-post lift discussion.
Thanks,
TL

[Cobra Chuck]

Originally posted by terry lee


Cobra Chuck,
I was thinking along the same lines as you with a support beam holding up the rear of the ramps. A couple of concrete blocks wouldn't be out of the question. I need to check out ramps for clearance.

Ron Snell,
I jumped thru so many hoops trying to convince the powers to be that I wasn't in the automotive repair business, but it didn't matter. "No lifts" in their bays. The location is so close to my house, and the rent is so reasonable, I really can't go any place else.

I'm going to post my other remarks in the "All Cobra Talk" forum and leave this one to the 4-post lift discussion.
Thanks,
TL

Terry
Let us know what you do for a lift. Pictures and or drawings would be nice. Good Luck!!!

Cobra Chuck