Quote:
Originally Posted by cobrakiwi
First off thanks who all chimed in with car lift opinions on my last post.
Today’s question which one?
I think I will go with a 4 post.
Tell me the good and bad points if any with your 4 post lift and where to buy with best price.
Thanks.
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After some extensive research and observation, I bought a Pro Park 7 from DirectLift because it was the lowest cost ($1995) at the time and, most importantly, they all appear to be made essentially the same. This is in spite of high-falutin' "chicken-little" claims to the contrary from pricy brands, so beware. Not only that, it is my opinion they are often likely "re-packaged" or provided from the same Mexican manufacturer even if they carry a fancy "American" brand name. Hence perhaps the original connotation, "DirectLift".
This DirectLift also came with free Jack tray and 3 Drip trays (not all do). The steel caster wheel kit and extra lightweight aluminum ramps (came with steel) were also significantly cheaper. I've had it for several years, now, with my wifes Corvette stored on it and using it for various service tasks. She parks underneath it every day with her 2007 daily driver. Works great. For convenience note drive-thru clearance between posts before you buy. This one is OK but less would be tight.
Link: (
http://www.directlift.com )
My DirectLift had an American made 110 volt motor/pump assembly and once in a while a hydraulic valve sticks causing me to repeat pushing the start button to get it started from free-wheeling. A minor annoyance, it is fine after it starts.
The hydraulic cylinder is a Chinese made assembly and works fine as long as some load pressure is kept on it at all times. The shaft seal tends to slightly drip if left at zero-pressure rest on the floor or rested entirely on the safety stops while up. I've had Chinese cylinders leak-down internally on stored unloaded engine lifts before and it can become a permanent, un-recoverable condition. I recommend parking all Chinese cylinders at slight pressure load to prevent this. They must use sub-standard seals. Unfortunately, I think you can expect similar components on more expensive lifts, so beware, perhaps inquire as to cylinder country-of-origin. There are better American made replacement cylinders for more money, of course.
The rest of the DirectLift is made of good quality steel with good welds and powdercoat. The aircraft lift cables and pulleys are of high quality. I modified my cable adjust bolts by buying ordinary double nuts to lock them instead of the supplied hard-to-turn nyloc nuts. I have a local dealer if I ever really need specific parts. I saved substancial money by co-shipping with several other commercial lift brands, on the same truck out of Texas, and brought it home on my car trailer after it was forked from their truck right to mine. There was only two dealers (TX, ND) when I bought mine but I see more now.
I have no serious complaint. You can find some info in testimonials here:
(
http://www.directlift.com/testimonials.asp )
Some mention of past cheap price (under $2000) is made in the text but DirectLift no longer appears to conveniently offer pricing info on their website which I consider a bad sign. They might also be under new management from a difference in attitude I sense from their site. They were once one hell of a good deal, though. Might still be. Good luck.
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Which lift?
Linear Mode
