Two Post Lifts

[G Pennington]

Has anyone had any experience with the Danmar "MaxJack" 2-post portable mid-rise lift?
http://www.dannmar.com/dannmar-products/two-post-lifts/maxjax.asp
They claim a 6000 lb lift capacity, 44 in lift, and easy to unbolt & move out of the way when not in use.  Can't use a full height lift due to my 9 foot ceiling.

But every video/picture I can find on the internet shows it lifting Porsches, Corvettes, etc., not a big/heavy car like our Cadillacs.  Biggest concern I have is the concrete anchors pulling out.  I have an existing shop, 10 years old, unknown concrete floor thickness or psi rating.

Thanks.

[TJ Hopland]

What would that one end up costing? 

I'm with you on the capacity,  when I was looking at 2 post lifts I was pretty much set on 10,000 lb capacity to give a generous margin for dealing with a typical Cadillac.   The other thing about the bigger lifts is they are usually intended for trucks that are also longer and more similar to our cars.   

Other thing I would question is it worth the trouble at 48"?   I get the 9' ceiling limit,  my previous garage was 6' 2" so even worse.    48" to me is just a awkward height except for maybe working on wheels / brakes if you do that standing.   Its not high enough to stand under, may not even be high enough to sit on a stool?   I would rig up some string around the garage mocking up where the bottom of the car would be and then look at stool heights and mock those up too and actually scoot around the garage floor pretending to work on the bottom of the car.   Spend some time with your arms in the air like you would be actually changing a starter or something like that to make sure you find that a reasonable height.

Here is what I found since with my 6' ceiling I was really limited.   Now I have 9' and with that I can drive my Suburban on it and raise it in the garage.   I have had it for maybe 8 years now and its still great.   2 post would be better but a garage with that much ceiling height is still several years out.   I got mine back when they had a 5000 lb and 7000 lb models so I got the 7.   Looks like now they just have a 6k but being closer to the capacity doesn't bother me as much with this design, you are supporting the weight near the legs most of the time.   

http://www.kwik-lift.com/kwik-lift.html

Basically its a giant set of ramps.   You drive on then slide a jack under the back and raise it up then a couple legs pop out.    With a creeper with a headrest its actually pretty comfortable to work on the bottom of a car.   With a truck I can actually sit upright in most places.    Working on brakes its pretty comfortable sitting on a stool. 

 

[bcroe]

The 2 post lets you work on any of the running gear unobstructed. 
I put in a 10,000 lb 6' lift for $3500 in 2004, what is the point of
trying to spend even less?  I put it up myself in 2 days with just an
engine hoist.  By making it much easier to do my own work
and keep cars on the road longer, its long since paid for itself, and
what about my back? 

The thing is, it needs a 13' ceiling, and if you don't have great
concrete, you need to cut it out and do it over.  Bruce Roe

[fishnjim]

I feel your pain.
I built a 1500ft2 garage with 15' clear span to put a lift in.   Never did, I was working.   Retired.  Bought a 2000fts shop with 10' ceiling and the truss structure is not easy to modify.   I could put one outside but only weather permitting.   
Can't justify a $20K lift to work on a $20K project.
In the old days (10-20's) before lifts, they dug a narrow pit with steps on one end.   Our grandfathers gas station had one.   Just aim the steps toward outside in case of fire.

[D.Yaros]

I have a Mohawk A-7 two post lift I bought used and could not be happier.  I considered a pit, but the building code regs for electric, drainage and exhaust make such impractical in this day and age.

[oldcarguy]

And, yes I see that CUBS banner!! How appropriate! Go Cubbies

[INTMD8]

If you can modify the trusses/ceiling for more height that's what I would do. First things first however and that is to drill into the concrete and test the depth.

If it's not 4"+ you will need to cut out and pour a thicker section, keyed into the existing slab to support the lift.

[G Pennington]

Good discussion.

The reason I was interested in the MaxJack was that it would lift the car high enough so I work under it sitting on a stool, with no obstructions underneath.  I can't lay flat on my back for more than 5-10 minutes anymore due to stomach problems (getting old sucks!).  And it's just not practical to modify the roof to get 13+ ft. of clearance to use a full height lift like the Rotary or Mohawk.

Checked the floor; good concrete near the wall where one post would be located, but hairline cracks where the other post needs to be.  Would have to tear up and re-pour a section of floor.

So I found a open-center platform lift (http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/specialty-lifts/mds-6k.aspx) that should work.  Name brand, looks to be heavy duty, don't have to worry about the concrete anchors pulling out, no permanent post in the way, and good access under the car.  I can rig the hydraulic lines with quick-disconnects to get them out of the way when I'm not using it.  Not as nice an a two-post, but should do the job.

I'll post an update when I get it installed.

[57 Eldo Seville]

After much research, I ended up with a baseplate 2 post lift.  My concrete is around 4" thick and the ceiling height is 10'10".  I need to be careful when raising a car but I can work comfortably under the Seville.  I am a little bit limited with my truck, however.

I can't imagine why I waited so long to get a lift.  The increase in productivity far exceeds the cost of the lift.

Dave

[bcroe]

I can't imagine why I waited so long to get a
lift.  The increase in productivity far exceeds the cost of the lift.  Dave 

That says it.  Immediately after I bought my place with enough space, a lift
was ordered and installed. All car work was moved there, though I didn't
officially move for a couple years.  Bruce Roe

[TJ Hopland]

I found a open-center platform lift (http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/specialty-lifts/mds-6k.aspx) that should work.  Name brand, looks to be heavy duty, don't have to worry about the concrete anchors pulling out, no permanent post in the way, and good access under the car.  I can rig the hydraulic lines with quick-disconnects to get them out of the way when I'm not using it.  Not as nice an a two-post, but should do the job.

I'll post an update when I get it installed.

Let us know how that works out.   I have seen those but never tried to work under one.   To me it looks like the platform and mechanism would limit the working space under the car.   It may be fine for say the driveshaft but could be a real pain to work on brake or fuel lines that run along the frame rail.   I also would still have concerns about the weight especially since 'our cars' tend to have a lot of car and weight forward and behind the wheels.