Many collector car owners find that having a garage lift to be a very useful addition to their workshop. One popular type of garage lift for the hobbyist is the four post garage lift. The main advantages of such a garage lift are that it makes servicing their vehicle fleet (hobby cars and daily drivers) much easier (and safer) and that it can provide additional storage space. The advantage of a 2-post lift is that the underside of the vehicle is more accessible than with a 4-post lift. A disadvantage of the 2-post lift is that the posts interfere with door opening. This article is an extension of the Car Lift for Antique Cars ACCCC forum topic. The following pages provide some good information to get started:
We feel that the two most important safety issues with a garage lift are the installation of a FLOW RESTRICTOR VALVE (FRV) and the LOCKING MECHANISM. Simply put, this allows the lift to maintain the position if there is a breakdown on the hydraulic line. The Locking Mechanism locks the lift into position prevents the lift from moving unless intentionally released. Both safety features should be included in garage lift you buy. Although the FRV looks like a small and rather insignificant item, insist that your lift is delivered with one.
We also recommend that you hire professional installer rather than doing it yourself with a few of your friends. The experience of a good installer pays off with the fine adjustments of the cables. Ask around to find yourself a good trustworthy installer. Annual preventive maintenance is something else you also consider contracting out to your installer.
American 4-Post Lifts:
- Back Yard Buddy
- BendPak Four Post Lifts
- Ben Pearson Automotive Lifts
- Challenger Four Post Lifts
- Direct Lift
- Eagle Equipment
- Hunter Four Post Lifts
- Interstate Lift and Equipment Company
- Maha USA Lifting Technology
- Mohawk 4 Post Lifts
- Four-Post Revolution Lift
- Four-Post Rotary General Service Lifts
- Snap-On Four Post Lifts
- Stertil ALM
Canadian 4-Post Lifts:
One of ACCCC's members (Marv) has spent an inordinate amount of time researching the web in order to find an affordable, top quality car lift. His needs included a minimum clearance height of 78"and runway length of 185" for his farm van. Another ACCCC member (John) has a Back Yard Buddy, which appears to be an excellent but expensive lift. Marv found that he liked features of the lifts manufactured by Direct Lift whose products are made in China by an ISO 9001-certified American company. Two features that he particularly liked on the Pro Park 9 PLUS are the 0.250" plate stops on the four posts and a flow restrictor valve, which are major safety issues for these lifts as stated by Back Yard Buddy. Marv found that Greg Smith Equipment also sold the Direct Lift Pro Park 9 Plus model and is also located in Indiana, quoted him $2715.00 US dollars delivered to a warehouse in Buffalo. ADG Forward Canada is another Direct Lift dealer based in Missisissauga, ON. Although he did not get very much feedback on this particular product, Marv did buy the Direct Lift Pro Park 9 Plus from a Southern Ontario distributor, and after much discussion with their management, he discovered that they supplied a lift which did not have a flow restrictor valve. Greg Smith Equipment in fact discussed the importance of this valve with Marv as part of their quotation. After much bitter complaining, the company did supply the flow restrictor valve they had promised. Although Marv bought bought the Pro Park 9 Plus, he would still have rather purchased the Back Yard Buddy if it wasn't for the $2200 higher price.
John has provided ACCCC members with the use of his Back Yard Buddy lift for Niagara Region's annual touring inspection. It seems to work extremely well and has the feature of being movable because it doesn't need to be bolted down to the floor. John has lift casters that allow his lift to moved either loaded with a vehicle or unloaded.
A HASC member from Hamilton (Les), also bought a garage lift many years ago, many to provide additional storage space in his single car garage. Les also looked at the Backyard Buddy as well as storage lifts made by Eagle Equipment. He decided to go with the Eagle Equipment SS-7000 because it was about US$1000 cheaper than the Backyard Buddy at the time. He also wanted one made in the USA rather than China. However, after renting a trailer to bring it back from Buffalo and unpacking it in Hamilton, he discovered that he was instead shipped the MS-7000, which is a Chinese version of the SS-7000. After complaining, the Eagle Equipment offered to exchange it for him but he had to return it to Buffalo first. Alternatively, they offered him a credit for the difference in price. Since it was a significant expense to rent another trailer to go back to Buffalo and since Eagle Equipment assured him that the MS-7000 and the SS-7000 were designed exactly the same, Les chose to take the money. After owning the garage lift for several years, he is still quite pleased with it.
Les advises anyone importing a garage lift from the USA to check the shipment before accepting it so as to avoid any unpleasant surprises when you get home.