Two post lift suggestions/discussion

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by f1shman

I really love Mohawk lifts. Out of all the brands I've used in the shops I've worked at, I felt safest when in a bay with a Mohawk. If anything, they might be over engineered for general automotive use, but I never felt that was a bad thing when you are parking a few tons over your head.

http://www.mohawklifts.com

Thanks for this link - I'm waiting for some info from these guys.

THEY ARE MADE IN THE USA! It is getting SO hard to find anything made here anymore. I do what I can to buy domestic when I can - as long as the price is something I can swing. Waiting for prices and additional info.

I have no problem notching my ceiling drywall for a taller post to slip in place -but would prefer a lift made for the lower ceiling. If I read right they are basically 12' tall on the up posts.

[f1shman]

Originally Posted by 69MyWay

Thanks for this link - I'm waiting for some info from these guys.

THEY ARE MADE IN THE USA! It is getting SO hard to find anything made here anymore. I do what I can to buy domestic when I can - as long as the price is something I can swing. Waiting for prices and additional info.

I have no problem notching my ceiling drywall for a taller post to slip in place -but would prefer a lift made for the lower ceiling. If I read right they are basically 12' tall on the up posts.

No, the columns aren't 12 foot. I did a bit of digging through their info and found that the A-7 model has column height listed at 7'11-1/2" (2.43 m). Any additional height above that is just the hydraulic crossover line, and there are a few things you can do with that to give you clearance. You can cut the line down to fit along your low ceiling, or you can cut a 1" x 1" trough in your concrete floor between the beams and route it there.

Here's the link to the page I found the height info at:
http://www.mohawklifts.com/consumer/specs/a7spec.php

[LS1NOVA]

I have an Eagle 9000 lb thats made for low ceilings. It has a floor plate and open top. I would recommend them for sure. Ive had it for 5 years, no problems. Bought it new off Ebay.

[69MyWay]

Okay, there is no doubt in my mind after talking to mohawk they have the best model. It does not use a chain/cable and doesn't need a plate. It is running a pair of cylinders in stereo - with true safe locks. The actual posts are only about 7' high where the line runs up and over, and can be adjusted (to fit in, or go up and over my ceiling drywall/insulation).

The deal is though - they are nearly THREE TIMES the price of the imports.

I'm a big USA kind of guy - but this puts them out of the range I want to spend. In other words, would rather do without than spend that kind of jack - especially at 3x!

Eagle/American Lift etc make a fine lift - but is is from China.

[69MyWay]

those with the import lifts....

Any complaints from them? Issues? Problems?????

The Mohawk is AWESOME...it just is way too much for what I have to spend on this.

[dhutton]

Originally Posted by 69MyWay

those with the import lifts....

Any complaints from them? Issues? Problems?????

The Mohawk is AWESOME...it just is way too much for what I have to spend on this.

I have a DirectLift that I bought on ebay. It uses dual cylinders and works fine for me in my backyard shop, no problems of any kind. They are local to me so I also saved on shipping. Great people to deal with. I couldn't justify the cost of an American model based on the use that it gets in my shop. If I was doing it for a living that would be different story.

Don

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by dhutton

I have a DirectLift that I bought on ebay. It uses dual cylinders and works fine for me in my backyard shop, no problems of any kind. They are local to me so I also saved on shipping. Great people to deal with. I couldn't justify the cost of an American model based on the use that it gets in my shop. If I was doing it for a living that would be different story.

Don

Don,

They have very reasonable priced units. I read through the install and set up.

I would have to get it shipped, and shipping states it has to be lifted off the common carrier truck all at one time (forklift...etc).

What is this load like? My neighbor has a small diesel Kubota, but don't know if it would do the job.

Also...once in your shop - can you give me the highlights of what it was like to assemble and install it?

[dhutton]

Originally Posted by 69MyWay

Don,

They have very reasonable priced units. I read through the install and set up.

I would have to get it shipped, and shipping states it has to be lifted off the common carrier truck all at one time (forklift...etc).

What is this load like? My neighbor has a small diesel Kubota, but don't know if it would do the job.

Also...once in your shop - can you give me the highlights of what it was like to assemble and install it?

I used the front end loader of my 27 hp Kubota to lift one end and drag it back off my trailer. When it was almost off I lowered the end and then used the loader to lift the other end and then drove the trailer out from under it. The uprights are quite heavy but I was able to install it myself using the front end loader. I recommend you get a couple of guys to help you though.

[69MyWay]

I've gone around and around and around.....

Settled on the HR8000

[wedged]

In my opinion having a non-flush floor plate on lift has sucks. The plate can cause you trip, makes moving a trans jack a major pain and is just plain annoying. The clear floor lifts are much better. I owned a Mohawk at on time and sold it to the guy who moved into my old repair shop when i was relocating. I figured it would easier to buy a new lift rather than move and store the Mohawk. After I had a shop built in my backyard, I got a 10,000 lb Bend Pak clear floor wide version. I bought it from http://www.e-autolifts.com/index.html . Very nice people to work with.