Car Hoist - Thoughts and Help

[Sandman_77]

I am looking at buying this side of xmas and seen LIFT KING at All Holden Day every year very impressed with them, but whats some pros and cons to look out for and what do some of you guys have

There is also Tuff lift and loads of chaper looking ones on market


Features I am after 4 post for storage and under car access, like to have drip trays all the way along cause it will be sitting over another car daily

average 4.5 - 4.8m long cause i am putting racking in front of lift for part storage

Is lift king and tuff lift american or chinese?

The ones on ebay some of them scre me they look cheap

Only lifting a HK Monaro or the GTR nothing massive

Thanks
77

[agr071]

I always said that when i get a house of my own, that i'd put a hoist in.
I don't trust 2 post hoists so i'd have either a 4 post one OR one like at the tyre places.

[rallyvan]

Do a bit of research to see if the hoist have to comply to an Australian Standard. Then check if the Lift King units do. I always found 4 posts hoists where harder to carry out vehicle repairs on than a 2 poster but if you using it mainly for storage that would be a smaller concern. Wouldn't get too hung on a drip tray as they would be easy to make 3 trays that sat between the two ramps that could slide arround so they sit under engine diff and gearbox. The key thing are decent safety pawl locks. The things that go "click, click" as you take the hoist up. If it doesn't have a safety lock out it not worth owning. Ironicly of the two cars that I know that "fell off hoists" they where both on 4 posters but due to operator error in both cases.
As for quality I have not seen one in use so it a bit hard to say. I'm always a bit sus on Chinese made stuff as I had bad experiences with Chinese sourced componets and machines in the past. The other issue is wether they require 3 phase power or not?
I too would love a hoist as I am over lying on the floor on kreeper!

Anthony

[Sandman_77]

Yeah 4 post is the go and most comapnies do 240v units now, too be honest you can jack up wheels and take of on a 4 poster anyway they come with Jacking Trays so not that bothered, its more for storage and to polish the underside of the cars hahahaha

I am always concerned of chinese rubbish too hence dont wanna spend 3500 on a dud and be pissed of in the furture on the other hand dont wanna spend 6000k on over priced shit either

Agro, you know my shed, whats the ones at the tyres places your talking about?

[agr071]

There like a scissor lift type of thing.
My old man used to have a 4 post hoist with lifts in the centre, that lifted the car up to do wheel work etc.
There was a portable 4 post hoist on display at the 2009 Van Nats.
I can find out more info on this one if you wish???

[RAEME]

I bought a four tonne rated two post out of sydney brand new last year. Made in china but had australian standard plate on it. The problem was that no one in my area would touch because its chinese even with the cert plates. Had to stand it and adjust it myself (headach plus). Its up and works well but the fact noone out here will service it is a bother. You can get reco molnar aust built hoists stood ready to go for what it cost me. Wished id done that.

[HK1837]

! bought a Molnar too.
If you get a 4 post parking hoist get oe with 2.0M clearance. The smaller ones are only 1800.

[ozbox]

ive got a 4 poster as you know that i use for storage..older style 3 phase..hoist was free..delivery and installation plus 3 phase wire up which was already at fuse box..$900...
beware 4 posters coz panos wont fit under them.
i also have a chinese hoist i payed $1500 for it was a year old..4 tonne..i have replaced the hydraulic lines at a cost of $600..i aslo had the pressure relief valve go on it..was replaced but then it actuall spat out and the hoist lost all pressure at full hieght with a car on it..lucky the locks caught it..also lucky that the car was a wreck so i could forklift it off as i could not buy a small replacement part to fix it..they wanted me to buy the complete pump and tank assembly at a cost of $600..3 month wait...after sales aand service suck..only 1 person doing the parts for this particular hoist..will put the name up when im at work next..ended up finding a retired engineer that fixed the problem for $150...hoist works well for the money but the next one will be a molnar..
scotty..ring mick at automotive equipment services..he is the man for new or second hand hoists and installation..only at marmong point....pm me on fb and ill give you his mobile.

[Sandman_77]

thanks oz will message u about my research so far

[RAEME]

I hope the names not pro master oz! Is it blue posts with yellow legs? If so now Im scared