Looking For A Car Hoist For My Garage

[CEF11E]

I have just bought a house and want to install a hoist in my garage.

It's going to have to be pretty small as its only a bit wider than a single garage but almost 3 cars long so its going to be a hoist in the front and a workshop in the back.

so i am thinking 2 post and it only needs to lift the car 4 to 5 feet. does anyone have any hoist contacts or knows someone that wants to sell one? it would have to be 240v aswell. dosen't have to be fancy or fast. just safe

Has anyone else fot a hoist at home? and where did they get it?

max budget will be 2k

cheers!

[Al]

Have you tried ebay or the trading post?

Last time i looked there were a few on there, but i haven't looked for a loooong time.

[(B1) MR_fanny]

wish you were my mate or neighbour...lol is your garage cieling high enough or are you after something to get it high enough for you to roll under say a metre or so. Do they even sell midget hoist?

[nvsA4]

have you tried bursons? they dont really advertise it but they do sell them, also look around for panel shops shutting down and if you find one offer them some cash for there's but i think all car hoist's run on 3 phase power

[dave1200]

Certainly most run on 3 phase.

I saw one go for $1500 once at a liquidation sale of a mechanic but I reckon you'll be hard pressed to find one within your budget.

[CEF11E]

teh ceiling is easily high enough so no probs there

I have seen them go on ebay for $1000 from time to time and new ones go for around 2.5k.

bursons I have a trade pass for them and will give them a try!

yep the garage will be kitted out witw everything a workshop has a a few more bits. plasma cutter and pipe bender, tig ect

always wanted a full workshop and its a dream to have it all at home!

[Rowdyr32]

You will most likely have to strengthen the floor to take the loads of the bolts holding a 2 poster down if its in a normal garage. This is something you might need to look into. Maybe not though. Just an idea.

Be carefully of chain drive 2 posters as one reason people sell them is they are shagged and the chain slips or jumps off lowering or raising one side of the car only. Very dangerous.

[khunjeng]

do what I did, instead of going up...go down.

We dug a pit into the garage floor with proper drainage, its about 5 foot deep and about the 3/4 length of an r33 and the width the inside of your tyres on most cars. Was much easier and is very safe given the ammount of concrete used....I dont trust thsoe cheap ones. Has some nice wooden covers and is great for storing drinks if u want them to be cold and the fridge is full!

I makes fluid changes a 1min job, and I have a seat under there to sit down and do any work...makes life pretty easy going

If u havnt got 3 phase, then u will need it and that will cost u enough in itself.

[Mohsen]

^ +1

i fell into one of them...

i guess they are safer though.. i mean. the cars not gona fall thru a hole thats smaller then itself is it?

[The BOP]

I have just bought a house and want to install a hoist in my garage.

It's going to have to be pretty small as its only a bit wider than a single garage but almost 3 cars long so its going to be a hoist in the front and a workshop in the back.

so i am thinking 2 post and it only needs to lift the car 4 to 5 feet. does anyone have any hoist contacts or knows someone that wants to sell one? it would have to be 240v aswell. dosen't have to be fancy or fast. just safe

Has anyone else fot a hoist at home? and where did they get it?

max budget will be 2k

cheers!

Hey buddy contact Britek motorsport they are selling everything they have 3 hoist all perfect cond

contact Marcus Clark on 97029555 8-5pm There is also alot of machinary and other bits and peices try your luck who knows might get a bargain out of them hope this helps

[inark]

do what I did, instead of going up...go down.

We dug a pit into the garage floor with proper drainage, its about 5 foot deep and about the 3/4 length of an r33 and the width the inside of your tyres on most cars. Was much easier and is very safe given the ammount of concrete used....I dont trust thsoe cheap ones. Has some nice wooden covers and is great for storing drinks if u want them to be cold and the fridge is full!

I makes fluid changes a 1min job, and I have a seat under there to sit down and do any work...makes life pretty easy going

If u havnt got 3 phase, then u will need it and that will cost u enough in itself.

i was going to do the same in my garage but someone told me theyre illegal? I know if you dont have the proper extraction to remove the gases that build up at the bottom it goes BANG if ignited... but even with a proper extraction unit isnt it still illegal?

[Jezza-gtR]

i was going to do the same in my garage but someone told me theyre illegal? I know if you dont have the proper extraction to remove the gases that build up at the bottom it goes BANG if ignited... but even with a proper extraction unit isnt it still illegal?

Yep pits are illegal

[Lifter09]

Hi, I came across your post in a Google search - and thought I'd clarify some things about hoists for you...

The 2-post hoists are generally not recommended for home use - particularly ex-mechanic/older used ones as they can be in need of major service or repair work - in addition aren't a safe option - as the tipping-point can catch inexperienced users off-guard which can lead to serious accidents...

The 4-posters are much safer, and if you purchase the newer 'freestanding/portable' style are an easy install and maintenance solution – great for working on your car, or simply stroring one car above another...

They come with jacking trays, drip trays, a quick-connect castor kit (wheels) - and a nylon tarpaulin to protect the vehicle underneath...

Our hoists are in fact 240-volt - household power supply - no council permits required. Of course you're looking at about $40/wk over 3 years to get one - rough guide to ship to Melbourne - but you can pay for the shipping separately to reduce weekly payments...

Check out the Lift King site for more info...

My Dad owns an 'original' Skyline - the Datsun 240K coupe - which he still loves...

If you hadn't purchased something yet, please get in touch with me thru the Lift KIng website - I look forward to assisting you further if that's appropriate - and of course, special deals for ALL Skyline owners are available - I have a 'soft-spot' for the 240K too...

Cheers,

Rohan

[SteveL]

Has anyone else fot a hoist at home? and where did they get it?

I've got an old Repco-Koni, 2 post asymmetric lift type. Cost me $1K from the Trading Post about 3 years ago. Had to convert it to single phase and make an adapter plate for the new motor, but not a big problem. Can't get it to full height yet as I need to raise the roof by about 1m. Still high enough for me to a gearbox change, etc

[SteveL]

The 2-post hoists are generally not recommended for home use - particularly ex-mechanic/older used ones as they can be in need of major service or repair work - in addition aren't a safe option - as the tipping-point can catch inexperienced users off-guard which can lead to serious accidents...

2 post hoists have been around for a very long time and are still the most common type available. They are no less safe than any other type when installed correctly and used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. My 'old' Koni is a proven design, which has been inspected and is operated correctly.

One thing you fail to mention is that anyone planning to install a hoist must ensure that their concrete floor is structurally suitable for the purpose. Many garage floors don't have the appropriate reinforcement and that can be a dangerous situation.

Edited January 16, 2009 by SteveL

[Lifter09]

2 post hoists have been around for a very long time and are still the most common type available. They are no less safe than any other type when installed correctly and used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. My 'old' Koni is a proven design, which has been inspected and is operated correctly.

One thing you fail to mention is that anyone planning to install a hoist must ensure that their concrete floor is structurally suitable for the purpose. Many garage floors don't have the appropriate reinforcement and that can be a dangerous situation.

Hi Steve,

I agree with you in general - if they're used in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. Trouble is, if bought privately, often those recommendations aren't adhred to - and quite frankly, even experienced mechanics have run into trouble with them - not that I have an axe to grind - we sell both types. For home use, the 4-posters are definitey safer and earier to use and install - additionally being portable are just easier to live with - and as you suggest - floor thickness is critical with the 2-posters...

[W0rp3D]

Use to work at a wreckers that had a two post hoist, once it was at the required height you pull a lever and then drop it down an inch or so and it sits on the safety catch that wont let it drop any further, when you want to drop it down you had to raise it an inch or so put the lever up and then you could lower, seemed pretty safe to me, the guy now has it in his garage at home but he did need to install 3 phase power for it.

[SteveL]

I agree with you in general - if they're used in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. Trouble is, if bought privately, often those recommendations aren't adhred to - and quite frankly, even experienced mechanics have run into trouble with them - not that I have an axe to grind - we sell both types. For home use, the 4-posters are definitey safer and earier to use and install - additionally being portable are just easier to live with - and as you suggest - floor thickness is critical with the 2-posters...

I don't think anyone should install any sort of hoist (2 or 4 post or whatever) without ensuring the location is suitable for the purpose. It's not just a question of floor thickness, but the amount and type of reinforcement that's been used. There's also the question of how level the floor is, because that has a big influence on tie-down bolt loads. For portable type lifts I'd suggest level is even more critical because they don't normally have any type of fixings. In Vic, the DLI (might not be called that now) requirements for commercially installed hoists are very stringent, not only in terms of on-going safety inspections, but also structural specifications for installations. While the same regs don't apply to private use of hoists, you'd have to be crazy not to be sure of your ground (literally, in this case.......). I know what's in my garage floor because I installed it with the help of my father who was a building inspector.