stasha

I've noticed the one-post garage lifts have hit the market.
NOTE: I have no affiliation whatsoever -- just contemplating purchase.

The advantages of 1-posters are obvious:
- they can be moved around the garage, and even outdoors if and when desired -- whenever you want, and dependent on your garage space needs (I am sure these things are heavy to move, however, they are wheeled);
- they take less space (smaller footprint);
- they can be used to double-stack your cars in the garage;
- they are available either as the ramp-type or the 4-point lift type;
- There is NO installation cost or hassle making a dedicated space for the lift -- just move it where you want, when you want, and plug it in!
- they are 110 or 220V [110V option is important because 220V garages are relatively infrequent in Suburbia, including ownership of 220V extension cords -- important if you decide to move the lift outside to work on one of your (or neightbor's) cars].
- the ones I have looked at are rated at around 6000lbs -- which is just fine for most passenger and sports cars on the road today (including my old 60 Lincoln dinosaur).

I spoke with a conventional 2- and 4-post dealer/installer. His opinion was that he would never trust a single post. But, I have a suspicion that this is like the stubborn fellow who clung to the horse and buggy because the horseless carriages could never be trusted.

If you purchase one directly from China (via Alibaba), the prices for the lift alone range from $1100 to $1800 (brief search on Alibaba), and then there is the cost of shipping to a US port (from $2xx-$4xx depending on the port). THEN, you have to still arrange trucking to your home, which tends to be more expensive than oceanic shipping.
In comparison, in my area the cost for a complete 2- or 4-post lift, INCLUDING DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION, is from $2K-$2500.

I contacted one single post dealer in the US, and the price was around $2600 delivered (this included the shipping from PA to KY, around $500). This STILL equates to the total cost for a 2 or 4-poster, with the added advantage that there are no installation costs for the single post (bolting down the lift posts, running 220V lines, etc.), and that you can move the lift anywhere you want.

Anyone have personal experience with a single post?
Any experiential comments?

Thanks.

nelsontod2

why not just buy a used fork lift off craigslist?

stasha

Far different: no 4-point lift adjustment, and the footprint of a forklift requires space to maneuver.

bpu699

That lift looks somewhat dangerous to me...

The foot print is tiny, and our cars do not have a 50/50 weight balance...

What's to keep it from tilting towards the back end of the car???

Single post lifts worry me, even if solidly mounted to your garage floor. I can see how a less than optimal install of concrete that isn't a foot thick would give way and the lift collapses...

I have a scissor lift and love it, though still stack lots of crap/cinder blocks under the tires "just in case" it were to fail...

tekkie

I was looking at the same thing during xmas, I dont want the bulk of a 2 or 4 fixed post as my garage is only a standard 2 car garage. Having a one sided one saves space for sure.

My concern was also in regards to the weight distribution, I know at least a couple of these that I looked at you could bolt them to the floor for extra support. My idea was also to rig something up to bolt it to the wall or something so it could not sway around

stasha

UPDATE:
I cross-posted on Pelican, and got a very solid input by a single-post owner and user.

See http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...ml#post9435843

Although he is a frequent user, he also has wariness about the safety of a single post, as mentioned in this forum.

tekkie

that safety post is a good idea, that would make it more stable for sure

5CHN3LL

It can't "tilt" back toward the load because of the geometry; the weight of the car is what makes it impossible for it to tilt when loaded.

Assuming that the base squats under load (removing the weight from the casters), this lift looks to have quite a bit of base surface area for load distribution...I suspect it has significantly more load area than most 2-post or 4-post lifts. The lift itself weighs close to a ton (1,700+ lbs); it's a lot less rickety than the hydraulic pallet jack I used to use to stack 1-ton pallets of paper...

According to the Google, you do not lift the car with the nose or tail against the lift; you drive across the arms (see below). Used in this manner it seems like it might also stand a chance of being able to accommodate an engine/transmission drop without any modifications, although I would be cautious when changing the weight distribution significantly with the load very high off the ground.

Schnell Gelb

You see these lifts in Europe but here they are mostly seen at wreckers. The reason....?
Maxjax would be the obvious comparison with lots of happy Pcar user history.
Ask on Garage Journal.They have a huge amount of info/knowledge on this subject already.

Schnell Gelb

use an underhoist stand f & r. $80 ea from Harbor Freight !

JTT

Looks interesting! I've not seen this type of lift. I'm not sure I'm as concerned about stability as much as some. MaxJax concerns me more with the immense load on those concrete anchors.

JayG

Is that a X1/9 or a TR 7 on the lift?

dporto

X1/9 !

tekkie

thats what turned me off the maxjack, all of that concrete data was to confusing for me lol

well that and my wife told me I couldn't saw up the floor lol

Slakker

10 - 7/8" holes is all that's required for the MaxJax. Engineering is solid. Anchors aren't going anywhere and are rated well above the application.