Shop lift advise

[moparguy]

Thinking about buying a lift. Shop has 10' walls and the doors open from the side so I've got about 14' in the center of the 30' wide shop for cab clearance (open span, no ceiling joist). Really not enough for even a low rise lift to raise my 3500 Dulley to max height, but should work with the other rigs in the fleet and help with the dulleys, just can't go full height. All that said, anyone have any advise, I'm thinking 9K capacity as a minimum and two post. Ebay (which I'm sure means Communist Red China) has http://www.ebay.com/itm/9-000lb-two..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item3cd823c3ff&vxp=mtr for $1,500.00. But,,,,, can you trust it with a 7500 lb truck?

 

[Wertles]

Check out this site.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Lifts

I have spent hours on it. Very informative and educational. I will be getting the 2 post 12,000 extra wide, extra tall in the spring but I have 16 foot ceilings.

 

[jhenderson]

My buddy and I like our Bend Pack.

 

[JLEONARD]

Around here (Ct) it's pretty easy to find good used ones for sale. Probably aready set up and running so you could try it out.

 

[DShore]

I agree with Wertles about Greg Smith Equip. I have a 4 post 12,000# with air/hyd jack on each end 12'6" ceiling.

 

[JLeake]

I suspect that your dually is more like 10,000 pounds. My 2011 crew cab 2500 4x4 (see signature) is 7,850 pounds with me in it and about a half tank of fuel, weighed on a scale, no extra stuff like a tool box or winch, etc.

The Greg Smith site lists a two post The Atlas BP9000 is a base-plate two-post lift designed for low ceiling garages. The total column height of 111" (9 feet 3 inches) allows this lift to be installed in almost any professional or home garage with a ceiling as low as 9 feet 6 inches. They have a 10,000 pound base plate lift that takes the same height ceiling. look here.... http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-2-Post-Baseplate-Lift-Comparison-Guide

The two post Atlas lifts need 12 feet floor to ceiling, which is my experience with another lift brand. The two post Atlas OH-10X from GregSmith has 106" drive through width, which becomes important with dual tired rigs. We lifted Dodge 1996 V10 dual rear wheel and it is a challenge getting it on the lift.

My experience is that you need a minimum of 3 feet clearance on the sides of lift to walk around from front to back, I walked through the shop to get from one end to the other countless times.

 

[moparguy]

I suspect that your dually is more like 10,000 pounds. My 2011 crew cab 2500 4x4 (see signature) is 7,850 pounds with me in it and about a half tank of fuel, weighed on a scale, no extra stuff like a tool box or winch, etc.

I've had the truck on scales several times, (used to buy a lot of lite pipe to build custom tower deer stands) and it was always in the 7800lb range. I think my 2nd gen club cab is near the weight of your truck is due to the smaller cab, less sound proofing and no rear doors. It does now have a custom Ranch Hand style front bumper and 12k winch so it's likely in the 8,200 lb range. Good advise on the 3' walk around room.

JLeonard, it's pretty rural in my neck of the woods with few used units available. The wife has been saying for a couple years now "go ahead and get one" so now that I've decided too, no used units available. Of course that'll change once I pull the trigger.

My ceiling height of 14' I posted last night was a guess. Today I put a tape on it and I got 12'6" under the ridge beam, research shows there are 2 post units that'll work, I'll just have to watch how high I lift the trucks, or it may not be a problem at all. I'm 72" tall so I'm thinking it'll be close to be able to walk under the trucks without ducking.

One more question; with our front weight biased truck, asymmetrical or symmetrical?

Thanks All!

 

[jhenderson]

When we bought ours, we paid about $500 more for brand new. Used lifts were at a premium when we were looking. I'm glad we spent a little extra. Haven't spent a dime on it sense install, and it gets used at least 3-4, times a week for the last 10 years.

 

[WCPoe]

FWIW--- I also have 14' feet height at the center of my shop. My shop is 48' wide X 30' deep but I have the workbenches in front of the truck so I located my symmetrical Mohawk 10k lift about 1 foot closer to the garage roll up door for extra workroom up front. The wall height at the front and back is 12 feet.
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No problem with the center height and I clear the roll up doors with the bed OK, (would be a problem with a bed cap or topper). With the unit at max height the cab clears the overhead hydraulic crossover lines by less than 1 foot. Remember even if you have a lift on the truck the lift picks it up by the frame and if I can remember the lift travel is only about 72", (6 feet). In the picture I have the truck about 6 inches short of max height because the oil change catch pan won't extend any further and it will splash out when you drop the oil plug out. I'm just shy of 6 feet so I my head can touch the lift arms if I'm not careful but I always run into the tires . I get too focused on the work at hand I guess. You'll train yourself to stoop a little all the time.
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As far as the asymmetrical vs symmetrical, I really don't know how to advise you. I choose the symmetrical type and purchased the commercial Mohawk because I witnessed a mechanic trying to replace an exhaust system on a diesel 4X4 and was horrified as he tugged back and forth on the exhaust system and the whole truck was swaying back and forth. The stamped type posts were flexing and allowing too much lateral movement in my opinion. That lift was an asymmetrical type, (capacity and brand I'm not sure of). Of course common sense applies when using a lift so maybe this was an anomaly.
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The distance between the posts is 10 feet, plenty of clearance but I have friends that have the asymmetrical type and they are definitely handy when entering and exiting the vehicle. Also have friends with the drive on ramp type and they are convenient for quick oil changes and such.
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Good luck on your search.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

can you trust it with a 7500 lb truck?

My 2500 DRW weighs 8870

 

[rluft]

I bought a two post from Greg Smith Equipment, the Atlas 9koh. I have been happy with it.

 

[CPH]

moparguy,
I bought a used Mohawk 9k two post from a distributor that sells and services Mohawks new. Mine came out of a Caddy dealership that was closing. He had all the service info since he sold it to them new, and did all the service. He delivered, and installed it. He also gave me a written warranty of 12 months. I like the Mohawk. It is REAL stout! Also ALL components are made in the USA in Mohawk NY. He also routed my hydraulic lines to follow the contour of my 15' ceiling. I can lift my 97 2500 to the top of the lift with hood open with no problem. Mohawks are tested to 3 times the rated load. 27k in my case. My distributor told me the only difference between my 9k and a new 10k is the paint. All Mohawk did was have the 9k undergo the certification for a 10k. Mine was 3k total cost but I was glad to pay it! It is a great safe lift.

cph