Automotech lift - self assembly?

[LeeHodges]

Hi all

I am thinking of buying the Automotech short four-poster parking lift (Automotech are just around the corner from me, which is handy). I have been given a quote of around £400 to have them fit it but was wondering if anyone had already done this themselves and how much of a ball ache it was to do? It looks like an engine hoist is likely needed due to the weight and is likely a 2-man job. Any experiences out there?

Thanks in advance!

[phazed]

Assembled their 2 post lift.

Posts were really heavy, no doubt heavier then a 4 poster.

Engaged the help of No1 & 3 son and we had the whole lot up and working in half a day.

[LeeHodges]

I should think you're right about each of the 2 posts being heavier than the individual 4 posts. Decisions, decisions. As I've just ordered a £900 insulated electric roller-shutter door to be fitted, I'm all about the savings right now but that said, I don't want to do myself a mischief!

[gmw9666]

Is that £400 just for delivery and installation or is delivery extra

[LeeHodges]

gmw9666 said:

Is that £400 just for delivery and installation or is delivery extra

I think it's both. I think...

I have asked the question, so let's see what they say.

[P100]

Just remember, these are lifting devices, and as such need someone who can assess the garage floor before assembly, level all of the posts, and make sure that all of the interlocks are working correctly.
Automotech, no longer do service contracts.

[roseytvr]

LeeHodges said:

Hi all

I am thinking of buying the Automotech short four-poster parking lift (Automotech are just around the corner from me, which is handy). I have been given a quote of around £400 to have them fit it but was wondering if anyone had already done this themselves and how much of a ball ache it was to do? It looks like an engine hoist is likely needed due to the weight and is likely a 2-man job. Any experiences out there?

Thanks in advance!

Van, pair of hands and engine hoist with rollers foc in abbots Bromley if that helps save you 400 notes! I bought a scissor lift off them and fk me it was heavy!

[wuckfitracing]

Be under no illusion the ramps are heavy as hell. The only way I could move mine was with the engine crane in the foreground. It is possible to fit yourself. I did.The hardest bit was drilling the floor. The other huge issue was getting the whole lift out of the back of the delivery van without a forklift !

[TooMany2cvs]

I installed my Automotech two-poster myself. Getting the posts on and off the van (tail-lift) needed a couple of mates, but once they were in the garage, everything wase manouverable without help - even going from horizontal to vertical and back.

Decent SDS drill made drilling the floor holes easy - the hardest bit was summoning up the courage. I found their supplied strike-bolts utterly useless, and bought some better ones, which were a doddle.
http://www.ukfixings.net/M20-x-160-mm-ZYP-Throughb...

Edited by TooMany2cvs on Tuesday 17th January 08:44

[LeeHodges]

roseytvr said:

Van, pair of hands and engine hoist with rollers foc in abbots Bromley if that helps save you 400 notes! I bought a scissor lift off them and fk me it was heavy!

Thanks RoseyTVR, that's thoroughly decent of you! (your Griff is a dead-ringer for mine!)

wuckfitracing said:

...The hardest bit was drilling the floor.

I was not sure how this lift works in that it has a built-in mobile wheel kit, so does this mean it doesn't need bolting down?

To be honest, I'm leaning toward the 'turn-key' solution of handing them the garage keys and making a jug of coffee. After all, how many times over would I pay the fitting fee if I opened the garage door one day and found the Tamora sitting on top of a squished Griffith (or worse, of course)

[wuckfitracing]

I have the very same Lift you are looking at. It needs bolting down. The wheels are only for moving into different positions but the instructions clearly state it must be secured before raising lift.

[mk1fan]

If budget is tight atm then make sure the floor [structure] is right before you order the lift.

I'd love a garage with lift.

[billynobrakes]

mk1fan]If budget is tight atm then make sure the floor [structure said:

is right before you order the lift.

I'd love a garage with lift.

More like a garage with 2 lifts and enough room to park one car in the middle so you can get 5 TVR,s in

[mk1fan]

And room for the TV.

[77racing]

wuckfitracing said:

I have the very same Lift you are looking at. It needs bolting down. The wheels are only for moving into different positions but the instructions clearly state it must be secured before raising lift.

Love, Love , Loving that log burner...................

[LeeHodges]

wuckfitracing said:

I have the very same Lift you are looking at. It needs bolting down. The wheels are only for moving into different positions but the instructions clearly state it must be secured before raising lift.

Great - thanks for that! How're you getting on with it, is it a good lift and would you recommend it? I've had it confirmed that delivery and fitting would be £380 btw.

[anonymous-user]

LeeHodges said:

Great - thanks for that! How're you getting on with it, is it a good lift and would you recommend it? I've had it confirmed that delivery and fitting would be £380 btw.

I have a 4 post lift from Strongman Tools that I fitted myself. Relatively straight forward but those ramps are chuffing heavy! For £380 I'd get them to do it.

[phazed]

TooMany2cvs said:

I installed my Automotech two-poster myself. Getting the posts on and off the van (tail-lift) needed a couple of mates, but once they were in the garage, everything wase manouverable without help - even going from horizontal to vertical and back.

Decent SDS drill made drilling the floor holes easy - the hardest bit was summoning up the courage. I found their supplied strike-bolts utterly useless, and bought some better ones, which were a doddle.
http://www.ukfixings.net/M20-x-160-mm-ZYP-Throughb...

Edited by TooMany2cvs on Tuesday 17th January 08:44

Same here. I had to bring my car and trailer to meet the truck up the road as his vehicle wouldn't fit down a country lane.

It really was a struggle for the driver and just me to get the posts from the truck down onto the trailer, a near death experience for only 2 people!

We laid the concrete base to suit the two post lift with thicker concrete around the area where the posts were to be sited and the whole slab reinforced.

[ClassicChimaera]

phazed said:

Same here. I had to bring my car and trailer to meet the truck up the road as his vehicle wouldn't fit down a country lane.

It really was a struggle for the driver and just me to get the posts from the truck down onto the trailer, a near death experience for only 2 people!

We laid the concrete base to suit the two post lift with thicker concrete around the area where the posts were to be sited and the whole slab reinforced.

Oh man, that's got me laughing that has.

[wuckfitracing]

Only fitted it in October last year. But it's looks a well built good quality lift and perfect for my needs. Low ceiling meant I had to have this lift . With the MX5 and the Chimaera stacked it gives me space on the other side of the garage to rebuild a couple of motorbikes I have over winter ( although so far I've spent most of winter away working. Currently in China).