Old 4 post lifts
Discussion
I'm in the market for a 4 post lift for my home garage.
Mainly for work on the TVR but i also service all the family cars. Its not going to have a hard life but I would like to use it to store the TVR off the ground so i can park another underneath.
I've been looking on ebay and old 4 post lifts are quite cheap. Decent brands like Bradbury Teclamit etc. Some of these lifts are from the 70's.
Does anyone have any experience with old lifts? If cables pulleys etc have all been replaced and its been regularly inspected are there any issues with them. metal fatigue etc?
Plan was to buy it, assemble it and then get it inspected by a proper company.
Mainly for work on the TVR but i also service all the family cars. Its not going to have a hard life but I would like to use it to store the TVR off the ground so i can park another underneath.
I've been looking on ebay and old 4 post lifts are quite cheap. Decent brands like Bradbury Teclamit etc. Some of these lifts are from the 70's.
Does anyone have any experience with old lifts? If cables pulleys etc have all been replaced and its been regularly inspected are there any issues with them. metal fatigue etc?
Plan was to buy it, assemble it and then get it inspected by a proper company.
Personally I'd avoid one that's lived outside or has stood or not been used for some time because of possible problems with cylinders & seals. Grease the metal cables & pulleys etc when you assemble. I've never heard of metal fatigue being a problem.
For your needs 4 post lifts are not as useful as 2 post lifts. Make sure you get one with wheel free bars, not sure if that's their correct name, they go the length of the ramp & support the car underneath rather than on the wheels.
If I were you I'd be looking for a 2 post, they really are a lot better for your needs.
For your needs 4 post lifts are not as useful as 2 post lifts. Make sure you get one with wheel free bars, not sure if that's their correct name, they go the length of the ramp & support the car underneath rather than on the wheels.
If I were you I'd be looking for a 2 post, they really are a lot better for your needs.
Thanks for the reply. I had considered a 2 post and they probably would be more flexible. I'm a little stuck for ceiling height and my garage slab is of unknown provenance. The second one is fixable, the first is a little trickier. I've got approx 2.4m ceiling, most 2 post lifts seem to come in at 2.8m post height.
I also, possibly incorrectly, thought that it was a bad idea to store a car with its suspension fully extended?
I also, possibly incorrectly, thought that it was a bad idea to store a car with its suspension fully extended?
If I had the space I would always go for a 4post over a 2post lift, the slight inconvenience of some of the ramp structure getting in the way(which really only matters when you are earning a living with it) more than offsets the extra security that a 4 poster gives.
Given the choice I would go for a Bradbury wheel free type every time, a set of new ropes and pulleys (if required) is only about £200,the safety device in case of hydraulic failure is in the opinion of the "engineer" who used to inspect mine is the "best in the business." I cannot see anyone ever wearing out a Bradbury in amateur use which is more than can be said for some of the Far Eastern cheapie imports.
Downsides are that a fair amount of floor area is required approx. 9ftx20ft, the access for some jobs, exhausts etc; could be better, but the wheel free mode will give you a rock solid workplace with a handy bench to put all your tools ,brake/suspension parts etc; storage of another car underneath is also very useful, incidentally I can see no harm being caused in storing a car with extended suspension.
HTH
Just noticed from your profile that you ride bikes, the Bradbury can also be used as a bike lift!
Given the choice I would go for a Bradbury wheel free type every time, a set of new ropes and pulleys (if required) is only about £200,the safety device in case of hydraulic failure is in the opinion of the "engineer" who used to inspect mine is the "best in the business." I cannot see anyone ever wearing out a Bradbury in amateur use which is more than can be said for some of the Far Eastern cheapie imports.
Downsides are that a fair amount of floor area is required approx. 9ftx20ft, the access for some jobs, exhausts etc; could be better, but the wheel free mode will give you a rock solid workplace with a handy bench to put all your tools ,brake/suspension parts etc; storage of another car underneath is also very useful, incidentally I can see no harm being caused in storing a car with extended suspension.
HTH
Just noticed from your profile that you ride bikes, the Bradbury can also be used as a bike lift!
Edited by Auntieroll on Friday 21st February 12:37
Auntieroll said:
If I had the space I would always go for a 4post over a 2post lift, the slight inconvenience of some of the ramp structure getting in the way(which really only matters when you are earning a living with it) more than offsets the extra security that a 4 poster gives.
Given the choice I would go for a Bradbury wheel free type every time, a set of new ropes and pulleys (if required) is only about £200,the safety device in case of hydraulic failure is in the opinion of the "engineer" who used to inspect mine is the "best in the business." I cannot see anyone ever wearing out a Bradbury in amateur use which is more than can be said for some of the Far Eastern cheapie imports.
Downsides are that a fair amount of floor area is required approx. 9ftx20ft, the access for some jobs, exhausts etc; could be better, but the wheel free mode will give you a rock solid workplace with a handy bench to put all your tools ,brake/suspension parts etc; storage of another car underneath is also very useful, incidentally I can see no harm being caused in storing a car with extended suspension.
HTH
Floor space isn't something i'm short of, the gentleman who had the house before me had the garage purpose built for his hobby of racing single seaters. I barely even looked at the house once i had viewed the garage haha.Given the choice I would go for a Bradbury wheel free type every time, a set of new ropes and pulleys (if required) is only about £200,the safety device in case of hydraulic failure is in the opinion of the "engineer" who used to inspect mine is the "best in the business." I cannot see anyone ever wearing out a Bradbury in amateur use which is more than can be said for some of the Far Eastern cheapie imports.
Downsides are that a fair amount of floor area is required approx. 9ftx20ft, the access for some jobs, exhausts etc; could be better, but the wheel free mode will give you a rock solid workplace with a handy bench to put all your tools ,brake/suspension parts etc; storage of another car underneath is also very useful, incidentally I can see no harm being caused in storing a car with extended suspension.
HTH
I did like the security of the 4 post, I would certainly be a lot more comfortable working under a 4 post than a 2.
So there are no obvious problems with old bradbury lifts that have had decent maintenance. Obviously i'll be getting it inspected before i use it in anger and any consumables (cables etc) that need replacing will be replaced. I was really looking to pick the PH collectives brains to see it was common knowledge amongst garage owners, that 20-30 year old bradbury lifts tended to be all ready for scrap heap because of x, y and z.
The only parts that can really wear, apart from hydraulic seals ,which may be a problem if the ram is pitted (usually from being left outdoors) or pump/motor issues and I've never had any motor/ram problems, are the pulley bearings and the cables, however if lubricated well they should last almost indefinitely with light amateur use.
These Bradburys are "old school" British engineering, designed and built to last a long time.Have a look at their website for parts availability and prices. Personally, I would put new ropes/pulleys/bushes etc; on before erecting the ramp, that is unless you really enjoy getting covered in filthy black grease!(don't ask how I found this out!)
2 posters take up less floor space, are quicker in use for the normal dealership, hence their adoption for servicing and so on, the ones with screw jacks and nuts have, in my experience worn the nuts out rather too quickly in commercial use, despite copious lubrication/maintenance.
The dealers have to have periodic facelifts of their workshops these days so the hoists tend to be replaced quite frequently and can make good buys for the rest of the trade/enthusiasts with large home workshops.
These Bradburys are "old school" British engineering, designed and built to last a long time.Have a look at their website for parts availability and prices. Personally, I would put new ropes/pulleys/bushes etc; on before erecting the ramp, that is unless you really enjoy getting covered in filthy black grease!(don't ask how I found this out!)
2 posters take up less floor space, are quicker in use for the normal dealership, hence their adoption for servicing and so on, the ones with screw jacks and nuts have, in my experience worn the nuts out rather too quickly in commercial use, despite copious lubrication/maintenance.
The dealers have to have periodic facelifts of their workshops these days so the hoists tend to be replaced quite frequently and can make good buys for the rest of the trade/enthusiasts with large home workshops.
I own and run a busy fast fit type operation, in one of my depots I've got a Bradbury 4 post ramp that was built in the mid to late 80's that we bought not long after we opened in 2007 and it has been absolutely faultless. It gets lots of use and I'm sure will give me many years more service.
Nowhere near as good value as this - http://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-61...
A grand less and takes an extra ton.
Looks like the OP is sold on 4 post though.
A grand less and takes an extra ton.
Looks like the OP is sold on 4 post though.
I would be very wary of using a 2nd hand 4 post lift
I've seen what happens when a ram shears & although the ramp didn't collapse completely it still caused injury & damage turned out there should have been a recall carried out but due to a change in ownership it never happened
2 post lifts are perfectly safe & make it a lot easier to work on the vehicles
I've seen what happens when a ram shears & although the ramp didn't collapse completely it still caused injury & damage turned out there should have been a recall carried out but due to a change in ownership it never happened
2 post lifts are perfectly safe & make it a lot easier to work on the vehicles
MackemPete said:
thanks Neil.
I'm sure 2 posts are as safe as 4 posts when they are used and installed correctly. I have no idea on the thickness\quality of the concrete slab in my garage though. Roof height is a bit of an issue too.
Drill a hole in the floor to find out, 4 post lifts need just as much concrete as 2 post onesI'm sure 2 posts are as safe as 4 posts when they are used and installed correctly. I have no idea on the thickness\quality of the concrete slab in my garage though. Roof height is a bit of an issue too.
I'm having a 4 post installed for a mot bay currently & it specs 160mm of concrete not sure if it's ramp specific but gives you a guide
Working in the trade for 5 years with 4 post and 2 post also have a 1 post at work to which is good for certain jobs especially welding sills. 2 posters are the best all rounder and are as safe as 4 posters if maintained correctly but that a case for everything.
For home use would get a 2 poster easier to work around and take up less space. Ive never had a problem with either types of ramp although big 4x4 aren't best suited to 2 post ramps unless the ramp is rated to 5 ton.
For home use would get a 2 poster easier to work around and take up less space. Ive never had a problem with either types of ramp although big 4x4 aren't best suited to 2 post ramps unless the ramp is rated to 5 ton.
I keep an eye on 4 post lifts. Most are 3 phase but can't you change the motor or use an invertor for single phase. It'll be a bit slow but time would not be of the essence.
2 post lifts give me the willys - I did a course at the local college and cars on 2 posts seem to wobble more than I liked when some welly was being given to undo resistant bolts. I appreciate they are common practice but not for me.
Wheels free on a 4 poster looks a better option.
2 post lifts give me the willys - I did a course at the local college and cars on 2 posts seem to wobble more than I liked when some welly was being given to undo resistant bolts. I appreciate they are common practice but not for me.
Wheels free on a 4 poster looks a better option.
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