https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/d/new-auto-lift-110v-free/6458308750.html
My garage should be done in the next month or so, and this seems like a good deal. Is free delivery/install worth much? Should I look around for a used one from a closing shop? Should I collect some buddies and DIY?
Install is a pain if you don't have a forklift. That's definitely worthwhile. Those towers are tall and heavy.
It's not a fast lift, probably due to the 110v power. I'd check with them and see if they have any 220v power ones. Heck, I'd contact them and see what all the options are. Low profile arms are really useful for guys like us. At least it looks like they have decent stock of lifts and parts.
Recent GRM Chatter and the statement of 4 hours it took to get the package off the truck. This 4 hour time does not include the time it then took to assemble.
You're going to be trusting your vehicle, and more importantly your life to any lift. I would probably not trust my life to a cheap, no name Chinese lift that I found on CL. How easy will it be to get replacement parts? What kind of warranty does it offer? Is it certified? I'm not saying you have to spend $5k to get a decent lift, but torquing something under a lift that was found in the discount bin full of unnamed knockoffs is not for the faint of heart.
I think my 10,000 lb Bend Pack with a Dayton pump and standard cylinders cost less than that. They are selling you an $1100 lift with $850 delivery and setup.
Now it they will take $1200 out the door, that's another story, chinese stuff will last in a private setting. The steels are not going to wear out, if the pump does, you just upgrade at that time.
Because you can buy this with the money and have $1250 plus left over to claim the wagon class at the $2018 Challenge
Stampie said:Because you can buy this with the money and have $1250 plus left over to claim the wagon class at the $2018 Challenge
oh damn. Did not see that because my craigslist auto saab search only emails me if it is less than $500. But crap. Might have to make a call on that.
I wouldn't get that lift (and I'm also looking in chicago north suburbs) 1. it is a floorplate lift which means you constantly have to deal with that floorplate being in the way. 2. it's chinese and not ALI certified, without the certification there is no guarantee that it can lift what they rate it at safely. 3. you can pick up a used bendpak for that and it'll last longer and be more easily repaired when the time comes. FWIW you can get a bendpak 10k AS-lp for 4100 installed. yes it is 2x as much, but it has a much better warranty and build.
For $500 more you can get the same thing ALI certified from Greg Smith, or if you feel like rolling the dice $500 less gets you the same thing without the ALI certification.
Or name brand used.
Or Homeboy Hookup on new.
Or pony up for new with professional installation.
Think about it. What would you miss more: Eating solid food, or $1000. I know which one I will pick when I install my lift.
Also, something is berkeleyy about the amp rating, 3 HP at 110V draws north of 35A at full tilt. Not a lot of 35A 110V circuits around
Keith Tanner said:Install is a pain if you don't have a forklift. That's definitely worthwhile. Those towers are tall and heavy.
Years ago I bought a used lift from a Sam’s club that was moving, they had a forklift available to take it down and a work buddy and I disassembled it and we loaded it on his trailer. We dragged it off the trailer and onto m y garage floor. We stared at the lift wondering how to raise the beams but we had no clue. It sat for a couple weeks till I gave up and called a company that installs lifts. Two guys came out in a van. No forklift no equipment. I was stunned as the two guys lifted the small end as the other larger guy bear hugged the post and walked it into place.
rustybugkiller said:Keith Tanner said:Install is a pain if you don't have a forklift. That's definitely worthwhile. Those towers are tall and heavy.
Years ago I bought a used lift from a Sam’s club that was moving, they had a forklift available to take it down and a work buddy and I disassembled it and we loaded it on his trailer. We dragged it off the trailer and onto m y garage floor. We stared at the lift wondering how to raise the beams but we had no clue. It sat for a couple weeks till I gave up and called a company that installs lifts. Two guys came out in a van. No forklift no equipment. I was stunned as the two guys lifted the small end as the other larger guy bear hugged the post and walked it into place.
A floor plate lift is fine if you only have 10.5' ceilings like I do. Yes, I would love to have an overhead cable with 12'+, but I can't justify raising the garage for it.
To lift up my posts, I had two angle-iron bits hanging from the ceiling for the garage door opener. I cut a pipe to the size between the irons, then ran a piece of allthread to screw them together. After that, I used a chain hoist attached to an eye bolt at the top of the column to lift it up. After it was up (almost) al the way, I just kind of grabbed it and pushed the bottom until it was free standing. Then I did the bear-hug/walk it back into position.
You can see the pipe at the top of this picture:
That being said, this lift is a 1988 VBM (now Challenger brand) USA made lift that I bought for $700 from craigslist. They loaded it with a forklift onto a Uhaul trailer, and it took me about two hours with furniture movers and a comealong to get it into the garage.
I'd guess I have (at minimum) another 3-5 hours getting it up, into position and set up, so there's a decent bit of "free" labor that it took to get that lift working. Install is a real bonus, but I don't know that I'd trust a chinese knock-off lift like that. Lift failures looks reallllllly scary.
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