Lift options? Brands, recomendations experiences, looking for informed opinions Options

[Calwaterbear]

Guys,
I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a 2 post lift. while the 914 is light, I alsoi have to hoist up a LandRover Defender 110 as well, weighing in at 6500 - 7000 lbs.

I'm thinking a 9000 lbs rated lift will be fine.
But there are several different brands now available - with a WIDE range in prices.
so the cheap ones include
Launch (they now have a 1 piece design for towers), Autocraft, and Tuxedo. I assume all are probably Chinese - but I don't know for sure. all could be had for under 1500 - plus I will need to pour a 20X25 slab.

The Greg smith Elite seems like a good price for a unit they brag about, and have good reviews posted - but by whom?

Further up the price line - add an extra 500 - 800 bucks is the Bendpak, I think they are good quality

then some really pricey units above that.

so anyone have any idea on suitability - I'm using the lift once a month or so, i'm just a lazy hobbyist!

[Calwaterbear]

thanks for all the input guys. I like 4 post lifts for storage, but I have worked under several cars on a 4 post, found it much tougher and more aggravating that working under a 2 post.

so out of the blue, my kid found someone selling a 2 post 9000 lb western lift used. She found it on Craigs list facebook - I have no idea that even existed, apparently completely separate of Craigs list, because i never saw this lift posted there.

anyway Western is made in USA here in California, and as far as I can tell has a good reputation, seems to be much more common in the professional garages, not so much hobbyist)

It was 10 years old, had new cables and tubes. I ran a big pickup up and down, worked flawlessly. So I lowballed the guy - and ended up with an 800 dollar used lift. Now I have to go pour a pad and set it up. sucks it slows down my 914 effort in the short run, but it makes so much stuff so much quicker and easier, I'll come out ahead in the end!

[Mark Henry]

It was 10 years old, had new cables and tubes. I ran a big pickup up and down, worked flawlessly. So I lowballed the guy - and ended up with an 800 dollar used lift. Now I have to go pour a pad and set it up. sucks it slows down my 914 effort in the short run, but it makes so much stuff so much quicker and easier, I'll come out ahead in the end!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

Good deal, Is it 220v single phase? Even if not a 3-phase a converter is fairly cheap off ebay. It should be a way better unit than a Chinese lift.
The pads, time and cash on the lift is well worth it.

If you have a good floor I'd just cut two 24" square holes 10" deep, drive a bunch of rebar into the ground. Drill some holes into the edge of the existing floor and jam some more rebar in that. Fill it full of cement, dry at least a week, rent a hilti for a day, a box of redheads and bob's yer uncle.

[Calwaterbear]

It was 10 years old, had new cables and tubes. I ran a big pickup up and down, worked flawlessly. So I lowballed the guy - and ended up with an 800 dollar used lift. Now I have to go pour a pad and set it up. sucks it slows down my 914 effort in the short run, but it makes so much stuff so much quicker and easier, I'll come out ahead in the end!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

Good deal, Is it 220v single phase? Even if not a 3-phase a converter is fairly cheap off ebay. It should be a way better unit than a Chinese lift.
The pads, time and cash on the lift is well worth it.

If you have a good floor I'd just cut two 24" square holes 10" deep, drive a bunch of rebar into the ground. Drill some holes into the edge of the existing floor and jam some more rebar in that. Fill it full of cement, dry at least a week, rent a hilti for a day, a box of redheads and bob's yer uncle.

Thanks Mark, I do have single phase, and a straight shot to trench it underground. Its too tall for my garage - plus my garage has radiant heat tubing, plus when I finish building a full shop - the garage becomes the game room - multipurpose - extra sq feet - no tax increase! So I'll pour the pad for now - after I finish the workshop, I'll move the lift, and the pad will be repurposed as a storage shed , or a carport

thats my plans