About three weeks ago, my most recent project involving an adapted automobile Lift was completed. Perhaps someone in the membership has some of the same needs for a modified or adapted Lift as me.
In May of this year I learned that the person renting me a winter storage spot for my car was selling the building and I would likely need to locate another storage space for my second fun car In the winter. One of my cars already occupies my single car garage.
I located a “Single” Post, Moveable hydraulic Lift on rollers and wheels for sale about 4 hours from my home and my friend and I brought it back to my place in an open trailer. The Lift was purchased by the seller during COVID and he no longer had a need for it. There wasn’t a mark on the paint or any damage to the rubber lift pads. I paid about 1/2 the price of a new identical lift today, considering the increases in steel prices, manufacturing and shipping costs.
The single post needed to be shortened 1 5/8” so I could roll the Lift into any position in my garage. I wanted to park two cars 12 months of the year and use it to service my cars. I wanted it to be convenient enough that I could drive in or out without making adjustments to the arms every time I left the garage or returned. Last, I wanted to be able to remove and replace the 10 foot tracks for certain types of service.
The post was shortened using a Milwaukee cordless bandsaw, an angle grinder and a drill to drill two new holes. I bought 1 1/2, 10 foot sheets of steel for making and bending two tracks…A centre insert had to be made so the car being parked underneath could drive comfortably over the base of the Lift. When the metal work was completed, it went to the local Powder Coating Paint Shop to have the new tracks and other metal pieces painted yellow to match the manufactures yellow paint. Last, my good friend located 2 discarded ramps from a 4 post hoist which were easily modified to drive up onto the tracks and off and for secondary use enabling the ground vehicle to drive over the base entering or leaving the garage.
Below are a few photos of the project.
Mike
In May of this year I learned that the person renting me a winter storage spot for my car was selling the building and I would likely need to locate another storage space for my second fun car In the winter. One of my cars already occupies my single car garage.
I located a “Single” Post, Moveable hydraulic Lift on rollers and wheels for sale about 4 hours from my home and my friend and I brought it back to my place in an open trailer. The Lift was purchased by the seller during COVID and he no longer had a need for it. There wasn’t a mark on the paint or any damage to the rubber lift pads. I paid about 1/2 the price of a new identical lift today, considering the increases in steel prices, manufacturing and shipping costs.
The single post needed to be shortened 1 5/8” so I could roll the Lift into any position in my garage. I wanted to park two cars 12 months of the year and use it to service my cars. I wanted it to be convenient enough that I could drive in or out without making adjustments to the arms every time I left the garage or returned. Last, I wanted to be able to remove and replace the 10 foot tracks for certain types of service.
The post was shortened using a Milwaukee cordless bandsaw, an angle grinder and a drill to drill two new holes. I bought 1 1/2, 10 foot sheets of steel for making and bending two tracks…A centre insert had to be made so the car being parked underneath could drive comfortably over the base of the Lift. When the metal work was completed, it went to the local Powder Coating Paint Shop to have the new tracks and other metal pieces painted yellow to match the manufactures yellow paint. Last, my good friend located 2 discarded ramps from a 4 post hoist which were easily modified to drive up onto the tracks and off and for secondary use enabling the ground vehicle to drive over the base entering or leaving the garage.
Below are a few photos of the project.
Mike
!!! Wow!
