Should you buy a 2 post lift. There comes a time in every car enthusiasts life when they decide it would be a great idea to purchase an automobile lift. Generally placed in the garage, car lifts allow vehicles to be raised several feet off the ground, allowing access to the underbelly of the vehicle and its wheels.
There are several variations of garage lifts, such as 2 post vehicle lifts, scissor lifts and 4 post lifts. Knowing the difference between them and identifying their advantages and disadvantages can help to gauge which type is right for you!
- Floor Space: 2 post lifts take up the smallest amount of floor space, with only the footprint of the two columns taking up room. 4 post lifts take up slightly more space, but still a minimal amount. Scissor lifts for the car, however, can take up a lot of space since they lie flat on the floor, so you a lot of room is needed for storage.
- Height required: If you have a low ceiling in your garage, a scissor lift is the only way to go. The average height of one is around 60 inches high, whereas the other types of lifts require at least 12 plus feet of ceiling clearance. It is possible to get low riding 2 post lifts however which require slightly less height.
- Ease of Use: Both scissor lifts and 4 post lifts can be moved around (with difficulty!) when not in use. 2 post lifts on the other hand need to be bolted to the floor, so moving it is impossible. On the other hand, with a 2 post lift it is possible to get at the car wheels without any fuss. With the other types you would still have to use axle stands and jacks to lift up the vehicle first. Needless to say, this can get rather annoying after a while! However if you intend to use one as rasied car storage – the 4 post lift makes this the easiest out of the lot.
- Price: Prices for a new automobile scissor lift start at $1000, $2000 for a 2 post automobile lift, and $3000 for a 4 post car lift respectively.
By considering all of the above factors, you can begin to make decisions on what style of garage lift to buy. If floor space is the most important factor, go for a 2 post lift. If price is the main criteria for your purchase, a scissor lift is the cheapest of them all. If you have the money and don’t mind messing about with jacks to do wheel work, then a 4 post lift offers a lot of advantages. What do I have in my garage? A 2 post lift of course!
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