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Re: best garage lift

PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:52 am
by rdssdi
http://www.autolift.org/buyer_beware.htm

interesting web site for the Automotive Lift Institute.

Looks like many companies all over the world are selling products stated as meeting ALI criteria when in fact they do not.

A must read.

Bob

Re: best garage lift

PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 8:51 am
by alexblack13
Like everything else made nowadays there will always be counterfeit products.

The CE certification on the Intern BV lift has been checked and is correct & I have the correct certificate of use which is supplied with every individual and numbered machine. But one must check them out.. Carefully research the selling agent.

The lift sold by Intern bv has a safety device (parachute valve they call it) which prevents fast lowering of the lift. They say that if the hose bursts for example it prevents the lift from lowering. It then has to be repaired and the lift raised to release this valve before it can be lowered again. This is required for CE reg's. US might be different. But you could always buy a UK spec machine..

The ramp also has safety locks at approx 100 mm intervals and in the event of failure will engage and catch the lift also..

You have nothing to worry about with this cable lift. :wink: There is nothing 'iffy' about its construction (To Intern's spec') & is seriously heavily built ..Its like a Tank.

Alex B....

Re: best garage lift

PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:40 pm
by bast0n
Alex

You are so right.

I have the Intern BV lift sold by Fred in the Netherlands. Beautifully built, works a dream, has saved me ??????????????????s in labour costs and gives me an extra parking space in my barn.

Several of my chums/farmers et all have bought this one on my recommendation and all are thrilled to bits with it.

What is not to like?

TBG

Re: best garage lift

PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:52 pm
by cal44
My neighbors have, "Made in China" lifts. Instead of paying extra money, these knuckleheads bought the cheapest lifts they could find.

I'm thinkin', DUDE!, your life depends on the thing not coming down on you, what are you thinking? And, wouldn't you know it, these guys have money
........................go figure. Smart in some ways and dumb as a shrub in others.

I will not stand under those.

There are several "Made in America" lifts. During my investigations I found the Backyard Buddy to be one of my picks, I can't remember the others. Hemmings is a good resource as well. I think the Buddy was going to run about $5-6K.

I ended up buying nothing as the lift used up needed room. For me it was a nice to have but not a need. Of course a ten foot minimum ceiling is a requirement.........I think.
Mike

Re: best garage lift

PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 3:53 pm
by elangtv2000
I'm using a Danmar D-7 (aka Commander 7000) four-post lift. It's designed and marketed by a US firm, and yes, made in China. I looked at several before deciding, and though price was a motivator, I examined the welded stops on the posts, the locking cams, cable systems, pulleys, etc., and decided that both the locks/stops and cables would have to fail before gravity triumphed. I also looked at dozens of user comments and reviews on other forums and talked to a couple of folks who had been using the lifts, and decided it was a good purchase. Last, the lift is rated for 7,000 lbs., which means you could stack Elans like cordwood on the thing to reach capacity.
It is very important to follow the instructions carefully, including all periodic lubrication and adjustment of cables, checking pulley sheaves, etc. as one might imagine. Being careless while welding or a myriad of other activities around cars can be deadly, so while the lift adds one more element of danger, it also takes away others, as the car is very secure on the lift.
Love the lift - it's big, but not so big it won't fit into my small garage. It gets the car in the best position for overhead work while standing, or laying on a creeper, or anywhere between. The DHC goes on top, the FHC on the floor beneath.
Cheers,
Greg Tatarian
1971 S4 DHC
1967 S3 SE FHC

Re: best garage lift

PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:31 pm
by collins_dan
Bob,

This is the lift that I was thinking of.

http://www.eagleequip.com/page/EE/PROD/LI-SS/GLO-8000

I have only seen positive feedback on them, but have not seen one myself to know for sure. Thought I would just add that name to the mix. Maybe someone knows of them for good or bad.

Good Luck. I'll be interested to see what you end up getting. How far are you from Baltimore?

Dan

Re: best garage lift

PostPosted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 6:34 pm
by Lotus14S2
Remember to get full advantage you will need a high ceiling.
About voltage: 220 is more efficient. If you have 220 available in your garage then use it.
I bought a new American made lift some years ago and it cost me about $5000; the overseas equivalent was about half.
I have seen some of the Chinese units, and there are slight differences, but none that I would see would make the unit unsafe, particularly if you are lifting light sports cars.
I know there are people who refuse to by anything made in China, sometimes with what they feel is good reason, but I would say, that even with a lift manufactured in the U.S., the odds are that the only thing you will get that is American is the welding and the paint job. I doubt that any company will be buying American steel, and just about anything you can think of, even with an American manufacturer's name on it, odds are its not made here.
There is also liability. You buy it here then the people you buy it from will need to stand behind the product. If I was to buy now, then I would look at any Guarantee, and see if it meets industry organization standards, such as SEMA. Find out if components such as electrics, hydraulics, and cables meet the appropriate standards of their industry.