Page 1 of 2

Portable two post lift?

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 4:52 pm
by spl310
Has anyone seen one of these in use?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... paign=DFGC

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 4:59 pm
by crzydave
Yes, my friend has one. What do you want to know?

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 5:04 pm
by spl310
How stable is it? Is your friend happy with it? Does it lock securely?, you know the normal stuff.

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 5:54 pm
by ed B
crzydave wrote:Yes, my friend has one. What do you want to know?

If you don't mind, I've got a few questions too, which may help Sid as well. If they are portable, that means no connection to floor, so what holds them from tipping over?
Do they use, hydraulics, cables, both?
Do they sell other models that go high enough to walk under?

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 7:46 pm
by 68DSU
The comments that mention a concrete drill sent me to the handbook that indicates a baseplate that is permanently anchored to the floor. Looks like a good tool for a home garage.

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 8:04 pm
by greydog
If you watch the video, just after he wheels the second post in place, he screws a couple bolts into the floor.
So, there' are either plates set in the floor or threaded inserts.
Looks pretty nice and not so tall it won't fit in a "regular" garage.
Dan

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 9:32 pm
by crzydave
ed B wrote:
crzydave wrote:Yes, my friend has one. What do you want to know?

If you don't mind, I've got a few questions too, which may help Sid as well. If they are portable, that means no connection to floor, so what holds them from tipping over?
Do they use, hydraulics, cables, both?
Do they sell other models that go high enough to walk under?
There are anchors that you put into the concrete. A metal sleeve to receive the mounting bolts. There are I think 5 bolts for each side. It comes with 2 pre-drilled holes to lock the arms into place. Pretty much the min and max of what the lift is capable of. My friend drilled a couple extra holes in-between so he could get the car at a height he liked.

It uses hydraulic lines with an electric pump. I think it came with a roller cart for the pump and reservoir but we mounted it to one of the posts.

He's had a vette and a MKII MR2 along with a 350Z on it before with no issues. He's had it for at least 4 or 5 years now.

With all that said, since he has moved into a new house and he hasn't mounted them yet. He was never comfortable thinking that a few sleeves in a concrete hole is going to hold up forever even though he never had an issue.

Another thing to consider is that they occupy a ton of space in a garage while in use.

We are both going to get the quickjack soon. https://www.quickjack.com/

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 9:33 pm
by crzydave
spl310 wrote:How stable is it? Is your friend happy with it? Does it lock securely?, you know the normal stuff.
Hopefully I got these covered in my first post. I tried to combine the two together.

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 10:06 pm
by redroadster
I used to use one like it
Kind of a pain in the but with the leveling switches , maybe OK for home use though.
Seems to be the Neuse baum style
They did not go to 6 ft does that one?

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 6:58 am
by spl310
How securely does it lock in place? Is it sturdy enough that you could use it for storage of one car above another?

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 7:35 am
by crzydave
spl310 wrote:How securely does it lock in place? Is it sturdy enough that you could use it for storage of one car above another?
It probably doesn't go high enough for that. I personally wouldn't store a car under it.

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 8:48 am
by Pjackb
Most of the questions I see here are answered in the Q&A section or video from the link posted by the op
For the parking question It clearly states "This lift was not designed as a parking lift"

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:54 am
by crzydave
Pjackb wrote:Most of the questions I see here are answered in the Q&A section or video from the link posted by the op
For the parking question It clearly states "This lift was not designed as a parking lift"
Sometimes its good to hear from personal experience instead of marketing material from the manufacturer.

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 11:31 am
by Skyman
I have a MaxJax lift in my garage. LOVE IT! Ask any questions you want. I've left my car "stored" on it for at least a month. Put my rolling frame underneath.

Re: Portable two post lift?

Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 11:48 am
by Jujuman
I have been considering a bendpak 4 post lift more for storage. Others have stated that they limit under body/wheel/suspension access.
I am considering the 2 post. how long can you leave it up on the rack? I checked MaxJax web site there are no reviews or testimonials.
I reviewed the formulas for the weight distribution of the base plate and they seem appropriate, my concern is if I leave 1 on top and one below for an extended period of time the weight of the roadster may play a role in pulling out the outer bolts