FAQ

The required ceiling height will vary depending on the lift model, as well as the intended vehicle. The average 2 Post Lift height is 12 feet. Please refer to the product specification page for each product for further details.

At first glance, all two-post lifts may seem the same, but there are significant distinctions between them.

two-post lift with an asymmetrical design.
allows you to lift and move your car away from the posts so that you can open the doors without any interference. This configuration is ideal for vehicles but not recommended for long-wheelbase trucks.

Symmetrical two-post lifts

offer more width between the posts than asymmetrical configurations, making it an ideal choice for lifting vehicles with a long wheelbase.

Sometimes called overhead and baseplate lifts. All two post lifts need communication between both columns. You have hydraulic lines as well as equalizer cables the must run from one side to the other. The equalizer cables do not do the lifting, they simply synchronize both sides to make assure that the raise at the same pace. Many automotive shops have very tall ceilings. However some do not. Typically, most customers prefer clearfloor style lifts as long as their ceiling height allows for it. This is because the lines that run across from one post to the other run at the top, inside a cross member, which acts much like a conduit. Clearfloor models stand much taller than floorplate models. An auto shop owner who has a shorter ceiling height will need to get a floorplate auto hoist. The equalizer cables and hydraulic lines run on the floor, under a plate. They are totally open at the top, and the posts are much shorter. They are made specifically for this situation.

Four post lifts are great for storage and for servicing automobiles, but they won’t give you access to a vehicle’s wheels unless you purchase an optional accessory called a rolling jack, or the more affordable jack plate. This adds to the overall cost for the lift, but it will convert a 4 post lift to a full service lift.

How do I determine how much ceiling height I need for a 4 post lift or other parking / storage lift?There is a simple formula we use to determine what ceiling height is required to store one specific vehicle over another. Simply add the height of each vehicle, The one that will be on top, and the one that will be on the bottom, and then add ten inches to that figure. This is how tall your ceiling or overhead obstruction must be at a minimum. This is the only way we will guarantee that the lift will work for any specific application. It could be that you may be able to get by with slightly less, but again, that formula is the only way we will guarantee it will fit If using the lift for service purposes, and you wish to raise the lift to maximum lifting height, you would add the height of the vehicle to the height of the runways when raised to maximum lifting height.

It all depends on how far from the car's wheels the low point of the car is, (for instance an air dam). The farther away the low point is, the more likely vehicle is to bottom out. Likewise, the closer to the wheels the low point is the less likely vehicle is to bottom out. BendPak does offer extra-long approach ramps as an optional accessory for most of their 4-post lifts. This should help in most situations.

Most residential or commercial foundations are strong enough to support car lifts. However, it is important to adhere to concrete specifications by local code and manufacturer lift recommendations. Failure to do so could cause lift failure resulting in personal injury or death.

First, it’s important to note that any kind of car lift must be installed on solid concrete surfaces only. Do not attempt to set up a lift on any defective concrete, including any expansion cracks, without fixing the slab first, we will explain more on this later. Lastly, the concrete should never be hand mixed if you’re planning on installing a lift over it. These considerations should be taken very seriously, since ignoring them could result in auto lift failure that can risk major personal injury.

The concrete slab also needs to be at a certain depth to safely install a car lift. A minimum of four inches of reinforced concrete is the standard, however, ideally, you should have at least six inches, and as much as twelve. If you’re using the opportunity to install a new slab in preparation of your lift installation, plan on creating a deeper slab that is anywhere between six to twelve inches deep and has a minimum PSI of 4,000 for the most optimal condition.

Check for proper oil level. Bleed the cylinders. Check if the oil seal is damaged or cocked. Replace if necessary. Check if the inlet screen is clogged. Clean or replace.

As its name suggests, a two-post car lift utilizes two columns to stabilize a surface car lift that raises a vehicle into the air. Two-post lifts are actually the most common type of surface-mounted car lift in use today. If you’re wondering what to do if your car lift gets stuck, it’s always a good idea to eliminate the “simpler” issues first.

For example, a car lift could get stuck at the top due to the vehicle being loaded off-center. Always ensure that vehicles are loaded on-center to avoid this issue. A lift may also stop because the latches are engaging, in which case they should be adjusted or replaced. Lastly, the lift’s cylinder orifice could be plugged. To clear the orifice, simply loosen the cylinder bleeder or crack a line to lower the lift.

If your four-post car lift is stuck, start troubleshooting by checking whether or not the lift’s latches are adjusted correctly. If not, readjust accordingly. Next, a stuck lift could indicate a leak in the air line that leads to the latches, which would require a repair. Insufficient air pressure could also be the culprit for a stuck four-post car lift, in which case you can simply raise the pressure to its correct amount to continue lowering the lift.

The problem causing a stuck lift could also be an air switch that is not releasing, a stuck air latch cylinder, or a bent slack cable latch. In these cases, it is helpful to replace the air latch cylinder, cable latch or air switch to allow the lift to lower.

Prices depend on actual shipping rates. However, we receive substantial discounts from most major carriers.

Please contact our customer service team to discuss delivery to a residential address. The weight of the lifts, and the difficulty removing them from a freight vehicle can be quite challenging, and certain parameters must be met. 

Yes, we do. Thanks to our business alliance with various finance companies.

Aw-32 Anti Foam hydraulic Oil. The amount of fluid necessary depends on the size of the reservoir.

We deliver your car lift by a local trucking company to your home, business. You’ll need an engine hoist, forklift, or a boom on a wrecker to unload your heavy lift. Alternatively, our professional installers can unload your lift and deliver it to your location when convenient.

Unfortunately no. There is only one recognized authority when it comes to lift quality and safety standards: the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI). ETL is the lab that actually performs the testing for ALI. Any claim by other distributors that their lift is certified by another agency is just attempting to confuse buyers. Many lift manufacturers understand the importance of testing and certification through an independent lab. But, when their lifts don’t meet the ALI-certification, they start to claim they meet other standards. Don't be deceived.

It's not included, we can provide it and the cost is $80 per 5 gallons of hydraulic Oil AW32

The permit requirements, if any, vary depending on the city and County and the lift type. For instance, most home garage lifts do not require a permit. However, the buyer is responsible for obtaining a permit, so please check with your local building department.

Our residential lifts need a single-phase 110V or 220V power source (we recommend a 30-amp breaker). Most residential garages have 110V or 220V outlets (most washers and dryers operate on 220V). Our commercial lifts require a 220V/440V single or three-phase power source.

While we all want to save money, there are additional factors we need to consider when choosing a car lift. For example, the size and weight of the vehicles that need to be parked, as well as the dimensions of the garage, should be taken into account. To help you find the perfect fit for your requirements and budget.

The cost of professional installation depends where are you located and the type of lift you choose.

We charge $5 per mile Service Call to travel from Sanford Florida.

Our team will work with you to provide an installation price from one of our

A simple monthly checklist is perhaps the most you'll do on a regular basis, aside from common-sense visual inspections you'll do every time you lift and lower your vehicles. Cables need to be maintained, as do hydraulic systems.

Installing your lift is easy with the help of a forklift or boom and a few friends. Plus, you’ll receive a detailed installation manual with your order. And if you prefer, we have professional installers nationwide.

Other (unlisted) voltages may be available upon request. Voltage options vary between models.

We have parts mostly for Challenger Lifts in stock, but most parts from other lifts are available upon request and processing time and delivery may vary depending of the manufacturer logistic operations.

YES! All lifts should be inspected regardless of certification status. A lift is not required to be certified to pass an inspection

OSHA has no regulations that speak directly to the subject of vehicle lifts. However, the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act, signed into law March 7, 1996, allows for government organizations including OSHA to apply nationally recognized standards such as ANSI/ALI ALOIM (current edition) to satisfy its safety mission by suggesting the use of such requirements to abate infractions cited under the existing OSHA regulations

• Yes. ALI’s Lift Inspector Certification Program addresses standard lift inspection procedures for every style of lift based on the ANSI/ALI ALOIM Standard. ALI Certified Lift Inspectors follow these standard procedures to consistently inspect every lift, regardless of age, origin, manufacturer, etc.