Automotive Scissor Lift

jerryacheson · March 21, 2005

I'm thinking about buying one of these. Anybody have experience with this kind of lift? What are your thoughts? I don't have the clearance to put in a full lift.

https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/catal...6049c6871281790

March 21, 2005

Here's another link for comparison.

www.eagleequip.com

There are others..Hemmings has a bunch of companies listed that sell these types of lifts too.

JohnO · March 21, 2005

Jerry:

Yes, I have some experience with these lifts. After doing some research I decided to go with Mohawk. Their website is mohawklifts.com. They were a little more expensive, but I heard the quality is better than the other ones on the market. I contacted Mohawk and got the name of their distributor in my area (New York). Since Mohawk is in New York also I got a better deal - wholesale.

Another key factor was delivery. The distributor came with a flat-bed tow truck and put the lift in my garage. With the other brands, they will arrange to get the truck to your driveway, but you have to make arrangements to get the lift off the truck. So, all I had to do was plug it in to the wall.

As a warning, take good measurements. The swing-arm length on alot of brands is 60 - 65 inches. I had Mohawk make up some extended swing-arms ($100 per arm) to bring the width to 67 inches which should be adequate for your Electra. You compromize a little capacity when you extend the swing arms. So, instead of a 6000 lb capacity lift, the lifts capacity is about 4800 lbs with the longer swing arms. The lift has no problem lifting my 1968 Wildcat. I have a 1973 Electra that I have not put on the lift yet. I would say your 62 is about the same as my 68.

As far as access, you can get to any part of the car, except in the middle where the lift is. On my 68, I could undo the bolts to the transmission pan as it extends back that far.

Even though these lifts are portable they are very heavy. You have to be somewhat strong to move it around. I would not be to anxious to take it out of the garage and onto the driveway. Also, concrete is a must as I would not trust it on blacktop.

Also, you have to have the car centered on the lift which may take a try or two. If I were changing the oil I would not go to the trouble of putting the car on the lift, but for rotating tires it would be worth it.

Just like you, I did not have the room for a 2 arm lift which gives you complete access.

Hope this helps!

Don Caithness · March 22, 2005

Here is another lift to consider, Revolution's mid rise scissor lift gives you 48" of lift, comes with commercial flip plates and has a very stable base that can be anchored to the concrete. Unlike other lifts, the base is fixed and as the lift rises, it moves upward and to the rear. No rollers to gouge the concrete. I write for an automotive magazine and after researching them all, this was the unit I went with for my own shop. In case your not familiar with Revolution Lifts it's the enthusiasts division of Rotary Lift. www.revolutionlifts.com Another item to consider on any lift is to check and make sure it carries the gold ALI certificate.

jerryacheson · March 22, 2005

Thanks Don.

October 21, 2011

Thank you for your informative article and discussion. I have been looking for information on access equipment and in particular a scissor lift and boom lift. This discussion has solved my concerns. I am very grateful.

:confused:

wildcat1562 · October 21, 2011

i bought both my 2 post lifts from greg's

do not get the scissors lifts

they are good for smaller cars but not the bigger ones

also

go with the heavier 10000 lbs lift with the 2 post

i can lift my one ton ford diesel crew cab long box up fine

i have had several cars on it and no problems

also with the sissors lifts you can't work under the car at all

where as the post lifts the underside is all open

the sissors is good if you want to do body work on the sides

but they get tippy with the bigger cars

Greg

wildcat1562 · October 21, 2011

a few pictures

another thing to think about is the thickness of your cement, mine is 6inches

they say a min of 4 inches for a 2 post lift

but i would not do less than 6 myself

Greg

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