Hwilli1647545487 Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 I'm going to be buying a two post lift for my home shop here soon. Looking for some recommendations/real world experience from people who have one. Features to look for etc This will be used primarily for hobbiest/personal use. Though I am a buy once/cry once kind of guy. Thanks, Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson1647545504 Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickey4271647545519 Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Personally I like challenger and forward lifts. Have used a couple Snap-On 2-posts and I have no desire to use one again, required maintenance often, and seemed to strain/bend lift arms with an avg car on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
408 on a budget Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 There was one for sale on here i thought not all that long ago, a MaxJak one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Rotary Lifts and Challenger are the only two I'd buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Max Jack seems to go high enough just to be uncomfortable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hwilli1647545487 Posted July 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 It's going in a fixed location and i think my ceilings are 20 feet. The Max Jack wouldn't make sense for my application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Rotary lifts are worth the extra money IMHO. I've used plenty of lifts, and they have always seemed to be the most durable and the most sturdy. Challenger is a fine lift but a slight step down from a rotary. Knock off versions, like we have a couple of at Lash, are the ones that we've had to repair recently for major parts breaking off. The rotary lifts in my bays have been fantastic and are at least 10 years old in a high traffic shop. I would prefer low profile arms for my home lift, and screw adjustment pads but wouldn't break a deal for me. 220v will operate much faster as well, but this depends on your needs and if you want to go the extra mile for that. Hope you get something that works out well for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGU Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 I have a challenger lift in my garage and a bendpack 4 post lift. Both are nice but I like the Challenger lift. From a few people ive talked with if you are going to get a lift you will want Challenger, Rotary or Mohawk. those are your only real options for a two post lift. If you want to bring a car by your welcome to try out the challenger at our garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS69 Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) New or used is the question. I have a Challenger which I bought used. It is a pretty good lift and is better than the new hobby ones. Overall, I believe presently Rotary makes the best if you can afford one or find one used. Edited July 3, 2015 by RS69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiek2000 Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Rotary is all we use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Challenger lifts for sure. Been in almost all shops I've worked in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mensan Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Looking for some recommendations/real world experience from people who have one. Features to look for etc Gentlemen, take note: Rotary lifts are worth the extra money IMHO. I've used plenty of lifts, and they have always seemed to be the most durable and the most sturdy. Challenger is a fine lift but a slight step down from a rotary. Knock off versions, like we have a couple of at Lash, are the ones that we've had to repair recently for major parts breaking off. The rotary lifts in my bays have been fantastic and are at least 10 years old in a high traffic shop. I would prefer low profile arms for my home lift, and screw adjustment pads but wouldn't break a deal for me. 220v will operate much faster as well, but this depends on your needs and if you want to go the extra mile for that. Hope you get something that works out well for you. I believe this is the EXACT type of post Howard was looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiek2000 Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 I push my 9000lb rotarys to the limit regularly and the never miss a beat. I am not afraid to stand under the truck like I have been on lesser quality lifts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruizin01 Posted July 3, 2015 Report Share Posted July 3, 2015 We have 15-16 Rotary's that are used for 9 hrs daily. I cant tell you the last time we ever had an issue with one. We get them serviced/maintained about once a year. We have new arms installed about every 10 years. Good lifts. Its what I would buy if I wanted a full size 2 post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trouble Maker Posted July 3, 2015 Report Share Posted July 3, 2015 We use Rotary lifts at work and they work great. I can't specifically recall some of the other brands I've seen in garages, but I've run across some bad ones from the places being cheap and putting in cheap lifts and from a lack of maintenance, poor fixes. Don't skimp on maintenance or getting it fixed right if there is an issue. This is a life saving/risking device. I'm sure the other ones Scott and Patrick suggested are good, I trust their opinions on stuff like this, I just don't recall any specific experience with those. Make sure it's sized right for what you want to do. There is almost nothing more frustrating than trying to put a car on a lift it wasn't designed for, or installed correctly for. I've had to put cars on lifts where you have to put it withing a few inches or less spot or the arms won't line up right. Really frustrating and time wasting. Also, if you can try to make it so it's easy to get in and out of the car door when it's on the lift, that's a plus. We can slide in and out of car windows easily now, but what about 20 years from now? Did you finally decide which part of the garage to put it in? I don't think we got a chance to talk about it at your part, but I did chat about it with Greg for a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radio Flyer1647545514 Posted July 3, 2015 Report Share Posted July 3, 2015 The bussman on here should have some insight on this if you pm him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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