In the floor lift

[cmccuist]

Anyone ever consider one of these? How hard would that be to install? Where are the controls? Are there any stops or does it just hold the vehicle up by hydraulics?

There are a couple of these for sale at a Sears store in Beaumont, TX.

[Arizona_928]

Big hydraulic ram.

[nvr2mny]

With the options out there today, I wouldn’t touch one of these, or risk my safety, with a 10’ pole. Even though in the 70’s I spent years underneath these w/o any issues.

[dad911]

Having both a 4 post and 2 post lift, I would expect the costs to install one of these to be prohibitive. At least a 6-8' hole? remote hydraulic pump? As I recall the station I worked at (1970s) used the air compressor to activate the lift? Also, as I recall they rate as badly as underground storage tanks for leaks, as a leak unnoticed will spread below ground.

i considered this very briefly when planning my new garage, but the install and safety concerns outweighed the cool factor. But they do have their fans. Check out Garage Journal.

[cmccuist]

That’s probably why they’re selling them for $200. How do you even remove that from the floor!?!

Then you have the controls that you would have to dig another trench for. And I still don’t understand how it stays up if there’s a leak.

[Arizona_928]

Big water cooled concrete saw.
It ain't going to sell for a reason lol

[porsche4life]

Yup those are a pain to take out. There will be a cylinder and possibly a tank in the ground you will need.


We had one in my dads shop, super handy to use, works well as a table too. But it is a trip hazard when not in use!

[Evans, Marv]

As a kid in the mid to late '50s, I worked in a Richfield station after school and weekends. We had one of those, and didn't know about anything else. Never a problem, it lifted Chevys, Olds, Chryslers, Fords, etc. I do remember someone commented about a problem with electrolysis somewhere down the road. Last time I saw the place decades later, it was fenced in with some sigh up about environmental hazards. Probably the fuel tanks and maybe the lift mechanism.

[David]

I just removed several at work. They were relatively simple with a ram and tank but I can’t imagine wanting one over a modern 2 post lift. We no longer use our vehicle repair building at work so I didn’t want the environmental risk of having oil tanks sitting in a pit unused.

[asphaltgambler]

After 45 years in and around service shop environment- every lift design you can think of has both advantages and disadvantages. In- ground lifts have come a long way. They make a 'slim' floor hugging top that is great for low clearance/ race vehicles and the tanks, piping, lines are now rust proof. So if installed correctly no worries about external loss of oil. I've always preferred this type as it takes up the least footprint of any design, period. Only downside is if you need to remove transmission as obviously the center post is in the way. But you can add 'feet' on the end contact points to elevate the vehicle above the lift. Also the cylinder diameter and top plate is smaller now.

[sixbanger]

I knew a guy that had one in his shop and you could hear the air leaking out then all of a sudden it would drop about a foot and a half. talk about crapping your pants. he would go over and raise it back up and keep right on working.

[asphaltgambler]

I wouldn't consider buying used in ground as the new ones are so much better as I've said above. In ground units are close in cost to equivalent 7500lb above ground lifts. Also most everyone in this area selling a used above ground lift wants close to what a new certified one is.

[john70t]

Not a very good design imo:
-To make the lines/piston service-able would require removable top plates over large air gaps, which would weaken the support base.
-It doesn't retract flush and is a tripping hazard.

[A930Rocket]

If one did want one of those lifts, could it be recessed into the floor like others do with a sissors lift? Then make cover flush with the floor.