4 Post Garage Lift

[mark030358]

Hi all,

I bought my mum a flat in the village where I live and it has a single garage. So I’m looking for a 4 post lift to fit in it, mainly because I want to store two cars.

Problem is that the garage has an up and over door. Normally I would go right ahead and change it, but thats not possible as the covenant states that no one individual can just make changes and also it falls in a conservation area. Aside from the door, the garage has ample height.

Thus I’m looking for one of these that has a low post height, so that the up and over door can get past. The smallest I have seen is one with 2.2m posts.

I’m guessing I could chop some material off the top of the posts, but this would mean the cables would be too long and I don’t really what to mess about with those.

Anybody help with this?

Cheers
Mark

[h20hamelan]

I had been considering another 4 post
I have the same problem, my 2 post works well. So I have decided on another 2 post. This has the added benefit of unloading suspension while at rest. Also, pools of fluid being pissed onto whoever is sleeping in the bunk below

[greg40green]

Evening Mark
When you are able to collect your new Elan seats and dash board you can have a look at how I had to arrange my 2 post ramp as I had and still have an issue if putting anything else on the ramp any longer than a 2 seater Elan so as to put another car underneath and being able to lift the up and over door.
There's a knack to it but its also dependent on the length of your garage , mines 19 Ft, and also ,which 2 poster ramp you purchase.
I could only locate one such 2 poster ramp that the manufacturer claims to have a patent on being able to reduce and widen the width of the 2 poster ramp via adjustable cables , rather than all others having to be a fixed width ie 8- 10 - 12 feet wide but nothing in-between , if that makes sense.

[mark030358]

Evening Mark
When you are able to collect your new Elan seats and dash board you can have a look at how I had to arrange my 2 post ramp as I had and still have an issue if putting anything else on the ramp any longer than a 2 seater Elan so as to put another car underneath and being able to lift the up and over door.
There's a knack to it but its also dependent on the length of your garage , mines 19 Ft, and also ,which 2 poster ramp you purchase.
I could only locate one such 2 poster ramp that the manufacturer claims to have a patent on being able to reduce and widen the width of the 2 poster ramp via adjustable cables , rather than all others having to be a fixed width ie 8- 10 - 12 feet wide but nothing in-between , if that makes sense.

Hi Greg,
I want a four post, much safer imho. Just don’t fancy a two post one.
Cheers

[Ross Robbins]

Hi Mark,

i don't know how things work in the UK but here in the states any good overhead garage door company can add height to the vertical section of track if there is enough height inside the garage. The net effect is that the door goes up vertically a bit further before it starts its bend back to the horizontal. This allows taller stuff below the opened door such as a four post lift. I have had one door that was horizontal within about 2" of the ceiling!!

[h20hamelan]

[mark030358]

From another forum....

http://www.hamercarlift.com/ Excellent

[h20hamelan]

From another forum....

http://www.hamercarlift.com/ Excellent

I do approve of the 4th picture down. I bet there are at lease 8 more Lotus in there we cant see!

[mbell]

i don't know how things work in the UK

A up and over door is very different to standard US style door. It a single ridge door piece that pivots and rises on runners at the side of the door opening. Rather than the multiple connected piece that run up in tracks you get over here.


Can't recommend anything but is there space between the door edge and wall for the legs to fit? Then the door could operate between the legs.

[S3FHC]

Hello Mark,

I am also considering a 4 post lift as a way to store more cars in my garage.
Although I can't help with advice for the 'best' 4-post lift, I wonder if you could take a look at the up and over door?

Usually covenants are concerned that you do not change the outward appearance (shape/pattern/colour etc)

With some planning, you could re-engineer the door to operate as a side-hinged door.
It would then retain the required appearance features yet the only change would be the function of opening and closing it.
Most up and over doors are very flimsy, any subsequent bracing required for the hinges would help to strengthen it, This would then open up the entire height throughout the garage to allow for a standard 4-post lift?

If modifying the door is not possible, the Hamer 4-post lift looks as if it may be available in a version that allows you to have modified (shortened) posts but that may then not give you the required lifting height for a 2nd car?

Mark

[alanr]

Although Hamer still have a web page I don't think they are in business anymore. I made enquiries about a year ago and they couldn't tell me when the Hamer lift would be available again. They said they would get back to me but I am still waiting!

Alan.

[alanr]

I know you say you can't chnage the door but if it was broken it would have to be changed wouldn't it?. Surely this could be 'arranged'.
Changing the up and over door for a roller shutter type door (just rolls up on itself) is the obvious answer and then post height of a lift shouldn't be a problem.

Alan.

[nmauduit]

From another forum....

http://www.hamercarlift.com/ Excellent

interesting "less is more" approach - except for the price list which makes the product line more expensive than powered conventional alternatives...

[661]

My 4 post is reasonably cheap and cheerful but has proved faultless in 3 years
posts are about 2140 mm with large threaded rod on the top taking them to 2200mm. could be cut once set up to 2160 I estimate.
I've been using it for a rebuild so up and down a lot. Would have much longer life , I guess, if a parking lift only.
Personally I'd stick two large butt hinges on the side of your garage door

[mark030358]

They are still in business, spoke to them today.
Cheers