I own a Auto truck lift..yes I did my homework 35 yrs ago.. I use my lift for my riding mower. Change blades..,a work table..for welding... working on my hot rods.. so I solved my problem..got a used Rotary inground..made in the USA..it's 35 yrs old ..I installed it myself..down here in Florida.. easy work.. under my floor...it's all sand...easy digging..8 ft down. . downloaded installer manual.. easy easy.. air over oil..old school lift..my oil tank is now above ground ..no rusting tank..to worry about ..had a mid rise lift in the past..been a joy to own.. open clear floor space...no Posts nice clean open floor look....wife is happy ..as well

Yes, beer, and those who drink it, (though not bringing any), is a very important consideration before deciding on a lift installation.. Also, if you feel, socially challenged for "friends", this one purchase and investment will guarantee, you will never have a lonely weekend, or even a workday evening for that matter !!! If you find value, in that sort of company... Thanks for your afterthoughts on your install...

Everyone who purchases a vehicle hoist should definitely consider these 5 things. Great video 👍🏼

Great video! Here in the US as you know, most houses are 120V/240V single phase, and most circuits just 120V/20A, so you'd likely have to run a 240V circuit to the garage, but on the good side it's usually easy to go up to 240V 30A without any trouble, and homeowners in many places can just do it yourself. Depending on local permit requirements. Three phase residential is pretty unheard of here, too, but it's possible to get rotary converters to go from single to three phase.

Another important tip is beer. Do the many friends you'll suddenly have now that you have a lift drink beer and if so is it your brand.

One of my mates had his Rolls Royce Corniche up on his 2 post hoist he had put in. Used it quite a bit and to his horror the bolts started to pull out of the floor and the whole lot started to tilt! They had to prop the car up. And he was lucky. Also check if your car can be put on a 2 post hoist. Some cars cannot. E.g. my Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3. You will tear the subframe bushes apart if not separately bolted together.

This is a great video. Great tips and well paced easily understood commentary.

Great info. You’re correct, you really need to think everything through before you purchase a lift. I went with an American made 4 post because they are safer, but you need to purchase 2 additional rolling airlifts for brake jobs/axle removal and they are not cheap. If you need to upgrade your electrical you are looking at a substantial cost. I was lucky since I already had a 220 3 phase in my shop for my welder. Really nice job hitting all of the key points prior to making a purchase decision. A lot of DIY guys could get away with a really nice scissor lift and save an awful lot of money and headaches.

I had a floor poured for my 36' x 26' garage.. researched well beforehand and with a 4" fiberglass reinforced concrete floor... I dug an area of 6" plus for where the lift was to be located. so far, so good. I got up and checked out the site before "THE POUR" 6" area raked back in to near 4", NO REINFORCING MESH as required by the quote... AND the concrete truck on it's way with arrival within 20 minutes!! Fllipped out!!! "Don't pour until mesh is in and 6" is restored" I went with the foreman and found some used 4' mesh and hightailed back to the site.. Concrete truck was there waiting as we cut and placed the mesh in place. they had restored my 6" excavation by that time and the pour began... Do I need to state a moral to this story??????

Great advice! Thickness/quality of my concrete is definitely something that had not crossed my mind. So... great! More money. Can't wait to tell my wife.

I put a lift in my shop some years ago and researching I found that many are just folded steel on the posts. I went with an American made Mohawk lift because it used welded forklift mast as the posts and also used 2 pistons with overhead hydraulic lines, so clear floor. It needed at least 4" of reinforced 4,000 psi concrete. Since we didn't meet that we dug and poured 6" of 5,000 psi with steel mesh on top of 3/8" rebar, with 8" depth at the posts. I think it cost about an extra $400 to go the next level. Power was 20 amps 240 volt single phase. The extra overkill on everything was around $1500 but got a lift that would do 10,000 pounds.

I think in this situation where you have cut slab which would a lot of 100 mm slabs could be better. Always join an existing slab to new concrete with starter bars and undercut old slab so that new concrete comes out and under old slab for additional support. The aim is to join new footings to old slab as best possible and installing a hoist with a high lifting capacity is very important.

Great video...I did my home work as well..no china,lifts..no good..went with old school steel a 1983 Rotary inground lift..fully restored..top to bottom..air over oil..tank is above ground for safety..

For me 4 out of the 5 points are covered, the point about the concrete is a good one and I know mine will need work on it. Thanks for the tips mate.

Very informative video, Thanks for all the insight for when i build my shop.

Good video , thanks for the tips

Awesome video. Gave me lots to think about. 👍

I have a Launch 4.5 tonne clearfloor hoist single phase hard wired in by choice (but I also have 3 phase throughout my 12x9 Mtr workshop). It has a dedicated power circuit/circuit breaker and the workshop was wired by a good electrician when built. Workshop roof height was considered at build to ensure sufficient height for the hoist. Only have the annual inspection costs. No problems after 3 years. I had thicker pads put in for the mounting, only to find these were not required for a clearfloor as the load is supported by the top brace, not all taken through the floor, which is 25Mpa concrete slab, professionally laid. The only thing I regret is the width between the posts. I would like another 4-500mm more than the 2480mm that seems standard for these type of hoists (difficult to open front door when large vehicle is on the hoist). Cost was a reasonable $3100. Hoist install was extra. I have spent the last 3 years wondering how I existed without a hoist now I have one. You can do sooo much more, much more safely.

Haven't poured my garage concrete yet and you just saved me by mentioning foundation thickness. Thanks man.

Yeah, good tips. In particular the concrete depth.

On the first one I installed, when we drilled holes in the concrete, to see how thick it was, we pushed too hard on the hammer drill and blew the back of the hole out, which made us think the concrete was thinner than it actually was, so we ended up selling the concrete outand putting in rebar and pouring a thicker pad when actually, it was thick enough, we were just thrown off because of blowing out the concrete by pushing on the drill so hard. Lesson learned.

Good advise. Thanks.

Great video mate! Would love to see more info on how you redid the concrete slab to accommodate 👌

Why doesn’t this guy have a million subscribers yet, his videos are so good and well put together

Some great tips there mate. Thanks.

Hi Jim, nice video, however as an ethical retailer I do have to say that some of us actually DO care about which hoist a potential customer might purchase - and we don't wanna sell 'a' hoist - just for the sake of it... At Hero Hoists (Australia) it's absoluely critical we make potential customers aware of the features, benefits and possible drawbacks of any option they may be considering... For example, the issues you experienced with the slab would probably not be a problem for a 4-Post model... as they're freestanding / portable - and can be used for BOTH service and parking... so we provide twice as many of them as the 2-Posters... As far as asking installers what's 'best' - yes in general that's good advice - BUT be very careful - as some installers have very close relationships with certain retailers - and even go so far as telling potential customers that a particular brand is 'best' - which is clearly a 'throw-away' recommendation - and meaningless without some kind of context... They aren't always aware of what's on offer or new in the market either… and on that basis I'd be getting any retailer to provide at least 3 customer numbers that they can call to get an unbiased opinion... Keep in mind that some retailers buy from just ONE supplier - and get a great deal on the basis of volume purchases - however that's certainly no guarantee of quality or value for money.

Thank you. Very good video. Very informative. Greetings from florida USA

You need a Stihl saw, Pick & shovel. Dig an inspection pit in your garage or drive way. Very safe and very cheap. Fit out with lights & sockets. You can do it with 3 or 4 courses of bricks for wheels to run on saving on excavation of the pit.. cover with wood or alloy when not in use.. you will have lots of friends when it's finished. Make sure they help with the work...I know of one that's 3 foot deep with 3 foot high walls along the sides that convert into seating either side of a removable table.. got you thinking !

I see a rock auto box there! I see we have the same interest in saving money. not to change the subject though, nice info the lift. Thanks brother.

Needed to add a picture of a rig on the hoist and another car underneath it would’ve been perfect. 👍👍👌

Yeah. I was looking at a premium commercial type of Euro origin. In the specs it had minimum base , 2M x 2M x 1M reinforced cement under each foot, there were other specs on the concrete in the brochure as well. And those were costly lifts. Heshbon or something iirc?

Nice video! Cheers!

Nice touch the ending...got DOIN STUFF...a like.

Cheap China hoists are ok, but none really have the stability. Mine I extended the base about 18" both ways. Like my previous Molnar was. They are a better piece but cost more. But I wanted clear floor. Clear floor is by far the best, speed hump hoists are a big pain trying to fit a gearbox of any sort as the hump is in the way. You need a level floor, they can be shimmed but again far from ideal. Clear floor though requires a taller roof. If your gable roof is sideways they generally fit, my 10'6" wall shed I had to cut it down the top of the hoistby 4" Requires spacers for the cables then. And big vans and 4wds are very close when lifting. Most clear floors too are wider, if you have a 20 foot wide shed you have to sqeeze them to one side of the shed. The Molnar speed hump was narrower and easier to get a car on the other side of the shed. A 3 ton hoist will lift any passenger, light truck and 4wd. Just make sure bigger vehicles are not carrying a ton [literally] of load. I have had 3 ton of Landcruiser and load on mine with no issues. The versions with asymetric arms are excellent,, except when you want to put a car on backwards, more so to remove the engine. Very unstable then The 45 degree columns too are generally better, easier to open doors etc.

Thanks 👍

The sad part is the lift I've been wanting went from $2,800 to $4,800 in under 2 years. Pretty much ruined my chances of getting it any time soon. Good video!

good on you...essential info

Very nice job on the content of this video.

Why do I need a hoist? Because I've got a BMW, that's why....

Always make sure the sliding legs that pick up the vehicle stops are there that stops them coming out. I was a mechanic in a big franchise shop and saw a BMW come crashing down. Nobody hurt but could have been serious.

always wanted to have a lift like Dan Tanna, just not the car really . Thanks for the video and peace on earth and ocean

As I get older 60 plus and after having 2 knee replacements I'm thinking a 2 post for the Subaru Outback the 2 motorcycles and the zero turn mower maintenance is the way to go.

Why do I need a hoist? Because car repairs are getting outrageous. I have a 2016 tundra 4WD, 48,000 miles, just had an oil change and get a list of things needed. They said “front and back brakes, rotors (which I doubt) and a cabin air filter, they wanted about $1,300.00 I have a bad back and fibromyalgia so wanting one to not kneel down or stand on my head to change brakes, etc. I built a garage in 1979 with a 10’x10’ door. It will need to go between the trusses but should work. I’ve need one all my life, but couldn’t afford it, when I did all my own mechanical work, thanks

Good video mate

I'm pouring square footings 4 feet deep with galvanized threaded rod j-hooked. I'm not pissing around with anchor bolts. No second chances under a vehicle.

Another thing to consider is screw lift vs hydraulic lift.

Awesome video. I see lifts at 3650 and I always wonder if that is tall enough or should I go 3.8 height like yours.

I need a lift because I am getting too old to crawl around underneath a car.

Another thing is make sure you don't drill into heated floor tube if you have it. If I get a lift I would need to use a infrared camera to see where the heat tubes are located.

Great to see the red Rambler convertible at the beginning of the video. Is it yours and a 1965? I have 1 with a 6 cylinder. Red with white top. Hope to hear from you. Good info in your video. Thanks!

Epoxy in the studs ( 3/4 good quality allthread ) ?

Get a four post hoist. You can move them around and your vehicle won't fall off. 😉

My buddy has a hoist in his workshop. Unfortunately, it only goes 4 feet off the ground. It was awkward when I had my car on it. Too low for me to walk under, so I had to sit on a rolling chair to work underneath.

I’d try to find one where the motor/pump/tank are up high out of the workspace. Once I got mine I found car repairs are so easy that my “projects” are much more serious now.

Have you had any issues of the slope of the roof being close to the vehicle?

I was going to buy that same brand but went with an EAE from Tufflift instead. There were a few things i preferred on the EAE over that one. Most of these cheaper domestic use hoists only come in single phase and most don't have the option for 3 phase, which is pretty stupid really but anyway. Typically a 3 phase power unit will raise the hoist a lot faster than the single phase units. 230v/400v is nominal in Australia, with a tollerance of +10% and -6%, has been around 22 years or more now. NZ is the same, however the tollerance is + and - 6%. There is also a 20A 3 pin socket, which has the active and neutral pins large in size the same as the earth pin on the 15A. These sort of things should be hard wired anyway, there is no point having it plug in, not like you can unplug it and take it somewhere else, it is just a waste of money having it installed with a socket outlet and a 3 pin plug.

Bet it would have been cheaper and faster to have gotten (2) 2' x3' - 1/2" steel plates welded under the tower bases but good on ya !

Man i love these videos, always puts a smile on my face to see you and your brother doing what you guys love! You two are awesome!

Unless I’m doing a lot a transmissions , clutches ect, I don’t worry, good quality stands do the job for me, mates tend to get more use out of it otherwise

Well Danish/Polish lifts Stenhøj is the best quality lifts on the market, secondly the Ravaglioli from Italy comes in second, but i guess you never tried to search those brands, both brands have any lift you require in their programme, both working 10+ years professionally and with only one annualy service required, they are cost compedative to all the other brands out there and the warranties are on both brands 3 years here in Europe. The lift you choose has 2 major faults, one is the reinforcement on the arms, total without any purpose and a pain in the arse when working around the lift, no space to put wheel bolts or brake parts when working around the lift and a magnetic cup will fall of when you need to do things inside the car when lifted. Secondly the motor and hydraulic system on the side of thae lift is absolutely annoying when doing anything around that area and everytime you need to walk around you need to take care of your self not to get caught up on it with arms legs or clothing....

It's nice seeing the brain behind the man the myth the legend. Lol

I would think installing a hoist might affect your insurance so you should check before you install one and then find out you cannot get insurance.

Why didn't you compare a 2 post hoist to a 4 post hoist ..?? 4 post hoist are more stable .. ??? like which is the best ..?? something to think about...???

Why are your lift arms not at the same height?

should you have set J anchors placed in the wet concert i heard that you had to keep tighting up the wedge anchors every so often and thats not a good thing

How thick was your concrete right there, 3.5"?

In Australia we have currently been using for the last decade 230/400v.

You said that 15A double gpo's don't exist, but they do. That is all I have in my shed.

Good to no thanks 👍

I always wanted one but will most likely go for quick jacks as it can be taken with you

Looks like you reinforced the new slab with chicken wire,,,,,,,where is the real mat made of #5 rebar??

How much to install mate?

not sure if i would agree with ask an installer, for example if i wanted to build a house I'd go to an architect and not a carpenter.

Don’t mean to be negative Nancy here but I see a huge issue with this lift installation. In the latter part of the video when you are sitting on the arms you can clearly see that one lift arm is higher than the other. Either the lift trucks are out of adjustment or you have a post not square to the rest of the lift. In any case I would refrain from using that until that is fixed.

Tired of paying nearly $100 - $300 every time you need to do a fluid change. Almost EVERY vehicle out there requires getting under the vehicle - especially the new 'sealed' transmissions.

You removed 2 roof trusses to accommodate the height of the lift, and half the roof load is over the garage door. That's a nightmare of structural degradation and your roof and walls are going to settle and bow if you don't find a way to replace the load bracing.

I thought the 5 were just common sense.

You Want A Real Lift ? The Only One To Buy is Mohawk Not Cheap But What's Your Life Worth ? They Dont Use Cables They Use Chains. The Only Lift With A 25 Year Warrantee . Stay AWAY From Anything Else

You have to have a lift at, work there's no other way to get your work done

What do you actually need a hoist for? Gee, I dunno-maybe rR&R transmissions, exhaust work underbody work, etc, etc. I mean WTF kind of question is that?!?

if you need a "installer" then you're in the wrong field. try cooking.

can't understand a word.

First thing to learn is that "Skyhooks dont work in the rain".

no mister you need a 1mx1m x ,7 m filled with concrete and min 200 fastening, or long rag bolts geeze my D4 LR Weights 2600 kg empty Yofferou are a statistic waiting to happen under that hoist orfer a voltage converter from me 5 to 30kw, single ph in 3 phase 400 out