Four or Two post lift
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
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From: Ontario, Can
A hoist is a good investment...Even if you use it for your hobby...I bought a sissior hoist last year...Best tool I bought...It was time...Been rolling around a creeper for to many years..Knees are giving me problems..So I bought it for my birthday..
Bironcad...What ever hoist you buy be it 2 post or 4 post....you will love it
Bironcad...What ever hoist you buy be it 2 post or 4 post....you will love it
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Each type has their advantages. I won't try to sway you either way.
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The 4 posters have the advantage of the quick easy lift but make the wheel, brake and suspension chores a bit harder. A good bit harder to work on the rocker panel area which is above the ramp area as well.
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Most of the 4 poster guys I know bought the accessory lift jack cradles to do the wheel and brake work. Those cradles can be manual jack or air over hydraulic which is much easier. It adds more to the 4 post cost but well worth it. Also, the 4 post lifts don't usually require the extra reinforcement in the floors. This may be your deciding factor.
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Of course the 2 post models need the required floor thickness but make the wheel, brake and suspension work more accessible. Other than the arms reaching under the vehicle your overall access is better.
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One thing about the 4 arms that swing in and extend on the 2 post models is that I have used mine to lift all types of stuff. Riding lawn mowers, ATV's, etc. Heck I have been wanting to make a pallet like attachment for the arms so I could raise items up to my truck bed. Still on my to do list.
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The only thing I can say is, don't go cheap on a lift. I watched a shop doing some muffler work on a diesel truck and the mechanic was tugging back and forth on the exhaust and the truck was swaying more than I would feel comfortable with. This was a stamped steel column type post. With the weight of our trucks go with the 10,000lb rating so you have a little extra in reserve.
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I bought my Mohawk 10,000lb 2 post lift because it was made of heavy channel and had a large footprint. The lift carriages each had sealed roller bearings to guide the carriage up the columns. It has close spaced mechanical safeties and hydraulic locks built into lines. Uses a link plate chain not cables to lift the weight.
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My ceiling is 14' at the center and 12' at the front and back walls. I have the garage doors follow the ceiling and the truck clears everything at full lift. You would have to close the door if you had a cap on the truck bed.
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Not trying to sell you on the Mohawk but take a look at their site. A lot of good info there. Another bonus they are made in America of all things.
--
The 4 posters have the advantage of the quick easy lift but make the wheel, brake and suspension chores a bit harder. A good bit harder to work on the rocker panel area which is above the ramp area as well.
--
Most of the 4 poster guys I know bought the accessory lift jack cradles to do the wheel and brake work. Those cradles can be manual jack or air over hydraulic which is much easier. It adds more to the 4 post cost but well worth it. Also, the 4 post lifts don't usually require the extra reinforcement in the floors. This may be your deciding factor.
--
Of course the 2 post models need the required floor thickness but make the wheel, brake and suspension work more accessible. Other than the arms reaching under the vehicle your overall access is better.
--
One thing about the 4 arms that swing in and extend on the 2 post models is that I have used mine to lift all types of stuff. Riding lawn mowers, ATV's, etc. Heck I have been wanting to make a pallet like attachment for the arms so I could raise items up to my truck bed. Still on my to do list.
--
The only thing I can say is, don't go cheap on a lift. I watched a shop doing some muffler work on a diesel truck and the mechanic was tugging back and forth on the exhaust and the truck was swaying more than I would feel comfortable with. This was a stamped steel column type post. With the weight of our trucks go with the 10,000lb rating so you have a little extra in reserve.
--
I bought my Mohawk 10,000lb 2 post lift because it was made of heavy channel and had a large footprint. The lift carriages each had sealed roller bearings to guide the carriage up the columns. It has close spaced mechanical safeties and hydraulic locks built into lines. Uses a link plate chain not cables to lift the weight.
--
My ceiling is 14' at the center and 12' at the front and back walls. I have the garage doors follow the ceiling and the truck clears everything at full lift. You would have to close the door if you had a cap on the truck bed.
--
Not trying to sell you on the Mohawk but take a look at their site. A lot of good info there. Another bonus they are made in America of all things.
Pickin on the wrong admin...
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,568
Likes: 1
I know of a lot of people in Calgary that have hoists in their personal garages..Just for their toys...It's a good tool...if not the best tool.. 
I had no way of using a 4 post or a two in my garage...I bought last summer a sissior hoist...Man.... It works great...I even installed 4 extra wheels that I could push the hoist sideways from one car to another...Wheels a little stressed out for a 1000 lb hoist...But it works very well
If I don't want to roll the hoist...I bought another great tool...Hydraulic wheel dollies...I just push the car over the hoist...Life is great..
I'm now designing a Hydraulic floor jack..That I could use the hoist pump to operate a floor jack...The heck with pumping a floor jack by hand..
I had no way of using a 4 post or a two in my garage...I bought last summer a sissior hoist...Man.... It works great...I even installed 4 extra wheels that I could push the hoist sideways from one car to another...Wheels a little stressed out for a 1000 lb hoist...But it works very well
If I don't want to roll the hoist...I bought another great tool...Hydraulic wheel dollies...I just push the car over the hoist...Life is great..
I'm now designing a Hydraulic floor jack..That I could use the hoist pump to operate a floor jack...The heck with pumping a floor jack by hand..
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Can
I know of a lot of people in Calgary that have hoists in their personal garages..Just for their toys...It's a good tool...if not the best tool..
I had no way of using a 4 post or a two in my garage...I bought last summer a sissior hoist...Man.... It works great...I even installed 4 extra wheels that I could push the hoist sideways from one car to another...Wheels a little stressed out for a 1000 lb hoist...But it works very well
If I don't want to roll the hoist...I bought another great tool...Hydraulic wheel dollies...I just push the car over the hoist...Life is great..
I'm now designing a Hydraulic floor jack..That I could use the hoist pump to operate a floor jack...The heck with pumping a floor jack by hand..
I had no way of using a 4 post or a two in my garage...I bought last summer a sissior hoist...Man.... It works great...I even installed 4 extra wheels that I could push the hoist sideways from one car to another...Wheels a little stressed out for a 1000 lb hoist...But it works very well
If I don't want to roll the hoist...I bought another great tool...Hydraulic wheel dollies...I just push the car over the hoist...Life is great..
I'm now designing a Hydraulic floor jack..That I could use the hoist pump to operate a floor jack...The heck with pumping a floor jack by hand..
we will be sharing the lift when it gets installed.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 622
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If you do the two post, look at at least one stout TALL three point screw jack. I put one under the hitch on most trucks to stabilize them on the lift. I feel better when the vehicles don't wobble so much. Just remember to take the jack out when lowering the truck or car. I have had good luck with the two post Rotary brand lift in the garage, but doing it again, I would look for something with cables. It is slightly out of time left and right every now and then.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,901
Likes: 37
From: On the Farm, Manitoba
You westerners are tougher then us out east eh? I just as soon not slide under my truck for the oil change anymore, lol. But you are right, if I were inclined to be on the incline, axle jacks and my pump jack would be enough. I have been sliding under it for near on eight years and would like to be able to stand up to do my oil, lol. 
Floor space aside I may just have to build another shed for my tractor stuff, lol.
Floor space aside I may just have to build another shed for my tractor stuff, lol. Although I have space for a hoist I like having the flexibility to weld, fabricate , spray paint or just drive in the front and out the back with a trailer attached. The company I worked for before retirement had three 2 post and one 4 post, they also had a pit which was the one thing that got used the most. Although all my work was outside even at -40c I used to "visit" the shop and everyone there said they were always tripping over the 4 poster.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 499
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From: Bonner Springs, KS
I vote for the 2 post. My neighbor has a Mohawk and that thing is stout. I poured extra piers under my slab so when the funds are available, I'll have one. There is no comparison of lift vs. creeper.
Guardrail
Guardrail
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
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From: Ontario, Can
I have decided on two post thanks for the input! Now which MF (manufacturer)
Model: XPR10 BendPak XPR-10 Two Post Lift
10,000 Lb. Capacity / Clearfloor / Dual-Width
Rotary:
SPOA10X
10,000 lbs. capacity
asymmetrical lift
Any thoughts on these two?
Model: XPR10 BendPak XPR-10 Two Post Lift
10,000 Lb. Capacity / Clearfloor / Dual-Width
Rotary:
SPOA10X
10,000 lbs. capacity
asymmetrical lift
Any thoughts on these two?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,899
Likes: 3
From: Yuba city Kalifornia
well if you have friends that have a 6.0 powerstrokes then your 2 post lift will be unavailable for you to use . I have been debating the same thing and after seeing a few 2 posters fail I think I will get a 4 post and some tall stands for holding the truck up for front end /axle work .my.02
Mohawk makes some tough 2 post lifts !
Mohawk makes some tough 2 post lifts !
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Can
well if you have friends that have a 6.0 powerstrokes then your 2 post lift will be unavailable for you to use . I have been debating the same thing and after seeing a few 2 posters fail I think I will get a 4 post and some tall stands for holding the truck up for front end /axle work .my.02
Mohawk makes some tough 2 post lifts !
Mohawk makes some tough 2 post lifts !
I am pretty sure that I will go with the BendPak XPR-10 Two Post Lift 10,000 Lb. Capacity / Clearfloor / Dual-Width
or the BendPak XPR-10A
and a tall axle stand.
I don't really know which to go with, the symmetrical or Asymmetrical with the 30 degree twist on the post. Any thoughts there?
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