Automotive Car lifts-good/bad brands

[Fred from MO]

Has anyone purchased an automotive 2 or 4 post lift recently? I had looked in to purchasing one many years ago for home use but the economy killed the brand I was looking at? Any good ones out there or most importantly any ones to avoid?
 

[Brad Buchanan]

Hey Fred.

I am in the market for the same thing.

Every one of the ones that I looked at seemed to be designed well. Unfortunately several ones I looked at (at guys I know who do auto repair) had welds that should be ground off and repaired.

Non-penetrating welds- what used to be called bird crap welds, pieces of mig wire still attached to welds and welds that wander off the joint.

Personally I am going to inspect any lift that I will buy before purchase. Probably cost a bit more but so be it.

Good luck,

Brad
 

[co_mike]

Gents,
I wouldn't consider anything but a "Rotary". I have one in my barn that I bought from my previous boss it was 6 years old when he closed the business and I bought it, 8 years later it still performs and looks like new. It's 9,000 lb Asymmetrical 2-post these are used in most all auto dealerships. He originally paid $7K, I bought it for $2.5K. Rotary has been around a long time with in ground hoist going back to the 50's.
Be very careful with any cheaper brands, remember you will be working under this thing.
Just my 2 cents......
 

[jose bagge]

Rotary 's are the only way to go...outlast the Challengers and other lifts we've used probably 2 or 3 to one.

When it comes to auto shop equipment, I'm a big fan of Rotary lifts, Coats mounters/balancers and Hunter alignment instruments. They just flat out get the job done right with the fewest problems.
 

[Mike M]

I'd like to get one,but wasn't smart enough to make my building tall enough !
 

[Bryan inIowa]

I have a Rotary and like it ,,had it for years. Just install a 15,000 lb Atlas and love it ! install liked alot of the things atlas did. LOT cheaper than rotary or challenger .
 

[Lou from Wi.]

Brad Buchanan
What you described sounds like a suicide lift.lol
LOU
 

[Charles (in GA)]

Mohawk is probably the best. Rotary is subject to a lot of reputation and is certainly good quality, be aware that "Rotary Revolution" lifts are not the same as this is a different company that is owned by the same parent holding company that owns Rotary and they applied the Rotary name to the Revolution lifts to sell a cheaper quality lift.

Challenger is a good lift, I have a two post 9000 lb I bought used in excellent condition.

Lots of choices, study carefully and know the differences in features and also usefulness of a two vs four post.

Charles
 

[ASEguy]

Hunter is the best I've ever used. We have a four post open front lift with 8,000 pound swing arms at our school. They are pricey.
 

[HWess]

What do you guys think about "Back Yard Buddy"?
 

[Uncle Ernie]

Fred. I know nothing of this brand but the prices make me want to order one today!
They have to be as good as the hydraulic jack and jack stands I am using now...
Low prices

 

[Hobo,NC]

[504]

Just use this for information, they have a video that you should watch.
Untitled URL Link

 

[Sprint 6]

I wouldn't buy one of the foreign, cheap made lift. Remember it is your life under it, and I like to live. I have seen the arms bowing on a Korean made 8K lift with just a car on it.

I personally own a Challenger 10K unit made in Kentucky. I am very pleased with it and have run it near its capacity with 1 ton dump trucks.
 

[greygoat]

A Question to all that responded: In what
country are the lifts, mentioned here, made ?