Recommendations on 2 post shop lifts?

My dad is having a 40x60 shop built. As part of the build, he would like to have a 2 post vehicle lift.
Ideally, it would be capable of lifting his F350 dually.
He's an electrician, so electrical wiring is easyand not a concern.

The only thing I know to watch for is to get an offset beam style so that doors can open while in the air.

Can anyone help me with brand or what qualities to look for?

 

The only thing I know is that there are requirements for the concrete slab (mainly thickness) so that's something to consider when building.

 

Challenger lifts have a lot of options. From capacity, height, width and asymmetrical arms. Challenger Lifts | Industry-Leading Car Lifts & Lifting Solutions

 

Rotary is a really good brand. I have a cheaper bendpak 9000 but work on mostly 1/2 ton trucks and that’s all my slab would be able to do.

 

Rotary or Challenger are both good brands.

Many buy the cheap chinese lifts for home use, but buy once cry once.

Our hoist guy actually refuses to install anything from overseas now.

 

Thanks! Any thoughts on Atlas? I think a neighbor had that

 

I have been very happy with my Rotary 9000lb lift(was purchased used 15 yrs ago and Rotary provide excellent support when I installed it)....
I am a hobbyist and have used it to lift everything from riding lawnmowers to ext. cab DRW3500 trucks...

lift related:
"clear" or "open" floor lifts - ie cables that link the driver/passengers lift arms run overhead
ceiling height - want minimum of 13 ft to be able to reasonably stand underneath... even then be prepared to whack your head against an immovable object occasionally

using a lift related:
plan to buy stands for supporting stuff overhead and/or stabilizing long vehicles(double cab w/ 6ft beds etc) - Something strong enough to keep the truck from rocking on the lift when in the air
roll around toolbox/cart/table - always need something to set your tools on while you work
buy some magnetic nut cups(Amazon)...... gives you somewhere to store your nuts when rotating tires

 

I've had an Altas BP10000 (Greg Smith Auto in Indianapolis) for about 6 years. I'd estimate it's been up and down 400-500 times. No issues whatsoever. Came with a nice set of adapters for the lifting pads.

BP10000X 10,000 lb Baseplate Lift (atlasautoequipment.com)

Sounds like you might want the 12,000 model.
BP12000X 12,000 lb Baseplate Lift (atlasautoequipment.com)

Have you decided on baseplate or overhead version? The base plate was the right choice for me but not everyone thinks so. The 2-3 times it's been in my way, I removed the plate and laid a notched piece of plywood down and protect the cables/fluid lines that way.

Make sure to talk to the builder in advance about setting trusses so you have an overhead gap at whichever bay you want the lift. Otherwise, trusses will need to be modified no matter which style you choose.

You might also consider having them make a footer where you are certain you have the floor thickness you desire. Plan the footer location so you are far enough inside the garage so when the door is in the up position you clear it while lifting, unless you will always work with the door down. A garage with 40' of depth will easily allow for that if you desire that option. Otherwise, you'll need to have the door down anytime you lift a vehicle more than a few feet.

Do yourself a favor and hang a maintenance log at the operator station showing when the last time you confirmed the tightness of the floor anchors. They will loosen, especially when new. I check mine every 6 mos and write the date in marker on the lift arm next to the operator station. Sucking/blowing the dust out of the anchor hole BEFORE inserting the anchors is a must.

Position some extra overhead lighting around the perimeter of the lift and just far enough outboard so you get good lighting inside fender wells, under hood, etc. I bought a Harbor Fr floor stand for underbody work.

I placed an overhead air reel in the left rear and right front and that's been nice for air impact usage. I also wired a double receptacle box off the 240v feed for the lift motor. Really handy for lights and small electric tools.

For peace of mind, you may want to consider a set of these extenders. I keep promising myself I'll make a set, but ...

BP10000X BASEPLATE EXTENSION KIT (tooltopia.com)

 

I'll second Greg Smith. I haven't bought anything from them since they joined the Tooltopia family, but I've bought tools from Tooltopia before. When I got my life from Greg Smith, they were the cheapest I could find for a decent brand name. I'm not sure that's the case anymore.

 

I don't know the benefits or drawbacks at this point, I'll have to read up.

The space will be lofted so there's no problem with height

I'm telling the builder to make it so the door rolls straight up like a warehouse door

I like it, noted.

 

Aaand now I know the difference between baseplate and overhead. Overhead is the way to go

https://www.tooltopia.com/baseplate-lifts-vs-overhead-lifts

 

Be sure they mount the garage tracks high.

 

Does anyone have input on Challenger's Versymmetric design vs. a more traditional assymetric/symmetric design?
https://www.challengerlifts.com/car_lift/vle10-versymmetric-car-lift/
As a homeowner I'd have a variety of my own vehicles to lift, and certainly don't have the plans to have more than one lift.

 

I'm thinking about buying a lift for my garage. Just found this thread and saw that you guys all recommend the Challenger Lifts Does anyone have another lifting system? It would be great to have a choice. Though I've already looked through the challenger lifts customer service and noticed that people are pleased with this system.

 

I have an Atlas 10 k lift. It works great.

I want a mid height scissors lift. Actively looking presently.