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Truck hoist for my shop,what brand, how big?

broflow

broflow

Tinbanger
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So I'm thinking pretty seriously about purchasing a hoist for my shop. I wanted to when I built the shop just didn't have the extra cash. I look at all of the projects I've done and wished I'd had one. I'm just getting tired of creepers and laying on my back.
So does anyone have any advice on how big of one to get? I'm leaning toward a 10,000lb. I want to be able to pick up my crew cab diesel.
Also what brand? I don't want to buy one of the El cheapo China built ones off of eBay but do I really need to buy a top of the line brand if I'm just using it for Hobby use?

Any experience good or bad would be appreciated.
I've got 12'_8" ceilings and I want an open floor, 2 post style lift
 
12'8" going to limit you to a 10k lift .

rotary / bendpack both top level stuff.
http://www.forwardlift.com/
http://www.rotarylift.com/
http://www.bendpak.com/

most of them have lift size / hight / width specs in the listings to help you pin point the one to fit .

forward lift brand is rotarys budget lift still same quality just less fancy options. looks like forward f12 has hight options see this http://www.forwardlift.com/pdfs/Brochures/Forward_F12.pdf

I would do a 12k for best options if you can squeeze it .

I have lifted crew cab long bed duramax and cummins 4x4 on 10k lifts just fine .

for years I have used rotary and loved them with 1 tiny problem they took care of under warranty .

my house / shop now has a 9k eagle ( china ebay ) style lift and its CRAP . . . was in there when I purchased the place . the quality is junk / fitment sloppy as hell / 1 arm welded wrong at factory and its up 5* and makes swinging under lower vehicle a b!tch . just a pile of crap .

just saving my coins for new forward or rotoary lift . and my info / feedback comes from almost 20 years using 2 post / 4 post lifts every day .

this is my lift and why I want it GONE . . . .
 
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sweetk30 said:
12'8" going to limit you to a 10k lift .

rotary / bendpack both top level stuff.
http://www.forwardlift.com/
http://www.rotarylift.com/
http://www.bendpak.com/

most of them have lift size / hight / width specs in the listings to help you pin point the one to fit .

forward lift brand is rotarys budget lift still same quality just less fancy options.

I have lifted crew cab long bed duramax and cummins 4x4 on 10k lifts just fine .

for years I have used rotary and loved them with 1 tiny problem they took care of under warranty .

my house / shop now has a 9k eagle ( china ebay ) style lift and its CRAP . . . was in there when I purchased the place . the quality is junk / fitment sloppy as hell / 1 arm welded wrong at factory and its up 5* and makes swinging under lower vehicle a b!tch . just a pile of crap .

just saving my coins for new forward or rotoary lift .

this is my lift and why I want it GONE . . . .
Click to expand...
Holy crap! That's a scary video. I kinda figured that you get what you pay for. I've been looking at the Rotarys, I knew they were top notch. I'll have to look into the Forward and Bendpak. I figured like anything else that there are only a handful of hoist makers with multiple names on themy? I've seen a few used Rotary 9000 on Craigslist around my area. Also some Aamco and Challenger. Just not sure if a 9000 is big enough, plus I'd like to get one that's got extra width to it.
 
my china 9k eagle like in video has done the duramax and cummins crew long beds . . .

my long time sales rep guy for tire supply's also sells / installs lifts . lots of big shops have been doing the forward and no complaints .

even with a good lift I like one of these tripod jack stands for stability on big/ long trucks when doing lots of work . and a warning sign hung from the lower lever when its under the vehicle so you don't have a OH SH!T moment . . . . the stand takes out the small wobble front to back for heavy working on a vehicle so its more stable .

3315-STAND.jpg
 
sweetk30 said:
and a warning sign hung from the lower lever when its under the vehicle so you don't have a OH SH!T moment .
Click to expand...

I make a sign out of a 1" x 3" piece of wood painted red that I can hang behind lower lever and won't let me lower the lift with out moving it.....It has saved my ass a couple of times.

There's another lift out there you don't hear much about, Mohawk. http://www.mohawklifts.com/wp/ Had one in a shop I worked at. Also saw a lot at dealerships around here. Made in the USA.
 
that is 1 hell of a lift . . . . Mohawk

just called them and checked price on a 12k low celling unit . . . . hate to say it NOT gona happen in my shop unless I sell a completed truck or win the lotto.
 
sweetk30 said:
my china 9k eagle like in video has done the duramax and cummins crew long beds . . .

my long time sales rep guy for tire supply's also sells / installs lifts . lots of big shops have been doing the forward and no complaints .

even with a good lift I like one of these tripod jack stands for stability on big/ long trucks when doing lots of work . and a warning sign hung from the lower lever when its under the vehicle so you don't have a OH SH!T moment . . . . the stand takes out the small wobble front to back for heavy working on a vehicle so its more stable .

View attachment 223643
Click to expand...
My buddy uses the stand on bigger trucks too.
FOR MUD said:
I make a sign out of a 1" x 3" piece of wood painted red that I can hang behind lower lever and won't let me lower the lift with out moving it.....It has saved my ass a couple of times.

There's another lift out there you don't hear much about, Mohawk. http://www.mohawklifts.com/wp/ Had one in a shop I worked at. Also saw a lot at dealerships around here. Made in the USA.
Click to expand...
Thanks I'll check out Mohawk. Hadn't heard of that one
 
After seeing that sure glad I bought arotary. Of coarse that is what I was going to buy all along. Can't see cheaping out on something that your going to be under. My 10000 will lift my duramax 4 door utility long body full of tools. Pretty sure it ways more than 10000.
 
my sales guy told me true quality lifts that are certified have to do a min of 1.5x there rated capacity to even be considered for certification .

I called Mohawk and the nice people on phone . gave me a price for a low celing 12k 2 post at 9k bucks . . . . I could see it for a every day shop with huge volume . . but not for my needs . I will do rotory or forward .
 
My friend has an older Rotary lift in his shop--previous shop owner bought it used for 800 bucks,had not been used extensively by the looks of it..
It gets used daily now for the past 10 years or so,and he has had to replace the cables and one lift chain on it,and had the electric pump motor rebuilt about 4 years ago,but considering the vehicles he's put on it,probably some exceeding the rated capacity (I think its 7K lbs),it has held up pretty well..

He did have trouble finding the right cables for it,the ones listed for his model ended up being wrong,but they eventually figured out which ones he needed..at least you can GET parts for it--unlike some other brands that leave you boned once they break..
 
I have a 10,000 bend pak and it has been great. I've only had it for a year but I'm very happy with it.

FB8FFC47-4165-47A1-BAFB-D69FBEAD2CCF_zpsm6hmouz3.jpg


D2A96239-8054-4991-8224-A77FA7A4B58E_zpsakmnz2bd.jpg
 
I was talking to a couple of friends of mine with shops that have Rotarys and they swear by them. They thought that Rotary has 2 series of lifts now? One of which is China made? Anyone know anything about that?
 
Another vote for the rotary. Had six in the last shop I worked in. Never had an issue with any of them.
Just routine maintenance- fluid level, cable tension, floor bolt torque once a year.

We have a 10k rotary at the farm here and have diesel trucks, and cat skidsteers on it constantly. Plus an occasional golf cart or forklift

Did you pour the slab with a lift in mind? Had friends go to put one in and find out their slabs were thinner than they were told
 
I think all they ask for is a min of 4" as long as the concrete is structurally sound ..... I poured a 6" haunch where mine was going to go.
 
Overkill6x6 said:
Another vote for the rotary. Had six in the last shop I worked in. Never had an issue with any of them.
Just routine maintenance- fluid level, cable tension, floor bolt torque once a year.

We have a 10k rotary at the farm here and have diesel trucks, and cat skidsteers on it constantly. Plus an occasional golf cart or forklift

Did you pour the slab with a lift in mind? Had friends go to put one in and find out their slabs were thinner than they were told
Click to expand...
Yes, 5" slab with fibermesh and wiremesh also thickened 48" circles where the lift post will bolt to 8".
 
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