Small cars (90″W X 198″L X 86″H) Mid Size (96″W X 204″ L X 86″H) Large Cars (112″ X 240″L X 86″H)
How much space do I need? A car lift will optimize any space, so don't fret if you're concerned that your garage is too small. The car lift itself will fit into one bay space and it is optimal to have 11-12 feet clearance height. Garage Living can also modify how your garage doors open to accommodate a car lift.
These are typically around 4' to 5' wide and 7' in length and can raise up to between 2' and 4'. Having that additional clearance of a low-rise lift is perfect for a quick tire, wheel, or brake service. There are even portable lifts if you're a traveling mechanic.
Ceiling Height
Typically, a 12-foot minimum clearance, floor to ceiling, is required for your general two-post lift. Higher ceiling height is required for some of the four-post storage lifts and anything designed for larger trucks. For personal or hobby shops, many people purchase or reference Behm Design plans.
Space and Measurement
Your garage needs enough space before you can install an auto lift. The typical measurements for a 4-post car lift is 103 inches wide by 173 inches long. Most passenger cars have a length of approximately 16 to 17 feet.
In general, installing a residential elevator necessitates a minimum of 20 to 25 sq. ft of area. Depending on the home elevator you intend to use, you might also need to dig an 8-inch trench beneath the elevator.
General Ceiling Height Ranges by Lift Type
4 post car lifts require 12 to 14 feet of ceiling height. 2 post car lifts require 11 to 12 feet of ceiling height. Scissor lifts require 8 to 10 feet of ceiling height.
The concrete slab also needs to be at a certain depth to safely install a car lift. A minimum of four inches of reinforced concrete is the standard, however, ideally, you should have at least six inches, and as much as twelve.
If your lift has asymmetric arms, then we recommend the center of the columns should be set about 9-10 feet off the front wall. If your lift has symmetric arms, then we recommend that the center of your columns should be about 12 feet off the front wall.
Basically, a low rise car lift works great in a garage with a ceiling height of 10 feet or less. Not all low rise car lifts are safe or practical to use, though. For example, many scissor-style hydraulic lifts are too tall to fit underneath a vehicle with low ground clearance.
In compliance with ADA standards, the depth should have a minimum of 51 inches (1.30 m), width of 68 inches (1.73 m), and door width of 36 inches (. 91 m). The common elevator for office buildings are 6' wide by 5' deep (1.83 x 1.53 m). The doors of the elevator are typically 4' wide (1.22 m).
Elevator cars must be at least 1100 mm wide, 1400 mm deep and have a minimum door opening of 900mm wide. Elevator cars must have infra-red protection between 50mm and 1550mm above floor level. The landing button must be located 900 to 1200 mm from the floor.
You will need floor dimensions measuring at least 1,100mm x 1,400mm. Your lift should also come with an entrance protection system. There needs to be a clear door opening measuring at least 900mm in width.
Standard garage doors are designed to accommodate most car lifts, whether a two-post car lift or a four-post lift. If you are looking to install a car lift within an existing residential garage, you might need to modify the doors for the lift to fit easily.
Overall Height: 111" (9' 3") Overall Width: 135 (11' 3'') Width Between Columns: 111" (9' 3") Power Unit: 2HP, 220 Volt, Single Phase.
The recommended garage bay size for a 2-post lift is 12' tall by 12' wide by 24' deep. Having a ceiling height of 12' assures an overhead model has enough clearance. If you have lower garage ceilings, then a floor-plate model will be the best option.
What are the concrete floor requirements of my lift? 2-post lifts (under 12,000 LB. capacity): Four (4) inches of concrete at 3000 PSI 12,000 pound two-post lifts (and higher capacity): Six (6) inches of concrete at 3000 PSI is required.
Unlike 2-post lifts, which absolutely need to be bolted down, 4-post lifts disperse weight across a wider surface area and are engineered to lift vehicles with or without drop-in anchor bolts .
Checking that all ropes, chains, rollers and carriage pins are lubricated. Ensuring that all floor anchor bolts are sufficiently tightened. Verifying that all of the screw and nut lubrication systems are topped up with the correct specified lubricant.
New concrete must be adequately cured for at least 30 days. DO NOT install auto lift on any asphalt surface or any surface other than concrete.
Although you can install a lift anywhere outside your auto shop, it might not be the wisest option. From outdoor hazards to the additional installation measures and maintenance needed, we discuss everything you should know about installing a car lift outside before you make the final call.
Thickness of Garage Floor Slab
Light Loads – For one to two light cars or trucks, the concrete should be at least four inches thick. Medium Loads – If the garage is used for average-sized vehicles and/or medium to heavy trucks, the concrete needs to be six inches thick.
There are several heights to choose from, ranging from 1.5 to 6 inches. The height of your lift kit depends on your lifestyle and driving habits. If you are off-roading on uneven terrain, consider a kit closer to 6 inches that gives your vehicle higher ground clearance.
Some of manufacturers standards for a 2-Post and 4-Post Lifts require a minimum 4 inches of reinforced concrete slab to be safely installed.
How Tall Are a Standard Elevator and Elevator Door? A standard elevator door is between 6 and 8 feet tall, with the overall elevator height falling somewhere in that range.