Mobile Column Lifts

[Meyers Farms]

I have recently moved into my new house and shop and I need to get a lift. At my previous house/shop I had a 9k lb 4 post, but I ended up selling it to the house buyer. I had originally intended on getting another 4 post to put up in my new shop. The new lift would be a 12 or 14k.

At work I recently purchased a Rotary mobile column lift system for our mechanic. It is 4 wirelessly controlled columns rated for 14k each. It also has adapters (9k each capacity) that allow the columns to lift on the frame instead of the tires, thus allowing just 2 posts to lift a truck weighing 18k. I would absolutely love to have this system at home, although it costs close to $40k. Even buying two Rotary columns would still run me over $20k by the time I bought adapters as well.

I’ve looked around online for a lighter capacity column system and hopefully a lower price. I’ve seen a few, I believe China models, that I think were in the 13-$14k range. Just curious if anyone has any experience with any of the mobile column systems and if there are other options I’m not seeing. Thanks!

[wannabehero]

We have Stertil Koni units at my shop and they regularly impress me.

[BigPapa]

Originally Posted by wannabehero

We have Stertil Koni units at my shop and they regularly impress me.

Second that here. We have three sets of four here. Ours are wired, but the cables aren't a big deal. You could probably pick up a used set like ours from someone upgrading to wireless.

[biggy238]

Stertil Koni still trucking after 13yrs. The seals at the base of the cylinders hardened and dumped their contents at the 11 year mark. Also the rubber reservoirs for the Jack's all deteriorated and drained in the last year or so. Astronomical price to repair from Koni. I found the pallet jack structure they used online and ordered about $90 in parts and fluid to repair.

We bought a set of HETRA lifts last year. Cycle time is half as fast as the Stertil, but they seem to be a well made product also.

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[TheHammer]

We have the GREY 14k units. They were 58g. They loose sync constantly and we can’t get any help because the android system they utilize is shit! They have to be manually operated. I’d steer clear of GREY products (even though everything else we have is fantastic).

[biggy238]

Originally Posted by TheHammer

We have the GREY 14k units. They were 58g. They loose sync constantly and we can’t get any help because the android system they utilize is shit! They have to be manually operated. I’d steer clear of GREY products (even though everything else we have is fantastic).

That's the problem with android in it's entirety, by the time something gets sorted out, the target has already moved.

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[wannabehero]

Weve had no problems with ours, they are the wireless versions. the reservoirs on 3 of them would up leaking, but they replaced them under recall/ warranty. They said it was a known issue.

[Meyers Farms]

Thanks for the replies. I spoke to my rep that I purchased from at work and he is working on some pricing for me for a few options. I asked him about used and also looked online and didn't come up with much for used options. I am waiting to see what my rep comes back with and I will go from there.

[BigPapa]

Found this:

Heavy duty Truck bus lifts 18k - govdeals.com

[Meyers Farms]

Originally Posted by wannabehero

We have Stertil Koni units at my shop and they regularly impress me.

Originally Posted by BigPapa

Found this:

Heavy duty Truck bus lifts 18k - govdeals.com

I saw those in my search, looks like an 18 hour round trip for me.

I heard back from my rep and I can buy a 14K 4 Post Forward brand that will handle up to 182.5" wheelbase for $4775. Rolling jacks are $2212 each, so total would be about $7k before tax for the lift and one jack.

Two Forward brand 13k mobile column lifts run $17k and the brackets to pick up on front and rear of frame are $2400, for a total of $19,400 before tax.

With that being said, I'm trying to figure out how to justify the mobile column lifts but I haven't figured it out yet.

[biggy238]

Easy does it - YouTube

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[Meyers Farms]

Are you trying to tempt me? I’m sold on them for sure, I’m just not sold on the price, yet.

[biggy238]

Pulling the Hydraulics off a walking floor.

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[Meyers Farms]

Just keep tempting me!

[wrongway]

Chris, I have an older set of the Hetra lifts here at work. They are about 15 years old with zero problems. I also have 3 sets (12) of the newer wireless rotary lifts. Constantly getting out of sync and battery issues constantly. They are 18k lbs per column and i hate them. I had the Hetra rep out the other day and he sent me a quote per column of 5246.62. Now realize that is a state bid county price for me. We lift dump trucks, ladder trucks and sewer trucks all day long so ours do get a workout. I would much rather have the Hetra lifts over the Rotary any day.

[Meyers Farms]

As much as I wanted the mobile column lifts, I just couldn’t justify the price. I ended up ordering a Forward 14k 4 post lift with two air jacks. It is about a month out right now. Thanks for all of the suggestions! I’m looking forward to standing on my shop floor instead of laying on it.