Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Colin916 · Joined: 14 Aug 2019 Posts: 10 Location: Darlington

Just wondering if anyone has used one of those small ramps available now for about £400. They only lift 585mm but tilt for and aft.
They look tempting, but I'd like to hear from anyone who's used one.
Thanks
Colin.

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 10:43 pm Post subject:

Have you got a link, perchance?

Colin916 · Joined: 14 Aug 2019 Posts: 10 Location: Darlington

Google. Mini tilting car lift CL03
Looks handy, but also has the potential to be crap! I can't decide
.

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 11:26 am Post subject:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz-g75cCIOI

I notice the guy in the video doesn't get underneath the car at any point. Can't say I blame him for that, I certainly wouldn't want to go underneath a car supported on one of these - it doesn't look either strong or safe IMO. I reckon if it was really man enough for the job it would be impractically heavy, indeed it may be impractically heavy as it is - again, we don't see it being moved.

I don't like the idea of powering it with a drill either, I've never seen any drill-powered device that didn't fall into the category of nasty but not necessarily cheap.

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Looks dangerous to me. What's wrong with a good old trolley jack and axle stands that you can actually place under proper jacking points, or chassis or wishbones etc....

Imagine a bigger car on this. I certainily wouldn't climb under a car on that!

Shocked

Kenham · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 209 Location: Kent

Looks about strong enough to lift a lawnmower. I realise a lot of people would not have the space but I bought a 3ton four post Bradbury lift for £200, only a couple of years ago. The only thing I can't work out was why I waited until I was 60 before getting one, just makes life so much easier.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22439 Location: UK

I don't like the idea of being able to tip it back and forth while up in the air, being underneath while that happened wouldn't be much fun.

RJ
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MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2467 Location: South Cheshire

There's a chap on another forum that uses a similar kind of thing, but by the sound of it (I haven't watched the video) it's much more sturdy, and also much more expensive. I'm not sure if his tilts or not, I've never seen photos of it tilted.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

I remember at school in the 6th form we designed and made a 150mm high 150mm wide simple balsa wood structure that weighed 15g, it had to support a 50kg + load; to demonstrate its strength we had a a wooden drawing board on top of the the balsa wood structure with a school lad nervously standing on top of the drawing board, he was nervous because the whole lot was on a table on the stage at a school assembly!

The exercise was to promote the schools engineering academia, but it also demonstrated how something properly designed doesn't have to look robust to be robust.

Dave

Kenham · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 209 Location: Kent

I quite agree but personally I think it helps if I am laying underneath it

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6304 Location: Derby

I don't think I could use one of these lifts. My garage roof trusses are too low for inside use and my drive is on too much of a slope (in two directions) to safely use it outside.

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1950 Location: East Yorkshire

A good chum purchased one of these a little while ago[I drove him down with a trailer to fetch it]......
Simple enough to use, heavy [not 'arf!]...but has mobility..[just needs a bit of thought if one is 'old'..].....

He currently has a series 1 LR on it.....needs to watch his workshop roof trusses [should I say, 'shed?']
Doesn't know why on earth he didn't get one 20 years ago???

Finds it useful for wheel & axle work, as he can sit on a chair, and the hub is at the right height.

A bit pricier, but good quality, good service, and will stow away fairly flat [under a vehicle?]...out of the way, if stuffed for space?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-LIFT-MOBILE-SCISSOR-LIFT-GREAT-FOR-HOME-WORK-USE-/333384917756?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

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Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1390 Location: Netherlands

Working on that Land Rover, say on a wheel suspension, I would feel very scary. Seems any time you use a big wrench or something the car can topple.
Not for me these mini lifters (I have a proper old 3 ton drive on car lift in my garage)
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

Colin916 · Joined: 14 Aug 2019 Posts: 10 Location: Darlington

Maybe make a couple of steel props for it to wedge under once she's up.

BigJohn · Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 954 Location: Wem, Shropshire

I have a height problem, so a 4 poster is out of the question, but every time I'm in Costco I gravitate to the aisle with these on, maybe next year...

https://www.costco.co.uk/Tyres-Automotive/Automotive/Trolley-Jacks-Axle-Stands/QuickJack-Portable-Automatic-Car-Lift-System-Jack-2268kg-Capacity-Model-BL-5000SLX/p/1268102
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1974 Mk1 Escort.