When is a 10,000 LB. Lift Not a 10,000 LB. Lift? Answers Provided by Greg Smith Equipment

Almost all above ground lifts sold in the USA come from Asia. Lift manufacturing is not a "high tech" industry, and there are many small manufacturing plants in China that are scrambling to produce lifts to satisfy the huge demand throughout the world.

HOW MUCH WILL YOUR 10,000 LB. LIFT REALLY PICK UP?

Let the professionals at Greg Smith Equipment explain;
Lifts should be built to certain Industry standards that set the benchmark for the minimum safety requirements of above ground lifts. These standards require a lift to perform perfectly, even when subjected to lifting conditions that are slightly above the rated capacity of that lift. Lifting a car or truck is serious business. Make sure you ask your lift supplier about their warranties and manufacturing standards. Many suppliers make either false or ambiguous claims as to the rated weight capacity of their lifts. Certain competitors claim their lifts are built to Industry standards that over twenty five years old and obsolete. Many of Greg Smith Equipment's competitors simply drop ship "your lift" from a large Import Warehouse. These competitors do not stock the lifts nor the parts or accessories.

At Greg Smith Equipment, we design and engineer our lifts to perform flawlessly for years of service.

The 10,000 LB. lifts at Greg Smith Equipment weigh up to 500 LB. more than many of our competitors' advertised 10,000 LB. lifts. Certain competitors exaggerate the lifting capacity of their lifts. They either augment the lifting capacity of these lifts by increasing the hydraulic pressure valve on the power unit (a very unsafe practice) or they just hope that you never put the lift to the test of lifting its advertised rated capacity. Certain competitors are selling a four (4) metric ton lift (as advertised by an original manufacturer in Korea or China) as a 10,000 LB. lift in the USA. Four metric tons is 8,800 LB. These same distributors would have you believe that the lifts (made by the Koreans or the Chinese) that are sold in the USA, are built of heavier steel than the same model of lift that is sold throughout the rest of the world. The Chinese lift factory buys one grade of steel to manufacture lifts going to many different parts of the world. Only a very few Chinese factories buy the highest quality steel for their lifts so that there lifts will be built good enough to be sold in the USA.

At Greg Smith Equipment, we have had our off shore factory purchase certain competitors' lifts made in our certain competitor's China and Korean off shore factories. We have sent these lifts to the USA and compared these off-shore lifts to the lifts sold by certain competitors. These lifts are IDENTICAL. The off shore manufacturer does not improve the quality nor increase the thickness of the steel for lifts that are exported to the USA. Certain competitors are not telling the truth!

Certain competitors are advertising a 10,000 LB Chinese lift that is smaller than our Atlas OH-9000 or Atlas BP-9000 lifts. This particular Chinese lift has a manufacturer's seal affixed to the lift that rates the lift at 3.8 metric tons. That is equivalent to 8,378 LB. lift capacity. 8,378 lbs. is not 10,000 lbs. DUH!

Most of our customers at Greg Smith Equipment will buy only one lift in their lifetime. When they see several ads that show a variety of lifts, they assume that the best deal would be to buy the lift with the most amount of advertised lift capacity for the lowest price. Many customers rationalize that since this lift will only be used "once in a while," that paying the lowest price for the highest advertised lift capacity must certainly be the best deal.

We would ask that you call our team at Greg Smith Equipment to hear the full story on above ground lifts.

At Greg Smith Equipment, we cannot prevent our competitors from exaggerating the lifting weight capacities of their lifts. We can, however, make you aware of the test results from exact side by side comparisons of our competitors' lifts to our lifts. At Greg Smith Equipment, we encourage you to ask our competitors why they claim that their lift (with the same; or less physical dimensions) should be rated higher than the lifts at Greg Smith Equipment. If the competitors claim that their lifts are truly manufactured to Industry standards, then we would question the validity of their weight capacity claims.

WHO BUILDS YOUR LIFTS? ALL THE LIFTS LOOK THE SAME.
I WAS TOLD THAT ALL CHINESE LIFTS COME FROM THE SAME FACTORY.
THAT IS NOT TRUE.

Greg Smith Equipment has contracts with three premier Asian factories to produce the Direct Lifts and the Atlas Lifts for distribution throughout the USA and Canada. The design of our lifts has been copied by several of the smaller factories, but the quality has never been copied.

Our involvement with these factories over the past few years has been mutually beneficial. The low cost of labor coupled with the USA standard of manufacturing, modern machinery, and a stringent quality control process has evolved into an unbeatable combination of superb quality and excellent pricing.

CALL US AT GREG SMITH EQUIPMENT FOR DETAILS

Greg Smith Equipment Sales (five locations) is more than just an Internet or catalog company. We are a brick and mortar business with over one hundred years of experience and over thirty employees. Our locations maintain a full inventory of parts and experienced service personnel to answer any questions.

I AM ONLY GOING TO USE THIS LIFT ONCE IN A WHILE.
I DON´T NEED A COMMERCIAL GRADE LIFT AT A HIGH PRICE.
I WANT THE BIGGEST CAPACITY FOR THE LOWEST PRICE.
IS THAT NOT A SMART BUYING DECISION?

Our factories have no idea whether the lift is going to be used in a commercial application or in a home garage. All lifts are built to the same exacting standards. It is the responsibility of Greg Smith Equipment Sales to recommend the best lift for your application. We want to provide the best lift for your particular needs.

Professional lifts sold by professionals. That's our policy at Greg Smith Equipment Sales.

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Which Lift Should I Buy: 2-Post or 4-Post? Let Greg Smith Equipment Help

Greg Smith Equipment hears this questions dozens of times each week. There is no correct answer to this question! However, by looking at the advantages and disadvantages of both styles of lifts we can help provide information to help you make the decision.

Most professional shops know what type of lift will work best for their business. Most professional shops have both two post and four post above ground lifts in their service bays. Unlike these commercial shops many of our customers will only buy one lift for their home garage. Greg Smith Equipment wants you to make the best buying decision based upon your needs.

WHY ARE YOU BUYING A LIFT?

“I just want to store my car and do a little cleaning and polishing once in a while. I am not a “big car guy," and really only want a lift to store a car that I will not be driving much.”

If this sounds like you, and if “storing a car” is the primary reason for owning a lift, the team at Greg Smith Equipment would recommend a four post lift. The four post lift supports entire car “wheels” much better than a two post lift. Imagine yourself suspended six feet in the air. Would you rather have your entire body supported (as if lying in a bed) or would you rather have just your torso supported (lying in a string hammock) with your arms and legs dangling?

A four post lift acts much like the bed, supporting the entire vehicle. The two post lift acts like the hammock, supporting only the torso, and allowing the four wheel assemblies to “dangle”.

“I want to do all types of repairs on my vehicles, and I am on a limited budget.”

Then you want a two post lift for sure! The two post lift is the most inexpensive way to raise the most amount of weight. The two post lift allows the operator to easily access all parts of the vehicle, including the wheel assemblies, whereas the four post lift requires an auxiliary lift (at an extra cost) that will raise the car off the runways (to allow wheel service).

OTHER FACTORS

A four post lift can be portable (most come with a free caster kit). The four post lift may also be permanently anchored. A two post lift MUST be anchored to the ground.

A four post lift generally features a 110 volt motor which does not require special wiring to install. A two post lift will come with a 220 volt single phase motor.

A four post lift takes up much more room than a two post lift.

A two post lift will raise a car “higher” in a low ceiling garage. This is because the four wheel assemblies hang below the four lifting arms (the vehicle is lifted by the frame). For instance, a vehicle that is 72 inches tall (from the bottom of the tires to the luggage rack) will remain 72 inches tall when lifted on a four post lift. However, this same vehicle may only be 55 inches tall when lifted on a two post lift, because 17 inches may be “hanging” below the arms. If you have a 10 foot ceiling, the two post lift will raise most vehicles to about 6 feet off the ground.

A four post lift makes it much easier to load and position the vehicle. The runways of the four post lift make it easy for the operator to just drive onto the lift. There is no need (as on a two post lift) to get out of the car, kneel down, and correctly position the arms to ensure that the vehicle will be lifted evenly.

Extremely low ground clearance vehicles are much easier to load on a four post lift.

So which lift is right for you? Only you can make that decision. We just hope that your new lift will be one of the many lifts that are stocked at any of our Greg Smith Equipment locations!

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Before You Buy a Lift - Check out the Greg Smith Equipment Checklist

Concrete Thickness:

Most of our two post and four post lifts require four inches of concrete with 3,000 lb. PSI strength. Please check the Greg Smith Equipment website for the specifications of your lift.

Ceiling Height:

Check the ceiling height of your area to make sure it is adequate for installation of your new lift. If you have exposed ceiling rafters...you may be able to position an overhead two post crossbeam in between the rafters (if they are "running" that way) OR you may be able to "run" the top crossbeam over the rafters (if they are running the opposite way). If you are buying a four post lift and intend on "stacking cars," then your minimum garage height will be determined by adding the height of both cars and then adding six (6) inches.

Freight Truck Delivery:

Your lift will come on a semi-truck (if it is shipped to you and not picked up). Please review the Greg Smith Equipment freight information on how the lift will be shipped and some suggestions to off load your lift. Can a semi-truck get to your unloading area...and do you have the equipment (not manpower) to do the job?

Debit Card/Credit Card:

Many DEBIT cards have a daily limit. You may have $10,000 in your account, but your bank will only let you have $1,000 per day. This is called a daily limit. If you intend on placing your order using a debit card, please make sure that your DEBIT card has a high enough daily limit to allow a successful banking transaction. Most banks that issue DEBIT cards will increase your daily limit for a specific transaction.

You Will Need Some Help:

Many pieces of our lifts at Greg Smith Equipment are extremely heavy and require two people or the appropriate lifting equipment to properly maneuver them into the correct assembly position. If you are NOT mechanically inclined, then do not attempt to install the lift by yourself. (Even if you have the proper mechanical lifting equipment). You must be able to read (ENGLISH) and understand basic directions to complete the installation of your lift.

Electrical:

Please check the Greg Smith Equipment website to review the voltage requirements of your lift. Many four post lifts require only 110 volt electricity...and most two post lifts require 220 volt single phase power. Please make sure your building has the correct power source.

Did You Ask Your Wife If It Was OK To Buy This?:
Remember: It is easier to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission. Happy Lifting!

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