This photo scares me.  Big downward force applied several feet away from the centerline of the column = big torque.  What's stopping those columns from tipping over?  There doesn't appear to be anything holding the roller side of the base plate down.  I guess the two columns push against each other (squeezing the car in between) but that doesn't seem very stable.  

 

Jerel, you have one of these?  Is it stable? 

Canadian Poncho wrote:

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I prefer to have a drive on hoist as I have this unfounded fear of the car falling off a traditional lift.

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 I have a similar premonition but they are everywhere.

I don't have enough room for any typical vehicle lift, can't afford one anyway, so I got a "quickjack" system at Costco, sort of a poor man's version... https://www.quickjack.com/   It works quite well and effortlessly lifts a full size pick up with only about 22" of height, but does make accessing underneath a lot easier. 

I did some checking. I did not see the anchor bolts in the original photo, and without them, the physics just weren't making sense. Here's a better picture of the anchor bolts. Once I know what to look for, I can see them in the original photo too. The wheels fooled me into thinking these were mobile and the based plate was not attached to the floor and just couldn't see how that would work.

With the anchor bolts in competent concrete, I can see how this could be a stable system.

I have no regrets with my choice of a four post, 8,000 lb capacity lift. The reasons I went with this style of lift are as follows;

1. Stability and Safety of the correctly installed and operated four post lift.

2. The flexibility to move the four post lift, which I have done a few times to establish the best workable location.

3. The option to work at any height I like from the floor to whatever max height the ceiling or obstructions allow.

4. The reasonable cost of the four post, which has more than justified itself with every use.

Issues that turned me away from alternative lift styles;

1. Two post lifts require floor mounting - not desirable with in-floor heat.

2. Two post lifts generally require higher ceiling clearance for the upper channel between the posts.

3. Parking between the two posts is awkward with large doored vehicles.

4. Portable scissor lifts have clearance issues with low vehicles.

5. Portable lifts seem as if they would always be in the way.

6. General safety concerns when lifting a vehicle off its wheels.

Ive worked with all kinds of hoists and jacks over the years. They all have advantages and disadvantages but what matters to me the most is the safety aspect of the tool.

Mike Ward MB wrote:

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I have no regrets with my choice of a four post, 8,000 lb capacity lift. The reasons I went with this style of lift are as follows;

1. Stability and Safety of the correctly installed and operated four post lift.

2. The flexibility to move the four post lift, which I have done a few times to establish the best workable location.

3. The option to work at any height I like from the floor to whatever max height the ceiling or obstructions allow.

4. The reasonable cost of the four post, which has more than justified itself with every use.

Issues that turned me away from alternative lift styles;

1. Two post lifts require floor mounting - not desirable with in-floor heat.

2. Two post lifts generally require higher ceiling clearance for the upper channel between the posts.

3. Parking between the two posts is awkward with large doored vehicles.

4. Portable scissor lifts have clearance issues with low vehicles.

5. Portable lifts seem as if they would always be in the way.

6. General safety concerns when lifting a vehicle off its wheels.

 

Ive worked with all kinds of hoists and jacks over the years. They all have advantages and disadvantages but what matters to me the most is the safety aspect of the tool.

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 Mike's hoist is the reason I bought mine. When I saw that I knew it was for me. Certainly there are times where it would be nice to have a 2 post but doing exhaust, transmission/clutch stuff I love my 4 post. The one thing I really like about the 4 post with the "runways" is the huge shelf for tools and parts while you are working on the vehicle. I had never thought about it, never worked on this style but now that I have it, I love it. 

Mine is also for storage because we have 3 bays and 4 vehicles, so I always have 1 car "stacked".