A four post hoist lifts vehicles off the ground for repairs using an electric motor and cables. It is easy to install and safe, but tires cannot be removed once lifted, and power outages can be an issue. It can be used indoors and outdoors.
A four post hoist is a device found in many garages and auto repair shops. It is used to lift a vehicle off the ground so that a mechanic can repair the underside of the vehicle. The vehicle is driven onto the ramp, and the mechanic initiates the lift of the vehicle by flipping a switch that powers the lift motor. Unlike the typical hydraulic hoist which is mounted on a single cylinder that lifts off the floor, the four post hoist uses an electric motor and cables to raise a ramp or platform. As the motor turns, it spins a spool, which wraps around the cable, effectively raising the ramp.
One of the benefits of using a four post hoist is that no building construction or excavation is required to install the hoist. With the typical hydraulic pole hoist, the master hydraulic cylinder is installed under the garage floor, requiring significant excavation. The four post hoist is assembled from parts, in the garage, and is typically operational in a single day. While the ramp is lifted with steel cables, the ramp and the vehicle are supported by a locking mechanism capable of supporting the vehicle even if the cables break. This makes the four post hoist very safe for the worker under the vehicle.
One problem with the four-post hoist design is in the way the vehicle is lifted. When parking the vehicle on the ramp, the tires cannot be removed once the vehicle has been lifted, making some repairs on the hoist difficult. Many times, a vehicle needs to be jacked up while on the ramp and the vehicle needs to be placed on jack stands. This allows the tires to be removed while the vehicle is in the raised position on the lift. While not an impossible task, the extra steps of jacking up the vehicle before jacking up the lift are often reasons to buy a different style of jacking for some mechanics.
Another downside of the four post hoist is the electric hoist motor. This motor requires electric current to raise and lower the ramp, thus creating a problem during power outages. With a hydraulic hoist, pressure can be relieved from the hydraulic cylinder in the event of a power failure, thus allowing the hoist to be lowered. One good thing about the four post hoist is its ability to be used both indoors and outdoors. The hoist can be placed on a concrete platform and used in the outside area of a garage to allow for a larger repair area in any workshop.
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