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COMPUTERWORKS : as stated in earlier posts, i have both the 2 post and the 4 post. the 4 post is preferred if any space or floor thickness limitations.
Four Poster Advantages over 2 poster:
* 4 poster does not need to be bolted to the floor (2 poster is bolted)
* 4 poster can moved with a car on it with optional portable/ removable wheels
* 4 poster requires only standard 4" thick concrete floor depth (2 poster requires 6 to 8" floor depth )
* 4 poster column heights are shorter, maybe 6-7' depending on brand VS 2 poster requiring sometimes 12 foot o rmore ceiling ht for columns or like mine at least 10-1/2'. ( some brands are less)
* 4 poster is typically 110v powered (220 optional), 2 poster i tyipically requires 220v (220v , 30 amp for mine)
* 4 poster is easier to use, just drive on and park it. 2 poster requires some finesse / tinkering with the two swing arms under car pick up points and then slight adjustment again to get the fore/aft 'safety's " to lock into place.
* 4 poster easier for pick up of cars with low ground clearance and side pipes where the 2 post swing arms might be more restricted. longer drive on ramps also avail with most for even less ground clearance.
* "jacking trays" can be ordered on a 4 poster allowing you to jack the car up with bottle jacks and then using jack stands for those times you want to remove the wheels/tires etc...hey, how often do you do that ? and is that the primary use of the hoist. my 2 poster makes that job easier, but again, i dont do it often and could use a hydraulic jack on the floor !
* car is more stable on a 4 poster resting on all 4 tires than it is on a 2 poster where there is some 'rocking' when doing some strong arm work underneath the car.
*MORE room underneath for another car on a 4 poster. remember, you get a full 72" lift , ceiling permitting on a 4 poster with more clearance underneath. Why? the two poster lifts the same ht but remember the wheels /tires are hanging free, so they are BELOW the space of a 4 poster thus restricting the height of the car coming in underneath due to 'hanging tires' and their narrow track !!!! roof of car underneath could go boom on tires !
2 post advantages over a 4 post
* the ability to remove tires / wheels easier than on a 4 post.
* wheels/tires hang 'free' with relaxed suspension so access to inner fender wells etc and ability to move front tires from side to side to work on steering etc is easier.
JUst my experience since 1994 with the 2 poster and 1998 with the 4 poster.
DANA: my 4 poster brand is STINGER. they advertise in Hemmings , as well as other brands. why this brand ? A friend sells them, the quality was excellent (paint/welds/seams/mechancials) . ALso, he had some young lads that could unload the truck at the house ( shipped Yellow Frieght and weighs 1500 pounds and comes strapped together disassembled) who could also put it together. there are other brands more $ and some less $, but this was convenient for me.
Bill
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