Model A on lift

[Y-Blockhead]

I worked at an Enco Station ~ 50 years ago (dang that's hard to believe) that had a lift similar to that one. One thing I couldn't understand is why it was so long, longer than any car we had.

The station didn't have any 'attachments' that slid on the beams for lifting cars tho. We used it to break the bead on truck tires by letting it down on top of them...

[Mitch//pa]

its obvious that there are forks supporting the axles on the lift

[CarlG]

That's the only kind of lift gas stations had when I was growing up. It had some sort of lock that would keep it from going down while you were working under it. To lower the car, you had to first raise it a tad to release the lock.

My cousin in OKC bought one of these "cheap" from a station that closed and was being demolished. He has it in his garage at home.

[FrankWest]

Many old garages had pits..I guess the safest way to work.

[bgarrett]

It looks like mine (yellow in this picture)

[Dodge]

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The first place I worked had one of these, that was almost 50yrs. ago and the lift was
old then. It had a nasty habit of all of a sudden dropping about 4 or 5 inches without
warning. We used to lower it onto a piece of railroad tie standing on end to keep it from
doing that other wise it would scare the crap out of you

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

Many old garages had pits..I guess the safest way to work.

Pits have been outlawed because they can collect deadly gas. At least that's what my neighbot told me years ago when he wanted to put one in his new garage.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Pits have been outlawed because they can collect deadly gas. At least that's what my neighbot told me years ago when he wanted to put one in his new garage.

wow! I guess heavy fums would setting on the bottom.
The things ya gotta know!

[modeleh]

Mine came out of the local high school. I think I remember seeing a date of about 1968 somewhere on it when I installed it. Mine has the center spider with the swing out arms. Like said before, not great for transmission jobs, but a very handy thing to have at home. The hardest part was digging a nine foot deep hole for the cylinder. They do not need a very large compressor to run. Mine has the safety pipe with the four holes for different heights and a foot pedal dog to engage in the chosen hole. Apparently earlier models without the safety pipe were great in narrow gas station garages because the mechanic could swing the car against a wall to get more room when removing axles. I think they are quite safe, you need to bleed off quite abit of air in order to lower the cylinder a few inches, so you would need some serious leaks in the system before they became unsafe. I can leave a car up in the air overnight without the safety pipe engaged and it won't have dropped at all.
I like the design because I can lower it into the recessed slab, put a sheet of plywood over, and still have a pull through carport. A two post or four post hoist would not allow this.

[Jacksonlll]

Here is a video of when a Ford Dealer let us use her shop one day to run through a checklist of our cars. A lot of fun and a lot of work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy7On8UIMz8

[HoarseWhisperer]

Over 35 vehicles attended Inspection Day at Trillium Ford dealership in Alliston, Ontario Canada.
https://youtu.be/X6RcMdBRaTI

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Pits have been outlawed because they can collect deadly gas. At least that's what my neighbot told me years ago when he wanted to put one in his new garage.

Not sure your neighbor knows what they are talking about. Many of the new oil/lube service centers being built still use pits, --and some even have rooms under the bay(s).

[tim54889]

I thought the concern was oil leaking into the soil.

[Mitch//pa]

[QUOTE=tim54889;1091697]I thought the concern was oil leaking into the soil.[/QUOTE

yes a concern with all ingrond lifts... thats one reason lifts are above ground now which also offers serviveability without digging and a clear span under the vehicle to service it better. you can also park 2 in one bay

[Keith True]

I know pits are not illegal here,but the insurance companies have the final say.I filled one in and concreted one for somebody a few years ago,under orders from the insurance company.The same company ordered another garage to fill his,he just changed insurance companies.The big spring shops all have pits,I don't know how you could do heavy truck suspension everyday without one.I know homeowners insurance really frowns on them.All the in-ground hydraulic lifts that I know of have gone to peanut oil.If it leaks,no big deal.

[Tom Wesenberg]

My neighbor that wanted to put a pit in his new garage was a State Farm insurance agent, so Keith probably has the right answer to the reason.

[Mitch//pa]

i installed this 4 post in my house last weekend.. what a great move its like adding another bay i park my hee--man mower underneath...




i put the wifes car up first to test it out before the precious A

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I'm ENVIOUS, all I got is a jack & stands, but EAT your heart out, I'm SKINNY & can shinny under Vermin, without even jackin' him up!!!
Bill W.

[Brianfrench65]

Our club had a "grease the A's" party.

[Brianfrench65]

Another picture