In-Depth Comparison between Two Post Lift and Four Post Lift

Auto lifts come in a variety of styles, but most of them can be divided in two of categories based on how they engage the vehicle: wheel engaging automobile lifts & frame engaging style automobile lifts. By far the most common auto lifts from each section are four-post lifts (wheel engaging) & two-post lifts (frame engaging). Less common automobile lifts are known as specialty lifts & include scissor lifts, transportable lifts, mobile lifts, in-ground lifts & parking lifts. Here’s a rapid breakdown of each type of auto lift & what it can do for your home or business.

4-Post Automobile Lifts
Four-post automotive lifts offer owners plenty of versatility when it comes to heavy lifting. In general, four-post automobile lifts can hold higher capacities compared to two-post lifts because of the additional support columns. They are also user-friendly due to the drive-on & park method of mounting that is typical for wheel engaging lifts. Plenty of quick-lube stations & muffler shops prefer a four-post automobile lift over any other kind of auto lift.

Four-post automobile lifts are also popular among hobbyists & home-users because they usually don’t need any kind of floor anchor. Smaller capacity four-post lifts may even become transportable with the addition of an optional caster package. Thanks to the solid four-column design, four-post auto lifts are also ideal for storing vehicles when space is available.

On the flip side, all the additional building material in the construction means that four-post auto lifts are usually a bit pricier than their two-post brethren. & in case you plan to make use of your four-post automotive lift for wheel service, you will probably need to invest in rolling or sliding bridge jacks to lift the wheels off the runway.

However, for capacity, mobility and storage in your automobile lifting solution, you can’t do better than a four-post automobile lift.

Two-post auto lifts are either thought about symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical automobile lifts are simple to identify because the posts face each other dead-on, and the support arm assemblies each hold about 50% of the load. Asymmetrical automotive lifts, on the other hand, feature swing arms that are not the same length in the back and front, as well as a rotated post design. The result of these features is a shifted middle of gravity (which is greatly beneficial to longer, unbalanced trucks) and better clearance for vehicle doors, giving the operator direct access to the automobile interior even when the automobile or truck is raised.

Two-Post Automobile Lifts
Two-post automobile lifts are the most common type of frame-engaging auto lifts that you’re likely to find in a professional automotive shop. With brilliantly sturdy posts and supportive stabilization arms, two-post automobile lifts can holding a giant variety of vehicles at a height that’s comfortable for both the automotive technician and the DIY’er. However, the best reasons to own a two-post automobile lift are the reduced cost compared to four-post automobile lifting options, the little horizontal footprint for space saving convenience and the entire, unobstructed access to the wheels.

Both asymmetrical and symmetrical two-post garage lifts work fine with lighter vehicles, so the distinctions are mostly moot unless you are going to concentrate on heavier, unbalanced vehicles. Two-post automobile lifts are not common in residential garages because they are much taller than other automotive lifting options, need more attention to detail to reach designated vehicle lifting points and don’t grant the vehicle stacking convenience found on four-post garage lifts. In most cases, a two-post automobile or truck lift is most beneficial to garages that see cars and trucks going up and down all day.