scissor lift, dangerous?

Get a pair of tall jackstands. You can order them online at www.asedeals.com or www.gregsmithequipment.com . They have them in various heights.
BT

 

Ummm....all I can say is that you've been playing russian roulette. Never ever go under a car with only a jack stand...especially a scissor lift. I don't even go under one with only a floor jack.

I have a low profile floor jack and a set of rhino ramps and a set of jack stands. For yourself...it seems like a set of rhina ramps will work. Just jack the car up and place the rhino ramp under each wheel.

Please don't go underneath the car again with only the scissor jack.

 

I think he was talking about a $3,000 lift that brings the car up to about 4 feet high, it is quite a sturdy piece of work and not the $50 scissor jack you get with a GM vehicle.

 

Just get a set of tall jack stands. I'm always scared when working under a car, no matter what's holding it up. Can't be too safe.

 

NEVER SUPPORT A CAR ON CEMENT BLOCKS!!! They are probably the most dangerous thing you could use short of a rusty bumper jack. They are known to crumble and collapse suddenly.

Tall steel jack stands are the best choice.

 

Please show pics.

 

Bottom line -- any lift is dangerous. But if you take the right safety precautions, the risk of injury is minimal with a quality lift. First, you must lower the lift down to the stops. You don't want the lift dropping, even a few inches, while you are working under it. Second, as recommended, you should have a set of tall jack stands to secure the lift at whatever height you are working at. Always be sure that the car is properly supported at solid jacking points, that it is balanced on the lift, and that everything is clear before lowering it.

Read the manual that came with your lift. If you do, you'll see that it has all the information you need about safe use. Do it right, and you'll be fine. Do it wrong, and it's squoosh-ville.

 

I have the same BendPak scissor lift. Appears to be a quality built and engineered tool. I have never had an issue or heard of an issue with lift failure prior to my purchase.
The key point, as stated earlier, is proper use of the lift. Use the correct lift points. Set the lift stops etc.
Used properly the likelihood of scissor lift failure is no greater than 2 post lift failure. The lifts use the same lift points so the chance of the car flipping off either is also the same.
In my opinion the BendPak lift is a considerably safer than floor jacks and jack stands.

 

I plan to get a Bend-Pak or similar lift...three years ago I had the 330 2+2 up on jackstands, sans wheels, for two or so months; all four placement points carefully researched, highest quality stands I could buy. Scared schitless every minute I was under the car.

 

i am very familiar with the bend pak lifts, they are a good brand, and you really don't need the tall jack stands. i would just make sure the car is on the lift in a manor that it won't lean one way or the other. basically, just use common sense and you'll be fine.

just my .02,
justin

 

Really, no need to be paranoid. You could have those same concerns about any lift.

 

Cant be safe enough, use the tall jack stands as mentioned.

 

They're only as good as the person using them... or not in some cases.
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Lift and Jack
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