Lifting the Stag!

[jojim65]

Hi,
I have a Strongman Tamar lift in my garage, which as I hope you can see lifted my TR6 without any real effort.

I'm looking to do the same with the Stag, can I ask are there any particular parts of the underside I should be using as contact points, or indeed any that I should avoid.


IMG_0543.jpg
IMG_0768.jpg

Thanks

Jim

[stagmuffin]

hi jim i movwed this from the technical section to here in the hope it would atract more response for you .

i had an automech lift similar to yours and four points of contact for me were front chasis rails very strong and rear outriggers .larger peices of timber can be used across the rear of the back floor to spread the load if you prefer .the only thing i would avoid unless you know the history and even then i would avoid are the sills. im about to purchase a 3 ton twin ram system which allows greater access especialy to gearbox .
steve

[Motorsport Micky]

"im about to purchase a 3 ton twin ram system which allows greater access especialy to gearbox" .
steve

Hi Steve,

I assume then you are going for the restricted lift (1 metre) and the separate ramps with about 820mm space in between which gives decent access without junk in the way down the centre line of the car. Strongman offer the Clifton model like mine

http://sm-t.co.uk/product-category/vehicle-lifts/scissor-lifts/

or when fitted into the floorP1010199.jpg

Automotech also offer a very similar model and spec a little cheaper http://www.automotechservices.co.uk/...-scissor-lift/

and in use DSCF4474.jpg DSCF4472.jpg

Both the Strongman Clifton and the Automotech have rollers which travel inside a large cassette steel foot on either side with multi angle hydraulic lift under each ramp out of the way leaving the centre absolutely clear for working on, I use a movable sliding crossmember which can be positioned where you want along the ramp which can be jacked on to allow for the engine to be supported at the back and gearbox removed separately if need. The wheels also overhang each corner allowing wheel free access and comfortable working on. The Strongman Tamar is another restricted height scissor lift but features the rams in the centre of the car making access down the centre a lot more difficult without sometimes reversing the car on and changing the access points
Using Scissor on Stag.jpg sorry I can't remember which Stag member sent me this photo, I'd give credit if I knew !
it also has the scissor moment provided by a travelling foot which rolls over the garage floor surface, I have vinyl tiles fitted and I fear that would tear mine as it travelled, another reason why I picked the Clifton with an encased foot and large spread loads easing the problem of how good (or not ) the garage floor concrete is.

There are other makes of lift sold but in all cases make sure you buy an example where others have tried first and can give feedback on it to ensure the quality exists to save your life, it's you that's going to be under it !
The Strongman has parachute valves fitted in line to each hydraulic circuit on each ramp so if the worst happens and you cut the hydraulic pipe the valves sense the dramatic pressure loss and close off instantly, and then slowly release the pressure over a very long time (about 12 hours) allowing remedial action or everything to be removed (including yourself !) from underneath. It also has individual ratcheting mechanical arms which give a positive mechanical stop at various positions as the lift is raised or lowered (prevented from activating by a pneumatic circuit, a tyre pump provides sufficient poundage) you then release the air and the mechanical ratcheting arms give a positive lock as a secondary safety system, very reassuring.

Micky

[jakesmig]

I had a corrosion problem with the front chassis legs just behind the drag strut area, which probably wasn't helped by being used as a handy jacking point.

If you look at my posting "Thick skinned or bodge?" you'll get a look at the damage, which wasn't particularly apparent until I got aggressive with a pry bar. It was easily fixed though.

I still use it as a supporting point for axle stands but always use a block of wood to spread the load.

John

[stagmuffin]

"im about to purchase a 3 ton twin ram system which allows greater access especialy to gearbox" .
steve

Hi Steve,

I assume then you are going for the restricted lift (1 metre) and the separate ramps with about 820mm space in between which gives decent access without junk in the way down the centre line of the car. Strongman offer the Clifton model like mine

http://sm-t.co.uk/product-category/vehicle-lifts/scissor-lifts/

or when fitted into the floor[ATTACH=CONFIG]43060[/ATTACH]

Automotech also offer a very similar model and spec a little cheaper http://www.automotechservices.co.uk/...-scissor-lift/

and in use [ATTACH=CONFIG]43061[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]43065[/ATTACH]

Both the Strongman Clifton and the Automotech have rollers which travel inside a large cassette steel foot on either side with multi angle hydraulic lift under each ramp out of the way leaving the centre absolutely clear for working on, I use a movable sliding crossmember which can be positioned where you want along the ramp which can be jacked on to allow for the engine to be supported at the back and gearbox removed separately if need. The wheels also overhang each corner allowing wheel free access and comfortable working on. The Strongman Tamar is another restricted height scissor lift but features the rams in the centre of the car making access down the centre a lot more difficult without sometimes reversing the car on and changing the access points
[ATTACH=CONFIG]43064[/ATTACH] sorry I can't remember which Stag member sent me this photo, I'd give credit if I knew !
it also has the scissor moment provided by a travelling foot which rolls over the garage floor surface, I have vinyl tiles fitted and I fear that would tear mine as it travelled, another reason why I picked the Clifton with an encased foot and large spread loads easing the problem of how good (or not ) the garage floor concrete is.

There are other makes of lift sold but in all cases make sure you buy an example where others have tried first and can give feedback on it to ensure the quality exists to save your life, it's you that's going to be under it !
The Strongman has parachute valves fitted in line to each hydraulic circuit on each ramp so if the worst happens and you cut the hydraulic pipe the valves sense the dramatic pressure loss and close off instantly, and then slowly release the pressure over a very long time (about 12 hours) allowing remedial action or everything to be removed (including yourself !) from underneath. It also has individual ratcheting mechanical arms which give a positive mechanical stop at various positions as the lift is raised or lowered (prevented from activating by a pneumatic circuit, a tyre pump provides sufficient poundage) you then release the air and the mechanical ratcheting arms give a positive lock as a secondary safety system, very reassuring.

Micky

Hi micky,yes the automech is the unit im going for just under £1600 at present ,ive had other types similar but as you say rams in centre make it imposibble to do any box work ,im too old and creaky to be lying underneath on ramps anymore ! and i like the idea of having a hydraulic box lifter and a ncie stool to wizz about on instead of all that shuffling on your back .
regards
steve

[DJT]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]43064[/ATTACH] sorry I can't remember which Stag member sent me this photo, I'd give credit if I knew !

That's mine 5 years ago when it was at AM Restorations......

[stagmuffin]

That's mine 5 years ago when it was at AM Restorations......

5 years !! thats flown by .............

[Motorsport Micky]

That's mine 5 years ago when it was at AM Restorations......

Thanks for that Dave, I've made a note now DJT Daves car !

Micky

[DJT]

5 years !! thats flown by .............

Certainly has! It was my pre-retirement project, and I’ve now been retired 4.1/2 years. SWMBO has finally got me to do some painting indoors as I’ve run out of excuses not to.......

[Motorsport Micky]

Certainly has! It was my pre-retirement project, and I’ve now been retired 4.1/2 years. SWMBO has finally got me to do some painting indoors as I’ve run out of excuses not to.......

You're lucky, I've been retired since 2012 and I've hardly touched the car, the list gets a couple of things added on at the bottom as I knock one off the top !

Micky

[ramjam2005]

I to have been looking at investing in a scissor lift with restricted lift due to the low rafters in my garage.

Can anyone explain the "Pneumatic Safety Lock" as on the Automotech spec. My understanding is that some of the safety locks need an air supply from a compressor instead of have an electrical or mechanical safety lock. Whilst I have a compressor I don't want the added hassle of priming the compressor tank , hooking up an airline just because I want to inpsect something underneath or more importantly need the compressor/air flow for air tools whilst underneath.

Ray

[new to this]

I to have been looking at investing in a scissor lift with restricted lift due to the low rafters in my garage.

Can anyone explain the "Pneumatic Safety Lock" as on the Automotech spec. My understanding is that some of the safety locks need an air supply from a compressor instead of have an electrical or mechanical safety lock. Whilst I have a compressor I don't want the added hassle of priming the compressor tank , hooking up an airline just because I want to inpsect something underneath or more importantly need the compressor/air flow for air tools whilst underneath.

Ray

Ray

the ones ive seen that use Pneumatic safety lock do use an air compressor

Dave

[Motorsport Micky]

"Can anyone explain the "Pneumatic Safety Lock"

Yes Ray, it's a piece of cake, review the embedded youtube video here which shows you how to set up the Strongman Clifton which I have. The Automotech works in a very similar manner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mooX9IW3V4

Take note of the two lifting mechanical arms inside the ramp edges, they are the mechanical safety locks (one for each ramp, the ramps will not drop even with one engaged).
These arms are sprung loaded to an engaged ON position as it's default, the Pneumatic requirement is to engage the pneumatic valves which lifts the mechanical safety locks out of engagement. You can hear the safety locks "clanking" (like a ratchet) every 5 or 6 secs as the ramps go up restricting any drop in event of failure to a few inches. When the car reaches it's max lift or when you decide it's high enough you disengage the pneumatic valve and the safety locks drop down into engagement on the rack teeth, you drop the car on the hydraulics and after an 1 inch or so the teeth engage with the rack and securely fix the ramps at the height chosen.
Like you I thought it's a nuisance to have to kick up the large compressor for the air required so I use my tyre compressor. It only needs the airline capacity to be full...about 2 or 3 secs use, and as long as 50lbs is achieved (easy, there's no volume just pressure) the pneumatic valves engage or disengage as required lifting the mechanical safety locks into or out of engagement. I sometimes use the cigar lighter on board car to power the air compressor, because it's only required for a few secs there's hardly any battery load taken, and a pressure relief valve (in line on the compressor, as standard in my case) is unscrewed to dump the valve when pressure isn't needed.

Micky

[Markvh]

I now have an automotech in floor scissor lift with the pneumatic lock release. It’s no problem at all to use. The compressor doesn’t need to be connected when lifting, you do need it to be connected to release the locks, but only need a tiny amount of air in the compressor tank.
I am about to advertise my previous scissor for sale. It is the model advertised by BH Repairs, Mansfield. They also advertise on EBay. It’s a good lift with open access between the beams and has a mechanical cable release for the safety locks.

[Goldstar]

Why did you switch Mark, was the BH one limiting what you could do?