Good Deal?

[Waffles]

Ok, guy on craigslist has a 2 post hoist for sale. I have a tall pole barn so height isn't an issue. Says it has new cables, and is already disassembled waiting to be moved. He's right in my backyard, couple mins from my house.

He's asking $900 obo.

What's a fair price to pay for one? If I buy one, I'll need to not only run 220v into my barn, but I'll need to install it, as well as buy and install a side garage door, since this will pretty much take up my entire front garage door, and I wouldn't have much access to the back half of my barn for storing boats, trailers, etc.

Good deal?

 

[daveSanborn]

Is there a cross-bar on top of the assembly that connects each post? Assembled, the lift would look like this:


______
l l
l l
l l
l l


If not, you've got your work cut out for you....

 

[Waffles]

There is not, from what I understand. Why do you say I have my work cut out for me?

 

[Midlife]

It will be extremely difficult to align the two towers to be parallel to each other without the cross-brace on top. Usually, the cross-brace also contains the hydraulics to allow both lift towers to raise in unison. I've seen it where the hydraulics are under a small ramp on the floor between them, but that's not as reliable as up high.

Lifts new go for $1800+. Used would go for 50% or less. I'd offer $500.

 

[Waffles]

I see I see. I offered him $500, he said he'd take $800. Has two of them. It does have the ramp that goes at the bottom.

Hmm... still seems like a fair price but I see what you guys are saying. I'll stick to my $500 if he doesn't move I'll stick to my guns.

 

[daveSanborn]

There is not, from what I understand. Why do you say I have my work cut out for me?

If there is nothing connecting the left and right pole's.... you have to anchor each pole into the ground to prevent the poles from collapsing inward under the weight of a lifted car.

I looked at a used lift like this and passed after the seller explained the pole anchoring. A cubic yard of concrete 4' deep with 5' long anchor bolts under each pole.

 

[Waffles]

Fark that shart.

That's why I asked. Thanks for the advice, gents!