Using a Launch 3.5T 2 Post Lift

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MTHamill
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I have a 1994 manufactured LWB300GEL with a water leak and would like to use a 3.5T 2 post lift to make life a little easier when investigating the cause.

Can I use a 3.5T lift as I believe I read somewhere that a 2 Post Lift should have 5 tone plus capacity?

And if it is safe to use where should I position the lift pads?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Martin

 

 

Arnie
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Re: Using a Launch 3.5T 2 Post Lift

Your vehicle weight is about 2 tonnes. as long as the lift is lifting from under the 4  wheels or axles, it should be fine, if your lift has a rated SWL of 3.5 Tonnes. The weight distribution, I am guessing, is probably 60:40 between front:rear axles.

If you are lifting directly under the body, then you need to be careful to lift it in the appropriate places. These are specified in the service manual, but can't recall off hand. In any case, I  would not risk this, with a 30 year old vehicle, if there is a possibility that  your body mounting bolts (between chassis and body) and related metalwork are in less than perfect condition to take the strain of the chassis, engine  and drivetrain. However if the lift arms  can reach to lift under the chassis frame, it will probably be OK.


EDIT,

having just seen a picture of the intended lift, I would now advise against any attempt. I wouldn't risk lifting a 1 tonne MINI on that 

The arms, once extended to reach under the chassis, appear too weedy and the pads too small. Also, the lateral spread fore and aft of the arms may not be sufficient to balance the vehicle.

An MOT garage tried to use a similar one on my BMW some years ago as their main, proper, lift was out of order, and I had to stop them before it ended up wrecking the sills of my car, as its arms deformed as it struggled to lift.

MTHamill
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Re: Using a Launch 3.5T 2 Post Lift

Working under any car on a 2 post lift I find rather scary but I’m aware of a number of garages who use a Launch 2 post lift daily and I had hoped because they are CE/TUV approved the metal would not be suspect.

I did find a Germany website selling a 2 post lift that is Mercedes approved and a video showing the points where to position the lift pads. They also sell adapters for vehicles with and with side steps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv54IHYW5Aw

I also found a Mercedes website in the USA selling what appears to be a lightly constructed 2 post lift that lifts 4 Ton, however it make no mention of safety with G Class.

http://www.mbusassep.com/equipment/product/6446#

If I do give it a try I will certainly be placing separate safety equipment under the vehicle before venturing undertaking any work.

Any more advice would be appreciated.

Pistonhead
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Re: Using a Launch 3.5T 2 Post Lift

Given the likely places for water leaks tend to be water pump, radiator and, or head gasket there seems little occasion to use a lift for inspection. If that is a necessity then prop the vehicle on axles stands; you want tall commercial ones for the height not the standard car ones (I would suppose it depends how big you are, like me you are big then definitely the larger ones).

Other than that, a capable lift can lift from the chassis points circa the points where the front and rear control arms are mounted.  Not happy lifting from the body. 

scouse g
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Re: Using a Launch 3.5T 2 Post Lift

Lwb is approx 2.7 t 

2poster would be safe as long as it's lifted on chassis and lift may require extensions so arms of lift clear sills of car 

 

Arnie
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Re: Using a Launch 3.5T 2 Post Lift