We're building a new house and the plan is to install a car lift in the basement so that I can drive in the garage, lower the lift and drive into the basement. Problem is that my lift is designed to be in the lowered position at rest (kinda like a 4-pole car lift). I cannot leave the lift in the raised position because this would stress the hydraulic system too much (my car will be on it most of the time). Anyone have a clever idea so I can leave the lift in the raised position while being able to release the pressure?

 

Incorporate something similar to the safety locks on normal automotive lifts. This will require you to raise it higher than your garage floor level, engage locks, and lower it on them so the hydraulics aren't loaded anymore. You will again have to raise, disengage locks, and lower.

 

raise lift, shove bars across span, lower lift...watch the bottom of the lift up off the ground and hang folded onto the ceiling.

 

Walked passed this guys complex last christmas when I was at the future inlaws place in lake tahoe. I was like wow when I saw this on tv.




http://now.msn.com/money/0413-$5M-car-elevator.aspx

 

he has shitty cars inside. caution.

 

That is an understatement.

 

I bet he pulled out any expensive cars he had as to not attract unwanted attention.

 

I like Brain's idea, but what about cutting some holes in the rails and having large pins lock into them from the sides? Like a bank vault door.

 

WTF? Where are all his racecars?

 

This is what I was thinking - If you wanted simple, the lock pins would be slid in/out by hand (think bolt action rifle) If you wanted effortless, the lock pins would activate with a switch on the wall next to the elevator control.

 

i mean it was kinda a joke.

 

I'd have a look at the locking mechanism for other "portable" scissor lifts. For example Bendpak's SP-7x. That's rated at 7k and the lift in your pics looks far more robust.

 

Yes, exactly. I work with hydraulics with my job working on construction, industrial and farm equipment. Cylinder locks are COMMON, especially when needing to relieve pressure from certain hydraulic lines, to disconnect and pressurize other lines.
Lock example:

 

I left cars (well range rovers) on 4 post lifts all the time over night, or for weeks at a time raised... they have safety locks but never do they self leak onto them.

 

That man has an awesome garage but needs to be shot. What a stupid, stupid, stupid collection of motorcycles all put to waste.