Ramps

Post by **Ondergard** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:57 pm

Does anyone know if there is any such thing as a portable, lightweight version of those ramps you see at tyre fitters - the ones you drive your car on to, and then they are hydraulically lifted so you can get a good view underneath - that could possibly be bought and stored in a garage or shed when not in use?

Or am I being stupid?

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:58 pm

Not that I know of.

Theres always a pit, or normal "wedge" ramps....

Post by **alex_holden** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:00 pm

Like this?
http://short.zen.co.uk/?id=d10

Post by **Ondergard** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:02 pm

Hmm.... yeah, that sort of thing, but I was hoping for more like five or six feet,

Anyway, over a £1000 is more than I would pay for something like that: but the fact that it exists means it might be possible to hire one!

Post by **ASL642** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:02 pm

I don't think so it would contravene HSE rules. You can have the portable ramps at home, but you're not allowed to have a pit. (If there's one already in the house you buy I think you have to cover it in) - that's if it's known about

Something to do with fumes/ falling in

I think you have to install an extractor fan

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:07 pm

Hold on,

so you are not allowed a pit in a domestic garage now?

Post by **alex_holden** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:24 pm

I thought that only applied to commercial garages.

We've had a (leaky) pit in the garage here for about twenty years. A friend is buying a house that comes with a very nice big dry pit complete with lighting and power sockets.

Locomotive works have Really Big pits BTW...

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:33 pm

My MOT place uses a pit...

Post by **Blaketon** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:58 pm

My father has just taken delivery of a Hamer lift (As shown above). It uses farm jacks at each corner, which you have to operate in turn, a bit at a time. It's slower than a professional ramp but it requires no power, apart from that of the operator. It's got a few heavyish components but it seems well made and it works.

You can get a seat (They use second hand reclining car seats) on braked castor wheels, so although you can't stand up, you can work at a comfortable level relative to the car.

They are quite a lot of money but I dare say a lot cheaper than a professional ramp and less bulky; the Hamer one is quite unobrusive when in place and can be taken apart with just eight bolts.

I don't know anything about regulations banning pits. When I hear tales of H&S inspectors insisting on fire exit signs in a wigwam, I'll believe anything

.

Post by **millerman** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 7:30 pm

Please remember it's the Health & Safety AT WORK Act

methinks some posters have been reading the 'Daily Mail' too much

Post by **Jefftav** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 7:53 pm

Hi, I have seen single phase electric versions of a ramp that go up to a metre and they can be wheeled around for storage. I can't remember where I seen them though - machine mart maybe?

cjautos seem to have a range of lifts - http://www.cjautos.org.uk - but too pricey for me.

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 8:15 pm

There was une at one of the shows. It was wound up by an electric drill

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:30 pm

The 'show' ramps outside car showrooms look very useful - drive the car up and it 'topples' forwards to the horizontal - then you wedge the rear end up and lock it with the first section of the ramp. I'm keen to have a go at making a set myself - very simple, no power involved - and they look a lot safer than any 'portable' four post ramp would ever be!

Post by **Jefftav** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:35 pm

Hi Roy these are good ramps and when I kooked at a set my thoughts were the storage as they are quite long and heavy and if you want the wheels off whilst on the ramps you need to be able to get a jack and axle stand in somehow. Still a good idea though, if you make one keep the measurements and take photos so that others can copy yours.

I quite loke the look of the the drive on ramps that have an internal jack so you can raise platform the wheel sits on and lower the car onto stands if required.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 11:24 pm

I was intending keeping it in front of the house - where it would be handy. Mentioned it to my dearest when passing the local garage with car on show on these ramps - she seemed to have other ideas.....