Max Jax car hoist

[garvice]

My 3.2t hoist has 7 m12 bolts per leg. Don't underestimate what is required in hold down bolts. Lifting the car off centre puts big moments on base plates and only a few bolts.

[luvemfast]

My 3.2t hoist has 7 m12 bolts per leg. Don't underestimate what is required in hold down bolts. Lifting the car off centre puts big moments on base plates and only a few bolts.

Very true.

Leverage is a very powerfull thing. Especially the higher it lifts up.

[Zeddophile]

could easily make up a long grub screw or something

 

Yep, that's what the guys with the Maxjax do, buy some grub screws in the correct thread and screw them down to flush when the hoist isn't fitted.

[orange-Z]

Finally installed - HAPP90.  Used Ramset Spa Tec Plus bolts to anchor the posts and they seem to hold so far.  6 x M16 - 145 per side.  Much stronger than the bolts shipped with the hoist.  Pictures show hoist with car on it for the first time and the lift points I used.

[luvemfast]

Looks good

Happy with it?

[Zeddophile]

Finally installed - HAPP90.  Used Ramset Spa Tec Plus bolts to anchor the posts and they seem to hold so far.  6 x M16 - 145 per side.  Much stronger than the bolts shipped with the hoist.  Pictures show hoist with car on it for the first time and the lift points I used.

 

Are those hoses on the hydraulic unit as long as they look?  The Maxjax is often criticised for having hoses just barely long enough to clear the car - looks like you don't have that problem at all!

 

Looks like it comes with the spacers to bring the pad (and final lift) height up as well?

 

Hopefully mine might arrive in the country soon, they're supposed to be getting more stock mid-end January....

[orange-Z]

I like the hoist.  Makes work much easier and is very solid. Seems more solid than the Maxjax seen on youtube.

 

Does not lower very smoothly and car starts to rock. I stop lowering until movement stops then lower slowly.  May still have some air in the hydraulic system?  Any other ideas?

 

Hydraulic hoses are plenty long enough at 5m.  Unit comes with 2 sets of 4 spacers - 50mm and 100mm.  Pads also have 2 stage adjustment threads for another 100mm.  Unit was missing the limit switch but it arrived within a couple of days of informing company.  They were very helpful.  I don't like the limit switch as cable gets in the way so didn't use it in the end.  Just short out the limit switch connection and carefully watch how high I raise car.  I have limited height in the shed so if I raise hoist fully car will hit roof!!  Natural limit switch.

[Zeddophile]

Does not lower very smoothly and car starts to rock. I stop lowering until movement stops then lower slowly.  May still have some air in the hydraulic system?  Any other ideas?

 

Air is one possibility, but another may be weight distribution?  Zeds don't have a lot of weight rear of the centreline, much like a particular type of hatchback I work on every day, and on two of our three hoists, said hatchbacks will also tend to get a bounce up on the way down.  Can you move the car with respect to the hoist a bit, so as to have more rear overhang?

 

Also check if there are guide blocks between the 'carriage' and the main upright, and lube them if necessary (and assuming it has them).  When the blocks aren't lubed properly you can get a bouncing effect on the way down as well.

[oohogwash]

If you want a superior hoist at a lower price take a look at the HAPP 90 from HAPP Australia Pty Ltd

 

It has the full safety mechanism, carriage and arm designs from the full size HAPP hoists in a hoist with a 2.1m column height.

 

And is reasonably priced.

 

http://happ.com.au/sitefiles/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/HAPP90_v3.pdf

 

May design concepts are unique to HAPP developed with an Australian Professional engineer.

 

There are 4 post and 2 post hoists for home and business users available too as well as other workshop bits and pieces.