Answers To Frequently Asked Questions...
The quickest way to get your questions answered is to see
if they're included in the list below. Simply click on the
questions you're interested in or scroll down the page until
you find the ones you want.
How do I know which type of parking lift best
fits my needs?
What are the differences between the asymmetric,
symmetric and floor pan model two post automotive lifts?
How much ceiling height is needed to park one
car above the other?
Will my garage door interfere with the lift
when raising my vehicle?
How safe are your lifts?
What if there's a power outage?
What type of power outlet/source is needed to
operate my lift?
Will my lift require special hydraulic fluid
to operate properly?
Do I need a special type of floor or foundation
to support my lift?
Do I need a building permit to install my lift?
Are your lifts easy to operate?
Do you offer financing?
How does my lift get delivered?
How much do you charge for shipping/delivery?
How do I unload my lift?
How do I install my lift?
Do I need any special tools to install my lift?
How much does it cost for a professional installer
to install my lift?
If you can't find the
answers to your questions here, call us
toll-free at 1-888-711-5438 and we'll gladly help you out!
How do I know which
type of parking lift best fits my needs?
Even though most of us want to spend as little as possible,
we also need to think about a number of other factors such
as garage dimensions, size and weight of the vehicles to
be parked, etc. The following guidelines will help point
you in the right direction so you can choose something that
fits your needs as well as your budget.
- The four post parking lift (ACP-7)
is the least expensive way to go. This particular model
(including the extended-height ACP-7SUV)
is easy to operate, and is virtually maintenance-free.
The only real disadvantage of this model is the amount
of floor space it takes up.
- The single post parking lift (MaximumOne)
is the ideal parking lift for applications where there
is very little garage space available. There is only one
single post with a platform(s) on the side. You can order
this model with a platform on both sides of the posts if
you want to park four cars in a double car garage.
- The SUV Triple (AC3-SUV)
was designed for commercial applications. The SUV Triple
allows you to park three vehicles in one single parking
space, and it has enough clearance between platforms to
allow you to park most SUV's. We also offer a lower-lifting
version of this model, with an overall height of 16 feet
as opposed to the standard of 21 feet.
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What are the differences
between the asymmetric, symmetric and floor pan model
two post automotive lifts?
Although these models all look similar at first glance,
there are some important differences.
- The asymmetric design two post lift
(AC0-9A) allows
you to lift the car while moving it out and away from the
two posts. This allows you to open your doors freely without
the doors hitting the posts. This model is recommended
if you're going to be using it mostly for lifting cars,
as opposed to trucks with a long wheelbase.
- The symmetric design two post lift (AC0-9)
has more width between the posts than the asymmetric design
two post lift. This model is ideal for lifting vehicles
that have a long wheelbase. This model can be used for
lifting just about any standard truck or car.
- The floor pan model two post lift (AC-9F)
is designed for applications where there is less than 12
feet of ceiling height clearance. This model is ideal for
lifting both cars and trucks.
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How much ceiling
height is needed to park one car above the other?
The ceiling height you will need will vary depending on
the height of the vehicle you want to store. The best way
to measure is to add up the total height of the two vehicles
being parked, and then add an additional 8 inches. For more
details, click here.
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Will my garage
door interfere with the lift when raising my vehicle?
This will depend on what the clearance is from garage floor
to the underside of your garage door. In some cases, you
may be able to back in the top vehicle to where only the
engine hood is underneath the garage door. If you have a
deep enough garage, the garage door may not be an issue.
However, if it is an issue, there are garage door companies
who will raise your garage door tracks up fairly snug to
your ceiling for generally less than $800. They also can
provide side mount motors. Most garages have the motor hanging
too low in the center of your bay. Side mount motors work
great for these applications.
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How safe are your
lifts?
Very -- all of our lifts are designed and manufactured to
meet or exceed American National Standard Institute (ANSI)
safety standards B 153.1 1990 for Automotive Lifts - Safety
Requirements for Construction, Care, and Use - and UL73.
Your safety is extremely important to us, and our lifts are
made accordingly.
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What if there's
a power outage?
Generally a power outage will only last a few minutes, and
your lift will begin operating again as soon as the power
is restored. However, if you're concerned about an emergency
where you need to get your car down immediately during a
power failure, we recommend ordering an Emergency 12V Power
Unit with your lift. This will enable you to raise the platform
up off its locks during a power outage, allowing you to lower
your vehicle safely and easily. If you're looking for savings,
we suggest ordering your
Emergency 12V Power Unit
from American Custom Lifts.
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What type of power
outlet/source is needed to operate my lift?
Our residential power units use a single-phase 110V or 220V
power source (a 30-amp breaker is recommended). Most residential
garages already have 110V or 220V outlets already installed
(most washers-and-dryers operate on 220V). Our commercial
power units use a 220V/440V single or three-phase power source.
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Will my lift require
special hydraulic fluid to operate properly?
All lifts provided by American
Custom Lifts are designed to operate
using standard 10-weight, non-foaming, non-detergent
hydraulic oil or AW-32. This is available in virtually
any automotive store. For an enviromentally safe alternative, please visit the following website: www.bnac.ca
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Do I need a special
type of floor or foundation to support my lift?
Just about every home or commercial foundation is plenty
strong enough to support our lifts. In most applications,
minimum requirements are 5" thick concrete, 3000 psi. Some
of our lifts don't even need to be anchored down, although
all the supporting base plates are pre-drilled in case you
choose to anchor your lift.
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Do I need a building
permit to install my lift?
Permit requirements, if any, vary depending on the city
and the type of lift being installed. For example, lifts
installed in San Diego residences do not require a permit
unless they are actually bolted down. Obtaining a permit
is the responsibility of the person buying the lift, so please
check with your local building department.
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Are your lifts
easy to operate?
Yes, every parking lift and automotive lift provided by American
Custom Lifts has been designed
in a way that's easy for anyone to operate. We knew
you'd want it that way! However, we're also very safety-conscious,
so we suggest you get a
Safety Key Control Switch
if you have children(This is already included if you get
the ACP-7 or ACP-7SUV).
Give us a call for more information.
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Do you offer financing?
Yes. Thanks to our business alliance with several
finance houses, virtually anyone can afford an American
Custom Lift!
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How much do you
charge for shipping/delivery?
You'll be pleased to note that we receive substantial discounts
from most major freight companies, and we pass these savings
on to you. Depending on your location and the type of lift
you order, shipping will usually cost somewhere from $200
- $300. Of course, larger commercial products and quantities
may cost more.
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How does my lift
get delivered?
Your lift will be delivered by a trucking company that services
your local area. Most trucking companies used by American
Custom Lifts will deliver directly to
your home or business.
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How do I unload
my lift?
Lifts are heavy pieces of equipment, so be sure you have
an engine hoist, forklift, or the boom on a wrecker available
to help you get your lift off the truck. Or, if you use one
of our professional installers, they will usually unload
the lift for you. Many of them will even accept delivery
at there premises, then bring the lift to your location when
it is convenient for you.
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How do I install
my lift?
Most of our lifts are fairly easy to assemble and install,
and can be installed in just a few hours with the help of
a forklift or boom and a couple of friends. You will receive
a complete detailed installation and operations manual with
your order. You'll be pleased to know that we also have professional
installers within easy reach of virtually every town in America
(as well as several international cities).
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Do I need any
special tools to install my lift?
Many of our customers simply use one of our professional
installers, but if you're the do-it-yourself type you'll
probably enjoy installing your own lift. Most of our lifts
require only the following tools and supplies for assembly:
- Open or boxed end wrenches: 7/16", 1/2", 5/16" and 3/4"
- Ratchet and 7/16", 1/2", and 3/4" sockets
- Crescent wrench (8" - 12")
- Vice grips or lock-type pliers
- Large punch (to align bolt holes)
- 4 gallons of standard 10-weight, non-foaming, non-detergent
hydraulic oil
- Teflon tape for hydraulic fittings
- Tube or tub of "axle" type grease
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How much does
it cost for a professional installer to install my
lift?
The cost depends on the type of lift you want installed.
For our most popular lifts, professional installation usually
costs between $400 and $700.
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