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Proper Lift Installation—Floor Requirements and Preparation

At Eagle Equipment, ensuring our customers’ safety is our primary concern.  Your car lift was designed and built with safety in mind.  However, safety relies on proper installation and training.  Prepare for a successful installation by making sure your floor meets specific requirements.  We would like to emphasize the following floor requirements for installing 2-Post and 4 post car lifts.

Site Selection
Before installing your car lift, check the following:
• Lift Location: Always use architect’s plans when available.  Check layout dimension against floor plan requirements making sure adequate space is available. Your lift
requires a 220v, 30amp, single phase, grounded electrical source.  There should be room enough to operate the lift in a safe manner and without restrictions.
• Overhead Area: The area where the lift will be located should be free of overhead obstructions such as heaters, building supports, electrical lines, doors, lights, etc.
• Floor Area: Visually inspect the site where the lift is to be installed and check for cracked or defective concrete.

Floor Requirements
• A level floor is suggested for proper installation and level lifting.  Small differences in floor slopes may be compensated for by proper shimming.  If a floor is of questionable slope, consider a survey of the site and/or the possibility of pouring a new level concrete slab.
• New concrete must be adequately cured for at least 30 days.

DO NOT install auto lift on any asphalt surface or any surface other than concrete.
DO NOT install auto lift on expansion seams or on cracked or defective concrete.
DO NOT install auto lift on a second/elevated floor without first consulting building architect.
DO NOT install auto lift outdoors unless special consideration has been made to protect the power unit from inclement weather conditions.

Concrete Specifications
All models MUST be installed on 3,000 PSI reinforced concrete only. Additional concrete requirements will vary by lift.


8,500 lbs – 10,000 lbs lifts: 4″ Minimum Thickness
11,000 lbs – 15,000 lbs lifts: 6″ Minimum Thickness

Specifications of concrete must be adhered to. Failure to do so could cause auto lift failure resulting in personal injury or death. All of our automobile lifts include a manual with floor and concrete specifications .  Adhering to these specifications will ensure a safe and successful installation.

Please visit the Eagle Equipment site for more information and online product manuals.

74 thoughts on “Proper Lift Installation—Floor Requirements and Preparation”

  1. I’m thinking about putting up a garage/workshop with the intentions of putting in a 2 post lift in the future. My question is, for a 10,000lb lift what would be the recommended height for the building and how thick should the concrete both for such a lift.

    1. The overall height is 143″ so I would recommend at least 13′ or 14′. For 10,000 lbs, we suggest 3000 PSI and at least 5″, but the thicker you can go, the better…. so 6″ would be even better!

    1. All models MUST be installed on 3,000 PSI reinforced concrete only.

      Additional concrete requirements will vary by lift. For example:
      MTP-9A, ECL-10AS (4″ Minimum Thickness)
      MTP-12F, MTP-15 (6″ Minimum Thickness)

  2. I have seen lifts installed where the concrete wasn’t thick enough so two 4′ by 4′ 6″deep slabs were poured one slab per post is that safe? Or does the entire perimeter around the lift need to be even?

    1. We have had many customers do this. As long as the slab is to the right PSI and is reinforced with the current concrete (by Rebar) then it is good.

  3. what size concrete pad should be poured for a free standing 2 post car lift with a 14′ drive through that handles 15,000 lbs?

    1. we recommend at least 6″-8″… 12″ would be even better. The PSI needs to be 3,000 and it needs to be reinforced concrete.

  4. I want to install a 12000 lb lift and only have 4″ of concrete. What size area and how deep needs to be cut out and re poured?

  5. I have a pole building could I mount lift on 4 mounting pads that are dug into the ground and poured into the round support tubes

  6. I’m looking into installing a lift on asphalt surface. We are cutting out the asphalt and pouring 4’x4′ and 8″ deep 3,000 psi concrete pads for a 9,000 lb lift. Do you think this will be ok?

    1. As long as you have the lift installed into the concrete at 8″, 3000 PSI you should be OK. Are you putting a lift outdoors ?

  7. I am going to be pouring pads for each of the legs of a 4 post lift. I have a dry building. What should the thickness of each concrete pad be? We are going to dig down and put white rock for a base for each pad. I originally had this lift in my house garage with a regular concrete garage floor and had no problems.

    1. It depends the size lift you are getting, but if you are to be pouring the pads, it’s best to go as thick as you can, with at least 6″ of concrete at at least 3000 PSI.

  8. I am thinking of putting up a 2Post 10000 pound lift but afraid my depth might be an issue. Is there a formula from Garage door to lift and lift to wall? I have ample size on my width.

  9. I moved into a different shop and would like to install my lift. My issue is where I would like to put it there was a previous lift that the people before me took with them and the bolt patterns do not match up. Question is can I put it in the same location as previous lift with new holes utilizing some of the existing holes?

  10. AS my new garage is nearing completion, we are setting up to pour the concrete floor at 4000 psi and 4” thick. I want to rough in where the two, two post lifts will be at so we could pour those areas thicker. I was told to reinforce those areas with rebar and that you cannot drill rebar, so if thar is true, i need the footprint of each lift post as to not obstruct installation later on. 9-10,000 lb lift.

  11. I have a barn with a old concrete floor in it. The floor itself is has several cracks in the concrete. I think about pour a new 4×4 foot pad area and add shelving under the exist concrete and tying it in with rebar and mesh and adding 1 or 2 columns about 3 to 4 feet depth and10 to 16 inch in diameter driving rebar into the columns for strength. I think I’m going to use 4000 psi concrete do you think that would be good for a 10000 or 12000 2 post lift.

  12. My garage is 2 levels I want to put a 4 post 9000 pound hoist on the second level my concrete has 8 inch Q deck with 4 inch slab. There is an I beem and supports in the basement part. Would this be ok

    1. Would recommend to check with a building inspector and have the concrete inspected to verify the rating and make sure it is designed to handle a lift and vehicle. We do not offer a 9k 4 post.

  13. Good afternoon. Can I have sand or loose soil immediately under the slab? The slab will be 6′ X 14′ and 8″ thick. I expect to use 8″ anchors and I am wondering what should be immediately beneath the slab for the anchors to hold.

    1. Edward, Normally we see packed dirt or a gravel fill directly underneath the slab. Your soil composition has something to do with it as well. You may want to contact a local concrete company to get their advice. 8″ thick, with at least 3000 PSI is recommended. Hope this helps!

  14. I am installing a 9k lb 2 post car lift and on the back side of the base it is approximately a quarter inch off of the concrete floor due to a slight slope in the concrete. The front side of the plate is flat on the concrete. Can the back side be shimmed or should I use some sort of concrete leveler under the backside of the floor plate?

    1. The maximum shim we recommend is 1/4in. Some installers will recommend to have steel plates made to use a leveling shim. Keep in mind with the floor being slopped and the lift level the arms may drag on the floor.

  15. I’m wanting to install a 4 post lift inside my garage. What is the typical psi for a typical house garage? What clearances do I need vertically. I have a 3 car garage wanting this installed in the 3rd garage single door. How much is the installation and I’m located in Olathe Kansas

    1. Phil, Thanks for stopping by the blog! We actually have something on our site to help you determine the garage height. Click here Click here to see it.

      We can also share lots of advice over the phone if you would like to call us at 800-336-2776. We would love to assist you in finding the right lift and the right installer in your area. Thanks!

  16. I am putting up a 10000 pound lift I was going to pour two concrete slabs for Ft wide by 4 ft deep with 3,000 lb tensile strength with rebar in it will that be enough to hold the lift

    1. William, to make sure we understand what you’re asking is, you are doing two – 4′ x 4′ slabs, 4′ Deep?

  17. How close to the edge of the concrete slab can the post be mounted ? Do I have to use rebar or will wire mesh work ?

    1. We recommend to be at least 12” off the edge. Concrete will need to be a minimum of 4” 3000psi re-enforced cured for min of 30 days depending on the lift you choose. You will need to check the anchors for proper torque and inspect concrete for cracks with the lift being close to the edge to ensure there is not a failure due to improper installation or defective concrete once the lift has been installed and used a couple times.

  18. In the area that I am installing a lift there are cracks in the concrete should I cut out the area and repour the area its a 9000lb 2post lift and if so how big of an area should i cut out?

    1. Yes, you will need to cutout and replace the damaged concrete. Have a concrete contractor look at the concrete and see what needs to be replaced and what can be tied into the existing floor.

  19. I’ve got a shop floor that is asphalt but I want to install an 9000 lbs lift. If I cut/pour two large slabs of the correct concrete with rebar reinforcement, what dimensions would be necessary?

    1. 72IN Wide X 186IN LONG 4IN 3000PSI Re-enforced recommend checking with a concrete contractor to inspect the site.

  20. 9000 lb lift on 1/2 inch x5ft x 12ft steel plate on a dirt driveway? Yes, outdoors.
    What about same sized plate on an indoor 4-inch slab?
    Can I go thinner on the plate?

    1. Lifts cannot be installed on steel plates in a driveway. Need a proper concrete slab poured and designed to use with a lift installed. We do not recommend to install lifts outdoors, it will void your warranty.

  21. Im installing a 2 post 10k lift. I got a 14’wide * 35’long pad 4″ thick 4,000psi. Then added a 12″x12″x14′ wide footer run from side to side where the lift will be mounted on top of.

    1. 10k lift we recommend 5IN of concrete 3000psi re-enforced. Consult a concrete contractor to assure the pads are connected properly.

  22. Im thinking of doing a lift .. The slap must protrude how much feet on each side i was thinking making a slab for the lift and car and going 5 foot extra all the way around untill i have enough to do the entire shop for now i was thinking qp ..

  23. I’m looking at the 9K 2 post lift. I have a 20’ x 25’ x 6” 4500 PSI, fiber reinforced slab, no rebar. Will the fiber reinforcement be sufficient, or is rebar reinforcement a requirement?
    Thanks

    1. Fiber re-enforced will be sufficient. Double check with your concrete contractor that the floor rating is correct.

  24. I have a 16′ x 30′ x 3.5″ concrete floor and would like to use a 9K lb two post lift. Will new 3′ x 3′ x 18″ 3500 lb concrete pads poured 18″ back from the existing floor edge be adequate or must I use 4′ x 4′ pads? Will wire mesh be adequate, or is 1/2″ rebar required?

  25. I’M LOOKING TO BUILD A CONCRETE GARAGE FLOOR TO PUT IN A 4 POST LIFT. MY QUESTION IS WHAT ALL DO I NEED TO USE IN MY CONCRETE.THE GROUND IS AN OLD RAILROAD BED SO IT SHOULD BE PACKED. WOULD FIBER IN CONCRETE BE SUFICIENT WITHOUT HAVING TO USE REBAR OR SHOULD I ADD REBAR TO A 6 INCH CONCRETE ?

    1. We recommend rebar. Although, each location is different and it’s best to contact a specialist in your area to better recommend for your specifications.

  26. I have purchased a two post lift. I have about 4 1/2 inches of concrete. The concrete has some cracks formed since poured about 5 years ago. The crack from were the post is going are about 12 inches from lift post. Is the floor safe to install lift? It does have rebar.

    1. We always recommend you ask a specialist in that field. I would constult a concrete specialist that could test your concrete to confirm the PSI just to be sure! Better to be safe!

    1. We suggest you contact a certifed contractor or concrete specialist when you pour your concrete. It must be at least 2500 psi and be able to handle the weight of the specific lift you are installing.

    1. What we recommend is a cured 4′ by 4′ concrete pad with at least 2500psi and “rebar” installed into the new pour and into the sides of the existing concrete slab. However, if you have further questions about your concrete, it’s best to consult a certified contractor. Thanks.

  27. Do you have a template available of the footprint on the uprights? I have an aging lift that I’d like to replace with an Eagle lift, but am unsure if the bolt pattern is the same. Thanks!

    1. We do have that information in our manuals. However, most of the time, it is a better idea to place the new lift in a new, cured, piece of concrete. You can always give us a call and we’d be happy to assist you in your questions.

    2. I had a concrete contractor tell me to anchor 2 4×8 sheets of 3/4″ steel plate to my existing floor an weld the posts to them. Would this be safe?*

    1. We recommend 4′ by 4′ with “rebar” installed into the new pour and into the sides of the existing concrete slab.

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