Have gone back and forth, pit vs lift. Think of what you need, how often, etc. For my case it's mostly PM, inspections. A pit makes the most sense. Did a clutch on a heavy diesel PU, on a 2 post lift, didn't like the feeling, and it wasn't quite high enough. With a pit not heating in the winter a large overhead space as with needed for a 2 or 4 post lift.
A pit is awesome for inspecting underneath vehicles,oil changes,exhaust work,lower body work like rockers etc.The biggest disadvantages are anything that requires removing tires to do is very tricky.Leaves almost no area to use a floor jack.Even if you do get a jack in position it wants to “walk towards the pit..Also the big opening does create a potential hazard..Fumes collect easily in them.They also require a floor drain (especially in heated shop during winter)..I find if Im doing any work where a tire needs removal,I park next to the pit and this puts you in position just like a hoist looking head on at your work.
I will add to this also by saying any electrical lights,switches etc are “supposed “to be explosion proof.(Rubber gaskets). If covering pit it needs to breathe or it will mold etc. Having said all that its amazing how much it gets used ,where there is zero setup to using it.Extremely convenient..I park my truck over it frequently just to take a glance at stuff underneath
Your pit needs to have angle iron frames to bridge across the pit ,just like ramps.This allows you to drive across the pit and stop the wheels in the center of the bit and work on the wheels and brakes standing in the pit,beats working on your knees.
Worst part is this pit is always open. How many people have fallen or at least bruised themselves as they catch themselves from falling. There are pit jacks that run on metal on each side to lift vehicles as well. Otherwise it looks pretty well built.
We do actually have some rugged checker plate panels with flat ends but tapered sides that set in opening when not in use.But in hot summer days they let humidity and moisture build up in pit bad.So they get removed
Thank you for sharing your experance , good for how is not sure .
Have gone back and forth, pit vs lift. Think of what you need, how often, etc. For my case it's mostly PM, inspections. A pit makes the most sense. Did a clutch on a heavy diesel PU, on a 2 post lift, didn't like the feeling, and it wasn't quite high enough. With a pit not heating in the winter a large overhead space as with needed for a 2 or 4 post lift.
A pit is awesome for inspecting underneath vehicles,oil changes,exhaust work,lower body work like rockers etc.The biggest disadvantages are anything that requires removing tires to do is very tricky.Leaves almost no area to use a floor jack.Even if you do get a jack in position it wants to “walk towards the pit..Also the big opening does create a potential hazard..Fumes collect easily in them.They also require a floor drain (especially in heated shop during winter)..I find if Im doing any work where a tire needs removal,I park next to the pit and this puts you in position just like a hoist looking head on at your work.
I will add to this also by saying any electrical lights,switches etc are “supposed “to be explosion proof.(Rubber gaskets).
If covering pit it needs to breathe or it will mold etc.
Having said all that its amazing how much it gets used ,where there is zero setup to using it.Extremely convenient..I park my truck over it frequently just to take a glance at stuff underneath
Excellent analysis from real-world experience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your pit needs to have angle iron frames to bridge across the pit ,just like ramps.This allows you to drive across the pit and stop the wheels in the center of the bit and work on the wheels and brakes standing in the pit,beats working on your knees.
That’s a good idea.For now I park next to pit when welding in cab corners etc.Standing in pit works awesome for lower edge bodywork
Worst part is this pit is always open. How many people have fallen or at least bruised themselves as they catch themselves from falling. There are pit jacks that run on metal on each side to lift vehicles as well. Otherwise it looks pretty well built.
We do actually have some rugged checker plate panels with flat ends but tapered sides that set in opening when not in use.But in hot summer days they let humidity and moisture build up in pit bad.So they get removed
Pit Jack?
Hello, I think about oil change garage
What is dimension for inspection pit ?
For car, truck, bus
Don't use cinder blocks(I had two blow out from weight of dump truck loaded)sounded like glass breaking use real concrete blocks with lots rebar