Two Post Lift

Choosing between a Base Plate and a Clear Floor 2-post lift isn't just about price—it’s about your ceiling height and how much frustration you’re willing to deal with on the shop floor. Both pull their weight, but they serve two very different types of workspaces.

1. The Base Plate Lift (The "Low Ceiling" Savior)

If you’re working out of a home garage or an older building with low rafters, the Base Plate lift (or Floor Plate) is likely your only move.

The Setup: The "guts" of the lift—the hydraulic lines and equalization cables—run across the floor. They are protected by a beveled steel plate that sits about an inch or two high between the columns.

• Why people love it: You don't need 12-foot ceilings. If you’ve got 10 feet, you’re usually in business. It’s easier to bolt down and doesn't require dodging overhead lights or heaters.

• The Reality Check: That floor plate is a "speed bump." If you’ve ever tried to roll a heavy transmission jack or a slim tool cart over a 2-inch steel ridge while balancing a gearbox, you know the struggle. It’s also a magnet for dirt and spilled oil.

2. The Clear Floor Lift (The Professional Standard)

Ask any pro mechanic, and they’ll tell you: Clear Floor is the way to go if you have the overhead clearance.

The Setup: Everything is routed through a "bridge" or gantry at the very top. The floor between the columns is 100% flat.

• The Big Win: Total mobility. You can slide oil drains, jacks, and tool chests anywhere without lifting them over a hump. It makes the shop safer and much easier to keep clean. Most models also have a "padded shut-off bar" at the top—if a high-roof van hits that bar, the lift kills the power instantly, saving the vehicle's roof.

• The Catch: You need height. Most of these require at least 12 feet of clearance. You also have to make sure your overhead lights, sprinklers, or garage door tracks aren't in the way of that top crossbeam.