4 Post Lifts

Four-post lifts use runways that the vehicle drives onto — the wheels stay loaded on the runway. Two-post lifts grab the vehicle frame and lift it with the wheels hanging free. Four-post is preferred for alignment work, storage, and heavy commercial vehicles; two-post is preferred for general undercarriage service.

A typical service 4-post lift has a footprint of roughly 18 to 22 feet long by 10 to 12 feet wide, plus approach clearance at each end. Alignment 4-posts run longer (typically 22 to 25 feet). Always plan for at least 4 feet of approach space at the drive-on end.

This collection covers 9,000-lb runway lifts for passenger work, up to 30,000-lb for heavy-duty commercial and fleet service. Standard service 4-posts are typically 14,000 to 18,000 lbs; alignment-rated 4-posts are typically 14,000 to 18,000 lbs; heavy-duty commercial models run 25,000 to 30,000 lbs.

An alignment-rated 4-post lift includes a flat, level runway with integrated rear slip plates and front turn plates positioned for accurate four-wheel alignment work. The runway flatness tolerance is tighter than on a standard service 4-post, and the turn plate cutouts are pre-positioned for common wheelbase ranges.

Yes. The Alignment Combo configurations in this collection include rolling jacks that lift the wheels off the runways, giving you 2-post-style undercarriage access on a 4-post lift. This makes the alignment combo 4-posts versatile for shops that want one lift to handle both alignment and general service work.

Yes. Storage-rated 4-post lifts are designed to leave vehicles parked on the runways for extended periods, doubling parking capacity in garages and storage facilities. They are typically rated at 7,000 to 9,000 lbs and use a different lock and safety system than service-rated 4-post lifts.

Most service and alignment 4-post lifts do NOT require floor anchoring — they are stable under load on their own runways and footprint. Storage 4-post lifts are typically free-standing. Always check the manufacturer's installation specification — some heavy-duty models do require anchoring.

Standard service 4-post lifts require 12 to 14 feet of ceiling clearance for full rise. Alignment 4-post lifts typically need 11 to 13 feet because they run at slightly lower max heights. Always check the specific model's ift height plus 12 inches of working clearance.

Many 4-post models in this collection carry current ALI Gold Label certification. See the ALI Certified Lifts collection or filter by ALI badge on each product page.