Installing a 2 Post Lift in a Post Tension Slab

I'm looking to install a two post lift, something like the MaxJacks into my residential post-tension slab foundation. The house was built in 2005, and the garage has a stamp on the front stating "Post Tension Slab, Do Not Cut or Core".

I understand the foundation has several high tension cables running through it. I'm not exactly sure how thick the slab is, but I was wondering if it was possible to install flush bolt anchors to install the lift. I heard there's ways like having a company x-ray for the cables, or just use a simple metal detector.

I know someone else in my subdivison installed a lift in their garage, because I saw it driving by. They should have the same foundation as us so I know it's possible.

What do you guys think?

The lift I'm looking at is portable, and it's installed using 5/8 x 2" bolts using five anchors per side.

 

Be very, very carefull. You could be killed. Cable ends should be visable in the edge of the slab, mudded over, or otherwise covered.

http://safetytoolboxtopics.com/General/hazards-of-post-tensioned-concrete-slabs.html

 

Have a company come scan it for you and mark all the cables, the just adjust for their location.

 

Yup this is the plan, I’m going to find an X-Ray company mark the lines for me.

 

Does your garage have enough clearance to actually do this let alone your need? Have you considered an overhead rolling crane?

 

This is why I love this site.................learn something new every day!

OP good luck with the lift, hope it all works out.

 

The lift I’m looking at are MaxJacks, they’re designed for low clearance ceilings. It might not be able to lift my truck much, but it helps when I work on my 300ZX or E320 with the odd lifting points.

One of my neighbors somehow shoehorned a commercial full size two post into his garage, he has the model of house with a ceiling with about 2’ more clearance than mine.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-RhO8LF5e88

 

That wouldn’t be very effective at lifting cars haha

 

How is it portable, doesn't it need a 240v power hookup?

 

Most people don't need a full lift, and also don't know about rolling cranes; just offering a different perspective. If you just need assistance lifting a crane could be a really effective option. Clearly you want a lift.

 

Oh I’ve got a cherry picker haha.

 

Yeah, but it has a power cord. There’s also a 120v option. There’s 240v in the garage for my air compressor and the Tesla so power isn’t an issue.

 

I work for a cutting and coring company who subs out scanners for concrete. (Usually pricey due to lack of availability on our island)

I’ve also cut concrete for shops to install lifts in their garages because the concrete was not thick enough. Interesting to see something portable.

Interested on what you find pricing wise for them to come out and shoot your slab.

I’d Hope you have a fairly thick slab if you have PT cables. And also for the bolts to be anchored properly.

The two people who posted early on, left some sound advice.

Good luck!

 

I believe the post tension slabs are 8” thick which should be enough for a lift.

 

Definitely worth it in the end for you or anyone I’d imagine!

6-8”, usually, in my experience. The slabs I had to remove were only 4” which installers of that particular lift did not accept as sufficient.

I would imagine 8” is plenty sufficient.

Anyway, I know that might not be much of a contribution to the thread, but FWIW.