Why a Garage Hoist?
A garage hoist is a very useful addition to any garage. They create convenient new storage areas by taking advantage of unused space overhead. Larger hoists provide the means for lifting heavy objects that would otherwise require the work of several men. For the serious home auto mechanic it is often helpful to install an engine garage hoist rather than use a mobile one. These are the lifters that handle the heavier duties, including the lifting of camper shells from trucks. But there are also hoists designed for the lighter lifting of bicycles, canoes, and ladders.
Is a Garage Door Opener a Type of Garage Hoist?
One common type of hoist familiar to most homeowners is the garage door hoist which opens and closes the garage door. Some hoists are so simple that they are operated manually, while others run electrically by the touch of a button or by remote control. Hoists that are intended for opening and closing heavy doors often come equipped with a sensor that will stop the hoist and in some cases reverse the direction of the lift for safety reasons. This feature is seen most often in garage door openers. It’s important for the homeowner to determine if the infrastructure of the garage will support the weight that the hoist will be pulling.
The do-it-yourself homeowner should keep in mind that the weight limits listed for the hoist itself do not represent the weight a garage beam will hold. A salesman can provide the answers needed most of the time regarding the limits in weight for lifting and how to determine them. Sometimes the beams need modifications before installing the hoist. Also, a check should be done to ensure that there is enough height in the garage itself for lifting a motor up and out of the vehicle if this is the type of hoist being installed.
Where to Find The Best Price on a Garage Hoist?
Hoists are available at large hardware stores such as Harbor Freight and Ace, at building supply houses such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, and from various online sources. Farm supply stores and auto parts houses will often carry them as well. Most of the smaller installation jobs can be done by the homeowner who is acquainted with general home improvement projects and is handy with tools. However, most places that sell hoists have installers who can do the job for the homeowner. For any large project this is probably the best route to go, since the installation can be guaranteed. The smallest and simplest of kind of garage hoist that is used for bicycles and other light objects can cost as little as a few dollars and up. Hoists that are associated with garage doors will vary in cost depending on the weight involved, the size of the door, and whether the door itself is part of the package. Engine hoists installed in the ceiling can cost almost anything, from $100 for the lesser quality hoists up to thousands of dollars for more dependable ones. When it comes to heavy or light duty tasks in your own garage, consider a garage hoist for making lifting easy!