Shop Environment Picks
What Shops Typically Need in a 4-Post Lift
In a busy professional garage, the lift has to handle more weight, more cycles, and a wider range of vehicles without slowing down workflow. The best 4 post lifts for shop use usually step up capacity, durability, and often include alignment-ready features for expanded services. These picks are built to keep a shop moving, especially when you add the right bridge jack setup for your vehicle mix.
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Shops prioritize: Higher capacity, daily-duty build, and faster service workflow
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Common add-on for productivity: Rolling bridge jack for wheels-off service
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Fit matters more in shops: Runway length for long vehicles, plus shop ceiling height and floor space
Katool 4-Post Alignment Lift, 12,000 lb (Rolling Jack Included) | KT-4H120X
The KT-4H120X is a service-ready, alignment-capable 4-post built for shops that want a true 12K platform with wheel-free capability out of the box. It runs on 220V and delivers strong under-vehicle access with an 86.9" max lift height, plus rear slip plates already integrated into the runways to keep alignment workflow clean. This package includes the RJ70 7,000 lb pneumatic rolling jack, along with two drip trays and a jack tray at no additional cost, so you’re set up for brakes, suspension, rotations, and other wheels-off work right away.
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Capacity: 12,000 lb
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Best for: Alignment-capable general service (cars through many trucks and SUVs)
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Real-world benefits: Rear slip plates integrated plus RJ70 rolling jack included for true wheel-free service
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Setup tip: Requires 220V and must be wired to a circuit with 10-gage wire and a 30-amp breaker
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Service note: Front alignment plates/turntables are optional and sold separately (rear slip plates are built in)

Katool 15,000 lb 4-Post Alignment Lift (Rolling Jack Included) | KT-4H150
This alignment-ready 4-post lift brings serious capacity for trucks and includes the rolling bridge jack, which is a big win for shop efficiency. It uses extended-length runways with turnplates and slip plates, helping shops perform accurate, repeatable alignments on heavier vehicles. If you want alignment capability without piecing together key components later, this package keeps the process safe, consistent, and faster to run.
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Capacity: 15,000 lb
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Alignment features: Extended runways, turnplates, slip plates
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Includes: Rolling bridge jack (included)
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Best for: Shops doing alignments on heavier trucks and commercial vehicles
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Real-world benefits: More consistent alignments, safer workflow, fewer add-ons needed
AMGO 18,000 lb 4-Post Alignment Lift (Rolling Jack Optional) | PRO-18A
Built for fleet service and heavy-duty work, the PRO-18A pushes into serious capacity with an 18,000 lb rating. It features extra-long, non-skid runways and adjustable turnplate pockets to accommodate larger trucks and buses. Before ordering, confirm ceiling height and floor space for the lift’s footprint, then match the right rolling bridge jack setup to your heaviest vehicles since jacks are optional on this model.
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Capacity: 18,000 lb
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Runways: Extra-long, non-skid
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Alignment-ready details: Adjustable turnplate pockets
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Best for: Fleet shops, heavy-duty service, trucks and buses
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Real-world benefits: Handles larger vehicles with stable runway traction and alignment flexibility
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Shop fit checks: Ceiling height and floor space are critical
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Add-on note: Rolling bridge jack(s) are optional, choose based on your vehicle mix
Optional Accessories to Consider for 4-Post Lifts
Rolling Bridge Jacks
The safest and most versatile way to do true wheels-free work on a 4-post lift. It slides between the runways and lifts at the frame, making brakes and suspension jobs way easier. Size it by axle weight, confirm it fits your runway spacing, and make sure the minimum height clears your lowest vehicle.
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Best for: Brakes, suspension, wheels-off service
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Fit checks: Runway spacing + minimum height
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Capacity tip: Often 4,000 to 5,000 lb for most cars, higher for trucks
Jack Tray
A cheaper option that spans the runways and holds a bottle jack for occasional lifting. It’s not as convenient as a rolling bridge jack, but it works for light repairs at home. Buy one designed for your runway channel and keep the surface clean and dry for stable jacking.
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Best for: Light, occasional lifting
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Buy tip: Match the runway channel
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Tradeoff: Slower and less convenient than a rolling jack
Drip Trays
Simple pans that sit between the runways to catch oil or coolant drips. They protect the car parked underneath and keep your garage floor cleaner. Match the tray width to your runway width so they fit snug and don’t rattle.
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Best for: Stacked parking and cleaner storage
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Fit tip: Match tray width to runway width
Caster Kit
Wheels that let you reposition a 4-post lift when it’s unloaded. This is handy if you need to shift the lift in the garage or store it differently between projects. Only move the lift empty, go slow, and set it back down on the locks before loading a vehicle again.
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Best for: Repositioning an unloaded lift
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Safety rule: Move only when empty, then lower onto locks before loading
Nice Add-Ons
These are small upgrades that make the lift nicer to use day-to-day. Magnetic LED runway lights improve visibility, an on-runway air line kit powers tools or a pneumatic bridge jack, and bolt-on wheel chocks or stops help you park consistently. None are required, but they make home storage and shop workflow smoother.
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Popular extras: Magnetic LED lights, on-runway air line kit, wheel chocks/stops
Fitment, Height, Install, and Safety Essentials
Capacity and Sizing
Always choose a lift rated above your heaviest vehicle with a little safety margin. An 8,000 lb lift covers most cars and light trucks, but heavy pickups and large SUVs usually make more sense in the 9,000 to 11,000 lb range. In real-world use, extra capacity means less stress on the lift and less worry every time you raise the vehicle.
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Rule of thumb: Don’t buy a lift that’s near your max vehicle weight
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Typical guidance: 8,000 lb for most cars and light trucks, 9,000 to 11,000 lb for heavy pickups and SUVs
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Why it matters: More margin equals better day-to-day confidence and longevity
Wheelbase and Width
Make sure the runways are long enough for your longest wheelbase vehicle and that the inside column width works with your vehicle’s track. Compare runway length to crew-cab pickups and long sedans, then confirm your tire width sits comfortably on the runways. If the tires feel close to the edges, it’s a sign you need a better-fitting runway and width setup.
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Check runway length: Long sedans and crew-cab pickups first
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Check inside column width: Track width needs proper clearance
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Check tire fit: Tires should sit comfortably without riding the edges
Ceiling Height Requirements
For stacked parking, you need enough height to lift the top vehicle while keeping safe clearance. A quick way to estimate 4 post lift height requirements is: taller vehicle height + runway thickness + safety gap (4 to 6 inches) + upper vehicle height, and the total should sit a few inches below your ceiling. Don’t forget overhead obstacles like openers and lights, and leave a buffer above the top vehicle at the highest lock.
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Quick formula: Tall vehicle + runways + 4 to 6 inch gap + upper vehicle
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Also account for: Garage door opener, lights, and ceiling obstructions
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Smart move: Leave a little extra clearance at the top lock
Installation and Safety
Install on a level concrete slab that meets the manufacturer’s minimum thickness and strength, often around 4 inches thick with 3,000 PSI concrete. Secure the posts with the provided anchors or fresh high-grade anchors, and confirm your power needs since many home lifts run on 110V while heavier-duty models may require 220V. When using the lift, always raise to height and then lower onto the mechanical locks before going underneath, and never work under a vehicle supported only by hydraulics.
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Concrete baseline: Often 4 inches thick, 3,000 PSI, and level
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Anchoring: Use provided anchors or fresh high-grade anchors
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Power check: Many home models are 110V, heavier units may need 220V
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Safety habit: Always rest on mechanical locks before working under the vehicle
Conclusion and Next Steps
Choosing the right 4-post car lift comes down to matching the lift to your use case, then confirming it fits your vehicles and space. Start by picking the right style (storage, service, or alignment), then double-check key specs like runway length, column width, ceiling height, and power requirements. Finally, budget for the accessories that actually improve day-to-day use, like a rolling bridge jack for wheels-off work and drip trays for cleaner stacked parking.
Talk to a Lift Specialist » (for fit checks and nearest warehouse stock)





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