Low Rise Lifts

The five kinds of low-rise lift here

"Low rise" describes the travel, not the design. Five different machines share the label, and picking the wrong family costs more than picking the wrong capacity.

Pad-style scissor lifts

Two short drive-over platforms rise on a scissor mechanism and engage the vehicle at its factory frame lift points through rubber pads and multi-height adapter blocks. The BendPak LR-60 and LR-10000, Tuxedo LR-26-PAD, AMGO LR06, iDEAL LR-10K-TLPAD and Challenger SRM10 work this way. The wheels hang free, so this is the family for tire, brake and wheel work.

Portable open-center frames

QuickJack builds two models here, the BL-3500SLX and the 6000ELX: two independent frames plus a power unit, with no crossbar between them to act as a mechanical leveler. The 6000ELX listing specifies a hydraulic flow divider built into its power unit to keep the two frames rising evenly; the BL-3500SLX listing does not publish that detail. Each BL-3500SLX frame weighs 60 lb and stands 3 in. tall; each 6000ELX frame weighs 112 lb. Both reach full rise in about 30 seconds.

Portable shop lifts on wheels

The BendPak LR-60P is the LR-60 with a tow handle, the AMGO LR06 travels on its power unit stand, and the Herkules K900P adds a dolly handle and wheels so one person can move it.

Pit-style and flush-mount lifts

Built to turn a fast-lube pit into a wheel service bay. The BendPak P-9000LT mounts on the surface outside the pit rail so it never interferes with the center work area; the P-9000LTF is the flush-mount version, recessed so it occupies no vertical space when down. The Tuxedo PL6K is a floor-mounted pit lift with single-point pneumatic lock release, and the Herkules T200 (sold as VLA03) is a tandem lift.

Air-operated collision-shop lifts

Herkules runs on shop air instead of an electrical circuit. The K900 lifts the frame on a single 38 in. by 50 in. platform using adjustable swivel swing arms, and its listing specifies an automatic internal safety arm, eight rubber blocks and a hand controller on 12 ft of air hose. The portable K900P shares the 38 in. by 50 in. platform, the 6,000 lb capacity, the 4.125 in. lowered height and the hand controller; its listing does not itemize the blocks or the hose length, so confirm what ships with it. The K900S trades arms for a 79 in. by 151 in. fixed-wing platform with four removable ramps that lock upright to secure the wheels.

Capacity, rise and drive-over height

Capacity. From the 3,500 lb QuickJack BL-3500SLX up to four 10,000 lb models: the Challenger SRM10, BendPak LR-10000, iDEAL LR-10K-TLPAD and Herkules T200. Seven of the 16 sit at 6,000 lb, the single largest group; four are rated 10,000 lb, two 9,000 lb, one 6,600 lb, one 5,000 lb and one 3,500 lb. The LR-10000 publishes a detail the others do not - its rating is up to 5,000 lb per axle, front and rear, which on heavy one-ton pickups matters more than the headline.

Rise. Maximum lifting heights span from up to 14.625 in. on the Herkules T200 to up to 29 in. on the K900 and K900P. The middle clusters between 22 in. and 26 in.: 22 in. on the SRM10, 22.5 in. on the iDEAL, 23 in. on the LR-60 and LR-10000, 23.75 in. on both P-9000 models, 24.5 in. on the 6000ELX, 26 in. on the LR-26-PAD.

Blocks and adapters change that. With blocks the LR-60 reaches 26 in. and the LR-10000 reaches 32 in., the highest figure published here; the P-9000LT and P-9000LTF reach 27 in. The LR-26-PAD, PL6K and iDEAL reach 30 in., 30 in. and 30.75 in. with adapters - which are not always included. The iDEAL ships with four multi-position height adapters as standard; the LR-26-PAD lists the MR6K-38-SUV adapter set separately, and the PL6K lists its PL6K-HEIGHT-ADAPTER extensions separately.

QuickJack publishes lift-point height per block setting instead of a with-blocks maximum. The BL-3500SLX reads 16.5 in. frame only, 17.5 in. with the 2 in. block and 18.5 in. with the 3 in. block, against a 21 in. maximum height, and its spec table states that adapters are not compatible. The 6000ELX reads 21.5 in. with the 2 in. block, 22.5 in. with the 3 in. block and 24.25 in. with adapters, against a 24.5 in. maximum height.

Lowered height. The BL-3500SLX frame is 3 in. tall and the LR-26-PAD has a 3 in. minimum pad height. The K900S sits at 3.25 in., the LR-60 and 6000ELX at 3.5 in., the LR-60P and both P-9000 models at 4 in., the LR06 and the Herkules K900, K900P and T200 at 4.125 in., the SRM10, PL6K and iDEAL at 4.25 in., the LR-10000 at 4.5 in. Compare that to your lowest vehicle's ground clearance.

Lock positions. Three is the norm: 15 in., 20.25 in. and 23.5 in. on the LR-60 and LR-60P; 13.75 in., 18.25 in. and 21.25 in. on the SRM10; 13.5 in., 17.25 in. and 21.5 in. on the iDEAL. The LR-10000 gives four: 14 in., 18 in., 20.75 in. and 22.75 in.

What the shop has to provide

Electrical. Eight of the 16 run on single-phase 110/115V: the LR-60 and LR-60P (1.5 HP, 110V, 50/60 Hz), the SRM10 (1 HP, 115V, 60 Hz), the AMGO LR06 (1 HP, 110V/60 Hz), the 6000ELX (110V, 60 Hz), the LR-26-PAD (115V, 15 amp) and the PL6K and iDEAL (115V, 20 amp). Three need more: both P-9000 models specify 1.5 HP at 208-230 VAC, 60 Hz, and the LR-10000 spec table lists 220 VAC, 50-60 Hz, 1-phase. The four Herkules lifts publish no electrical requirement at all, and the BL-3500SLX publishes none either - its listing mentions only an optional DC power unit that runs off a car battery or a portable battery pack.

Air. The P-9000LT and P-9000LTF call for 30 to 100 psi and a minimum 10 CFM, working to a maximum hydraulic pressure of 2,800 psi. The PL6K specifies 90 to 125 psi for its lock release. Both QuickJacks need air only at setup, to inflate the cylinders up to 50 psi. The four Herkules lifts are air-operated but publish no required pressure or flow - consult that model's manual before committing a compressor to it.

Floor and mounting. The P-9000LT and iDEAL are surface mount, the P-9000LTF flush mount, the PL6K floor mounted, the SRM10 can be mounted flush, and the Herkules K900, K900S and T200 can be surface mounted or recessed. The two QuickJack listings publish no mounting style or anchoring requirement at all; both are described as portable and rolled into position, so confirm the installation requirement in the manual before you plan the bay. No listing here publishes a required slab thickness or concrete strength, so treat the installation manual as the authority before you pour or drill.

Space. Overall width decides whether it fits the bay: 88.625 in. for the iDEAL, 85 in. for the BendPak LR-10000, and 85 in. for the Challenger SRM10 plus 2.5 in. for its handle, 73 in. for the LR-26-PAD, 70 in. for the LR06, 66 in. for the PL6K. Length matters most on the pit lifts - the P-9000LT runs 95 in. to 140.75 in. with ramps, the P-9000LTF 74.5 in. with none.

Ceiling. No lift here has an overhead structure, so the clearance you need is vehicle height plus the rise you actually use - at most 24.875 in. of travel on the K900 and K900P (29 in. raised height measured from the floor), and up to 32 in. once you stack blocks on the LR-10000 or fit the tall adapters on the iDEAL (30.75 in.), LR-26-PAD (30 in.) or PL6K (30 in.). Size the ceiling for the block or adapter configuration you actually plan to use, not for the bare rise. That is why a low rise lift works where a two-post cannot be installed.

Vehicle fit. On the QuickJacks, lift point spread is the test, not wheelbase. The BL-3500SLX spec table gives 27 in. to 50.5 in. The 6000ELX targets long-wheelbase and EV work and reaches 76 in. maximum; its spec table lists a 53 in. minimum while a feature bullet claims 47.5 in., so design around 53 in.

Certification

Of the 16 models here, the Challenger Lifts SRM10 is the one whose listing explicitly declares ALI certification. If your jurisdiction, insurer or fleet contract requires it, ask us to confirm the current status on any other model rather than assuming it. Several listings carry a California Prop 65 warning.

Model comparison

Not in the table: the LR-60P (portable LR-60), the P-9000LTF (flush-mount P-9000LT), the K900P (portable K900), the AMGO LR06 - a 6,000 lb portable with a 23.625 in. maximum lifting height, 4.125 in. minimum height and 53.25 in. runways - and the open-box P-9000LT listing, which publishes its own figures and asks you to contact us for availability and discounts.

Speed

If the lift cycles dozens of times a day, lifting time is a real cost. Both QuickJacks reach full rise in about 30 seconds; the LR-10000, the new P-9000LT and P-9000LTF and the LR-26-PAD about 35 seconds; the PL6K 40 seconds; the LR-60, LR-60P and LR06 45 seconds. The iDEAL publishes both figures - 60 seconds on 115V, 36 seconds on the optional 220V power unit, a meaningful gap in an express tire bay.

Frequently asked questions

Will a low rise lift work in a garage with a low ceiling?

Yes, and that is the main reason people buy one. Nothing here has an overhead beam or column, so the ceiling only has to clear the vehicle plus the rise - up to 29 in. on the K900 and K900P, or 32 in. on the LR-10000 with blocks stacked. Add your tallest vehicle to the rise you plan to use, then compare.

Can I take the wheels off?

On the pad-style and open-center models, yes. The BendPak LR-60, LR-60P, LR-10000, P-9000LT and P-9000LTF, the AMGO LR06, the iDEAL LR-10K-TLPAD, the Challenger SRM10 and both QuickJacks engage the lift points and leave the wheels hanging free. The LR-26-PAD already frees the wheels by default with the rubber spacer blocks it includes; its optional MR6K-38-SUV kit is for SUV frame lifting, not for wheel access. On the Tuxedo PL6K the frame-lifting hardware is a separate purchase - the PL6K-ARMKIT on the PL6K, which is listed for quick-lube pit work - so budget for it if that is how you plan to work. The Herkules K900S is the exception to check: its fixed-wing platform lifts by the suspension or by the tires, and only the suspension setting frees the wheels.

What separates the P-9000LT from the P-9000LTF?

Same 9,000 lb lift, same 4 in. lowered height, 58.5 in. platforms and 1.5 HP 208-230 VAC power unit. On the new P-9000LT listing: 23.75 in. rise, 95 in. to 140.75 in. overall with ramps, about 35 seconds to full rise. The LTF is flush mount, measures 74.5 in. with no ramps, and its listing states it does not include ramps or covers. Choose the LTF only if you are recessing it. The open-box P-9000LT listing publishes its own figures - 24 in. lift height, 124.6 in. overall, 55 seconds - so read that listing on its own.

Do these have to be bolted to the floor?

It depends. The P-9000LT and iDEAL are surface mount, the P-9000LTF flush mount, the Tuxedo PL6K floor mounted, the Challenger SRM10 can be mounted flush, and the Herkules K900, K900S and T200 can be surface mounted or recessed. The two QuickJack listings publish no mounting style or anchoring requirement at all; both are described as portable and rolled into position. No listing here publishes a slab specification, so check the installation manual for the model you are considering.

What is in the box?

It varies, so read the listing. The QuickJacks ship with both frames, the power unit and control, four 2 in. and four 3 in. rubber blocks, four hoses, two positioning handles and fittings - you supply three liters of automatic transmission fluid, an air source and assembly tools. The SRM10 includes four two-position steel adapter blocks; the PL6K, the power unit and stand; the iDEAL, four height adapters, four 1.5 in. rubber pads, two 55 in. hose covers and a power unit pedestal stand.

How do these ship?

The LR-60, LR-60P, P-9000LT, P-9000LTF, LR-10000, SRM10, BL-3500SLX and 6000ELX listings are flagged for free shipping in our catalog. The Herkules, Tuxedo, AMGO, iDEAL and open-box listings are not, and three of those listings publish a flat freight amount per unit to the contiguous 48 states, excluding Alaska, Hawaii and limited-access locations. Either way these ship by freight. The LR-60 and LR-60P listings state LTL, and the five BendPak and two QuickJack listings state that unloading is the buyer's responsibility; the Herkules, Tuxedo, AMGO and iDEAL listings do not publish a shipping method or offload term, so confirm it with us before you order - the LR-60 and LR-60P name a liftgate as the offload requirement, on shipping weights of 940 lb and 974 lb. Heaviest here is the K900S at 1,500 lb; lightest, the BL-3500SLX at 180 lb.

Where a product page disagrees with itself

The Tuxedo PL6K is 6,600 lb in its model name and specification table while one feature bullet says 6,000 lb. The BendPak LR-10000 specification table lists a 220 VAC motor while the descriptive copy mentions a 110V/220V option, and that same table lists four lock positions while a feature bullet says three. The Herkules K900S specification table gives 28.125 in. of raised height while a feature bullet says 29 in. The QuickJack BL-3500SLX specification table gives a 27 in. minimum lift point spread while a feature bullet says 26.75 in., and the 6000ELX table gives a 53 in. minimum spread while a feature bullet claims 47.5 in. In every case the specification table is the number to design around.

Two listings also disagree with each other. The P-9000LT appears twice in this category: the new listing publishes 23.75 in. of rise, about 35 seconds to full rise and 95 in. to 140.75 in. overall with ramps, while the open-box listing publishes 24 in., 55 seconds and 124.6 in. Design around the new listing figures and ask us to confirm the unit you are quoting.

Call 800-562-4791 with your vehicle mix and bay dimensions and we will narrow these models to the two or three that fit.