Garage Lift 60 Day Review - Cavalier Mid-Rise Scissor Lift (6,600lb / 39" Max Lift)

Many people have been asking me how I'm enjoying my scissor lift and whether or not I've had any issues with it. In this video I talk through my experiences with it over the 60+ days I've owned it. Let's talk lifts!
As ever, thanks so much for watching my videos and supporting my channel. Keep the comments and chat coming! More videos coming soon. Cheers!
#Toolots
Cavalier Mid-Rise Scissor Lift 6,600lb. Capacity 110V Automatic Car Lift
Made by Qishida Machinery Equipment
Purchased for $1700+ tax and shipping from Toolots.com
1. Lifting capacity : 6,600 lbs. / 3,000 kg
2. Max lifting height : 39" / 1000 mm
3. Lifting time : 30-35 sec
4. Motor : 110 V / 60 Hz / 1 Ph / 3 hp
5. Electrical safety unlocking system
6. CE certificated
www.toolots.com/cavalry-mid-r...
#Project996
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#AutoAmateur
Also check out my blog at www.autoamateur.com to get connected with other like minded Porsche enthusiasts, check out my blog, more DIY and driving content. Custom #SportsChrono gauge faces are now available from my online store in a variety of colors! Check them out!
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[@Aardvark49]

Nice video James. I have a QuickJack BL5000 that I like pretty well. The rails are heavy and a little cumbersome to put in place but sure beats floor jack and stands. My garage ceiling is lower so with a scissors lift like yours I couldn't get full travel with the Macan that replaced the 997.2.

[@guantou2520]

Hydraulic system pump starts up off load before meeting the resistance of picking the car up, however when stopping and starting during a lift then the pump will be starting onload.

[@BendPak]

We're not certified electricians, but it seems like you need to get a bigger breaker to prevent the power unit from overloading. Congrats on the new lift!

[@AutoAmateur]

Thanks so much! Appreciate it!

[@edwardholmok8572]

Weak pump motor (cheap). When the lift is low it has it's greatest mechanical advantage, when it's higher it's harder to break the static friction (once stopped) due to less advantage. Plus the motor is hot, draws more current due to less advantage, bam triggers breaker.

[@solemods5991]

Great honest review as always, definitely looking at this as an option, much easier than messing around with axle stands 👍

[@AutoAmateur]

Thanks! 👍 This really has been super reliable and works really well. I think moving up to a 20amp breaker instead of 15amp in my garage should avoid the power tripping and the hydraulic fluid leak was squarely on me for now connecting the hoses tight enough.

[@kam1996]

how fitting.. Still contemplating buying this..

[@MsCliveharper]

Great review James 👍 I want one!

[@AutoAmateur]

Go for it!

[@MWS1960]

Great review James, seems like a great product for the money👍

[@AutoAmateur]

Thanks Michael! 👍

[@formerengineer5784]

Howdy. I used to live in the Twin Cities, so I appreciate what's coded into "make my wife park outside". I'm debating between the Twin Busch and the MaxJax. I am going to install an IMS Solution into my 996 by myself (trans out), and someday might rebuild the engine (both out). Do you think you could get the engine out with the scissor lift, or would the conduit make using a proper jack too difficult?

[@audioi]

James, As you know I bought the same lift after watching your original video. Yes it’s impossible to get a response from Toolots so when I could not get mine to go down properly I contacted you and found out that I needed to adjust the dial inside. Only one time have I had a problem with the breaker, and when I realized I had a 15 amp breaker on the line I changed it out to a 20 amp breaker and that solves all problems. The house wiring is 12/2 so it could handle the current without an issue. Thanks for directing me and helping me with it.

[@AutoAmateur]

I’ll check my breaker and see if I can do the same! Thanks!! 🙌

[@alanmartinezblack]

You should make sure that the outlet you’re using to operate this lift has a 12/2 wire going to it and not a 14/2

[@YT-lz2sd]

James, I would not compromise, this could become a bit a problem, specially a safety concern, I would rather pay the $3K one and avoid the headache, great reviews, thank you.

[@glenglene8473]

he needs a bigger circuit beaker at least 20A.

[@larrysimon1]

Hi , problem with your circuit breaker/fuse is it needs at least a 16 amp C or D type breaker that will not trip when your power up the lift hydraulic motor. Its a Strongarm lift in the uk I have the same one. Like your steel capped safety boots.

[@kiiiburn]

I was convinced at around 36 seconds in that I need this.

[@AutoAmateur]

Hahaha. Awesome!! It’s a great lift.

[@elmandalorian6671]

Great video 📹 👍!

[@AutoAmateur]

Thank you!!

[@Foxtrot1967]

Nice lift! Are there lockout pins for safety in the raised position? Id be scared to work under it if not.

[@AutoAmateur]

Yes, there is a mechanical safety lock which means if you lose the hydraulics or power, it won’t go anywhere.

[@FatKidontwowheels]

So overall it sounds like a great choice. Curious if others are having the breaker issue, did the "directions" specify what breaker rating they wanted? 15, 20... 30 amp? Thanks for the information and the update. Really appreciate you taking the time for us! Flip flop approved.

[@AutoAmateur]

Hahaha. Flip flops til the snow arrives! 🤣👍 Good question about the breaker. I’ll have to check!

[@philiphockey7996]

Try a c rated breaker on that circuit that may sort it out.

[@AutoAmateur]

Thank you!!

[@Suhail.Khan-24]

looks good! how high would the ceiling need to be to lift a car with this lift if its like a normal car such as a audi a4 for example?

[@AutoAmateur]

The max lift height is around 40 inches, including the base. So perhaps a 10 foot ceiling would be ok. For reference, I believe my ceiling is 12 foot.

[@mattvanderwielen6449]

Thanks 🙏.

[@AutoAmateur]

You bet!!

[@Drives88]

You need to rework that circuit with larger wiring and breaker to fix that tripping issue.

[@AutoAmateur]

Thanks John, you're spot on.

[@jasonso570]

Nice and instructive video James. Did u try to lift at his max capacity? 3000kg? Think that’d crack up! Watch out your toes bro you definitely need them 😆 Cheers.

[@AutoAmateur]

Not yet. The Cayenne is around 2100 kgs and it lifted that up just as easily as the 911. I don't know what kind of vehicle that could fit in my 3rd stall there would weigh 3000 kgs. Maybe a Hummer? Now I want to test! :)

[@larrym1112]

Buy Twin Busch. I received my S3-10E a few days ago and the whole process and service has been amazing. Ordering was one on one with Dan Wagner in the Las Vegas office. The lift arrived in Georgia 5days after ordering. Unpacking and setup took me(alone) 3hrs and all I needed was a knife/hammer/screw driver. The lifts aren’t bolted to the create anymore. You just slide them Dan was there on the phone during my 3hrs of putting it together when ever I had questions. Now there is No need to lift it off the creat. It has worked flawlessly, the one question I had today about slowing down drop speed was answered by a quick video TB has. They’re expensive. But having a real person and real company backing it is what you’re paying for. Yes they’re made in China also. Thanks for the video James. I researched this company also thanks to your prior vids. I tried QuickJacks and they’re a toy. Ok for an suv or truck, But I would never put my p car on it again. Went through 3 months of troubleshooting with QJ and just gave up on them.

[@AutoAmateur]

That’s awesome!! I wanted to buy from Twin Busch but at the time they were out of stock and I was looking at 8 to 12 weeks before they could ship me one. I didn’t want to wait that long.

[@larrym1112]

Auto Amateur ha. I know that feeling James. That’s why when you made your first videos I was so excited Becuase your lift was in stock at the time. Thanks again for the energy you put in to all this.

[@AutoAmateur]

Thanks Larry!!

[@wdc7582]

James; I have a couple of questions: First - When the lift is all the way down and your 991 is straddling it, are either the front or back tires setting on the lift? Second - When the car is over the lift, how much room do you have to get those “pucks” into position. My 991 is only about 4 1/4 inches off the ground at the lift points. I know it is working for you but how in the world do you get those pucks into such a tight space. Is your 991 further off the ground than mine. Thanks, Bill

[@AutoAmateur]

Hi Bill! For your first question, no. When the lift is all the way down on the floor, the wheels and tires sit completely on the floor. They’re not seated on the lift. For your second question, my 991 has the standard ride height. I have just enough room to slide the pucks in and out from under the car when it’s over the lift. However, what I usually do for ease is to twist the pucks into place under the car before I back the car over the lift. It’s easier that way. I’ve also recently come up with another solution. I bought slimmer some rubber matts that I just slide in and out under the 4 jack points now when the car is on the lift. It’s super quick and easy. They’re about the size of a CD.

[@AutoAmateur]

If it helps... I also had a GT3 on the lift recently which had PASM and was lower to the ground than my 991. It went onto the lift just fine but I had to put the pucks into place before I backed over the lift.

[@wdc7582]

Thanks James! Do the pucks move around when you drive over them?

[@AutoAmateur]

No. They have a little notch on the top that allow you to twist them into place into your jack points. They stay in place when you drive over the lift. In fact, I one drove 500 miles to Chicago with the hockey pucks in my jack points by mistake once. Totally forgot to remove them afterwards. They made the journey just fine! 🤣🤣🤣

[@wdc7582]

Auto Amateur - That’s amazing. Thanks for the info. Sorry to be a pain in the ass, but to be clear, you go under the car and mount the pucks, then drive into the lift?

[@mohammedalbaker8963]

Fantastic

[@AutoAmateur]

Thank you so much 😀

[@salangchoi02]

You are a brave man to be willing to be under a Chinese made lift.

[@AutoAmateur]

Ha! :)

[@karlhuy1115]

James what's with still wearing flip flops when working on the Porsche? One day you're going to be doing a video with a missing toe or two.

[@AutoAmateur]

🤣👍 If the weight of a car come crashing down on me, unless I’m wearing steal toed boots, I doubt a pair of Nikes will do much to save my toes. 😳

[@danielt.3152]

I agree wear good boots trust me based on numerous injuries I would rather have that piece of thick leather as an outer skin

[@user-no7fc7dn1g]

6'6"+.........maaaaan,how do you fit in that porsche!!!!

[@AutoAmateur]

Relatively speaking it's much easier than trying to fit into the Cayman / Boxster. Hahaha.

[@robertmedina6875]

How do you fit in the car? 6'6 wow!

[@AutoAmateur]

I have a video about that actually! Check it out.

[@aboyandhisdog]

@@AutoAmateur Any chance you can link to that video? I've looked and looked and can't find it anywhere. Thanks!!!

[@nitrousstang]

can you sit on a stool and fit underneath and work

[@AutoAmateur]

Yes.

[@cjsnylons]

So this lift or QuickJacks?

[@AutoAmateur]

Good question. What I like about my lift is that it's there and all I have to do is drive over it, boom. Done. With the Quick Jacks I didn't want to have to pick them up, store them, bring them out... etc.. whenever I want to use them. Plus my lift gives me lots of lifting height than the QJ.

[@riz8450]

4 feet high? seems only up to 3 feet

[@AutoAmateur]

You're right, my wonky maths. Haha. I guess the max lift height is technically 3.25 ft.

[@Djmachete1313]

it possibly needs to be on a 30 amp circuit on it's own,...

[@AutoAmateur]

That’s right. 💯

[@pomaze1]

Moto of the story. Don’t buy stuff from China.

[@kenwendorf8913]

That lift is now $1000 more and out of stock

[@AutoAmateur]

Get a Twin Busch.

[@kenwendorf8913]

@@AutoAmateur twin bush out of stock 12-14 weeks