Garage floor ideas

[Ramcharger90]

So we are in the process of looking for a new property and I found 2 that interest me, one has a pole barn with a dirt floor. The other has a tall ceiling and a concrete floor but it wasn't poured deep enough for a two post lift which my plan was a two post for working on the vehicles and a four post for more vehicle storage. I had an idea for either of them for a two post without pouring concrete or digging out and repouring. I was thinking it would be cheaper to get inch thick steel sheets (road plate) to bolt the lift to. They hold the weight of a tractor trailer driving over them so why not put the big structure bolts in and use those obviously they would need to be almost the whole length of the garage bay but honestly I can get those from the place I buy my steel. Any thoughts or experience in this area?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

So we are in the process of looking for a new property and I found 2 that interest me, one has a pole barn with a dirt floor. The other has a tall ceiling and a concrete floor but it wasn't poured deep enough for a two post lift which my plan was a two post for working on the vehicles and a four post for more vehicle storage. I had an idea for either of them for a two post without pouring concrete or digging out and repouring. I was thinking it would be cheaper to get inch thick steel sheets (road plate) to bolt the lift to. They hold the weight of a tractor trailer driving over them so why not put the big structure bolts in and use those obviously they would need to be almost the whole length of the garage bay but honestly I can get those from the place I buy my steel. Any thoughts or experience in this area?

Well. Yes.

Road plate will work, for a while.

The biggest issue you're going to have is eventually, it will break and sink, no different from throwing a road plate over gravel.

So. It will work. But it will move. Eventually.

The other issue you're going to run into is with concrete that thin, you will have some moisture movement. Up to you if that matters to you tho.

 

[Ramcharger90]

Well. Yes.

Road plate will work, for a while.

The biggest issue you're going to have is eventually, it will break and sink, no different from throwing a road plate over gravel.

So. It will work. But it will move. Eventually.

The other issue you're going to run into is with concrete that thin, you will have some moisture movement. Up to you if that matters to you tho.

I wasn't sure I figured an 8 foot by 10 foot 1.25 inch thick road plate would last most of my life.. concrete floors are getting way too expensive. Maybe the plate can be anchored. Im not opposed to digging into the stone floor and getting I beams to lay underneath also would keep airflow underneath plus the lift bolts can go through the beans and road plate if it was done the right way. Plus burn them together and it should last a long long time. I can get my hands on that brigde paint also like they used on the jersey turnpike..... lol

 

[Roert42]

I honestly think it would be easier to cut out a section of the slab and pour footers for the lift.

could cut a hole in the floor and use an 12” auger to dig down like a foot and just fill it back in with concrete, smooth it out.

Seems easier then trying to maneuver a few thousand pounds of steel plate into a garage.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

^^^ That would be what I would do too. Probably much cheaper than plate as well.
My boss has a 2 post outside. Looks like he poured 2 footers about 1.5' wide by 4' long by ?' deep. He then used 2"x2" square tube to laid over top in an H bolted down over the concrete. Then welded the 2 post to that. I've seen a newer F150 up on it. Apparently he built it about 12 years ago. This is on ground asphalt road that was laid in 6" courses and vibratory tapped into place each course. I believe he built it same as a roadway, so pit run first, then asphalt. So I would say that a 1" or 1.5" would be fine, as long as the original ground prep was done properly. I'll post pics when I find them.

 

[Roert42]

I know most company’s specify minimum of 4.5” thick concrete, 6” for heavier lifts. I don’t remember seeking a minimum space to edge of the concrete from the lags.

 

[19Walt93]

Check with the lift supplier for concrete hardness specs, some concrete isn't strong enough to hold anchors.

 

[Snoranger]

I know most company’s specify minimum of 4.5” thick concrete, 6” for heavier lifts. I don’t remember seeking a minimum space to edge of the concrete from the lags.

Usually 6” to an expansion joint.