When choosing a Two-Post Lift, deciding between Symmetrical and Asymmetrical is only half the battle. The other crucial factor is structural design: specifically, whether you need a Clearfloor or a Baseplate model. This decision is not driven by preference but by one non-negotiable factor: your shop’s ceiling height.
Understanding the difference ensures you purchase a lift that operates safely, efficiently, and fits perfectly into your existing architecture. Global Garage Supplies helps you make the right structural choice the first time.
Clearfloor Lifts: The Preferred Design for High Ceilings
The Clearfloor design is the industry standard for new construction and shops with high overhead clearance. It is highly valued for its safety and flexibility.
- Design: Clearfloor lifts feature a heavy steel beam connecting the two posts overhead. The equalization cables and hydraulic hoses run across this overhead beam.
- Key Advantage: By eliminating all obstructions on the floor, the bay remains completely open beneath the vehicle. Technicians can freely roll transmission jacks, oil drains, tool carts, and diagnostic equipment from one side of the lift to the other without having to drive over a plate.
- The Constraint: This overhead beam requires a high ceiling—typically 12 feet or more—to ensure adequate clearance for the top of the lift and any high-profile vehicles (like trucks or vans) you intend to service.
Baseplate Lifts (Floorplate): The Solution for Low Ceilings
When ceiling height prevents the installation of an overhead beam, the Baseplate lift provides the ideal solution.
- Design: Baseplate lifts have no overhead connection. Instead, the equalization cables and hydraulic hoses run along the floor, protected by a low-profile, ramped steel plate (the “baseplate” or “floorplate”) that spans the distance between the columns.
- Key Advantage: This design is mandatory for shops, home garages, and industrial buildings with low ceilings. It allows you to utilize the reliable lifting power of a two-post lift without needing high clearance.
- Trade-Off: The baseplate creates a small ramp and mild trip hazard on the floor, requiring equipment to be rolled over it. This is a small compromise necessary to fit the lift into a height-constrained space.
The Constraint: Ceiling Height is Non-Negotiable
Your ceiling height is the determining factor in this decision. You must measure the clearance from the floor to the lowest overhead obstruction (like a beam, lighting fixture, or heating duct).
| If Your Ceiling Height Is… | Your Required Lift Type Is… | Primary Benefit |
| High (12+ feet) | Clearfloor | Completely unobstructed, open floor. |
| Low (Under 12 feet) | Baseplate (Floorplate) | Enables two-post lifting in height-restricted areas. |
Check your measurements! Find the perfect Clearfloor or Baseplate Two-Post Lift for your space at Global Garage Supplies.