How many of you have a pit? ... and how many of you wish you didn't?

[auto74]

How many of you folks actually find a pit useful nowadays? Do you wish you just had another lift or two in it's place?

 

We have a pit that can comfortably fit 2 cars with room to spare in between. The issue is that it was built/spec'd out in the 40's by a family member who was 5'2" (on a good day), so it was decided to not make the pit very deep.

It's sort of handy/nice for exhaust work and oil changes, but even I (5'8") need to tilt my head and really watch what I'm doing to not catch myself. We had a guy years ago that was 6'3" who absolutely hated it.

 

In the course of making some repairs to the pit .. it looks like the concrete is deteriorating in one section to the point that I may need to weld up a frame and plate to support the concrete or build a concrete block wall.

 

I'm contemplating filling the pit in if it turns out to be a safety issue... but if I ever get a quick lube going in the future I don't want to kick myself for filling it in.

[nmikmik]

For how many years have you contemplated having a quick lube Auto74?

I suspect that if you have not done it yet, you may never will. I vote for it been a business and not the height decision

If you can financially justify having a pit and have it utilized at least 80%, then just fix what you have, deepen it and enjoy it.

There is a possibility that you never went with the quick lube because it is so shallow... If you can justify filling the pit (still a cost i am guessing) purchase of a new/used lift if you don't want to have just empty space, then do that.

[auto74]

For how many years have you contemplated having a quick lube Auto74?

I suspect that if you have not done it yet, you may never will. I vote for it been a business and not the height decision

If you can financially justify having a pit and have it utilized at least 80%, then just fix what you have, deepen it and enjoy it.

There is a possibility that you never went with the quick lube because it is so shallow... If you can justify filling the pit (still a cost i am guessing) purchase of a new/used lift if you don't want to have just empty space, then do that.

 

For about the last year or two... since partial control of the business was offered to me. There are 5 bays. 1 on one side of an office w/lift. 4 on the other side or the office. 2 w/pit 1 w/lift 1 w/o lift. I've been offered the 1600 sq ft side with 4 bays.

I've been spending my free time doing repairs/improvements to the building. Last year I spent most of my time doing various exterior repairs, mostly to the roof.

 

If I choose to rent/lease that section of the building out once my other building repairs are done I'll still need to address the pit issues.

[ATSAutomotive]

I have never had a pit before so I am biased in my opinion, but I would "think" I'd much rather have lifts or an alignment rack.

[mspecperformance]

I had a pit in my old shop. I absolutely hated it. Then again that shop was a dark cave so everything seemed claustrophobic. I would never choose to have a pit given a chance however I would also never run a quick lube business. Just my 2 cents

[xrac]

In my opinion a pit would only be justified in a quick lube type set up. A lift is much more useful.

[Jeff]

drive on lift is the way to go!

[ATLAuto]

For what it's worth, all new Kauffman Tire locations down here are adding pits to all their new stores. They couple the pit with the new Hunter alignment machine with floor mounted skid plates and crank through high margin alignments all day long.