If you’re in the market for a new hoist, read this first! In this article we cement the facts you need to know about concrete floor requirements for hoists.  

Here at Genesis Equipment, we don’t just sell industry leading lifts and workshop equipment, we ensure that the products you choose are fit-for-purpose. 

(We can even help with expert installation thanks our nationwide service and support team).  

There are lots of numbers to factor in when researching a hoist, but one of the most critical is making sure the floor surface is up to the task of safely and securely supporting your new lift.  

Concrete Flooring Factors: Installing a Hoist  

Genesis Equipment is proud to be the Exclusive Australian Distributor of Bendpak hoists and equipment.  

Bendpak, along with many of our manufacturing partners, go to great lengths to specify the concrete floor requirements for each model. You can find the Bendpak concrete floor requirements here.  

Here are some of the essential floor factors – including pre-requisites – you must consider:  

• The style of hoist being installed – requirements can vary greatly between different models (depending on whether it’s a 2-post, 4 post, or it’s rated load capacity)  
• Rebar spacing (reinforcing within the concrete) 
• Minimum concrete thickness 
• Minimum compressive strength and reinforcement  

And if you’re planning on installing a hoist onto a new concrete slab – you’ll have to wait the minimum recommended curing (or ageing) periods specified by the hoist manufacturer. 

2-post Hoists: Concrete Floor Requirements  

Did you know that a continuous single slab of concrete is necessary underneath all 2-post hoists?  

As you’ll see below, minimum thickness of existing concrete flooring below a 2-post hoist can vary from 4 ¼ inches to 8 inches.  

Here is a snapshot of concrete floor specs for some of the Bendpak 2-post models we stock here at Genesis:  

GP‐7 SERIES MODELS and XPR‐10 SERIES MODELS 

• Minimum thickness – 4 ¼” 
• Minimum compressive strength – 3000 PSI / 28 Day Aging 
• Reinforcement – #6 Rebar 
• Rebar Space – 12 inch  

XPR‐12 SERIES MODELS 

• Minimum thickness – 6 1/2″ 
• Minimum compressive strength – 3000 PSI / 28 Day Aging 
• Reinforcement – #6 Rebar 
• Rebar Space – 10 inch 

XPR‐15 SERIES MODELS 

• Minimum thickness – 8″ 
• Minimum compressive strength – 3000 PSI / 28 Day Aging 
• Reinforcement – #6 Rebar 
• Rebar Space – 10 inch 

4 Post Hoists: Concrete Floor Requirements  

With 4-post hoists, because you have more pillars to distribute the weight and load while lifting, the concrete floor requirements can differ quite substantially to a 2-post hoist.  

HD-7 SERIES MODELS 

• Minimum thickness – 4 ¼ ” 
• Minimum compressive strength – 3000 PSI / 28 Day Aging 
• Reinforcement – ACI Temp Only 
• Rebar Space – ACI Temp Only 

GP-9 SERIES MODELS 

• Minimum thickness – 4 ¼ ” 
• Minimum compressive strength – 3000 PSI / 28 Day Aging 
• Reinforcement – ACI Temp Only 
• Rebar Space – ACI Temp Only 

HDS-40 SERIES MODELS 

• Minimum thickness – 6 ½ ” 
• Minimum compressive strength – 3000 PSI / 28 Day Aging 
• Reinforcement – ACI Temp Only 
• Rebar Space – ACI Temp Only 

Installing a Hoist: Concrete Floor Checklist  

• Lifts should not be installed on cracked, defective or hand-mixed concrete 
• Lifts should not be installed on expansion seams 
• Lifts should not be installed on a floor level which has others below it, such as ground floor with basement below (or secondary floor), without written approval from Bendpak and the building architect 
• Anchors must be a minimum of 6 inches away from inconsistencies in the concrete, control joints and expansion seams 
• Having posts on separate concrete slabs, or spanning expansion seams, is unacceptable  

IMPORTANT NOTE: Bendpak suggests verifying the compression strength of the floor by testing a core sample.  

It recommends that minimum concrete floor thickness should be confirmed by test drilling the existing flooring and that building drawings should be used during the investigation when verifying the floor reinforcement.  

Concrete Floor Requirements for Hoists 

If your concrete doesn’t meet the requirements above, give us a call and we’ll talk you through your options. 

For help determining if your concrete flooring is up to scratch for your dream hoist, contact the experienced professionals at Genesis Equipment today on 1300 694 363.