I saw a car up HIGH on concrete blocks in the front, apparently to work on the car, that often doesn't end well.

Go to a marina and ask why nobody uses concrete to bunk boats, ...

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I own an old closed service station with a pit. Pits are illegal to install here now but this one was installed in nineteen fifty three so is grandfathered in. I think they were made illegal from people falling in them. Remember if you do any fuel work in a pit they are a blast container. So be cautious when say changing a gas fuel tank as fumes will settle.

A well planned pit is actually pretty cheap to build. In a home garage enviroment it also does away with headroom requirements for a hoist. You can make a clever closing arrangement so you do not lose usable space as well.

Even if illegal in your area as well who is going to find out? A little digging and concrete or cement blocks if the soil is suitable. Plus a way to easily close it off when not in use.

Yes there is far less risk than most other methods. You still have to use common sense though. Also beats laying on your back trying to get leverage or trying to get enough clearance. Saves quite a bit of time over jacking up and supporting a car to work on as well.

I can drive to the garage from home and have a car over the pit in several minutes. Actually quicker than gettting the same car elevated on a hoist at the same location would be.

I agree with Barry, there's no reason a pit would be dangerous if you use your head. Safety is relative. I still remember my uncle yanking me out from below a car on wood blocks when I was 14, telling me to be safe. I'm still working on cars (and so is he)

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

MB has some sturdy metal chocks that fold flat for storage. Great for use with the factory jack when you're stuck on the side of the road. P/N 203-583-00-75.

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BENZSTER

W123, '81 240D, Pastel Grey/Blue Tex
W126, '88 300 SEL, Artic White/Grey Leather

best safety lifting situation is be sure the vehicle is on solid stable ground before lifting it.
I will not work on a vehicle that has to have chocks to keep it stable.
a flat concrete surface is the best protection. forget ramps, forget wood.
lift the vehicle securely, and use jackstands PROPERLY. remember, if you lift a vehicle with the parking brake, or the vehicle in park. it's under stress. you want to lift the vehicle so it smoothly rolls with the jack. and stays where it's set when lifted.
always remember and plan what you are going to be taking apart.
IF DONE PROPERLY, removing a driveshaft when the vehicle is partly lifted in the air is totally safe. but the car MUST be stable without relying on something that can slip, or break to keep it still!

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

If I put in a pit I would put one or two 4-6" PVC pipes at the bottom on the side that lead out to a reasonably powerful blower/exhaust fan....so there'd be a steady stream of fresh air coming into the pit, and any settling fumes would be sucked away.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Even something as innocent as changing a shift linkage bushing....laying under the car (not raised) fiddling with the bushing, then "click" its out of park and starting to roll. Hold it by hand (very slight incline), Scream for help, neighbor hears and gets in and applies the brake. This happened many years ago, lesson is still fresh. I use backup jackstands in addition my jackstands

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Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

AND....he appears to be welding the gas tank. Without nitrogen purge. If the tank goes off, he won't be concerned with the truck falling on him.

...but make sure to check WHY it would be illegal. If the water table is high, your pit might turn to mush. Also, make sure that the sides of the pit are adequately supported.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."