Mohawk System 1 installation

These notes may help others installing lifts. But I am not a expert ,so do it at your own risk.
I have just installed an old Mohawk System 1, two post lift and fitted a glycerin-filled 2000 psi pressure gauge with a 2-1/2" face to the offside lift cylinder.There is a convenient bleed plug there. If you get a gauge with a rear(not bottom!) fitting that is 3/8" npt it fits(at least on mine it did) If you have a 1/4" fitting +adapter bushing -that also just clears the carriage and chain -but only just! I paid $15 inc. shpg on EBay.

The gauge shows a reading of 800 psi lifting a Jaguar XKE that weighs 2800 lbs.
Can I assume a linear relationship between the gauge reading and the weight of other vehicles on the lift? So for example, a 6000lb small truck would give a gauge reading of 2000psi ??

Another minor mod I made was to replace the broken stranded cable to the safety locks with chain.The chain operates what Mohawk call the 'flippers' that disengage the safety locks.I figure the chain is less likely to get chewed up like the bowden cable was.

I also used 3/4" "Titen" bolts instead of wedgeits.I noticed some favorable comments on them in an old newsletter from a local lift service company (SLI)
To shim I used horseshoe shaped HDPE shims. I let the columns sit for a week on these shims before rechecking for plumb/level/parallel. I was concerned they might compress. No squishing measurable.

To monitor any flex or movement of the columns ,I braced the top of each column to a convenient overhead beam with steel straps. With a balanced 2800 pound load ,no movement was detected. I must try a more sensitive way of establishing the balance point of a vehicle because two post lifts require a fairly well balanced load. Any suggestions ?

I have a very different style setup. I have a frankenstein lift. Its a hunter alignment drive on rack that has a cross member through it and it mounts to a challenger 2 post lift. I always ensure that it is completely level with a 24" level mounted to the side. It works great for getting it for FREE but....some may claim its unsafe, I'm just careful. Drilled all the way through my 70's 8" slab and mounted it well. Have had some big cars on it and no problems. You can also use cheap levels on each column and monitor them as you start to put weight on them. That will show the flex from free standing to weight applied. You'll quickly identify the offset forward or back to balance it.

Your Hunter is a very unusual lift.Good luck with parts!I think SVI in Los Angeles may help?
The Mohawk System 1 has a crude proxy for balance -if you inspect the Torrington bearings on the 4 corners of each carriage ,you will see which 2 of the 4 are rolling on the column. In my case the top rear & bottom forward are touching on both columns.The diagonally opposite pair have a gap. I conclude the car is slightly too far to the rear. If I shift the car forward a few inches ,I have found the balance point. The check is to physically push the car up (good strength test for your biceps!) at the front and then the rear.If it is balanced your push-ups will make the Torrington bearings on both carriages bang against the column. It makes a noise like the safety locks engaging. Very affirming,not very sophisticated!