From Beginner to Expert: How to Install Four-Post 360: Steps+Tips (2025 Version)
The FP-360 Four-Post Car Lift offers reliable 3.6-ton lifting power, a spacious 18×7 ft detachable platform, and automatic safety locks—making it ideal for vehicle maintenance, repairs, and space-saving parking.
Built with heavy-duty steel and a precise hydraulic system, it’s the perfect solution for both home garages and commercial shops seeking performance, safety, and versatility.
Technical Parameters
In this guide, we’ll walk you through key tips to ensure your installation is smooth and efficient.
We’ve broken the process down into major steps that are easy to follow, and we’ve included essential Solid Tips along the way to help you avoid common pitfalls and get the best performance from your lift. Let’s get started and make sure everything’s done right the first time.
There’s nothing to be afraid of—just be patient and read carefully, because you won’t want to miss anything. Let’s jump right in!
Location Requirements and Layout
Choose an Appropriate Installation Location
One of the standout benefits of our FP-360 four-post car lift is its flexible installation design. This makes setup faster and more versatile—an ideal solution for a wide range of indoor spaces. As long as the floor is clear, clean, and structurally sound, you’re good to go. This makes installation quicker, easier, and far more flexible—especially for home garages or commercial spaces with limited construction options.
While you don’t need a foundation to install the FP-360, we still recommend it — especially if the lift will be used frequently or in a busy shop. A solid foundation just gives you that extra bit of stability and peace of mind.
When selecting your installation site, keep the following tips in mind:
• Indoor installation is recommended unless otherwise specified.
• Check the lift dimensions (see Attachment 1) and make sure the area can comfortably accommodate the full footprint of the lift.
• Look up! Ensure there are no overhead obstructions such as heating units, ceiling brackets, low-hanging lights, or exposed electrical wiring directly above the lift.
With the right space, you’ll be able to enjoy a smooth, safe installation and get the most out of your lift from day one!
After confirming the installation location, use a tape measure and chalk to mark the installation locations of the four columns. Ensure that the lengths of the two diagonals are equal. Then, place the four columns at the marked positions, starting with the main column.
Base Structure Installation: Columns, Beams, Running Boards and Wire Rope
A. Column Fixation
Once the column locations are determined, secure the main column first. Use an impact drill to create holes in the ground through the mounting holes on the column’s bottom plate, and then use expansion bolts to secure it. Do not punch or fix the other three columns initially; these will be fine-tuned later.
B. Beam Installation
Remove the plate on the top of the previously installed column. Slide the beam assembly’s slide block from the top of the column. Ensure that the unlock blocks on the beam align with the unlock blocks on the column.
C. Running Board Installation
Use a forklift or suitable lifting equipment to position the main and vice running boards onto the beam. Align the running board’s connecting holes with those on the beam. Secure the bottom plate, baffle plate, and running boards using bolts. Once the running boards are installed, mount the column top trays onto the columns.
Solid Tip: Pay attention to the installation position of the main running board (main running board with a cylinder) on the side of the main column.
D. Wire Rope Installation
The wire rope is pre-installed on the running board. Cross the four pieces of wire rope through the four column top trays according to their lengths.
Solid Tip:
1.The installation of wire rope must be precise. Careful attention should be paid during the initial running test to ensure that each rope is properly positioned on the wire rope wheel.
2. Before installing the wire rope, it is necessary to extend the cylinder from a distance; otherwise, the length of the wire rope may not reach the top tray.
Mechanical and Hydraulic System Installation
A. Installation of Unlock Device
a) Manual Unlocking: The unlocking lever and back unlocking connecting rod should pass through the inside of the main running board from the unlocking hole on the side beam. Connect them using the unlocking casing pipe.
Solid Tip: After the equipment is in operation, adjust the connecting screw rod of each articulated bearing according to the situation. When you pull the unlock lever, it is considered normal for all four unlock blocks to release simultaneously from the slot on the column.
b) Electric Unlocking:
Electrical unlocking utilizes four electromagnets to control the unlocking process. Most parts are preinstalled, and customers only need to connect the electromagnets and conduct a test.
B.Installation of Hydraulic System
a) Installation of Power: Install the power unit on the base of the main column, ensuring it is on the same side as the unlocking lever.
b) Installation of Oil Hose:
The equipment has two oil hoses. One connects to the cylinder on the bottom of the main running board, and the other connects to the power unit. Connect the two oil hoses using a wire connector.
C. M-Type series equipment’s electrical part has only one wire on the power unit, which can be directly connected to an external power supply.
Solid Tip: Equipment with a three-phase plug is connected to an electric power supply. If the motor runs but the equipment is not functioning, please interchange any two wires out of the three.
Equipment Fixation
Before fixing the equipment, tighten all connecting bolts between the side beam and the running board. Use a level to measure each column, ensuring they are vertical. If not, insert sizing blocks between the column and the ground. Finally, use expansion bolts to fix the columns (refer to the picture for column location, keeping dimension errors within 5mm).
Operation Instruction
Attention Items:
• If the equipment will not be in service for a long time, the main power supply should be closed to avoid accidents and to save energy.
• If the equipment has not been in service for a long time, please lubricate it and check for any damage and rust corrosion before using it again. Check if the equipment is in good condition through no-load running.
• Do not use the equipment if the floor or any component is damaged.
• Do not operate the equipment if there are people or obstacles beneath it.
• Prohibit using the equipment for another purpose.
• The safety lock device should be in good condition at all times.
• Do not leave the unlocked equipment at a certain height and leave.
• Keep the motor dry. SolidParking is not responsible for motor damage caused by dampness.
Parking the Car:
Ensure no barriers around the device and no obstacles at the bottom.
• Lower the car platform to the ground, drive the car onto the platform, and engage the handbrake.
• Press the green button on the power unit to lift the device. Release the button when reaching the required position and then lock the device.
• Place vehicles on the lower platform.
Retrieving the Car:
• Remove the lower vehicle, ensuring no other obstructions around the device.
• Raise the device, complete the unlocking.
• Hold down the relief handle of the power unit to lower the device (landing speed can be adjusted by the screw on the power unit according to oil-speed requirements).
• Lower the platform to the ground, remove the upper vehicle, completing the vehicle retrieval.
• Power off the device.
Maintenance and Service Instruction
Every Month:
•Inspect hydraulic tube connections and check for any oil spills.
• Verify the wire rope connection and the condition of the wire rope wheel.
• Examine fastening bolts for tightness and security.
• Assess the flexibility of operational members.
• Inspect the condition of safety components.
Every Half Year:
• Examine fastening bolts.
• Check the tightness of the hydraulic system; if any leaks are detected, promptly tighten the joints.
• Evaluate the lubrication and wear of pins, rollers, platform architecture, and related components; replace any damaged parts promptly.
Final Installation Tips Recap
Since you’ve made it this far, let’s do one last quick recap to make sure you’re all set and ready to roll.
• Position the main running board correctly — Ensure the board with the cylinder is installed on the side of the main column.
• Install wire ropes precisely — Make sure each rope is properly seated on the wire rope pulleys during the first test run.
• Extend the cylinder before attaching wire ropes — This ensures the wire length is sufficient to reach the top tray.
• Adjust connecting screw rods as needed — After installation, fine-tune the articulated bearings for smooth operation.
• Check the unlock mechanism — All four unlock blocks should release simultaneously when the lever is pulled—this is normal.
• For three-phase power issues — If the motor runs but the lift doesn’t operate, swap any two of the three power wires.
Trouble Shooting
FAQs
A: 20’GP-12 units; 40’GP-24 units.
*These results are calculated assuming only Unit A is required. In the event that shared post units are needed, we will recalculate the container quantity based on the actual number of shared post units.*
A: The angle is about 10.7 degrees.
A: FP-series is designed as a car repair lift. The gap allows one to inspect the bottom of the car. We offer 3 pieces of plastic oil drip trays. If you prefer to cover the gap, a middle cover plate is available at an additional cost.
A: Generally, it’s recommended to build a concrete foundation for the whole area beneath the posts.From a technical standpoint, our engineers recommend preparing a concrete foundation with a minimum thickness of 300mm. The concrete strength grade should be at least C30.
A: M18*160, 16 pcs, 4 for each post.
A: Our FP-360 is primarily designed for indoor use. If you decide to use it outdoors, we highly recommend constructing a roof to optimize protection and enhance durability.
Alternatively, if setting up a roof is not preferred, we recommend utilizing our additional protection devices, such as advanced anti-rust finish with “Epoxy Zinc Rich primer”, power pack shelters, metal oil tanks, IP65 electrical control box, and waterproof key control panels. These enhancements are designed to safeguard the lift against heavy rain and intense sunlight.
A: Yes, the oil drip plate in the center is indeed removable; however, caution is advised as it is made of plastic. Optionally, we offer metal cover plates which incurs extra cost.
A: We do provide a secondary lift if needed. Unfortunately, since a guide rail is required to be installed during the manufacturing process, we cannot add a secondary lift once the lift is finished.