Anybody with a "service pit" in their garage?

[68X426]

Anybody with a "service pit" in their garage?   

I'm ready to have a detached garage/shop built, 25x40, concrete foundation.  I am evaluating having a pit built into the concrete. 

So looking for dimensions, and how to design the steps down, and how to design a strong wood cover when not in use.  Yeah I know that ramps are cheap, but we only have once chance to include a pit, so wondering if anyone has one and what it's measurements are.

Thanks guys. 

[74bluecharger440]

If you have a service pit and the water table is high, you then need to take into consideration a sump pump to keep it dry

[tan top]

  seriously  IMO your better off saving money &  having a lift  ,  &  investing in a good quality high lift jack & jack stands ,    use to have a pit, at work , when  I was a mechanic , would only use it if the other lifts  tied up with cars half apart waiting on parts etc  ,  it gets old real quick working with your arms over head , etc  something that is taking time to do !! , ok with a quick lift up & down like a gearbox / exhausts etc  ,  also  there is never enough side room  , & your limited to what you can do ,    pits ok , if you need to torque suspension bolts / nuts up , with weight on the wheels etc  & inspecting the under side  ! , remember fuel vapour collects down there too .   
     

[Dino]

I have to agree with TT.  It's no fun working in a pit.  If you can have a lift then there's no contest.   

[green69rt]

If you look at any new auto shop that was built in the last 20 years, there are no pits, just lifts.  There must be a reason.  If you go the lift route then think about taller side walls.  At least ten feet,  probably cost less to add height than to dig a pit.

[rt green]

we have 2 pits at work. everyone avoids them.   nothing like almost falling in one. scares the hell out you. and if you are the only one home for a few hours, well, I guess they'll find you at some point.

[68X426]

All of this is great advice.  I'm going to cross the pit off my list.   

[Indygenerallee]

You will be happy with a lift! There is a reason you don't see many pit's nowadays (unless your in a road tractor service facility!)

[Mopar Nut]

Lift is what I want too.   

[polywideblock]

we have 2 pits at work. everyone avoids them.   nothing like almost falling in one. scares the hell out you. and if you are the only one home for a few hours, well, I guess they'll find you at some point.

happened at the work dept last week night shift "greaser" didn't show at knock off found dead in the pit, only 42  heart attack they think 

[Windsor]

Have one in the garage. Not a full size pit, but one that is big enough to get under the vehicles on a creeper. It is 14' long, 2' wide, 1' deep. It actually works out really well, no issues from Hyundai Sonata (bone stock) to my lifted Toyota Tacoma. Contractor was the first one to fall in, then my uncles boxer fell in 3 times (that dog is a moron). Ended up using plywood and 2x4s to make panels that are strong enough to walk across or put drain pan on, but light enough to pull out and set aside. Whole thing is coated in epoxy garage floor paint.

[A12 Superbee]

Pits are dangerous and also have a lot more OH&S implications.

Not to say lifts, or hoists as we call them don't have their own inherent risks, they are vastly more flexible than a hole in the ground will ever be.

I have one, a short rise two post, brings the car up only 4 feet but that's enough to whizz around on my little wheeled chair and do most things. I was limited due to roof height of my garage.