Which Hoist Should I Buy 2 Post or 4 Post?
The 2 post hoist has 2 posts. Two arms come of each post which are used to lift a car from the underside. Typically you use suspension supports wherever practical, or the jacking points. A 4 post hoist has (amazingly) 4 posts and you lift the car by the 4 wheels. If you need to take off the wheels, they have additional jacks that you fit under the car's body or suspension points. More seriously, a 2 post hoist is cheap to buy and ideal for basic service work. You can do most things on a 2 post hoist, but they are less suited to major jobs where more stability may be required. A four-post hoist is a lot more expensive, but is better suited to major works like engine removal as the car is better supported. If you look into a typical car service department you might find they have several 2 post hoists and only one 4 post hoist.
https://classiclift.com.au/product-category/hoists-2-post-hoists/