1. Yup. I'm a bit over the 200 pound mark and a bit taller, so I guess I have a weight and leverage advantage. However, my floor isn't very smooth, so it isn't quite as easy as it could be. I can certainly understand your troubles.
2. Yes, my HF has absolutely beautiful weld work also. It would probably survive a direct hit from a cluster bomb.
3. I put the pump unit at the front of the garage, same end as the hydraulic rams. Also where a convenient outlet(that I installed) happens to be. HF uses a 220v motor, so I had to run the line.
4. The "front" of my lift is where the rams are, and the lifting eye for the power unit/mover thingy. This end is stationary. The wheeled/rollered end moves maybe a foot or foot and a half. I set it so my windshield(and mirror) clears the door opener by a few inches. I rarely ever lift the car all the way to the ceiling. I usually lift it to the first stop, which is a little more than 2 feet off the ground. Most Spyder engine bay work is on the top AND the bottom. The 2 foot height lets me access all of it without going up and down on the lift, I use a creeper underneath.
5. I usually have the "boards" attached together at the front and just behind the lift. This helps keep them where they need to be so your tires go down on them AND the lift doesn't catch on the wood(continuing all the way down).
6. I wish I weighed 30-40 pounds less. 50 would be pushing it and unhealthy!(for me anyway)