BendPak 4 post lift, Good Lift? Options

[Cairo94507]

Well I am going to be buying a lift for my garage. Mostly because I want to be able to put the six up high and park my daily driver under it and be able to leave one stall open all of the time just for ease of walking around. I have a 3 car garage and my wife has the middle stall for her daily driver.

In looking at these lifts, BendPak seems to emerge as a good quality unit. I did a search and came across several threads on lifts but nothing that specifically addresses the quality of the lifts.

I am perfectly willing to bolt one to the garage floor if necessary.

I know I want one that allows for the ramps to be moved wider if needed for an engine drop.

I am hoping to be able to speak with BendPak on Monday to see what the recommend. I don't want overkill; I want a lift to be able to store the six and work on it. Not planning to put a 10K pound SUV on it.

Thoughts or recommendations anyone?

Thanks in advance.
Michael

[JmuRiz]

I got the HD-9 for just this reason, I can widen the ramps for an engine drop if needed. It's a very stout lift, I like it and asedeals had good price and service.

Btw no need to bolt it down where I live, but in CA it would probably be a requirement.

[Ferg]

I have the 7500lb older model, LOVE it, one movable skid, 914 motor drops with bar and clears the skids.

Here is a pic from a while back and Brant's black car.



And another, this was pretty much the day we moved into this house, before I finished the garage...

[mskala]

My thread from last year for reference.
Thread of 914-6 engine drop with 4-post lift

Just be sure of the way the empty rail is mounted and that it has enough room
to be moved for at least 42" width for 914-6.

[carr914]

Can't speak to Bend-Pacs Quality as I have a Rotary, but a few tips

Definately bolt the lift down - at first, I didn't

If longer Aluminum Ramps are an option, get them

Get Drip Pans

[RickS]

No idea on quality, but Harbor Freight has a two post on sale for $1400 plus shipping. Details on their site. Search with Vehicle. My iPad will not copy paste URLs.

[Cairo94507]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I appreciate it and am feeling like it may be the BandPak.

I will let you know what kind of prices I find. I a pretty sure I am going to want them to come install it so I don't end up having back surgery.

[Steve]

I have there scissor lift. There quality is very good and its made in the U.S.

[Cairo94507]

Yeah after reading about lifts failing and cars being damaged I wanted a USA built lift from a company that had been around for a while and was going to still be around.

[Ferg]

Yeah after reading about lifts failing and cars being damaged I wanted a USA built lift from a company that had been around for a while and was going to still be around.

Exactly, I found a local company to come and install mine, they do service, parts ect, they said same thing, USA, parts are easy, they can't/won't service some of the China stuff.

[VaccaRabite]

I would never trust a lift from HF. I don't even trust jacks from HF.

HF is great for single use or seldom used tools. I would not trust them for a lift that would hold one car above another for any period of time.

Zach

[carr914]

Yeah after reading about lifts failing and cars being damaged I wanted a USA built lift from a company that had been around for a while and was going to still be around.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) That's why I went Rotary. They are installing Two 2-post Rotary's in the shop right now

For our cars, the Bend-Pac might be better because of the movable side

[budk]

I would never trust a lift from HF. I don't even trust jacks from HF.

HF is great for single use or seldom used tools. I would not trust them for a lift that would hold one car above another for any period of time.

Zach

While I generally agree, you can get a Bendpak HD-9 from HF. Not that I would buy through them as I want to deal with someone that will support it if I have a problem.

THe HD-9 is the lift I got quotes for but then some personal issues caused me to put it on hold.

check out Equiptool as they seemed to have the best prices.
Tom Renta
Equiptool.com
866-622-0242 X103

You may want to look into the optional aluminum ramps as they would be easier to take on and off.

[RiqueMar]

We have both a 4 post and a 2 post BendPak in our shop, and their some of the best purchases we've made.

[Cairo94507]

OK, time for some more information. I have decided on the BendPak HD 9 ST lift. The best price I found in searching adds was $2,835.00 (plus tax of course). I called BendPak and they referred me to a retailer in Southern CA and they have quoted me about 4% less.

So then they told me that they can have an actual BendPak installer come and install the lift for about $550 and that they may actually be able to bring the lift with them and deliver/handle it. (Shockingly, I do not have a fork lift sitting at my house to unload the lift off a delivery truck....)

They also told me that have independent contractors who do install/setup as well. I asked what they would charge and I am presently awaiting a price for that with the same request that they actually deliver and install.

One of the questions I have is what is the difference between going 220 or 110 for power. I actually have a 110 outlet in my ceiling right where the lift is going to go (I planned ahead) but if 220 is going to provide better service or longevity for the motor, I could have a 220 outlet added. Fortunately I have 220 in my laundry room right next to the garage so that would not be that bad.

Finally is anyone willing to say what they actually paid for one of these lifts or what kind of discount I should fight for as a good deal?

Thanks a lot. Michael

[budk]

OK, time for some more information. I have decided on the BendPak HD 9 ST lift. The best price I found in searching adds was $2,835.00 (plus tax of course). I called BendPak and they referred me to a retailer in Southern CA and they have quoted me about 4% less.

So then they told me that they can have an actual BendPak installer come and install the lift for about $550 and that they may actually be able to bring the lift with them and deliver/handle it. (Shockingly, I do not have a fork lift sitting at my house to unload the lift off a delivery truck....)

They also told me that have independent contractors who do install/setup as well. I asked what they would charge and I am presently awaiting a price for that with the same request that they actually deliver and install.

One of the questions I have is what is the difference between going 220 or 110 for power. I actually have a 110 outlet in my ceiling right where the lift is going to go (I planned ahead) but if 220 is going to provide better service or longevity for the motor, I could have a 220 outlet added. Fortunately I have 220 in my laundry room right next to the garage so that would not be that bad.

Finally is anyone willing to say what they actually paid for one of these lifts or what kind of discount I should fight for as a good deal?

Thanks a lot. Michael

I believe the 220v motor will give you a quicker lift.. it should be in the specs. Be aware however, that you may not meet code if you attempt to extend the 220v line. I think a dryer requires a seperate circuit - but I am not 100% sure. The quote I got for a HD-9 w/220v motor was $2680 including shipping. I don't know how the HD-9 compares to the ST.

[Cairo94507]

Thanks for the info re the 220 line. I would hire an electrician to do the line to code. When it comes to electricity, especially 220, I don't fool around. I also appreciate the price reference. When did you buy your lift?

[sixgt]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that Bendpak is no longer built in the US but are manufactured to their specs in China. I think Backyard Buddy and Rotary are still built in the US. I think the Bendpak are still good lifts and will probably purchasing a four post as well.

[rfuerst911sc]

Michael in case you haven't considered it there are generally quite a few used lifts available through local Craigslist. Unfortunately due to economy lots of garages going out of business or people selling items just to raise cash. If you think about it you would have to work hard to break/wear out a lift. Sure you might not find a specific brand but who knows. Two years ago I bought a Ammco brand scissor lift for a good price, it is U.S. built and looks like it will last forever. In many cases you can save 50% over new and this savings can go towards hiring the install/pickup/delivery of the unit. Just throwing that out there if you hadn't considered it. What ever you end up with you will wonder why you didn't buy it sooner (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) .

[Cairo94507]

I spoke with BendPak and they are located in southern California. But I did not ask them if they still build in the USA....I will have to do that.

I have checked Craig's list off and on looking for a used lift but so far nothing has come up that would work for me. I still check weekly though.