4 post lift - ramp alternatives

[snowphun]

UPDATE: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1402438&postcount=17

My HD9-ST was installed earlier this week and one of my first issues to struggle with is the ramps. Even with the $50 lock kit they still droop down about 3". I am already cutting it close parking a car underneath so this won't work for me, meaning the ramps need to be removed. The stock steel ramps are overkill for my 3200# cars, so I'm looking for ideas on how to build or buy more manageable ramps. I don't see any reason for them to raise up with the runways, but they would need to be loosely attached when on the ground to prevent them from sliding away from the runways when backing off the lift.

Wood is an easy option but pretty heavy and crude. I was thinking of cutting up a set of plastic Rhino Ramps but they are very narrow meaning you'd have to be more careful getting on/off the lift. Aluminium ramps from Bend Pak were around $400, maybe having someone fab up a similar product is an option (but not cheap).

Has anyone built any ramps?

 

[Matt M PA]

While I'm little help...I know what you mean. I too bought those "locks" and after having to grind them to make them fit...they still allow entirely too much "hang".

I've beenm playing with the idea of making something more sturdy to keep the ramps straight out when up.

I was completely dissappointed in those locks,.

 

[m.james]

Wood might be a temporary option.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Are the ramps permanently fastened to the lift? I haven't seen a Bendpak lift in person, but on most lifts I have seen the ramps simply lift off and then you can lean them against a wall or put them in a holding rack or something.

 

[Texas Aggie]

Are the ramps permanently fastened to the lift? I haven't seen a Bendpak lift in person, but on most lifts I have seen the ramps

Stuart - they're not permanently fastened, but they're kind of a pain to take off and put on every time you want to use the lift.

I've got the same issue, but even worse. If they hang down at all, I can't get my car underneath, and if I rig them so they stick straight out, they hit the garage door (by about an inch). I'll be curious to see if any has come up with a creative solution to this.

 

[Zeke]

They can't fold up on a hinge?

 

[ket-tek]

Are the ramps permanently fastened to the lift? I haven't seen a Bendpak lift in person, but on most lifts I have seen the ramps simply lift off and then you can lean them against a wall or put them in a holding rack or something.

The stock ramps are on a hinge pin, you line it up and slide a pin thru, they tilt down when you lift it up, this is so they are not sticking straight so the square edges are not as dangerous if you walk into them.

If they hang down at all, I can't get my car underneath, and if I rig them so they stick straight out, they hit the garage door (by about an inch). I'll be curious to see if any has come up with a creative solution to this.

If the stock steel ramps hit your door by and inch the aluminum ramps won't clear either. The aluminum ones are 36" long and the stock steel are 32" long.

The aluminum ones droop down with the lift up as well, not as much as stock, but are similar droop as the stock ramps with the bp lock kit on them.

They can't fold up on a hinge?

Though it might be a cool concept to look into, they are already on a hinge and is why they hang down when lifted, but flipping them up will no work because the stock bp ramps have a flange that rides up over the runway about 6", and this prevents them from folding up at all.

 

[ket-tek]

I don't see any reason for them to raise up with the runways, but they would need to be loosely attached when on the ground to prevent them from sliding away from the runways when backing off the lift.

The aluminum set is super lightweight, and easy to move around, the are loosely attached (hung actually) to the runways and not hinged like the stock steel ones. They are freestanding and will work if you did not attatch them to the ramp with the supplied brackets. But one reason ramps are attached to the runways is so that they don't kick out which can happen. I tried them without being hooked on and they moved around a little. But you might could put rubber under them or something to help keep them from slipping too easy.

 

[snowphun]

The aluminum set is super lightweight, and easy to move around, the are loosely attached (hung actually) to the runways and not hinged like the stock steel ones. They are freestanding and will work if you did not attatch them to the ramp with the supplied brackets. But one reason ramps are attached to the runways is so that they don't kick out which can happen. I tried them without being hooked on and they moved around a little. But you might could put rubber under them or something to help keep them from slipping too easy.

These are sounding more appealing the more I look into them. I quickly decided I want the ramps off the lift when it's off the ground, it will allow me to walk around the back of the lift and open the hatch on the car underneath.

 

[Kevin54]

My HD9-ST was installed earlier this week and one of my first issues to struggle with is the ramps. Even with the $50 lock kit they still droop down about 3". I am already cutting it close parking a car underneath so this won't work for me, meaning the ramps need to be removed. The stock steel ramps are overkill for my 3200# cars, so I'm looking for ideas on how to build or buy more manageable ramps. I don't see any reason for them to raise up with the runways, but they would need to be loosely attached when on the ground to prevent them from sliding away from the runways when backing off the lift.

Wood is an easy option but pretty heavy and crude. I was thinking of cutting up a set of plastic Rhino Ramps but they are very narrow meaning you'd have to be more careful getting on/off the lift. Aluminium ramps from Bend Pak were around $400, maybe having someone fab up a similar product is an option (but not cheap).

Has anyone built any ramps?

They shouldn't slide away from the runway, but would slide towards it due to the angle of the ramp. My nephews lift has the ramps that you can attach but he just sets them off to the side when the car is on the lift. He has never had one slide out from him. He's had anything and everything on the lift to, from tractors to 1 tonners. If you are concerned about sliding, just add a little grip tape to the bottom.

 

[mad57]

Never saw ur lift in person but i would guess that if you left the ramp off and put the lift down on a rubber shop mat and then laid the ramps on it it would not be able to slide: 1 because the rubber is under the lift 2 because you of course will be driving slow up there in the first place. the mat i would buy they sell at sams club its bubble circles and has grooves or lines in it should lock in the ramp edge.

 

[SMLDONZI]

The Bendpak aluminum ramps are well worth the investment. Very easy to use and lightweight.

 

[jimmie jam]

i have a HD-9STX on the way. i will have my friend duplicate the steel ramps in diamond plate aluminium when it gets installed. they will not be difficult to make and will cost MUCH less than the "factory" aluminium ramps. FWIW.

 

[jhelrey]

Can you tack weld the top of the ramp so it will not droop at all when you lift it?

I'd try it when it was down in the fully rested position.

 

[Texas Aggie]

On the steel ramps, has anyone tried cutting the flange off (the one that extends over the runway) so that the ramp could pivot upwards when it wasn't in use? If the factory aluminum ramps don't have this flange, it seems like you could remove it on the steel ramps.

 

[ket-tek]

On the steel ramps, has anyone tried cutting the flange off (the one that extends over the runway) so that the ramp could pivot upwards when it wasn't in use? If the factory aluminum ramps don't have this flange, it seems like you could remove it on the steel ramps.

You might could do this. Do keep in mind when comparing the aluminum to the steel versions of these ramps. They are NOTHING alike in design, or mounting.

The steel hinges on a pin and the aluminum are free standing ramps with a turn down lip the slips into a bracket that bolts on the end of the runway. The aluminum is not hinged in any way. They dangle/stay captive to the runway as it rises with essentially a lip stuck in a slot.

 

[snowphun]

Update: I received my set of Bend Pak's aluminum ramps this week, and for me they are a significant improvement over the steel ramps. I had two issues I was looking to resolve: lighter weight as I want to keep the ramps off the lift whenever possible and longer approach for low cars.

The aluminum ramps are much lighter (16# each vs 42#) which makes moving them around a non issue. They attach to the lift via a new bracket which creates a vertical slot, no pin. They still fit within the runways for storage.

My other issue is my low car was coming within a fraction of an inch of rubbing the bumper lip on the cross bar, so I wanted some longer ramps. The aluminum ramps are the same overall length as the steel ones but the ramp surface is 6" longer as they don't overlap the lift runways. This made all the difference for me and I've now got almost 2" of clearance to the bumper.

IMO for anyone who plans to remove the ramps often these are a neccessary part.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60562065@N07/5522969298/" title="IMG_2890 by paulnmail, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5522969298_a0f6a51da7.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_2890" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60562065@N07/5522379117/" title="IMG_2976 by paulnmail, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5522379117_47358d672f.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_2976" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60562065@N07/5522379153/" title="IMG_2979 by paulnmail, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5522379153_803f989b1c.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_2979" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60562065@N07/5522969260/" title="IMG_2985 by paulnmail, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5522969260_7a7cc8a88d.jpg" width="500" height="376" alt="IMG_2985" /></a>

 

[toolman1967]

Good info, I am getting a 4 post lift in the next few months and any info about them or pros and cons of accessories is great.

 

[saabman]

Got a set of aluminum ramps for my HD-9 on Friday, cant wait to install them (I am traveling at the moment).

 

[e-tek]

They shouldn't slide away from the runway, but would slide towards it due to the angle of the ramp. .

If not connected, they'll not only slide, but SHOOT away (!) from the lift when you're driving on and give it a bit of gas to get the rear wheels up the ramp!! I've fired mine right out the door being too lazy to connect them to the lift....lucky no one was behind me.

Never saw ur lift in person but i would guess that if you left the ramp off and put the lift down on a rubber shop mat and then laid the ramps on it it would not be able to slide: 1 because the rubber is under the lift 2 because you of course will be driving slow up there in the first place. the mat i would buy they sell at sams club its bubble circles and has grooves or lines in it should lock in the ramp edge.

Yup - Rubber mat would totally cure that issue.


I would go with your idea of cutting down some Rhino ramps, or finding a couple blocks of rubber you could shape into ramps. Depending on the height of your car, they don't need to be as long as the BP ramps....they could be 6" long and attached to the lift permanently.

 

[gandyj]

Update: I received my set of Bend Pak's aluminum ramps this week, and for me they are a significant improvement over the steel ramps. I had two issues I was looking to resolve: lighter weight as I want to keep the ramps off the lift whenever possible and longer approach for low cars.

The aluminum ramps are much lighter (16# each vs 42#) which makes moving them around a non issue. They attach to the lift via a new bracket which creates a vertical slot, no pin. They still fit within the runways for storage.

My other issue is my low car was coming within a fraction of an inch of rubbing the bumper lip on the cross bar, so I wanted some longer ramps. The aluminum ramps are the same overall length as the steel ones but the ramp surface is 6" longer as they don't overlap the lift runways. This made all the difference for me and I've now got almost 2" of clearance to the bumper.

IMO for anyone who plans to remove the ramps often these are a neccessary part.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60562065@N07/5522969298/" title="IMG_2890 by paulnmail, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5522969298_a0f6a51da7.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_2890" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60562065@N07/5522379117/" title="IMG_2976 by paulnmail, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5522379117_47358d672f.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_2976" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60562065@N07/5522379153/" title="IMG_2979 by paulnmail, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5522379153_803f989b1c.jpg" width="500" height="313" alt="IMG_2979" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60562065@N07/5522969260/" title="IMG_2985 by paulnmail, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5137/5522969260_7a7cc8a88d.jpg" width="500" height="376" alt="IMG_2985" /></a>

Are these ramps supposed to be specific to Bend Pak lifts or just an option they offer? They appear to be the same ramps that came with my lift from a different manufacturer.

 

[ket-tek]

Are these ramps supposed to be specific to Bend Pak lifts or just an option they offer? They appear to be the same ramps that came with my lift from a different manufacturer.

They are Bendpak ramps, mine shipped direct from BP with the lift package. But they are an identical design to other lifts such as the Danmar.

 

[snowphun]

They also come with the mounting brackets that creates the slot for the ramps to drop in to, along with longer bolts to replace the existing hardware.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Hm.. I think I like those alot, just wish they were a bit cheaper. Can you get a pic of the lift up and the new ramps hanging from the side? curious how far the tip hangs below the level of the ramps when they aren't touching the ground

 

[budk]

How much longer are the aluminums ramps compared to the stock steel ramps? I ask, because I am laying out garage to accomodate a BP HD-9 and I plan to use the lift for storage when I am not actively wrenching. Having ramps that lift off easily will be a plus, so I want to make sure my layout is right from the start.

Thanks!

 

[Cryptic1911]

looks like 6-7" as an eyeball measurement. If you look on bendpak's site, I think it tells you the length of the aluminum ramps, and if you look at the pdf specs of the hd9 lifts, it tells you the runway length and then the total length w/ the ramps

 

[snowphun]

Yeah, they're about 6" longer, I can measure them when I get home tomorrow. They droop about a foot when the lift goes up, in the second and third picture above they are not actually touching the ground. I've got a better picture to post.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I just had an idea looking at these pics again.. You could take a piece of wood, like a short piece of 2x4 and rip one end of it to the thickness of the gap between the new ramps and the crossbeam, but leave the top the full size. You could drop the wood block down in the gap when the lift is down, so when the lift goes up, the ramps dont droop since the wood is wedged in there

 

[snowphun]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to this. Here's a pic of the ramps at full droop, they hang down about 7". As mentioned it would be easy to attach something (strip of wood) to the end of the runway to limit or completely remove the droop. I wedged a piece of 5/4 decking in there and the ramps stuck straight out. In my case I need the ramps to droop some as my floor is sloped a good 1" over the length of the lift.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/F-C1tmGdJJt-einSMwcbI4vFsFGDnLyYULcIGAfbDxg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_mPj4rhKa6LY/TYoOWwlzb1I/AAAAAAAAAKw/VPXN7pyy910/s144/IMG_2978.JPG" height="96" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/paulnmail/DropBox?authkey=Gv1sRgCOjJo9rfyYGGwQE&feat=embedwebsite">Drop Box</a></td></tr></table>

 

[wormwood]

Let me show you this mark on my forehead from where I left my ramps on.

I take them off now.

 

[snowphun]

How much longer are the aluminums ramps compared to the stock steel ramps? I ask, because I am laying out garage to accomodate a BP HD-9 and I plan to use the lift for storage when I am not actively wrenching. Having ramps that lift off easily will be a plus, so I want to make sure my layout is right from the start.

Thanks!

Stock ramps measure 30" long, the aluminum ramps work out to 36", but they mount a bit further back so really 37".

 

[Cryptic1911]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to this. Here's a pic of the ramps at full droop, they hang down about 7". As mentioned it would be easy to attach something (strip of wood) to the end of the runway to limit or completely remove the droop. I wedged a piece of 5/4 decking in there and the ramps stuck straight out. In my case I need the ramps to droop some as my floor is sloped a good 1" over the length of the lift.

I would have the same issue on mine, but I wouldn't leave the blocks of wood in all the time, I'd just wedge them in when it was going to go up, and pull out when lowered so the ramps fall to the angle they need to be at

 

[snowphun]

You could use a thinner piece of wood allowing for the needed droop then you could leave them in there all the time. They are so light removing is a non issue.

 

[c39er]

I use 1" pipe clamps for now to hold the ramps up until I nodify the ramps so they will flip up vertical. I just slip the pipe clamps on-it's fast.

 

[Sebringer]

When I get my HD-9 here soon I will be adding a hinge to the steel ramps so they can swing UP. I will also add gas dampers to hold them in place vertically. With the dampers sized correctly the ramps will stay lowered when dropped and have a nice, soft lowering motion. Should be slick. In my case the ramps are in the way of the garage door so this helps with clearance and so they don't have to be removed every time.

 

[c39er]

I run heavier trucks up on mine and I have to be careful to totally redesign the way the ramps will be supported under heavy loads as the ramp extensions actually help support the ramps and keep them stable while driving on them. I thought it would be easy till I studied them for a bit with some friends and we all agreed to do them proper and retain the same strength design it will require a bit of engineering. I can do it! But later.

 

[c39er]

Well I started on new flip up out of the way HD 14 BP ramps. I'll post pics as I get them done. Used H-Duty grate and 2"X2"x.125" square tube. I will put custom made steel rollers on the end of the ramps too. By careful positioning the pivot shaft tubes I can set the position the ramps will angle rearward once flipped up-no stops or brackets necessary. I want the simple look and ease of use. It's design as I go. For testing I will drive my 4 ton truck up and down them for strength testing!
It's a fun little project.

 

[Racer_X]

The folks at Race Ramps also have lift ramps:

http://www.raceramps.com/hook-nosed-rack-ramp-14x4.aspx

 

[Cryptic1911]

those are the same ones that bendpak and most of the other lift companies sell

 

[Racer_X]

those are the same ones that bendpak and most of the other lift companies sell

Are you sure? I looked at the Bendpak website and only saw aluminum ramps. Maybe I missed it somewhere.