Which 4 post lift to buy?

[fwillison]

I am going to buy a 4 post lift. I have adequate space for most any lift, but obviously don't want to waste space if it's not needed.
The 4 post lifts come in many sizes: standard, longer length, wider width, various lift heights and clearances.
What are the pros and cons of the various sizes?

 

[tdkkart]

Here's a couple threads I started last year.....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227209

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228567

 

[Ray916MN]

Dimensionally there aren't so much pros and cons as fit for purpose or not. What fits depends entirely on what you want to lift and/or park under it.

Lifting a Lotus Super 7 or a Ford F350 crewcab diesel requires different runway lengths and spreads. Parking these different vehicles underneath the lift requires different post to post widths and different maximum lift heights.

 

[slice]

My purchase in few months aft the buildout will be a direct. I have 2 post. Happy with it. For what I do it's perfect. Bendpak is over kill for homeowner.

 

[fwillison]

It can be difficult to differentiate, for example sometimes the specs are clear, e.g. "walk under clearance" or "drive through clearance", while others are less clear, e.g. "max rise".

I am needing to drive through, and would like it to have headroom clearance that I can work under it.

 

[356Guy]

I bought a Bendpak HD-9 several years ago, it is easy to assemble/disassemble (I moved). With the optional dollys it is easy to roll into position or move to another spot in the barn. The lift is fast when run on 220v, can't comment on 110 as I never tried it.
But the best part is the manufacturer service. During our move my hydraulic shaft was severely damaged. I called bendpak to get pricing on a new cylinder, expecting the worst. Upon hearing my situation, they sent me a new cylinder free of charge and I was up and running again in just a few days!

Good luck!

 

[DARK AGE 53]

I've had my U.S built www.backyardbuddy.com for over 20 years with no problems, not cheap but well worth the price.

 

[ghnl]

Lifting a Lotus Super 7 or a Ford F350 crewcab diesel requires different runway lengths and spreads. Parking these different vehicles underneath the lift requires different post to post widths and different maximum lift heights.

This was sort of my needs when I bought a lift (well, MGA & F250).

There are lifts that are small enough to fit the MG but they wouldn't fit the truck & vice-versa. Some have adjustable ramps to allow you to lift one or the other (but then a jacking bridge might not fit).

I bought a DirectLift ProPark 9. The ramps are wider than other models - they will thus fit the narrow track of the MG & the wider track of the truck. And it included a jacking bridge.

 

[BellyUpFish]

I'll be buying the DirectLift ProPark when my 30x40 is built.

 

[fwillison]

Is ALI approved necessary?
I suspect the companies must pay quite a bit to the automotive lift institute to get testing/approval which adds to the cost of the lift.
Is it really safer? Or is it just a racket for the certification entity?

 

[3798j]

This was sort of my needs when I bought a lift (well, MGA & F250).

There are lifts that are small enough to fit the MG but they wouldn't fit the truck & vice-versa. Some have adjustable ramps to allow you to lift one or the other (but then a jacking bridge might not fit).

I bought a DirectLift ProPark 9. The ramps are wider than other models - they will thus fit the narrow track of the MG & the wider track of the truck. And it included a jacking bridge.

Like ghnl, I went with the Direct Lift ProPark9 because of the need for a lift that would easily handle varying width tracks and lengths in wheelbases. I also went for two rolling jacks. Could not be more pleased.

 

[Ray916MN]

Is ALI approved necessary?
I suspect the companies must pay quite a bit to the automotive lift institute to get testing/approval which adds to the cost of the lift.
Is it really safer? Or is it just a racket for the certification entity?

While there are lifts which are not ALI certified which some people find satisfactory with respect to safety, there are no ALI certified lifts which people find unsatisfactorily safe.

Given the risks of using a 4 post lift (eg. an expensive vehicle up in the air, working under a heavy vehicle up in the air), consensus is that getting an ALI certified lift is cheap insurance when it comes to lift buying.

 

[fwillison]

3798j:
love your cars!

Ray19MN:
I think we all would agree with safety of a car lift being critical. I will likely buy an ALI approved lift. However, I have my doubts about how important that ultimately is in reality. The cost difference is not necessarily small, depending on the exact configuration one is looking for. In my case, I'll probably end up paying about $3400 for an ALI approved lift fitting my space and height needs (either an HD9 or HD7W from Bendpak, with drip trays, casters and jack platform). I could get a similar configuration including the extras for about $2000 in a non-approved lift.

 

[tdkkart]

3798j:
I think we all would agree with safety of a car lift being critical. I will likely buy an ALI approved lift. However, I have my doubts about how important that ultimately is in reality. The cost difference is not necessarily small, depending on the exact configuration one is looking for. In my case, I'll probably end up paying about $3400 for an ALI approved lift fitting my space and height needs (either an HD9 or HD7W from Bendpak, with drip trays, casters and jack platform). I could get a similar configuration including the extras for about $2000 in a non-approved lift.

I doubt that the ALI cost per lift is all that much money.
You start looking at all the choices you start to see the differences. Lack of adjustable lock ladders, poorly designed safety locks, lighter/thinner steel, smaller pieces of slide block material, smaller cables, overall cheaper construction. You soon see where the money is being saved.

All in, with the added accessories, shipping and installation costs I spent very close to $4000 on my ProPark 9. It was a one-time expenditure that hurt briefly. The lift is very nice, I use it FAR more than I ever thought I would. I have never regretted spending the money.

 

[3798j]

The DirectLift ProPark 9 ALI certification gave me an added measure of confidence in making my decision to purchase. After a few years of use I can tell you I have no regrets (if I somehow paid more for that certification).

 

[Ray916MN]

Ray19MN:
I think we all would agree with safety of a car lift being critical. I will likely buy an ALI approved lift. However, I have my doubts about how important that ultimately is in reality. The cost difference is not necessarily small, depending on the exact configuration one is looking for. In my case, I'll probably end up paying about $3400 for an ALI approved lift fitting my space and height needs (either an HD9 or HD7W from Bendpak, with drip trays, casters and jack platform). I could get a similar configuration including the extras for about $2000 in a non-approved lift.

$2000 for an equivalent lift to a BendPak HD9 or HD7W? You should buy it! I agree, the ALI certification in itself isn't worth a $1400 price premium. If you think the primary difference between the BendPak and a $1400 cheaper lift is primarily ALI certification, then you should buy the $2000 lift.

Why don't you post a question about the specific lift you think is equivalent to the BendPak HD9 or HD7W excepting ALI certification and see whether people agree with you and think you've found a great deal.

I doubt ALI certification is the primary difference between the $2K lift and the BendPaks, but if that's all it is, I'd buy one.

 

[fwillison]

I didn't exactly say the lifts were equivalent.
I said that I have certain space and height requirements (I want at least 78 in height clearance, it can be no wider than about 115 inches, and no longer (without ramps) than about 190-200 inches), and that these requirements could be met by only a few lifts.

Considering:
BendPak HD7W which is $3080 without casters, drip tray and jack platform, around $3500 with.

Alternative (non-ALI):
AutoLift Car Park 8 plus extra high lift. $1995 from www.bestbuyautoequipment.com, and includes free caster kit, jack tray, and even an 8 gallon oil drain.

I don't know anything about the "AutoLift" product and have no idea whether it is comparable to the Bendpak.

I guess the thing is that if it is not as safe it is not worth it.

Other features are not likely to be different enough to justify spending the extra $1500 (75% more money). Significant added safety would justify it. Given that the ALI certification is all we have as an independent (somewhat) arbiter of safety, I am planning to buy an ALI approved lift. I am just inherently suspicious of things like this being rackets.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Seems to me that you're pricing the premium priced ALI certified lift with your Autolift. Maybe a better comparison would be another ALI certified lift to compare with your non-ALI such as Pro Park at about $700 less than Bend Pak.

Another large item to consider is shipping.

 

[tdkkart]

Based on pics from the website above, here's what I can see different between the Auto lift and my Direct Lift, which is ALI certified, comes with caster kit, drip trays, and jack tray, and is priced $900 higher.

Pics from Autolift:

From these 2 pics I can see:
1. Posts look to be 1/2 the size of mine, which are 4x5 or 4x6, as opposed to what looks like 2-1/2 x6 on the above pic.

2. Cables are outside the posts, hanging on plates which are cantilevered off the top of the posts, putting the bolts holding the plates in shear, and actually only the two bolts on the back of the post doing anything. The 2 bolts on the sides are acting as hinge pins. Putting the cables inside the posts puts the load straight down on the entire post, not hanging off the side.

3. The linkage for the locks is all exposed, leaving in vulnerable to damage. Every time you walk up to the front or rear of the lift you risk stepping on that linkage and bending the rods.(Yes, you will spend a significant amount of time working around the lift while it is on the floor) The linkage on my lift is all enclosed.

Just some stuff I see from my actual experience with Direct Lift.....

 

[Ray916MN]

Compare the shipping weights of the lifts you are considering. You'll see the ALI certified lift shipping weights are typically 15-20% heavier than the similarly spec'ed non-ALI lifts. If BendPak or Direct Lift could make an ALI certified lifts with thinner materials and less robust construction so it would be lighter, I'd expect that they would do it. Using lighter and less material would increase their profits and reduce the shipping costs for their lifts.

I think if you look deeper, you'll also see that BendPak and Direct Lift are larger companies with longer histories of building lifts with reputations to protect and parts and service required to support lifts over the long run. Do a search on "Auto Lift Distributors, LLC" and see if you can find anything out about the company behind Auto Lift lifts. Get a professional opinion. Call the companies that service commercial lifts in your area and see what they have to say about BendPak, Direct Lift and Auto Lift Distributors, LLC.

 

[fwillison]

Another non-ALI approved option is:
Atlas Garage Pro 8000 extra tall
$2195 including jack tray, casters and drip trays
from Greg Smith Equipment

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

Another non-ALI approved option is:
Atlas Garage Pro 8000 extra tall
$2195 including jack tray, casters and drip trays
from Greg Smith Equipment

Well it sounds like you're sold on a non ALI. Get it and tell us what you think.

 

[fwillison]

I'm going to order the Bendpak HD7W.
it's perfect for my application other than the cost.

One thing I would point out, though, to others looking at the HD9 (70 in clearance under runways at top lock) vs. the HD7W (82 in clearance) is that the higher lift comes with the compromise of higher columns (100 in for the 7W vs. 88 in for the 9). This means if you have an 8 ft high garage door you cannot roll the HD7W on casters out the door, but you can on the HD9. I have 10 ft doors so not an issue in my current garage, but if I move it to another location it could be. I like the option of rolling it out to clean an undercarriage outside, for example.

 

[fwillison]

Ray916MN makes a good point about the heavier shipping weight of the ALI approved lifts. This is compelling, and no amount of marketing spin will cover it up.

 

[32roadster]

I would check out Quality Lifts, built by Challenger.
I have had mine for a number of years. Its a little thicker material and seems to be more STABLE than some of my friends other brands.

www.kwik-lift.com

go to 4 posts and 2 post section

 

[torquepower85]

http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/Direct-Lift-vs-BendPak/

 

[BobRae]

Ray916MN makes a good point about the heavier shipping weight of the ALI approved lifts. This is compelling, and no amount of marketing spin will cover it up.

It's a one time cost though.

 

[carsandcapp]

Pulled the trigger on an 8plus yesterday through Derek Weaver. I wanted a rated lift that would clear my 6' 2" frame without clearing out my bank account Their Thomasville location is only 65 miles form me. Having a pro instal it. It is not cheap ($800) but they are the guys that do it for all the auto dealers here in Charlotte. Plus, I needed it done ASAP. They are coming on Monday (3 days out) to do the install job.

FYI, Derek Weaver SOLD Direct-Lift to Dover Corp. awhile back. He is now a dealer of Direct-Lifts as well as a line of heavy-duty lifts under his own name.

 

[albaran]

I don't understand this obsession with ASI certification for lifts that are used in the home. Backyard Buddy makes a good lift and they claim that the certification is meaningless. I have an Eagle lift which makes hobby (non certified) and ASI certified lifts for professional use. My lift has all the safety lock features and appears to be beefier than any use I would have for it.
What exactly do they measure to get the certification? I have never seen a lift failure that was due to poor materials or construction. Most of the failures are due to improper loading or adjustment. (This is according to a local lift supplier.) The important thing is to get a lift that is properly sized and has the load capacity for what you will be using it for.

 

[duckfatrules]

I think having someone else test your lift is very important. go on youtube and watch a company test an advertised 10K lift that will not lift 7K lbs and folds at 9K lbs. they are tested at 1.5 times their rating. if it is not certified, they could state that it holds up 20,000 lbs.
I am obsessed with certification because me and my kids are going to be walking under it.
If i did not have the certification , I would claim that it was meaningless also. if everyone else has the certification, ard they are confident they will pass, why not spend the bucks to get their lifts certified and shut us up? maybe they are over-rated, maybe they are not.

 

[Steves32]

I have a Bendpak HD9 Only other lift I considered was the Backyard Buddy.
I went Bendpak because of the PR. They custom built my rolling jack to fit a specific car I own. Who else does that?
I put cars on mine that are worth over 100k. No way am I cutting corners on a lift.

Here's a true story. About 3 years ago, a buddy of mine had a Direct Lift that had a major failure at a weld on a post. Lift wasn't bolted down. One of the posts leaned way over striking the car next to it- as well as damaging the car on the lift. Direct Lift was less than helpful until he got an attorney involved. This was a couple year old lift! After months of threats- they came out & repaired the lift & replaced many damaged parts. Both cars had custom paint that needed resprayed along w/ bodywork. I don't think he ever got 100% satisfaction from them. 2 weeks after the failure, he came to my house to look at my Bendpak & was sold. Bought 2- Bendpak lifts & sold the Direct Lift after it was repaired. I have other friends with Direct Lifts & never a single issue. Might be a single rare incident but after seeing how they handled it- I'm happy with my Bendpak.

 

[Jazzman442]

Like ghnl, I went with the Direct Lift ProPark9 because of the need for a lift that would easily handle varying width tracks and lengths in wheelbases. I also went for two rolling jacks. Could not be more pleased.

I hope I did not miss this but what sliding jacks did you get?

 

[Jazzman442]

I don't understand this obsession with ASI certification for lifts that are used in the home. Backyard Buddy makes a good lift and they claim that the certification is meaningless. I have an Eagle lift which makes hobby (non certified) and ASI certified lifts for professional use. My lift has all the safety lock features and appears to be beefier than any use I would have for it.
What exactly do they measure to get the certification? I have never seen a lift failure that was due to poor materials or construction. Most of the failures are due to improper loading or adjustment. (This is according to a local lift supplier.) The important thing is to get a lift that is properly sized and has the load capacity for what you will be using it for.

They say it is meaning less because there is no way fort hem to put a automatic security on there style lift. If the cable breaks it is going straight down. I wanted one of these lifts and there is a much better designed lift than the Back Yard Buddy I really wanted. The one I almost purchased was an Advantage lift. But again the back year buddy and those style lifts you can not level on the locks. The only way is to level the column. Not for me.

 

[Jazzman442]

I think having someone else test your lift is very important. go on youtube and watch a company test an advertised 10K lift that will not lift 7K lbs and folds at 9K lbs. they are tested at 1.5 times their rating. if it is not certified, they could state that it holds up 20,000 lbs.
I am obsessed with certification because me and my kids are going to be walking under it.
If i did not have the certification , I would claim that it was meaningless also. if everyone else has the certification, ard they are confident they will pass, why not spend the bucks to get their lifts certified and shut us up? maybe they are over-rated, maybe they are not.

I agree. You are spot on. Same reason I did not get a Back Yard Buddy or Advantage Lift. If you look at the specs of lift manufactures there are some that are certified that I will not even look at. Some that rate there lifts by wheel base. Look at the information given but certification is a great place to start.

 

[3798j]

I hope I did not miss this but what sliding jacks did you get?

I got the RJ-45 rolling jacks from Greg Smith Equipment (sold in a package price with the ProPark 9). Looking on their web site, it appears that they no longer sell Direct Lifts.
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-RJ-45-Rolling-Jack