Rotary vs Bend Pak
- Thread starter jbegler
- Start date
Either one should be fine. What type of shop is it going to be in, a home shop or a commercial establishment where it will be used several times per day every day? What type of vehicle will you be lifting, small cars or trucks & suv's? I would probably call around and go with whatever one it is easier to get service for in your area. When I was looking into getting a lift the local installer told me that all the dealerships around here are using the Rotary lifts & have some that are 10-15 yrs old in this environment so a home user would get more than that out of one. Having a lift opens up a whole new world compared to ramps & jackstands & now that I have one I'd never want to be without one.
Yea look at what each company offers in terms of attachments or accessories. Compare specs? Do you have any lowered cars? Is there a local dealer within your area for easy servicing?
From what I've seen from BendPak lately, I'm impressed. If I hadn't heard so many bad things about BendPak before I made my Rotary purchase, I may have seriously considered them, but that was a number of years ago now.
Maybe than $500 is better spent on tools nowadays?
From what I've seen from BendPak lately, I'm impressed. If I hadn't heard so many bad things about BendPak before I made my Rotary purchase, I may have seriously considered them, but that was a number of years ago now.
Maybe than $500 is better spent on tools nowadays?
It is going in a farm repair shop where we repair our equipment. Not everyday use, but more than occasional. We have a Hummer H3, Silverado 2500HD, Tahoe, 68 chevelle, and whatever else might come in the door needing repaired.
Thanks for the replies
Thanks for the replies
ron in sc
Well-known member
That's one of the reason I chose Rotary. They offer three stage front arms with flat top screw up pads, features that can be very useful.
pattenp
Well-known member
I originally looked at BendPak and Rotory for a two post but when I contacted a local automotive service and supply company the sales rep asked if I had considered a Challenge Lift. He said Rotary was the Cadillac of lifts and said that BendPax was okay but he said the Challenger lifts offer the ability to be used as symmetric or asymmetric and the price was less than the Rotory and a little more than the BendPak. After looking at the features and price I ended up deciding on the Challenger. I have been pleased so far.
The rotary is a better lift. just wait a couple minute and the rotary saleman will come here and tell you. I bought the Bendpak and have no problem with it, it does everything I need it to.
The rotary is a better lift, the Mohawk is better than the rotary. when does it stop. You dont need a cadallic to get the job done. Its like a king ranch, it does the same job as a ford but 4x the price.
bend paks are good lifts. But if you need to keep up with the jones buy the rotary. I really like the big footprint of the rotary.
service is not an issue if it never breaks down.
The rotary is a better lift, the Mohawk is better than the rotary. when does it stop. You dont need a cadallic to get the job done. Its like a king ranch, it does the same job as a ford but 4x the price.
bend paks are good lifts. But if you need to keep up with the jones buy the rotary. I really like the big footprint of the rotary.
service is not an issue if it never breaks down.
Aahz
Well-known member
I'm the Rotary salesman.....but since Brownbagg already said that Rotary has a better lift, there isn't much left for me to say...
You might consider the new Revolution Lift by Rotary. Chinese made to be more on par with Bend Pak's pricing, but it is ALI / ETL Certified and made in Rotary's factory in China.
You might consider the new Revolution Lift by Rotary. Chinese made to be more on par with Bend Pak's pricing, but it is ALI / ETL Certified and made in Rotary's factory in China.
Defender Chassis
Well-known member
So Rotary makes lifts in China but sells them at a lower price? Wasn't there a question a while back about why BendPak didn't lower their prices when they moved production offshore?
Aahz
Well-known member
LOL......Rotary is still making lifts here in the good old USA...(Madison, Indiana to be exact). They (their parent company, Dover Corporation) bought out Hanmeckson, Int'l. about a year or two ago. Hanmeckson was building (is building) many of the higher quality lifts coming from China. Some of these lifts include Forward, Direct Lift, Raptor, etc.
Up until this past month, Rotary was building their "Revolution" 4 Post Lift here in their Madison, IN plant. Unfortunately, they decided to discontinue that aspect of manufacturing and sell some of the Hanmeckson made product line under the "Revolution" product name. This gives a lower cost product line to compete with some of the off-shore competition, similar to what Bend Pak is doing. (I say unfortunately because a customer we spoke with last summer just finished building his "Auto Condo" complex, based on the previous generation of Revolution Lift specifications. The new generation is slightly larger and will no longer work for his facility....bye, bye 20 lift sale....:-( )
As to whether or not they have lowered the price.....Yes, they have...but NOT on their USA made products. The Revolution line is now completely imports and priced pretty competitively.
Up until this past month, Rotary was building their "Revolution" 4 Post Lift here in their Madison, IN plant. Unfortunately, they decided to discontinue that aspect of manufacturing and sell some of the Hanmeckson made product line under the "Revolution" product name. This gives a lower cost product line to compete with some of the off-shore competition, similar to what Bend Pak is doing. (I say unfortunately because a customer we spoke with last summer just finished building his "Auto Condo" complex, based on the previous generation of Revolution Lift specifications. The new generation is slightly larger and will no longer work for his facility....bye, bye 20 lift sale....:-( )
As to whether or not they have lowered the price.....Yes, they have...but NOT on their USA made products. The Revolution line is now completely imports and priced pretty competitively.
ovilla
Well-known member
Defender Chassis - Regular Rotary branded lifts are almost double what you would pay for a comparable BendPak lift model. I bet this other line, their Revolution Lift, is most likely closer to BendPak pricing (but even then I would guess it's still more expensive).
ovilla
Well-known member
Aahz - Do the USA made lifts use any parts from offshore manufacturing? I recall someone on here saying that they bought/saw a new Rotary two post model that had "H" stamped on the arms. I'm assuiming that the "H" stands for Hanmeckson. Anyway, I've seen some older Rotary lifts before and they're all super heavy duty units (really look like they are overkill for the weight that they lift) but am just wondering how much (%) of each unit is manufactured in the US. Thanks
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Aahz
Well-known member
Ovilla....As I'm sure you're aware...very little of ANYTHING is wholly manufuactured in the USA today (and the things that are made here are done with minimal labor). I couldn't begin to tell you what percentage of any Rotary product is made here. It wouldn't surprise me if it's over 50%, but over all, it's pretty irrellavent.
Rotary's price is due to the high quality of it's product, availability of repair parts and service they are able to provide to customers. Just like many other tool type markets, equipment doesn't make you money if it's broke and there isn't someone around to fix it. Unfortunately, very few other lift manufacturer's have the service network available to maintain the equipment in the field. I am not aware, for example, of any lift distributors in our area of the country that carry parts for Bend Pak lifts in stock. If you own a Bend Pak in this area and have a shop that can bill out $1000.00 a day / per bay equipped with a lift, or $200.00 a day on a flat stall, that lift has a high value ($800.00/ day). If it takes 2 days to get someone out to fix your Rotary Lift, it may have cost you the repair cost plus that added value of $1600.00. If the lift is a Bend Pak, you will have a trip charge to determine the type of lift & model and probable repair, the part will be ordered, a return trip charge and the repair costs. Typical turnaround will be 5-6 days, provided that the part that is ordered was the correct part that arrives and it is the part that was needed. Now you're up to $9,600.00 in value cost, not including the cost of the 2 service calls and the parts. If you owned the shop, which lift would you buy? The same argument can be made about the REALLY expensive equipment like wheel alignment systems. Hunter Engineering has about 80% market share in the USA with John Bean (Snap-On), Beissbarth (now owned by Bosch), Ranger (by Bend Pak) and several others making up the difference. The buying decision involves $30-50K in those situations and it's a tough pill for customers to swallow.
To a guy working in his own garage at home, this stuff isn't really a big issue, I agree. Some of the cheaper products that are on the market will work fine. Revolution is a market strategy that Rotary is using to tap into this lower tier (not a slam) market that they have ignored for too long. They don't want people to put the Rotary product name (which is aligned with the highest quality) on lower priced products. Once they do that, their primary customer base (dealers / municipalities / fleets) will think it is acceptable to buy the lower priced product, ruining the price / value / quality market they currently have.
Sorry for droning on....but it's a pretty complex subject and frankly, a pretty tough one to explain.
PM me if you want to discuss in further detail
Rotary's price is due to the high quality of it's product, availability of repair parts and service they are able to provide to customers. Just like many other tool type markets, equipment doesn't make you money if it's broke and there isn't someone around to fix it. Unfortunately, very few other lift manufacturer's have the service network available to maintain the equipment in the field. I am not aware, for example, of any lift distributors in our area of the country that carry parts for Bend Pak lifts in stock. If you own a Bend Pak in this area and have a shop that can bill out $1000.00 a day / per bay equipped with a lift, or $200.00 a day on a flat stall, that lift has a high value ($800.00/ day). If it takes 2 days to get someone out to fix your Rotary Lift, it may have cost you the repair cost plus that added value of $1600.00. If the lift is a Bend Pak, you will have a trip charge to determine the type of lift & model and probable repair, the part will be ordered, a return trip charge and the repair costs. Typical turnaround will be 5-6 days, provided that the part that is ordered was the correct part that arrives and it is the part that was needed. Now you're up to $9,600.00 in value cost, not including the cost of the 2 service calls and the parts. If you owned the shop, which lift would you buy? The same argument can be made about the REALLY expensive equipment like wheel alignment systems. Hunter Engineering has about 80% market share in the USA with John Bean (Snap-On), Beissbarth (now owned by Bosch), Ranger (by Bend Pak) and several others making up the difference. The buying decision involves $30-50K in those situations and it's a tough pill for customers to swallow.
To a guy working in his own garage at home, this stuff isn't really a big issue, I agree. Some of the cheaper products that are on the market will work fine. Revolution is a market strategy that Rotary is using to tap into this lower tier (not a slam) market that they have ignored for too long. They don't want people to put the Rotary product name (which is aligned with the highest quality) on lower priced products. Once they do that, their primary customer base (dealers / municipalities / fleets) will think it is acceptable to buy the lower priced product, ruining the price / value / quality market they currently have.
Sorry for droning on....but it's a pretty complex subject and frankly, a pretty tough one to explain.
PM me if you want to discuss in further detail
bend pak vs rotary i think there both decent made machines **** i was looking at a web site ware they were comparing the 2 and the BP looks lik it is a heavier made model the BP column are around 550 lbs each and the rotary is 475 lbs and they are in two pieces ware the BP is one sigle column. the BP seems to have a heavier foot plate it just seems to be an all around heavier made model.
I just typed in BP vs rotary and about the the third selection down the page you have to click on and it will give you a really good detailed pics of side buy side comparison.
i like both units but i have to say the BP looks like a BEAST of a model.i just like something that is heavy duty made especially when your gonna be standing under 4 5 6000 lbs.
but any way if you wanna see it just do like i said and take a look at the pics you wont be dissappointed.
I just typed in BP vs rotary and about the the third selection down the page you have to click on and it will give you a really good detailed pics of side buy side comparison.
i like both units but i have to say the BP looks like a BEAST of a model.i just like something that is heavy duty made especially when your gonna be standing under 4 5 6000 lbs.
but any way if you wanna see it just do like i said and take a look at the pics you wont be dissappointed.
Sorry I call Bull ****!
Go here:
http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/Two-Post-Lift-Comparison/
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine who is putting better components into their lifts. Its right here in living color. Bend Pak all the way!
Go here:
http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/Two-Post-Lift-Comparison/
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine who is putting better components into their lifts. Its right here in living color. Bend Pak all the way!
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I have been in the auto business for almost 30 years and own both brand of lifts and several other brands. My Rotary lift is used in my production shop and the Bend pak is at my home garage . The Bend Pak also has a sock to catch the 2nd dripping cylinder that has been installed on it .
Mac
Mac
WhoWhatNow
Well-known member
Disney
Well-known member
Its a zombie thread!!!!!!!!!!
Jazzman442
Well-known member
Been looking for Lift threads for a while. I'm looking for a 4 post. bendpak is the only lift company to reduce there lifting weight if the wheel base is shorter than the lift. Info please
rburke65
Well-known member
Well ya got to join sometime and ya have to comment on something! At least he posted a comment.
Still, Hello and welcome from Ohio!
Still, Hello and welcome from Ohio!
vonhef
Well-known member
Can anyone here that has a Rotary SPO10 tell me what the inside distance is from post to post?
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Jazzman442
Well-known member
Everyone has their own preferences, Rotary, Bendpak, Atlas, Mohawk, etc I am sure they will all lift a car up in the air. If this is a hobby for someone looking for a lift, I think budget would be more important than brand, and when you get into your budget that will narrow it to the brands and models you can afford, now the best way to figure it out is to go and see it in person.
I was told to stay away from bendpak by 3 different people, not because of how thick the steel is or how much it will lift but because of quality in the lifting components {specifically the pistons having issues and being tough to change and repair}, and the ergonomics {can't think of the right word}, not sure why but 2 guys told me others were easier to use...
I had a pretty strict size requirement with the last lift I bought, had to under 137" at the top due to a beam that splits my 2 bays. This would have put me into a bendpak but in the narrow configuration. Also I had a chance to load a car on the bendpak and the lift I bought, the bendpak did indeed seem a bit tougher, lol I don't know why I guess maybe because the drive through was almost a foot more narrow {and that was on the wide setting}, which didn't make sense to me since the dp10 I bought was not as wide overall but had a wider distance between posts {has to have something to do with the angles}.
I also seen a breakdown between the pumps and inner workings and everything was similar. Its all preference, space, and budget, what fits you.
No one is wrong, a friend of mine has 3 whip lifts in his shop, he swears by them, customer service, the product, and prices he loves them, supposedly all made in USA and under around $3000 for 10K 2 post...
I will stick to the Forwards, they treat me well and the company I buy them from installs, services, stock parts, and is a pleasure to deal with...
PS rotary makes nice stuff too, I seen one of them shock wave lits in action, good lord that thing is fast, and it uses lasers to tell you when the lift is set, INSANE...
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i got a bendpak in my yard right now that broken, blew a seal on the cylinder, people say bendpak service is good, I have already replace the motor and a hydraulic line that blew. service *****, I keep getting this lady that has dumb as a bag of rocks. For repair i just use third party local hydraulic techs
killahog
Well-known member
I just installed a Bendpak XPR10ALP I have found the customer service to be excellent . I called for advice on installation twice as I installed my power assembly on the drivers side as apposed to the recommended passenger side, and although the advised against it. They were willing to help. The shipper scratched the **** out of in transit and damage one of the hydraulic lines and bendpak sent some paint and a new line quickly.
zkdiesel
Well-known member
Inside of what? Collums at 4' up or carriages at bottom?
In researching which two post lift to purchase, didn't realize how many different brands of lifts there are out there, I had a few criteria. First, my shop only has about a 10' clearance, so a floor plate model it had to be. I know the Mohawk A-7 posts would fit, would be able to "adjust" the height of the hydraulic lines to fit AND it is a clear floor design..but it costs about double my lift budget. I also wanted the lift to be ALI certified, if for nothing more than my own peace of mind. This meant the $1500 lifts were out. I also read posts on GJ about different brands and was able to come to a decision...Rotary Revolution RTP9. When I started looking, I thought I would end up buying a Bendpak. But in the end, it wasn't even in my final 3. The Revolution will be ordered tomorrow and I am really excited about it as this will be my first lift purchase. I turned wrenches for a living for the better part of a decade over 20 years ago where the shop had a two post lift. I can't recall what brand it was, but it was a clear floor lift and it never had an issue while I was there. I am comfortable with the way a lift works and it will make the restoration on my '74 Stingray so much easier. I have already signed up a couple gearhead buddies to help with the install.....
Congrats, Thats a nice lift choice, I seen that lift setup when I went to the showroom to actually compare the bendpak to the Forward I was buying.
The Forward BP9 was set up next to it and it was almost identical minus the stickers that said Forward vs Revolution...
So if you can find a forward cheaper it may be worth looking into http://www.garybloomsales.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_41&products_id=177 they were the same price at the place I was looking..
What scared me about bendpak was the many people having pump and piston issues, the guy I bought my lift of showed me that he makes the same amount on both of them, but prefers the forward, and walked me through the 2 lifts, I had to agree the forward was better and the same price...
I think bend pak spends more money on how thick their metal is and how wide their posts are vs forward builds the lift to not fall apart with decent pistons and a bit better function...
am also VERY sold on the straight lift with the asymetric arms, we lifted me 2500 duramax utility body and I could open the door and hop out, with my truck on the lift he put the level on the posts and nothing changed {2 others lifts we tried did not have such luck}, the $1500 2 posts {like an atlas} lifted SOOOO slow, plus when my truck got to the top it was off level front to back. Just didn't feel as secure...
I will say a pretty nice lift and USA made is the whip industries, it was a bit less than the forwards, BUT really nice to use, the lock release the speed of it, it was the only lift that did "da {pause} dunk" when the locks engaged, it was one crisp "click" for both locks. Also the lift wasn't massive, I want the lifting pillars to be as narrow as possible, the bendpak had me feeling like i would be dancing around them big pillars all the time, and if the smaller legs do the job then whats the point, the forward had a smaller profile and wider drive through so it fits better and works better, plus I watched a video of it being tested with 15000 lbs, so them pillars are obviously strong enough to do the job...
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Thanks Jonjon. To tell you the truth, I used the Forward Lift BP9 specs to help size it up in my shop. I agree, the are the same lift with different stickers. I also noticed the Direct Lift Pro9F has the exact same dimensions as the Revolution and the Forward Lift BP9. Hell, the Direct Lift even had the same Tundra in the photos (but a different color) up on the lift. The Direct Lift unit seems to be the same lift but without the ALI certification. In fact, on the ALI.org website, it lists the Revolution Lift, Forward Lift and Direct Lift all as being part of Rotary Lift. Could be their "budget" brand. I guess for me it just boiled down to the Revolution having that small red oval underneath the Revolution sticker. At least the website shows it. There are no lift dealers close to me so I haven't been able to see any in person. Hopefully, I made the right choice....
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
Next time any of us are out there waving our country's flag. Give what you are doing some thought. Do I support the flag in my life by buying products made in our countries. My wife and I always make every effort to buy MADE IN CANADA first and MADE IN USA.
If ee do not make every effort to buy in our countries we have lost jobs for someone and our countries become less for our choices.
Thanks for your service! What does that mean to you. Not buying as much as we are able in our countries disrespects those who fought and lost something in defence of our futures. Make America Great Again starts with you, not someone in DC or Ottawa, Canada.
If ee do not make every effort to buy in our countries we have lost jobs for someone and our countries become less for our choices.
Thanks for your service! What does that mean to you. Not buying as much as we are able in our countries disrespects those who fought and lost something in defence of our futures. Make America Great Again starts with you, not someone in DC or Ottawa, Canada.
Greetings,
Interesting thread, thank you. I am currently in the market for a 2 post lift. I had a BendpPak XPR-10AS on my top 3 but now not sure. I was also looking at WORTH but after reading issues folks have been having here with shipping delays and spotty quality (as well as not ALI certified) I may have to move on. Someone here local has a used (almost like new) Rotary SP010N700 for $3600. Seems a little pricey for used. Thoughts? I have 2 SUV's (Honda Pilot) and 1 2000 F250 (7.3 L Diesel) that would be using the lift. Thanks
Semper Fi
Interesting thread, thank you. I am currently in the market for a 2 post lift. I had a BendpPak XPR-10AS on my top 3 but now not sure. I was also looking at WORTH but after reading issues folks have been having here with shipping delays and spotty quality (as well as not ALI certified) I may have to move on. Someone here local has a used (almost like new) Rotary SP010N700 for $3600. Seems a little pricey for used. Thoughts? I have 2 SUV's (Honda Pilot) and 1 2000 F250 (7.3 L Diesel) that would be using the lift. Thanks
Semper Fi
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Bad00SS
Well-known member
I am currently looking for a 2 post lift for a new garage I'm building and from the research I have done the Rotary is a better lift. Bendpack has so many story's of problems I see posted online I want to stay away from them. For a cheaper alternative If you cant afford the Rotory pricing, they own Forward lift company and they come off the same assembly line. they are at a cheaper price point and are available that are ALI certified. I'm looking at this route.
zkdiesel
Well-known member
Have a foreword and three rotatarys
Forward has been good and trouble free, but it’s half the lift my rotarys are.....
346ci
Banned
I went back and fourth between BP, Rotary and Challenger. I liked the post/arm setup of the Challenger Versymmetric so went with the CL10V3. I haven't got it up yet but from unboxing and inspecting, very nice.
The color choices pushed me to Challenger also.
The color choices pushed me to Challenger also.
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
If it does what it is designed to do and doesn't have issues then how exactly is it half the lift? Does it have half of the lifting capacity? Does it lift vehicles at half the speed?
zkdiesel
Well-known member
Arm reach is less than desired for extremely long or short vehicles compared to my three stage arm rotarys(3 stage front and rear). Rotary can pick a vast more vehicles safely
Rotary has unlimited height adjustable, forward has non adjustable stackers which is fine for most work but I regularly remove cabs and infinite adjustment can get them level
Rotary has round pads and edged frame adaptors. Frame adaptors engage next to ford fuel tanks very positive with no chance of coming off
Lock placement and how the locks release is far superior and faster on the rotary vs the foreword
So yes, there is a difference with number 1 being the most critical making my spo12’s far more versatile to different vehicles than the foreword
killahog
Well-known member
The fact that the colums on the Bendpak were one piece was ultimately what tipped my decision to buy the XPR10ALP, although I have come to realize that the upper portion of the colums are really not under much stress. I have had mine for 4 years with no problems. I was stuck in Chicago for a few days for work and I just drove around to a few local shops and was able to talk to the guys using both lifts. I will admit the Forward lifts appear to be well made and I would not have problem buying one.
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
Fair enough.