Hello everyone. I'm seriously considering the bendpak HD-9 for my garage at home. I like the features and the price. But after doing many searches and reading all the threads and posts on bendpak recently I'm somewhat concerned. Has the quality diminished? Are they cutting corners? Or are these posts and threads just the acceptable amount of issues with a product. Will a lift have some issues at some point? Yes. But I don't want a lift that starts with issues right out of the gate. Any info would be greatly appreciated and thank you in advance.
Looking at a Bendpak 4 post lift. Are there recent quality issues??
- Thread starter Erock75
- Start date
garagelogician
Well-known member
This topic is kind of a can of worms around here. Lots of opinions from those that have BendPak and love them, and even more opinions from those that don't and look down their nose at anything other than their chosen brand.
There have been some users that have experienced issues, most of them have gotten resolved from what I have heard. In my opinion, I think it is an acceptable amount of issues that you are going to have with any Chinese manufactured lift (which is most lifts with the possible exception of Mohawk and a few select Rotary lifts). If you can find a semi-local supplier that will help go to bat for you with any issues, I think that is the way to go if the lift fits your needs.
I am planning to purchase an HD7 myself, as it is really the only lift that gets me the height I want (so I can park a small utility trailer on it and walk under the runways without ducking when not in use) and that fits most comfortably in my small 27' wide by 19' deep garage.
Good day and welcome to GJ. IMHO I think the assembly has more to do with it than the quality issue as far as most of the complaints. I have had one for about 6 years now and have zero problems or complaints with my BendPak.
I agree with the assembly being part of issues or not. Making sure everything is assembled correctly is a huge part. Also maintenance of moving parts. Leaks can happen from seals getting dry from lack of use also. The one thing that bugs me is the lift parts getting scratched or gouged up either in shipping or at the factory. I’m not a perfectionist but don’t want a brand new beat up looking lift. I guess sometimes you just have to take a chance and hope for the best tho.
I don't know what to say anymore. I've had mine for over ten years and use the hell out of it. I have never had one single problem. But being around here for close to five years see tons of comments. It seems to me that a third are happy and haven't had anything to gripe about. The next third towards the lower side have what seems to be legitimate issues and the last largest third are guys that would complain if you hung them with a new rope. Literally the loudest complainers seem to be the type that go out of their way to find something wrong with the unit and like anything, if you look hard enough you'll find some type of fault.
When I received my HD-12-B which is roughly 16' 6"L x 10' 6" wide it was decently crated. I honestly don't remember if I had any scratches on it or not but can certainly tell you it was not beat up in the least, that I would have recalled. I installed it myself along with the fact it's been moved to two different shops since I bought it. Everything is still in perfect working order. Not only does it get used for your typical wrenching activities but I also jig framed and unibody builds for major Fab work, basically I use the **** out of it. It certainly doesn't look new anymore but it also isn't beat to hell either, point being the original build quality has put up with a ton of abuse and still looks good.
Anyhow good luck on your decision. You'll find the majority of BP naysayers here have never owned one or are the type that expected them to come in a velvet lined jewelry box.
When I received my HD-12-B which is roughly 16' 6"L x 10' 6" wide it was decently crated. I honestly don't remember if I had any scratches on it or not but can certainly tell you it was not beat up in the least, that I would have recalled. I installed it myself along with the fact it's been moved to two different shops since I bought it. Everything is still in perfect working order. Not only does it get used for your typical wrenching activities but I also jig framed and unibody builds for major Fab work, basically I use the **** out of it. It certainly doesn't look new anymore but it also isn't beat to hell either, point being the original build quality has put up with a ton of abuse and still looks good.
Anyhow good luck on your decision. You'll find the majority of BP naysayers here have never owned one or are the type that expected them to come in a velvet lined jewelry box.
c39er
Well-known member
I've had my HD 14 for 7 years and no problems at all. I use plenty too.
Not sure on the current lifts though.
Not sure on the current lifts though.
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Having been in the trucking industry in an earlier life I can insure you that your precious cargo is considered nothing more than XXXX pounds on the truck. It will be shoved around with a forklift and other freight piled on it in the truck and on the dock. Space is money. Paint scratches are just an integral part of the shipping process.
The best way to preserve it's like new condition is to pick it up yourself at the dealer so that you can control the handling. And then there is the assembly phase which will add even more scratches.
I've also had an HD-9 for ten years and no problems, it still looks new but I just use it for car storage most of the time.
There is the one time that I forgot to turn the compressor on, it still had some air pressure and I didn't even notice it was off.
The air bled down while I was lowering the lift and the farthest from the air inlet catch engaged when it lost pressure. I caught it before it tilted too much and in a cold sweat I carefully raised it back up, it was scary to say the least. It stayed on the stuck catch post because that cable went slack and the other three corners went up to that level luckily. That's just about the only way you can really screw up and I found it. I'm not proud of the fact but take it as a heads-up if you get one or have one.
Otherwise I use it a few times a week in the nice weather, sometimes several times a day, one car lives up in the air on it. The only things I've ever had to do is is take up the slack in the cables after they stretched from vehicle weight initially and one time on the one end from engine weight over time, and normal maintenance.
It had a couple of scratches on the side of one runway when I got it but they give you a spray can of paint to touch it up, at least then they did.
It came from Bend-Pak and I had a guy with a tilting car hauler trailer pick it up from the freight terminal. He gently tilted it up and dropped it in front of my garage on to 2x4's like a lumber load. I assembled it myself using a couple of sawhorses (real carpenter built wood ones) and an engine hoist.
I didn't scratch it either.
I don't know how the newer ones are but they would really have to go out of their way to screw up the design unless it's a quality control issue, if there is an issue.
BTW, I highly recommend the optional aluminum ramps unless can leave the steel ones on, the weight and messing with the rod to attach the steel ones gets old real fast.
There is the one time that I forgot to turn the compressor on, it still had some air pressure and I didn't even notice it was off.
The air bled down while I was lowering the lift and the farthest from the air inlet catch engaged when it lost pressure. I caught it before it tilted too much and in a cold sweat I carefully raised it back up, it was scary to say the least. It stayed on the stuck catch post because that cable went slack and the other three corners went up to that level luckily. That's just about the only way you can really screw up and I found it. I'm not proud of the fact but take it as a heads-up if you get one or have one.
Otherwise I use it a few times a week in the nice weather, sometimes several times a day, one car lives up in the air on it. The only things I've ever had to do is is take up the slack in the cables after they stretched from vehicle weight initially and one time on the one end from engine weight over time, and normal maintenance.
It had a couple of scratches on the side of one runway when I got it but they give you a spray can of paint to touch it up, at least then they did.
It came from Bend-Pak and I had a guy with a tilting car hauler trailer pick it up from the freight terminal. He gently tilted it up and dropped it in front of my garage on to 2x4's like a lumber load. I assembled it myself using a couple of sawhorses (real carpenter built wood ones) and an engine hoist.
I didn't scratch it either.
I don't know how the newer ones are but they would really have to go out of their way to screw up the design unless it's a quality control issue, if there is an issue.
BTW, I highly recommend the optional aluminum ramps unless can leave the steel ones on, the weight and messing with the rod to attach the steel ones gets old real fast.
bradysdad
Well-known member
My friend has been using the HD9 for two years without any issues. I am building a new shop and trying to figure out if I want 2 or 4 post. I have looked at the BendPak Grand Prix 2 post and the Wildfire brand 4 post lifts and was impressed with both. Wildfire offers 2 different sizes and is built very well. I am 6’4” and can easily stand up underneath their units.
Good luck in your decision.
Good luck in your decision.
I had been set on getting an HD9 and have done a lot of research. It's still my preferred lift in terms of specs.
However, the only feedback that you should research is very recent as they had recent manufacturing changes. Those that have had them for several years have a different product than what is being sold today.
Hopefully more people that have purchased recently (grey lifts instead of blue) will chime in for more recent feedback.
At this point, I've shifted my plans to purchasing an Atlas since they have less negative feedback and are ask less expensive.
However, the only feedback that you should research is very recent as they had recent manufacturing changes. Those that have had them for several years have a different product than what is being sold today.
Hopefully more people that have purchased recently (grey lifts instead of blue) will chime in for more recent feedback.
At this point, I've shifted my plans to purchasing an Atlas since they have less negative feedback and are ask less expensive.
wssix99
Well-known member
I just finished installing my BendPak two post lift and its been much worse than I expected. (At times a little hellish.) I can personally attest that BendPak has some major flaws in their company. Most of them are due to the boneheads kicking their feet up on desks under the American flag...
Would I do it again? Yes, because I'm in a special situation and I don't have evidence that the big shipping problem here is much better with any other lift manufacturer. (Although if I was able to go with Rotary, they are close enough to where I could go to the factory and pick it up myself.)
Was it worth the money for what I paid and received? (...eventually) Probably. They are the only company that makes a lift that meets the particular specifications for my application.
Is BendPak's supply chain and support reliable enough to trust my business to? No.
Is BendPak's supply chain and support reliable enough for a hobbyist? Yes.
Is there a safety issue with the lifts being made in China? No. (Japanese welding robots work just the same in China as they do in the US.)
Do they have assembly issues? Not really - the receiver has to actually assemble most of the lift. (I have not seen anyone post evidence of BendPak actually welding something improperly or welding wrong parts together...)
Do they supply chain and packaging issues? BIG TIME. As pointed out by a number of folks above, this is their Achilles heel. One of the parts on my asymetrical lift was actually for a symetrical lift and another cable supplied was for a smaller model. So, it's clear they can't keep their bins straight in their own factory. When I found the problems during (my) assembly, it took 3 weeks, (some of that is me making time to get back to the lift and wrench on it - they sent the parts all FedEx next day) many emails and three shipments from LA to get the "right" part and it still doesn't match what came from the factory. (Presumably because what they have in LA is just as disorganized as what they have in China.
Then there's the issue of packaging. They take absolutely no care to to make sure the lift arrives unscratched. My lift looks like the shipping company played floor hockey with it for weeks and all I got from BendPak was a rattle can of paint to fix it myself. (This is the only thing that has irreparably upset me - we'll see how the buffing and painting turns out in the spring.) BendPak needs to put wood around vulnerable parts of their assemblies but they just use cardboard. Plan on your lift arriving like this, unless you want to spring for a private truck and have a forklift to unload the hack at your house: http://www.bendpak.com/policies/domestic-freight-policy/freight-delivery/
^ My lift was much much worse, because it stayed at the cross dock for a few extra days.
Do these supply chain issues have anything to do with China? No. In talking to customer service for my situation, it's clear that BendPak has absolutely no intention of putting their executives on a plane to fix the packaging issues at the factory or to make the financial decision to better package their assemblies.
Would I do it again? Yes, because I'm in a special situation and I don't have evidence that the big shipping problem here is much better with any other lift manufacturer. (Although if I was able to go with Rotary, they are close enough to where I could go to the factory and pick it up myself.)
Was it worth the money for what I paid and received? (...eventually) Probably. They are the only company that makes a lift that meets the particular specifications for my application.
Is BendPak's supply chain and support reliable enough to trust my business to? No.
Is BendPak's supply chain and support reliable enough for a hobbyist? Yes.
Is there a safety issue with the lifts being made in China? No. (Japanese welding robots work just the same in China as they do in the US.)
Do they have assembly issues? Not really - the receiver has to actually assemble most of the lift. (I have not seen anyone post evidence of BendPak actually welding something improperly or welding wrong parts together...)
Do they supply chain and packaging issues? BIG TIME. As pointed out by a number of folks above, this is their Achilles heel. One of the parts on my asymetrical lift was actually for a symetrical lift and another cable supplied was for a smaller model. So, it's clear they can't keep their bins straight in their own factory. When I found the problems during (my) assembly, it took 3 weeks, (some of that is me making time to get back to the lift and wrench on it - they sent the parts all FedEx next day) many emails and three shipments from LA to get the "right" part and it still doesn't match what came from the factory. (Presumably because what they have in LA is just as disorganized as what they have in China.
Then there's the issue of packaging. They take absolutely no care to to make sure the lift arrives unscratched. My lift looks like the shipping company played floor hockey with it for weeks and all I got from BendPak was a rattle can of paint to fix it myself. (This is the only thing that has irreparably upset me - we'll see how the buffing and painting turns out in the spring.) BendPak needs to put wood around vulnerable parts of their assemblies but they just use cardboard. Plan on your lift arriving like this, unless you want to spring for a private truck and have a forklift to unload the hack at your house: http://www.bendpak.com/policies/domestic-freight-policy/freight-delivery/
^ My lift was much much worse, because it stayed at the cross dock for a few extra days.
Do these supply chain issues have anything to do with China? No. In talking to customer service for my situation, it's clear that BendPak has absolutely no intention of putting their executives on a plane to fix the packaging issues at the factory or to make the financial decision to better package their assemblies.
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mine is about twelve years old, I use it for hobby, so maybe once a month or so. And its a two post, i know you said four post but since i bought my new. I have replace;
micro switch
the long hyrdaulic hose
motor
the short hydraulic hose blew couple days ago
one hydraulic cylinder, the other leaking
and bendpak parts and service could not help me on any of them. Had to get my hoses made. The motor came from stone mfg, the company that sells to bendpak, micro switch from grainger. and the cylinder was an internet search.
the lady at bendpak was as smart as a bag of rock and just told me to buy a new one.
the lift itself seems ok, service *****
micro switch
the long hyrdaulic hose
motor
the short hydraulic hose blew couple days ago
one hydraulic cylinder, the other leaking
and bendpak parts and service could not help me on any of them. Had to get my hoses made. The motor came from stone mfg, the company that sells to bendpak, micro switch from grainger. and the cylinder was an internet search.
the lady at bendpak was as smart as a bag of rock and just told me to buy a new one.
the lift itself seems ok, service *****
I never realized how difficult of a decision this would be. All the info you guys are providing is fantastic and greatly appreciated. I may give a few other lifts a look too. Although a little overkill the danmar D-12 lift looks pretty dang good to me too. Anyone have experience with danmar lifts??
youwish2bme
Well-known member
I bought my HD-9 about a year ago and it's been great!
HITCH
HITCH
baba louey
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2015
- Messages
- 25
I bought a HD7 three years ago for the same reasons stated above. I use it to store and also to work on my cars. Performance of the lift has been great. I paid someone to pick it up at the depot (I was there too, to sign off on the condition) and to assemble it. The installer stressed maintenance especially lubing up all moving parts. Build quality, in my mind, was very good. Thickness of steel seemed appropriate for the loads and all welds looked properly executed. There you go, my two bits.
I think BendPak makes a decent lift. Most lifts are manufactured off shore these days. There's a couple out that claim to be American Made but the reality is components are manufactured overseas.
Was at MCACN (Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals) in Chicago in November. Titan Lifts was the official lift sponsor and had a few of their 4-post set up for judging area. Good looking lift and well built. They are also down at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. If guys are trusting and willing to put their $75K-$100K+ muscle cars on them or their Z06s...I'm gonna venture to say they are worth a look.
https://titanlifts.com/4-post/titan-7-000-lb-4-post-parking-lift
Was at MCACN (Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals) in Chicago in November. Titan Lifts was the official lift sponsor and had a few of their 4-post set up for judging area. Good looking lift and well built. They are also down at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY. If guys are trusting and willing to put their $75K-$100K+ muscle cars on them or their Z06s...I'm gonna venture to say they are worth a look.
https://titanlifts.com/4-post/titan-7-000-lb-4-post-parking-lift
RPH
Well-known member
Check these guys out as a comparison if nothing else. My order goes in once I’m off the road and know I will be available for delivery. Can only learn something.
http://www.wildfirelifts.com
http://www.wildfirelifts.com
Erock75, like i posted earlier, i installed an HD9 and am very happy with it after an extensive review of all the different lifts out there. PM me if you want and we can talk and i can answer any questions you may have.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I was a little annoyed with BendPac because the Ranger Go-cart vehicle movers I bought from their distributor. BendPac did everything they could possibly do to make the situation right. I am planning on buying one of the BP HD7 four post lifts. I will be paying for their delivery and installation service. For me it is important to use their experience. This is , for me, not a time or place to save money.
baba louey
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2015
- Messages
- 25
My garage has a floor drain so my BP HD7's posts sit at different elevations. The HD7 deals with this by having adjustable ladders in each post that can be made level so that the platform sits levels. How does the Wildfire lift deal with a sloping floor since it's slots are fixed to the posts and appear to offer no adjustment. Also I didn't like how close together his hands were when he was working the pump button and the release level. The HD7 has the air pressure release system for the locks which I really like. My two bits.
baba louey
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2015
- Messages
- 25
I checked this out. Distance to the top of the posts from the platform looks equal. I think it is distortion from the camera lens. The lift at the far right is where maximum distortion occurs with lenses, in particular wide angles ones.
Great stuff here guys! Thanks for the input and please keep it coming. I've also been looking at advantage lifts. They look very impressive also. But I do like the adjustability of the bendpak design with the ladders. My floor slopes to a drain at the front of the garage. So the bendpak design looks very easy to level compared to the advantage lift design with the sleeve around the post.
The advantage and wildfire can be adjusted with the cable so the slots are reached at the same time. When lowered back on locks though the runway follow the slope of your garage. So if the front end of the garage is too low a couple 12x12 steel plate to shim will probably help with leveling as well.
I highly recommend advantage. Great customer service start to finish. Bendpak not so much.
I highly recommend advantage. Great customer service start to finish. Bendpak not so much.
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seagravedriver
Well-known member
Mine works well and is safe. And for the price, and for what I do, there is not a lot of choice.
That being said, #1, stickers are slapped on haphazardly and rather random, never straight. #2, Scraped up at some time in it's life before I got it, (I did get it new), they sent me a rattle can to fix it. #3, packing was horrible, they had a metal frame around some parts of it, that was beat all to heck. #4, The plastic drip trays that I bought to go with it were all damaged and cracked. #5, The motor burnt out in less than 4 years. Over $550.00 for a new one. I had a local electric motor shop rebuild it for a couple of hundred less. (I had the connections/power etc checked by an electrician before I bought it, so it was gettign the juice it needed).
That being said, #1, stickers are slapped on haphazardly and rather random, never straight. #2, Scraped up at some time in it's life before I got it, (I did get it new), they sent me a rattle can to fix it. #3, packing was horrible, they had a metal frame around some parts of it, that was beat all to heck. #4, The plastic drip trays that I bought to go with it were all damaged and cracked. #5, The motor burnt out in less than 4 years. Over $550.00 for a new one. I had a local electric motor shop rebuild it for a couple of hundred less. (I had the connections/power etc checked by an electrician before I bought it, so it was gettign the juice it needed).
boosteddsm92
Well-known member
I have a Danmar 2 post and an HD-9XW. I've had the Danmar for about 8 years and have had zero issues. One thing I don't like about the HD-9XW is the requirement to have air to release the locks. If I could go back I'd get the equivalent DirectLift. That said, I've had zero issues with either one so I can't complain and I don't think you can go wrong.
Retrosmith
Well-known member
No problems with my hd-7w installed 9/17.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=370428
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=370428
Thanks for the info Retrosmith! Great pics and I’m glad bendpak has worked well for you. Also glad you didn’t have damage from the floods down there. I think I’ll end up going with the bendpak. I’m a fan of the features and design. Also there’s a video on YouTube of assembly of the bendpak. It’s by chappys garage. He does a great job explaining how to unpack and assemble the lift. I know he is on garage journal forum just can’t remember what he goes by here.