2 post floor plate lift question bendpak/other

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I'm about to close on a new shop and the ceiling height is only 11 foot 4 inches so from what I'm finding I'm limited to a floor plate model. In my current shop I have a cheap $1500 china made 9k 2 post floor plate model that has worked just fine. With the new shop I was Hoping to buy a nice brand/model lift (would love a top plate but doesn't fit) and started looking at the bend pak XPR-9S-LP or the challenger CLFP9, now here's the problem the issue I'm running into. Both the bend pak and challenger are not certified lift. So my question to you guys that might own either of these, are the quality of their china made uncertified any better then the china made uncertified $1500 special I'm currently running?

 

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This is the cheap one I currently have, second one down in link
http://aresco.org/9000ae_fe.html

This is the bendpak i was considering, Hard to say if the build quality is any better for double the price, kinda wondering if they come out of the same place both being from china and not certified..?
http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/two-post-lifts/xpr-9s-lp.aspx

 

[pbon]

I think if you shop around you might find a top plate that just fits 11’4”. Most seem to be in the 11’6” range but I recall reading about an adjustable one recently. If not could you cut out some drywall so the plate fits into rafters?

Make sure your insurance does not require a certified lift.

 

[lakeroadster]

....Hoping to buy a nice brand/model lift (would love a top plate but doesn't fit) and started looking at the bend pak XPR-9S-LP or the challenger CLFP9, now here's the problem the issue I'm running into. Both the bend pak and challenger are not certified lift. So my question to you guys that might own either of these, are the quality of their china made uncertified any better then the china made uncertified $1500 special I'm currently running?

Here's one member's review...

my bendpak is ali certifided, my arm restraint have never work from day one.

Have blew every hose on the lift at least once, cylinder has leaked from first year, replace one, and second not to far behind, but then they dont sell a re seal set for them so complete cylinder replacement

you just got to love a bend pak

Here's a thread from member Q-14 dated August 2017 about his new BendPak lift: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368498&highlight=******

And a thread from member DerSTig from March 2017 about his new BendPak lift: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=354731&highlight=BendPak

And another from ggeh.... https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355230&highlight=BendPak

Do some searching here.. you'll quickly find more threads from actual owners.

 

[Need more space]

I think if you shop around you might find a top plate that just fits 11’4”. Most seem to be in the 11’6” range but I recall reading about an adjustable one recently. If not could you cut out some drywall so the plate fits into rafters?

Make sure your insurance does not require a certified lift.

Good thought about insurance, so far the lowest top plate I found was a rotary the is 11'8.5''. Looking how the current drywall is hung I seems the rafters go the wrong direction to stand a lift between them.

 

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Thanks for the link lakeroadster, I've found a Mowhawk that is certified and fits but breaks the budget and runs into my new compressor fund lol

 

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Loving this one, wish I could find it closer to the price of a rotary.
http://www.mohawklifts.com/wp/automotive-lifts/2-post-lifts/system1/

 

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Update: spoke with a Rotary dealer/installer and he said he's install a number of top plate rotary SPOA10 with ceiling lower then my 11'4'' he said there was some room for adjustment in the top plate and the only spot ill need to cut the drywall ceiling would be where the cylinder come out the top..... Sounds promising!

 

[lakeroadster]

Update: spoke with a Rotary dealer/installer and he said he's install a number of top plate rotary SPOA10 with ceiling lower then my 11'4'' he said there was some room for adjustment in the top plate and the only spot ill need to cut the drywall ceiling would be where the cylinder come out the top..... Sounds promising!

You can't go wrong with a Rotary.... I've got an SPOA10 I bought in 2007... it's been flawless ever since.

 

[Need more space]

Great looking shop! How do you like working on a asymmetrical lift, everything fit/lift nice? I've always had a symmetrical and I've been able to left everything from small cars to trucks. Also looking at your lift I can see where the sales guy mentioned he had some adjustment room.

 

[lakeroadster]

Great looking shop! How do you like working on a asymmetrical lift, everything fit/lift nice? I've always had a symmetrical and I've been able to left everything from small cars to trucks. Also looking at your lift I can see where the sales guy mentioned he had some adjustment room.

I've used the lift on ... 1927 Model T, 1930 Model A, 1965 C10, 1969 Camaro, 2002 Tacoma, 2005 Mercedes M-350 and a 2007 Wrangler.

No issues whatsoever. I think their new "trio" arms would be a nice option for crew cab trucks... but I've never had the need to lift one of them.