Which lift to buy?

[martyrg]

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a 2 post 10K lift. Hobbyist use, lifting old VW Bugs up to 4x4 Silverado Trucks. Narrowed it down to:
Derek Weaver W Pro-10 $3500 w/ shipping
Atlas PVL 10 $4615 w/ shipping (includes extra lift pads and extension pegs)
Bendpak XPR-AS-LP $5180 w/ shipping
What would you pick? What did you pick and why?

 

[sweetk30]

Check who has in stock right now .

Friend was told late December from bendpack for the few he wanted to order .

Also check forward lift . . There budget brand of rotory lifts .

And my home shop come with a cheeper lift and it shows in the fit / and function of the lift . And as i worked 15+ years under good lifts i can say buy a good one and pinch your penney's other places .

 

[rockcrawler]

I went with the BendPak XPR-10S, and I’ve been happy so far. Originally got the 10K lb lift because I had a diesel. But, due to an unfortunate incident, I now drive a gasser. But, at least I can lift just about anything I want. Impressed with the build quality. Functions very well and they have a good reputation. I contacted a local install company that has a good reputation. I had the lift shipped to them and they delivered it here and performed the install.

 

[haveissues]

I was going to buy the weaver until a like new rotary fell into my lap. I think the weaver is probably the best bang for the buck.

 

[Crabman]

A lot of people on GJ like the Advantage lifts.

Real Garage Life - High Quality 2-Post Car Lifts and 4-Post Car Lifts

Discover Real Garage Life, your trusted source for high-quality 2 post and 4 post car lifts. Our lifts are designed for low garage ceilings, car collectors, car restoration specialists, and DIY Automotive Enthusiasts.

www.advantagelifts.com

 

[ToysRUs]

I ordered a Forward F10 2 weeks ago. It is 140 working days out..... that's about 28 weeks or so..... The price was awesome and since my whole life has been jacks and jack stands a few more month won't matter.

 

[Metallitubby]

I went with a Nussbaum 10K lift because of price, built in the USA, and the quality is really high. I also got to visit the factory and meet with their assembly-line folks. The downside is finding an authorized dealer/installer if I ever needed warranty work. Luckily the North Atlanta area has an amazing service guy that covers all the major brands (including Nussbaum).

All Nussbaum hydraulic 2 Post Lifts » Lifts for car workshops - Made in Germany for over 40 years

 

[wssix99]

I own both the Bendpak 2 post lift and some Bendpak 4 post lifts.

For hobyist use, I would get none of the above and get a 4 post lift with the auxiliary jacks. (For suspension work.)

2 post lifts are a pain in the *** to set up, get the load balanced, and (as you see in rockcrawler's picture) set up the proper auxiliary stands. You also have to crawl all over the floor to get this done before lifting the load.

In a working shop where I'm turning vehicles in-and-out all day, I'd definitely want the versitility and clearance of the 2 post lift. But at home, the four post is much better. I can lower the load at night and then raise it again the next day with no prep, there's less fuss, less crawling around, less worry, less grief, etc. You can also store things on the 4 post lift, which you can't do with the 2 post.

 

[TobeyA]

I have a 2-post Forward Lift, 10k capacity. I was settled on the Derek Weaver until I called a local installer. They sell and service, including warranty work, the Forward lifts. It was just under $4k installed. And they had them in stock back in early June. Took the installers about 4 hours.

 

[finn]

I own both the Bendpak 2 post lift and some Bendpak 4 post lifts.

For hobyist use, I would get none of the above and get a 4 post lift with the auxiliary jacks. (For suspension work.)

2 post lifts are a pain in the *** to set up, get the load balanced, and (as you see in rockcrawler's picture) set up the proper auxiliary stands. You also have to crawl all over the floor to get this done before lifting the load.

In a working shop where I'm turning vehicles in-and-out all day, I'd definitely want the versitility and clearance of the 2 post lift. But at home, the four post is much better. I can lower the load at night and then raise it again the next day with no prep, there's less fuss, less crawling around, less worry, less grief, etc. You can also store things on the 4 post lift, which you can't do with the 2 post.

Same here. I have a Bendpack 10k asymmetrical two post lift and two Advantage four post lifts, one with an air jack.

The quality of the Advantage fit and finish is superior to the Bendpack.

I bought the four post lifts with the intention of mostly using them for storage, but really like not having to squeeze around the posts that block the doors with the two post, and, mostly, not having to crawl on the ground to position the lift arms.

The two post is probably ok for a busy shop full of 20 something mechanics with good knees, but I think the four post lifts are superior for a home shop.

 

[whateverit takes]

I went with a Weaver Pro 10 after my research. My neighbor and I installed it in my newly built 30 x 40 metal shop. It was a lot easier than I anticipated. I have a few classic cars and a 20 Ram 1500 that I regularly use the lift for. It's been in use about 10 months and it does everything I expect it to do. The only issue I had was with the carrier. I picked the lift up at the carrier's depot and had to note the scratches and damage that was visible. The worst was the metal framing that both protects and supports the lift during shipping. The carrier somehow bent one of the legs of the metal framing. I seriously considered not taking the lift but the carrier stated in writing if there was an issue I could bring it back to the depot and they would send it back to Weaver without issue. There were no structural issues it turns out, just scratches and decals. One hydraulic fitting wouldn't thread. Weaver sent a can of spray paint the decals and a new hydraulic hose without question.

 

[JasonF]

I have a Weaver Pro-10 arriving any day now. Did a ton of research and it seemed like the best bang for the buck. No sales tax either on the Weaver if you not in the shipping state.

 

[andersen24]

I was going to buy the weaver until a like new rotary fell into my lap. I think the weaver is probably the best bang for the buck.

Ironically I had the exact same story.......was going to go with a Weaver until I had a Rotary SPOA10 (used twice) fall into my lap for $2000.......he also threw in an engine hoist when I got there to take it down. BUT if that hadn't have happened, after all my research, I was going with the Derek Weaver lift. Cool story of their history too! FYI I am still going with the Weaver Tire mount and balance combo....

 

[Fasthotrod]

I went with the Atlas OH-10X because it's wider and taller than a regular two-post lift. I drove down to Arlington, TX and picked it up myself, saving myself the S/H fees and risking any damage to the lift during delivery by the shipping company.

Atlas (ATEATTDOHX10000X) Overhead 10,000lb Capacity 2-Post Lift, Extra Wide/Tall

The strength of Atlas OH-10X Overhead 10,000 lbs 2 Post lift is the perfect choice for garages, shops or any commercial location where wide-wheel or extra tall vehicles will be serviced.

www.tooltopia.com

So far I've used it to work on multiple vehicles, and I'm happy that I can walk under it without worrying about banging my head on anything. (I'm 6' 1" tall.) I ran electrical over to the lift, and installed a small fused disconnect there as a backup power shutoff point in case the lift ever got stuck in the "up" position.

Installation was easy with the help of a couple of friends standing up the posts. Once standing, they were easy to move into the correct location and connect everything up. So far, zero complaints.

Mark

 

[brownbagg]

i got the benkpak, well I bought it in 2005, went through two cylinders, a motor, all the hoses, those micro switches, it hasnt been bad for a lift use about twice a month. Only thing i hated about bendpak, service and parts. since their parts department ***** you got look elsewhere, get real friendly with the local hydraulic shops

 

[haveissues]

Ironically I had the exact same story.......was going to go with a Weaver until I had a Rotary SPOA10 (used twice) fall into my lap for $2000.......he also threw in an engine hoist when I got there to take it down. BUT if that hadn't have happened, after all my research, I was going with the Derek Weaver lift. Cool story of their history too! FYI I am still going with the Weaver Tire mount and balance combo....

Mine is a spo10 and I had to pay a bit more for it, $2500, but it has the 3 stage arms and came with both a set of spin up car adapters and spin up truck adapters. Plus it was on the other end of my road so I didn't have to travel very far.

 

[Mr. D]

I'm holding out for a used Mohawk.

 

[crazylunker]

Find a local lift installer, i have a few in my area who are always listing takeouts on marketplace. Rotary's are popular for dealers and municipalities who rotate due to osha and budgets. I picked up a rotary 9000lb for $1200 also most of those guys will offer installation pretty reasonably

 

[super slow ss]

I must be the only person who has had a bad experience with Weaver. I ordered the W10-Pro black back in April, for a June 9th delivery date. So far my lift has been sent to the wrong warehouse and they tried to extort me out of additional shipping for thier mistake, and when I refused they simply sold it to someone else and told me I would have to wait 6-8 weeks for the next shipment, which they now tell me was sent to the wrong warehouse again by their container shipping company and is essentually now lost and I may have to wain until Jan to get my order fulfilled.

 

[super slow ss]

I have a Weaver Pro-10 arriving any day now. Did a ton of research and it seemed like the best bang for the buck. No sales tax either on the Weaver if you not in the shipping state.

When did you order out of curiosity.

 

[Scubadriver]

I ordered an AMGO lift that was damaged beyond being installable by the shipping company. The installer should have refused it. It has been a cluster trying to get it replaced. I am ready to give up.

I was at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, TX over the weekend. They had three of the Weaver lifts installed and we're delighted with them. One of the employees was going to get on for his home. They look very similar to the AMGO lift that I will probably never get... Probably my most likely alternate.

 

[bobkat]

Same here. I have a Bendpack 10k asymmetrical two post lift and two Advantage four post lifts, one with an air jack.

The quality of the Advantage fit and finish is superior to the Bendpack.

I bought the four post lifts with the intention of mostly using them for storage, but really like not having to squeeze around the posts that block the doors with the two post, and, mostly, not having to crawl on the ground to position the lift arms.

The two post is probably ok for a busy shop full of 20 something mechanics with good knees, but I think the four post lifts are superior for a home shop.

On a asymmetrical lift where is your normal relationship of a crew cab chevy 1/2 ton to the posts, back of front door,,dash or steering wheel ?

 

[finn]

My longest truck is a drw cc lb F350.

I haven’t lifted it real high yet. Just about three or four feet to do a front brake job.

Since I needed a couple of four post lifts for winter storage, I opted to make one of them a SS11000 Advantage, which will handle the dually. crew cab comfortably. Seems like a safer way to go.

I doubt if I will ever use the two post for the dually again, since the four post is so stable, and overall easier to use.

I do have a regular single cab Super Duty going up on the two post next, though, for a fuel pump change.

 

[aggie113]

Taking into consideration some of my taller friend's use of the lift, I opted for the BendPak XPR-10AXLS and have been happy with it. The install crew had to come back a few times for some minor leaks (due to their install) but it has been working well besides that. I also plan to try to pick up a used 4 post lift for additional storage in the garage while using the two post for most work.

 

[JasonF]

When did you order out of curiosity.

I just looked and my order was placed June 9th. We'll see but they said to expect delivery in the next 1-2 weeks when I last spoke to them. If I get it before the snow flies I'll be happy, between work and summer travel I wouldn't have had the time to put it up anyway. I've sort of wondered a few times if I should of got the red or blue model, those have been in and out of stock all summer.

 

[nickstar]

I went with the Atlas PVL-10 just over a year ago in my home shop. I have used it quite a bit, so far so good. Although the price has shot up since then, mine was roughly $3,500.00 out the door. I liked the column design and it is ALI certified. I also had my eye on the Weaver and Bendpak at the time, but the Atlas was bit cheaper with all the accessories. I do not think you could go wrong with any of the Lifts you are looking at. I had a local company pick up at the shipper and install for $800.00 it seemed worth it to me as I would have had to install by myself and it would of taken me longer than the half day that they did it in. I would of loved a Mohawk or Rotary "Made in the USA" product, but could not justify the cost as I am hobbyist. Once you have the lift you will wonder why you did not do it sooner. Keep us posted as to your decision.

 

[Bluearmflames]

I just looked and my order was placed June 9th. We'll see but they said to expect delivery in the next 1-2 weeks when I last spoke to them. If I get it before the snow flies I'll be happy, between work and summer travel I wouldn't have had the time to put it up anyway. I've sort of wondered a few times if I should of got the red or blue model, those have been in and out of stock all summer.

I’m in the same boat. Ordered my weaver lift in June. Original expected delivery was first week of August. They are saying that the lift should be shipping any day now.

 

[RivennHewn]

As I have never had, worked with, or installed a lift, I have a few questions.

if you have a lift(3actually) on a set of approved plans, does the manufacture supply any engineering docs? If you have special inspections called out for concrete, do the plans have any/all concrete/attachment details included for the inspect to verify?

thanks for your help

 

[wssix99]

As I have never had, worked with, or installed a lift, I have a few questions.

if you have a lift(3actually) on a set of approved plans, does the manufacture supply any engineering docs? If you have special inspections called out for concrete, do the plans have any/all concrete/attachment details included for the inspect to verify?

thanks for your help

No, they are not going to provide engineering documents, but they do provide specifications and minimum requirements for the installation. No special engineering is needed for modern lifts. Their base plates spread the loads similar to how car tires perform on concrete and the other specifications address specific concerns related to the safe bolting of the lift to the floor and how the floor resists other bending forces that the lift imparts upon it.

There is no inspection for the concrete. If you are doing new construction, YOU or somoene you pay needs to watch the job being done by the concrete contractor to make sure it's done properly to the specificiations.

 

[RivennHewn]

thanks wssix99,

On this job, the owner is paying a special inspector to verify all rebar /details and all embeds.
Size, depth, and torque will all be documented.
That means he needs approved details to reference.

 

[wssix99]

thanks wssix99,

On this job, the owner is paying a special inspector to verify all rebar /details and all embeds.
Size, depth, and torque will all be documented.
That means he needs approved details to reference.

The lift instructions will have all those details included.

Is this a slab on grade or is it something engineered, like an elevated slab (basement or air gap underneath) or a post-tentioned slab. If so, the engineer designing these slabs should peform an engineering evaluation. The lifts are typically specified only for slabs on-grade.

Another place where people go off the rails is trying to do exotic rebar arrangements for the lift, which are NOT required on new construction. (If you want to explore that, it would probably be best to create a new thread and get into the details of what you are building.)