Unfortunately I Need A New 4 Post Lift

[kngelv]

I currently have a 2 1/2 year old Backyard Buddy Classic. I have a new Ford Ranger Raptor coming in the next few weeks and now realize that it won't fit on my lift. It's slightly too short and slightly too narrow. The Classic was the largest lift that would fit in my attached garage. Last year I built a second garage which can accommodate a larger lift. I prefer doing my own maintenance rather than the dealership. I'm going to sell the current lift and get a longer and wider one. I prefer companies with a decent track record and we all know what happened to Backyard Buddy/Advantage. I'm curious if anyone has had both the ladder type like a BendPak or the outside slider type like my current lift. I've seen arguments for both but am open to either. I would prefer not having to use air for secondary locks like BendPak does. If Backyard Buddy was still around then this would be my choice but now I'm open to suggestions. Thoughts/advice is welcomed. BTW my lift is not for storage. I do real work on my lift and will be keeping my rolling bridge jack. I prefer a 4-Post as I'm getting older and have been able to do everything needed. Thank you.

James

 

[69CHARGERMD]

I have Bendpak lifts Both the 2 and 4 post with casters. Certified lifts and well built. Airlocks on the 4 post are ok but a bit of a pain. Love the 2 post for working, actually surprised how much I use it over the 4 post now. Have the scissor jack for the 4 post which helps.

 

[kabinenroller]

If you move to a wider, longer lift your bridge jack may not fit, it would be to narrow to fit between the ramps. Also ramp designs differ between brands, the jack may not be compatible with all designs.
Just an observation from your post.
I have a BendPak and if I were to replace it I would definitely look at other brands/design.

 

[finn]

I’ve got two Advantage lifts (you know the story), and no complaints.

I did put a plywood shim under one post that’s near the floor drain. It’s 1/2”, but could probably be increased to 3/4 “ if I was doing work that required perfectly flat runways.

the external cables and latching mechanisms aren’t an issue, as the lift is always in the raised position except for loading and unloading.

Fit and finish is light years better than my two post BendPak.

After the Advantage / BYB debacle, I would recommend Wildfire or (Guardian?), which are the same, essentially, as the Advantage.


Look carefully at the drive through specs before pulling the trigger. Post to post isn’t necessarily the same as drive through. I specifically selected my (11k?) SS to fit my old dually Crew cab F350.

 

[kngelv]

The drive through is a big issue. I only have 1/2 inch on either side with the new Ranger. Plus the back tire is at the end of the runway so I could not pull the ramp off or chock the wheel. My jack is the same one Guardian sells and looks like it would work on the Wildfire too. I’m a little leery of Guardian because they are so new to the game. I don’t love the colors on the Wildfire.

James

 

[racecougar]

I'll suggest looking toward Forward/DirectLift.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

The drive through is a big issue. I only have 1/2 inch on either side with the new Ranger. Plus the back tire is at the end of the runway so I could not pull the ramp off or chock the wheel. My jack is the same one Guardian sells and looks like it would work on the Wildfire too. I’m a little leery of Guardian because they are so new to the game. I don’t love the colors on the Wildfire.

James

If I needed a lift today, I wouldn’t be leery of Guardian because of them being “new to the game.” I recall someone writing here that Guardian was started by a former Advantage guy that was unhappy with their business practices. There is/was nothing wrong with Advantage lifts from a functional standpoint, and the Guardians, as I understand from here, come from the same factory. I’d just ask someone from Guardian how their lifts differ and make sure they have the lift you want ready to ship.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I'll suggest looking toward Forward/DirectLift.

I'll second this suggestion, based on my personal experience with their product.

 

[kngelv]

I'll suggest looking toward Forward/DirectLift.

I'll second this suggestion, based on my personal experience with their product.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm still up in the air about the whole C-Channel and ladder columns but they look pretty good. I wish there was more details though like owners manuals on their website. We have a bunch of Rotary two-post lifts at my workplace so we might have a rep I can talk to and maybe get a good price.

Jame

 

[racecougar]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm still up in the air about the whole C-Channel and ladder columns but they look pretty good. I wish there was more details though like owners manuals on their website. We have a bunch of Rotary two-post lifts at my workplace so we might have a rep I can talk to and maybe get a good price.

Jame

Adjustable lock ladders and centering the cables within the columns is a positive thing.

 

[finn]

Adjustable lock ladders and centering the cables within the columns is a positive thing.

Only in some people’s mind.

 

[racecougar]

Only in some people’s mind.

Yep. Just Mechanical Engineers.

 

[finn]

Yep. Just Mechanical Engineers.

I’m a Mechanical Engineer!

 

[kngelv]

I can't see that the C-Channel being stronger than the outside slider design but that does not mean the C-Channel is not strong enough. I see some advantages on an unlevel floor. I'm not really liking the backup safeties I've seen so far in comparison to the ones on the outside slider. Having to use air like on the BendPak is a no-go for sure. This whole thing stinks. I like my lift but I was limited by the size of my attached garage. Now I have the room for a larger one. I have an ad on here and I'm hoping someone is interested. I really want to avoid Facebook Marketplace. I also can't just buy another lift because I have nowhere to put another one and I'll have to wait till this one is gone.

James

 

[racecougar]

I'm not advocating for pneumatic locks. As far as visualizing the FEA, I'll leave you to it.

 

[mikedodge]

I can't see that the C-Channel being stronger than the outside slider design but that does not mean the C-Channel is not strong enough. I see some advantages on an unlevel floor. I'm not really liking the backup safeties I've seen so far in comparison to the ones on the outside slider. Having to use air like on the BendPak is a no-go for sure. This whole thing stinks. I like my lift but I was limited by the size of my attached garage. Now I have the room for a larger one. I have an ad on here and I'm hoping someone is interested. I really want to avoid Facebook Marketplace. I also can't just buy another lift because I have nowhere to put another one and I'll have to wait till this one is gone.

James

Well the C channel design is also how 2 post lifts work but I agree for some reason I prefer the kind that slides up the outside for 4 post ones.

And yeah to racecougar's response I also wouldn't like pneumatic locks.

 

[c39er]

I've used the air locks on my Rotary commercial USA 12,000lb lift...made in 2006 I bought new and a 2010 HD14 4 post with air locks...both C channel.
Have also used some others shop lifts using air locks.
Both mine have been flawless with many hours of usage.
Set up correctly they work perfect...no heavy spring loaded handle/ linkage to yank and hold on to release the locks and then lower...
Just a air lock button knob to hold down with airock release system......
Been around for years..A bit more costly to build using air cylinders though than multiple linkage rods and adjustable yokes/clevis pins.

 

[mikedodge]

But how awkward is it to fix the air system for the locks if something fails? Release cables rarely need to be adjusted, I'd rather have that simpler system to deal with then the pneumatic one.

 

[c39er]

20 years never had a air lock cylinder failure...buy a good well known name lift...use a air filter on your air supply right at the lift.
Many lifts today....who makes them? Who knows...many different brand names yet many are the same lift.
Most of the cheaper cost imported lifts are made in China... DIY economy type lifts...
Will parts be available 10 years later?
Who knows..

 

[caleb383]

I currently have a 2 1/2 year old Backyard Buddy Classic. I have a new Ford Ranger Raptor coming in the next few weeks and now realize that it won't fit on my lift. It's slightly too short and slightly too narrow. The Classic was the largest lift that would fit in my attached garage. Last year I built a second garage which can accommodate a larger lift. I prefer doing my own maintenance rather than the dealership. I'm going to sell the current lift and get a longer and wider one. I prefer companies with a decent track record and we all know what happened to Backyard Buddy/Advantage. I'm curious if anyone has had both the ladder type like a BendPak or the outside slider type like my current lift. I've seen arguments for both but am open to either. I would prefer not having to use air for secondary locks like BendPak does. If Backyard Buddy was still around then this would be my choice but now I'm open to suggestions. Thoughts/advice is welcomed. BTW my lift is not for storage. I do real work on my lift and will be keeping my rolling bridge jack. I prefer a 4-Post as I'm getting older and have been able to do everything needed. Thank you.

James

Buying a new Ford Ranger Raptor that won't fit on the current Backyard Buddy lift is a solid excuse for an upgrade. Moving to a wider and longer lift makes complete sense for doing real work at home.

 

[mikedodge]

20 years never had a air lock cylinder failure...buy a good well known name lift...use a air filter on your air supply right at the lift.
Many lifts today....who makes them? Who knows...many different brand names yet many are the same lift.
Most of the cheaper cost imported lifts are made in China... DIY economy type lifts...
Will parts be available 10 years later?
Who knows..

There are owners even here on the forum who've had issues with it. The big thing for a lot of people is the risk of having it stuck in the air trying to chase down whats failed or leaking when a simple lever and cables would have accomplished the same job. And who wants to run a compressor only for the locks? I know Bend Pak has their optional system to make it work idependently but that's more cost and back to a compressor if it doesn't have air after a vehicle has been on it for weeks or months.

I have a Bend Pak 2 post and would probably look at them first for 4 post but other then price this is the sort of thing that has people looking at other options. That being said I'd want to read a lot of reviews of those other ones too to make sure their locks aren't causing any issues like needing to be adjusted constantly.

Long term parts availability is a risk either way. That might actually be an advantage to the various identical imports if there's more of them out there.

 

[racecougar]

The simplicity of a lever and rod lock release reduces the concern of long term parts availability as well. There isn't anything special about it.

 

[madison069]

I've been leaning toward the Wildfire 9k XLT myself. Between Vice Grip Garage and Mustie1 on YouTube, they put their Wildfire lift through the wringer and they never mention any issues with their lift. Matter of fact Derek from Vice Grip Garage is now part owner of Wildfire Lift company. But you did mention you're not a fan of the color so I don't know what options you would have regarding color changes.

Edit*** Looking at the guardian lift, it looks like it's the same lift but different color. Most likely the same manufacture but have little details difference.