14k 4 post bendpak problems

[Joetomass]

I just bought a 14k 4 post bendpak about 3 months ago first problem some wrong parts came wit it fixed that then put 11k f450 dump on it but lift barley went up sent new power unit got new one and it doesn't work out of box (really.) now I just saw that both runways are bent yep at lest 3/4 of an inch ran a string line called bendpak it's like pulling teeth to get anything first pump took 3-5 days and remind u it don't work now there telling me truck to heavy and that bent runway then they said they were bent in shipping they are saying truck to heavy even though it's 11k but the lift is 14k how does this work I also have a 12k forward lift that lifted it no problems so what's up with bendpak it's been 1 week since the sec pump came that didn't work and I told the about the bent runways oh yeah the rolling jacks are leaning inward. I have a 8k dollar paper weight anyone else have problems likemthis with either the lift or customer service
Any info would help
Thanks

 

[c39er]

How about some pictures...

 

[debo75]

My head hurts from reading this.

 

[NitroPress]

About the only thing I can think of is that the weight-to-wheelbase ratio might have been more than the lift could handle. If you read the manual and the specs, full lifting capacity is only available if the wheelbase of the vehicle is some substantial fraction of the runway length. That is, you can't lift a 14k load that's centered lengthwise on the runways, it has to be distributed more evenly. The falloff in lift capacity is pretty steep when you get down to a wheelbase that's half the runway length.

So if your F450 dumper is a shortie, at 11k it will be too heavy for the lift and the runways will bend.

Your lift has 198 inch runways, and here's the lifting reduction for wheelbases:
* Min wheelbase @ rated capacity: 140" / 3,556 mm
* Min wheelbase @ 75% capacity: 120" / 3,048 mm
* Min wheelbase @ 50% capacity: 100" / 2,540 mm
* Min wheelbase @ 25% capacity: 80" / 2,032 mm

According to this, an 11k vehicle should have at least a 122 inch wheelbase.

 

[Joetomass]

i will post pics soon, the part of the runway that is bent is almost dead center of the runway,

 

[NitroPress]

i will post pics soon, the part of the runway that is bent is almost dead center of the runway,

That sounds exactly like a short-wheelbase overload failure.

 

[Joetomass]

the truck has 164 wb, if you think the truck is to heavy why would a 12k 4 post lift it? what am i missing? i have the extra long 14k HDS-14LSX runways are •Length of runways: 199" / 5,054 mm

 

[NitroPress]

You're right, that doesn't sound like it's the problem. I have seen some really massive dumpers on what seem like ridiculously short wheelbases but the F450 series is all pretty long. 164 inches is too long even for an off-center lift (at least, I think so) with the fronts against the wheelstops and too much unloaded space left on the rear of the runway.

The unit being unable to lift the load is one thing (bad power unit, possible misassembly, etc.) but the bending in the center is overload, pure and simple. Either the truck weighs more than you think it does, or the weight on each axle is extremely uneven and causing a load imbalance. My experience is entirely with lighter-duty lifts and very light vehicles, but I know that the heavy BP units are in use in thousands of installations, so I'd bet against a design or build flaw. You do have to be VERY careful lifting vehicles that are at or near the lift's limits and you do have to watch the loading balance.

 

[Steevo]

Pat, I'd like to buy some punctuation, please.

 

[58Yeoman]

Hmmm...wonder how they came up with the name "Bendpak"...?

 

[x2twister]

Joetomass,
I am the CSM here at BendPak and I am very sorry to hear your frustration with your lift. Please allow me to fix it for you. I see you have one or two bent runways. These runways are tested at 150% of capacity, so if you feel confident that you are under the 14000lbs limit then they must have been bent in shipping. I have seen that happen when moved around at the terminals by picking the lift up by forklift incorrectly. I will replace the runway(s) at no charge to you.

The pressure you are getting based on notes on your account here, is correct. And at that pressure we can lift 14000lbs on that model. So there may be something else happening that we haven't hit on yet. I would like to overnight you a higher pressure valve if you are certain the total weight of your vehicle is under 14000lbs.

Please email me some pics of your rolling jack issue at [email protected] so I can resolve that to your satisfaction. I know there was some delays while the new power unit shipped to you from our manufacturer in Chicago, Illinois.
I want you happy with our product and I will do what it takes to get you there.

Sorry again for your dissatisfaction, but I assure you, I am here to fix these for you and to attempt to win back your loyalty.

Respectfully,

Gary Mcvay
CSM BendPak Inc.

 

[Fastback]

Wow, nuff said.

 

[Joetomass]

well thanks gary i hope you can help me because no one else seems to be i sent you and email
thanks

 

[James E]

This is a fairly new installation. What if one or more cables were not on their pulleys? If they bound, the ram would pull the posts towards each other and possibly bend the ramps, wouldn't it? Super slow operation might indicate bound cables, too.

 

[NitroPress]

There are a lot of potential problems. Joe, no knock on your skills, but has someone experienced with lifts looked at your installation?

 

[Joetomass]

cables and everything routed right and yes had someone out to check and go over the install he said it was ok

 

[Joetomass]

Well it's been a month since I posted this and now I'm back. bend pak sent me out new runways with a new cylinder, and new power unit with a higher pressure Rating. Everything sat at my shop for 3 weeks and they just came out today replace everything then we put a van on it and what do you know the runways are bending agian. So with van on it it goes down at least 3/4 of a inch. Without anything on it only the inside of the runway is off. So what do I do now. How can you Align a car if nothing is straight or square anyone have any kind of problem like this please help

 

[NitroPress]

There are a lot of potential problems. Joe, no knock on your skills, but has someone experienced with lifts looked at your installation?

As I said...

 

[Joetomass]

They had there own people install it agian

 

[Rotaris]

I am very interested in this lift! Called Bendpak a few weeks ago to ask a couple of questions regarding the 14k? Now I am very curious as to what is happening?

 

[ket-tek]

I have the HD-9 so not quite the same, but I've lifted my Chevy Express 2500 work van many times on them and I weighed it on a truck scale at 6850lbs. That was with minimal tools in the back, it's likely 400lbs heavier when loaded a bit more. So the percentage of actual weight-to-lift rating is similar, the ramps do have some deflection, but they don't bend by any means, and the deflection releases when unloaded. I use the RJ-45 without issue on it as well.

I would love to see some pics of the the runways issues, as I've been looking into maybe getting a HD-14 alignment lift.

 

[c39er]

We need to see pictures of these bent runways!

 

[saabman]

Where is the weight (wheels/axles) located on the ramps (or better, how far from the cross supports are the axles). Also what is the weight distribution between front and rear axle?

 

[Silent One]

We need to see pictures of these bent runways!

x2 - I just took delivery of one this past week and am about to begin assembly. I would like to see pictures and/or video of the problems you are experiecing.

 

[Joetomass]

how do i post pictures on here

 

[ket-tek]

how do i post pictures on here

there's a few ways to do it, but you can just open flickr.com account and upload your pics there then paste the links here. Or if you want to email them to me I can post them here for you.

 

[ket-tek]

OK, here are the pics Joe emailed to me of his runways.

 

[Joetomass]

Thanks for posting them

 

[pattenp]

Looks like crappy Chinese steel to me.

 

[Joetomass]

thanks that what i said, by the time i told them the new ones are worst as the first they wont take my calls everyone was busy. i cant wait to hear what they have to say, There installers where there and saw how bad it is so they cant say overloaded, Next thing they are going to say is its normal flex

 

[pattenp]

Sorry about your lift. I wouldn't be happy either with that much deflection. It looks like the rolling jacks are twisting the runways and causing the runway to sag on the inside edges worse. I can't imagine Bendpak telling you that is normal.

 

[saabman]

I did not pick up on the fact that that you have an alignment rack. Anyway, it looks like one of the rolling jacks is pretty far from the cross support.

 

[Joetomass]

rolling jacks make it worst the are bending 1 1/4 with rolling jacks and 3/4 witout the jacks i dont even want this lift and will be taking legal action this week, if something not done Im not a diy I run a 6 bay Shop i need a lift that works well see what happens

 

[c39er]

Thats a 14,000lb lift, as BP calls it a commercial lift with a full size van on it. The mechanic should not have to be concerned about the vehicle and jack position with that capacity lift. It should be fully capable of lifting any Ford, chevy or dodge van up on rolling jacks without bending the runways. That lift should easily handle any van or 1 ton truck. Thats why you would purchase that capacity lift thinking it could handle any trucks up through 1 tons-easily and even 1-1/2 tonners empty.
Pictures of my HD14TLX with 2 RJ7 jacks on extended runways.

 

[Spam16v]

At the shop we have a Rotary drive on alignment rack. It's been regularly GROSSLY overloaded, and we've never taken note of any deflection. All of these Bendpak OMG Look how thick and how much extra metal we use marketing doesn't seem to add.

 

[c39er]

At the shop we have a Rotary drive on alignment rack. It's been regularly GROSSLY overloaded, and we've never taken note of any deflection. All of these Bendpak OMG Look how thick and how much extra metal we use marketing doesn't seem to add.

I also have a Rotary SMO12,000 open end 4 poster and I totally agree-no worries with it. The runways are rolled and formed as a 1 piece runway. No welded on runway channels. The Rotary cross beams are also formed of 1 piece of steel-no welded on reinforcements. This costs more and is a stronger design.
Funny how lift manufacturers dumped the 12,000 lb lifts about 2-4 years ago and replaced them with the 14,000lb models and I don't think any thicker steel or bracing was used.

 

[Joetomass]

i had a early 90's forward 12000 pound 4 post witch i replaced with this bendpak and boy do i regret it, much better built and much stronger the only reason i got rid of it was it was short, i put trucks that were 13500 pounds and it lifted it without struggle this bendpak cant lift and truck over 10000 and its a 14000. well i will post tomorrow what happens with bendpak

 

[NitroPress]

Joe, you aren't clear on this: are both runways bent? are both the power and nonpower runways bent the same amount? Was this the case both times?

 

[pattenp]

Joe you were replied to in another post about your lift by Roarkindustrialsolutions. I didn't know if you saw it.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124312

 

[Joetomass]

both runways are the power runway is not as bad. It seems to me that the new ramps are worse then the first set