2 Post 10K Lift Comparisons

[Tscott]

Moving towards getting a lift and I've done all the obligatory homework over the past few years. I've read forum posts and gone to manufacturers websites. I'm also cheap so I like a good deal but I tend to buy quality when I buy tools and shop equipment. So with that said, throwing out the high bidders, I'm looking at you Mohawk, and the low bidders, that's you guys China. It would seem it boils sown to a battle between Rotary, Bendpak, Challenger and maybe 1 or 2 others.

Is there really any real difference in these units?

I need a 10K 2 post lift with wide spacing and a clear floor. I've not decided asymmetrical or symmetrical yet and I think I'd probably like low profile arms with some adapters for trucks. I've got heaps of room and my concrete is 6''+ at any spot in my shop. They all come in right around that $3k price point and I'm close enough to a city center that shipping, if applicable, won't be much of a big deal.

So am I missing something or are they all about on par with each other? The largest thing I'll ever lift is my crew cab Ford Super Duty and the average load will be a jeep wrangler or a 78 corvette.

Tom

 

[tireguy85]

Sounds like you have it narrowed down well. It depends how much your going to use it. If it's going up multiple times per day or you want it to last 10-20 years, I'd go for Rotary. Pretty much everyone manufactures some stuff in China, the difference with Rotary is that they label the Chinese product "Forward" or "Revolution" so that the ones with the "Rotary" name are guaranteed to be good. With Challenger it could be a decent American product, but it could be lower quality (E10) made in China. Bendpak is Chinese for sure, I would stay away from it, any shops I've been in with Bendpak don't get much more than a few dozen cycles before the cylinders leak.
Whether your standing under a Ford Super Duty, or a Ford Fusion you don't want it falling on your head. I'd pay the extra for the Rotary brand.

 

[walrus]

I went with rotary as I have a local dealer that I trust. Rotary has made lifts for many years. I worked on their below ground stuff way back when and it was good stuff.

 

[MrBalll]

I would suggest you search the forums.
You'll probably find two to three of the exact same topics on each page if you just look under general.

 

[oilyrag]

Jay Leno's garage was showing a portable lift from Stertill Koni. These lifts can be moved around with no power connection- they use rechargeable batteries. They lifted Leno's fire truck (heavy) with no problem. I suspect they may be pricey. Anyone have experience with these?

 

[Tscott]

I would suggest you search the forums.
You'll probably find two to three of the exact same topics on each page if you just look under general.

Oh I've been reading threads for months. Some love Bendpak some love Rotary some hate one or the other. I just want to know if there is any practical difference? I don't think there is. I'm guessing they are all pretty equal.

Tom

 

[MrBalll]

I'd agree with that.
I read for a few months as well before getting my lift. Everyone always has a story where one lift was worse because it fell or a seal broke or something. But look at how the world is. We always read about the negative and rarely the positive. How often do you read a forum post where someone simply says, "Hey, I've had my two post for two years and it's awesome." Not too often unless it's brought up by another post someone made. We just remember the bad and not the good.

Personally I love my Bendpak. Had it for about a month and lift a car maybe 10 times a week. Just a home lift so it won't see as much as commercial.
I know most commercial places will use Rotary. My local GMC shop does and my City Vehicle Barn also uses Rotary.
But, for the price difference I couldn't pass up Bendpak. And I've had no problems in the little amount of time I've had it.

 

[mytimeyet]

Any of your 3 choices will probably be great. I decided on Bendpak and had installers do the setup. Certified Hydraulics, they said they usually do/like Rotary but were OK with the Bendpak. Had the unit drop shipped at their place and they brought it over and set it up. Loving it!

 

[malarson]

Bought mine here, very happy with it. Bought a 9k 2 post. Been a couple years but it was under 2k delivered (to my works loading dock)

www.gregsmithequipment.com

 

[Toolhorder]

I'm looking at getting one for my professional shop and envy you guys that can just drop ship them and have a company install. Nobody around here does them. You have to pay for guys to come from 2-3 hrs. away and pay their way here and back. *****. I'm looking at a used BP9 made by Forward lifts. I'm sure it's Chinese but the guy claims he paid extra for a rebuildable US made hydro unit. I like it has no over head sensor you can lift it without hitting anything. Since my shop has high ceilings it's good to go. I specialize in imports so I'm sure I'll never max it out at 9K. $1500 he wants. looks like it was never even used. Told me only had 12 cars on it since he owned it. Not a pro shop just a hobby shop for him.

https://www.directbuyautomotiveequipment.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=388

 

[MrBalll]

Nobody around here does them. You have to pay for guys to come from 2-3 hrs. away and pay their way here and back. *****.

Same here. My closest person was 2.5 hours away. The next closest was six hours away. So I feel you there on paying their costs.
Worth it for me though knowing I had a professional installer put it up.

 

[Toolhorder]

Same here. My closest person was 2.5 hours away. The next closest was six hours away. So I feel you there on paying their costs.
Worth it for me though knowing I had a professional installer put it up.

Ya I can see it falling and my garage insurance will ask first question who installed it.
Buying used I'm not too worried since it's certified with all the lift industry standards but the install can get screwy.

 

[brownbagg]

I got the same lift but in the bendpak model, its the xl9 model, its about ten-year-old, and it been a good lift. Only thing I have done was replace the motor and pump, the hydraulic hoses and now a blew a cylinder and bendpak doesn't have a seal kit, you have to replace the whole cylinder. it just a hobby lift so it see a car about once a month. It been down for about two years, trying to find a seal for it.

Service at bendpak ****, there a lady there as dumb as a bag of rocks, her only solution is to replace the whole unit.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I got the same lift but in the bendpak model, its the xl9 model, its about ten-year-old, and it been a good lift. Only thing I have done was replace the motor and pump, the hydraulic hoses and now a blew a cylinder and bendpak doesn't have a seal kit, you have to replace the whole cylinder. it just a hobby lift so it see a car about once a month. It been down for about two years, trying to find a seal for it.

Service at bendpak ****, there a lady there as dumb as a bag of rocks, her only solution is to replace the whole unit.

If it ever happens again, take the cylinder to a hydraulic shop and have them rebuild it. If you can do it, you can disassemble and take the seals to be matched up for cheap. Just depends on your tools and willingness to do it. They are very simple.

Brett

 

[brownbagg]

If it ever happens again, take the cylinder to a hydraulic shop and have them rebuild it.

Brett

i just cant figure how to get the cylinder out of it

 

[Toolhorder]

i just cant figure how to get the cylinder out of it

They will do it for you. Just take the unit to them. A friend of mine has a shop with a 30 yr old 4 post the style with an 8ft long cylinder on the side and chains. The company came out and took it all apart and replaced all the seals. Good as new!

 

[brownbagg]

no, i dont know how to get the cylinder out of the upright carrier

 

[Ign]

This IS BendPak advertising, but you've seen this? I still maintain if the pics aren't doctored (we should hope not) it's at least worthy of consideration

http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/

Targeting Rotary:

http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/Two-Post-Lift-Comparison/

Honestly I think Rotary is just where DeWalt was 10 years ago. It was the standard, everyone used it, no one questioned it. Then Milwaukee came along and targeted DeWalt's market position. I think BP is slowly displacing Rotary. If - IF - they come out on top all the Rotary fans will be ****-hurt just like the DeWalt users here complain about "most members preferring Red." It never used to be that way, markets shift, brands attack each other, that's capitalism, good bad or indifferent.

IOW any of your choices are likely fine. It's personal preference. Buy your Ford or Chevy and be happy!

 

[barguy]

I have a Challenger made in USA. I previously had a used one at the old house and one that was purchased new and used in my body shop (former life) for ten years. When I was in the market for a 2 post for my current garage, I never considered anything else. The quality is that good. Now, I did say "made in USA". I have no experience with their line made in China.

 

[vtcat]

With a few thousand pounds over my head I want a lift that is certified.

 

[cory58]

This IS BendPak advertising, but you've seen this? I still maintain if the pics aren't doctored (we should hope not) it's at least worthy of consideration

http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/

Targeting Rotary:

http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/Two-Post-Lift-Comparison/

Honestly I think Rotary is just where DeWalt was 10 years ago. It was the standard, everyone used it, no one questioned it. Then Milwaukee came along and targeted DeWalt's market position. I think BP is slowly displacing Rotary. If - IF - they come out on top all the Rotary fans will be ****-hurt just like the DeWalt users here complain about "most members preferring Red." It never used to be that way, markets shift, brands attack each other, that's capitalism, good bad or indifferent.

IOW any of your choices are likely fine. It's personal preference. Buy your Ford or Chevy and be happy!

I've seen the BendPak propaganda, but moving their manufacturing to China tells me they are trying to be a "bargain Rotary" instead of competing straight up on quality.

I love HF and buy plenty of their Chinese junk, but not when it comes to my personal safety. I am also shopping for a lift, and will buy a used/refurbed made-in-USA lift if I can't afford a new Rotary.

Cory

 

[Tscott]

I've seen the BendPak propaganda, but moving their manufacturing to China tells me they are trying to be a "bargain Rotary" instead of competing straight up on quality.

I love HF and buy plenty of their Chinese junk, but not when it comes to my personal safety. I am also shopping for a lift, and will buy a used/refurbed made-in-USA lift if I can't afford a new Rotary.

Cory

Cory,
I'm curious where you're looking for a refurbished lift? I've found several used units around me, but my sense is that if I buy used and there turns out to be a problem with a system on the lift my cost savings will be lost to replacement parts. I'd really like to find a refurbished unit as well, but I can't seem to find anyone who sells rebuild lifts on the web.

Tom

 

[Mitch1963]

I just bought and had an 18 year old 9000 lb. Mohawk installed for $3000. It is a beast and works great. Kinda spendy for used though.

 

[ZipSnafu]

I have a BendPak and have been using it for about two and a half years now and have never had a problem. It gets used pretty much every day. I am happy with it and would buy another one if I needed to.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Check out Worth, less than a Mowhawk but more than the Chinese units.

Made in Texas.

 

[Ign]

I've seen the BendPak propaganda, but moving their manufacturing to China tells me they are trying to be a "bargain Rotary" instead of competing straight up on quality.

I love HF and buy plenty of their Chinese junk, but not when it comes to my personal safety. I am also shopping for a lift, and will buy a used/refurbed made-in-USA lift if I can't afford a new Rotary.

Cory

Sure, but what makes is propaganda? If they truly put each component on a scale and theirs weighs more, that's not a bad thing. I'm all about overkill and "more beef." Coming from a machine tool background, when all else fails you buy on the principle of gross weight. And the photos show the use of thicker steel in many places, plus things like sheaves in double shear vs single shear.

Aside from emotional arguments about lost US jobs or China-is-evil, what makes the BP lift suspect? The welds? The welds on my BP look excellent. The fabled "questionable Chinese steel?" Are there any reports of BP lifts simply failing due to steel quality (and not user error/improper loading)? Or something else (I'm merely throwing out the most common arguments)?

You can't blame BP for putting out advertising or propaganda that pushes their product, that's how a free market works. And aside from arguments on principle you can't blame them for looking to reduce manufacturing costs. I'm not thrilled about China either but BP looks to maintain tighter controls on their factories than importers who just shop for the cheapest thing that resembles a lift. The BP still claims to be ALI certified.

Isn't it equally irrational to buy a product solely because it's made in the US if it clearly appears to be of lesser construction?

I'm really not trying to argue, I'm just looking for concrete reasons other than " 'Murica!" for why Rotary is the better choice.

 

[cnttxmdc]

I'm sure I'll get a good bashing for this, but nevertheless...

This is the lift that I ended up getting. Considering that I don't use this lift every day (though almost certainly a few times a week), I couldn't justify a crazy expensive lift that a shop could.

http://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com...1k-bi-symmetric-2-post-lift-p/al2-11kc-dx.htm

I've had everything from something as small as a 79 Corvette or VW Jetta, to as large as 4x4 dually diesel trucks on this lift. It's rock solid. I used part of the money I saved to get safety stands that you should use under any 2 post lift, a rolling oil drain tank, a high lift transmission jack, and the ALI safety course for using a lift properly (I had never used one before). If I had to do it over again, I would in a heartbeat. The vehicles are rock solid when they're on there.

 

[dave*99]

I got the same lift but in the bendpak model, its the xl9 model, its about ten-year-old, and it been a good lift. Only thing I have done was replace the motor and pump, the hydraulic hoses and now a blew a cylinder and bendpak doesn't have a seal kit, you have to replace the whole cylinder. it just a hobby lift so it see a car about once a month. It been down for about two years, trying to find a seal for it.

Service at bendpak ****, there a lady there as dumb as a bag of rocks, her only solution is to replace the whole unit.

I have a 10 year old Rotary SPOA10RA. Bought it used from a lift dealer. It was used n a BMW dealership for a short time. It looked almost new when I got it. I also use it in "Hobby service." I have had no problems and never replaced a single part. So it has also been a good lift.

 

[rattle_snake]

I'm in the same delima, but taking a step back I sure I would be happy with any of them; bendpack, rotary, challenger, atlas, ect. From a specification standpoint they are all the same. Because it's a big purchase, and the centerpiece of our man caves we have to sift through the details, I guess.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have the Ammco CV210 model 2-N-1 which is a symmetrical/asymmetrical 10k pound two-post lift. It is the sister to the Challenger Versa lift.

I purchased mine from my local NAPA store when they were on their monthly "Real Deals" promotion. They generally have either the Ammco or the Challenger each month. It was $3200 delivered to the store and I had my trailer waiting so they offloaded it from the flatbed semi trailer directly onto my 18' flatbed trailer.

I have had mine for 5+ years now and it has been a good lift. Most of the ones you listed should be good for that matter. Just make sure they are ALI certified, which the ones you mentioned should be. Many of the Chinese lifts are NOT ALI certified. I feel the ALI is a must based solely on the criteria that is must be able to lift 150% of its rated capacity.

I lift my D-Max crew cab and my brother's Dodge Cummins dually with mine and it works great. If I were solely working on those heavy trucks I would step up to at least a 12k pound lift but most of my work is on Jeeps and sedans.

Mike.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Concerned about physical size and weight?

My 10k worth dwarfs the 12k rotarys I've seen, columns and base plates much larger. That said, 3 stage arms would be nice however.

 

[vision8]

I agree with 'rustyshakelford' any hydraulics shop can rebuild a cylinder and make a 'B of M' listing spares.

 

[vision8]

Thumbs up on that purchase !