2 Post Lift - Best to Worst List

[NettlesD]

Is there a post somewhere that breaks down the companies on their 2 post lifts?

Before I buy one I want to know the companies to buy from and the companies to stay away from.

Something like:

9K 2 Post

* Rotary
* Mohawk
* Bendpak
* Challenger
* Launch
* AutoLift

10K 2 Post

* Rotary
* Mohawk
* Forward
* Challenger
* Bendpak
* Launch
* AutoLift

I don't want to buy something and then someone tells me I just bought the worst of the worst and I should have bought XYZ.

Thank you.

 

[rburke65]

I work Skilled Trades at a major car mfg. here in Ohio...hint GM. The only lift they bought we’re Mohawk, so I’m biased.....I bought Mohawk. I’m sure safety and liability were a consideration in their selection.

 

[ace10]

You know what opinions are like?

 

[Solarphil]

One consideration for a home garage is height - most two post lifts are in the 11’ tall range, most residential construction is 8-9’ ceiling height. For a brief while I considered hacking into the attic between two trusses, I ultimately went with the Max Jax as it’s designed for standard height ceilings. It’s also designed to be portable, but I found once it’s installed I rarely moved it. Not the fanciest lift, but it fit the need. If you have height in your shop, you’re blessed and have lots of options.

The other thing I found when searching for a four post lift is there are hundreds of companies selling lifts, but very few actually making them. Most are really “white label” manufacturers, doing nameplate engineering. Get a copy of the installation and operation instructions, you’ll often find multiple “manufacturers” have the exact same manual. You might even find clues as to who really made it. I like to deal with someone who actually made the damned thing, rather than a reselling skin.

 

[HPRifleman]

I would also like to see a list like the OP is suggesting. But the reality might be that 10 different people would provide 10 differently ordered lists.

 

[firebirdparts]

Be easy to rank 'em based on price. That's probably about the same answer. Opinion-proof.

Some of the quality/completeness failures and the knock-on effects of really incompetent customer service are kinda shocking, though, and they may not correlate with price. You might just have to google the site and accumulate some of those anecdotes. In some cases the manufacturer was right and the customer was incompetent, but I don't think that has been the majority.

 

[NettlesD]

I understand the different opinions but was hoping to see some comments like below:

* The baseplate on X brand is 2 times bigger than Y brand.

* Brand X uses a 3" pulley versus the 4.5" pulley on Brand Y.

* Brand Y uses an S column design versus Brand Z with their C channel design. The S column will always be stronger.

* Brand Z uses 3/4" steel versus Brand X uses 1/2" steel.

 

[tdkkart]

I understand the different opinions but was hoping to see some comments like below:

* The baseplate on X brand is 2 times bigger than Y brand.

* Brand X uses a 3" pulley versus the 4.5" pulley on Brand Y.

* Brand Y uses an S column design versus Brand Z with their C channel design. The S column will always be stronger.

* Brand Z uses 3/4" steel versus Brand X uses 1/2" steel.

How many lift owners do you suppose have done all that research and have it written down somewhere?

BTW, Direct Lift is completely missing from your list. The guy that I had install my Direct Lift, who does it every day(you buy your choice of lift, brand size etc, he picks it up at the freight terminal, delivers and installs it), was very impressed with my lift, felt that it was built heavier and higher quality than a lot that he had installed. Grain of salt, my lift is 8 years old, so your results may vary.

 

[racecougar]

How many lift owners do you suppose have done all that research and have it written down somewhere?

BTW, Direct Lift is completely missing from your list. The guy that I had install my Direct Lift, who does it every day(you buy your choice of lift, brand size etc, he picks it up at the freight terminal, delivers and installs it), was very impressed with my lift, felt that it was built heavier and higher quality than a lot that he had installed. Grain of salt, my lift is 8 years old, so your results may vary.

Not sure about the 2-post lifts, but Direct Lift = Forward on the 4-post. The Direct Lift Pro Park 9 Plus is the Forward EFP9; mine even came branded with both company names on it. I agree with your installer's impression of quality. Features like enclosing the linkages for the locks, tucking the cables into the columns, covering the pulleys, and the sheer overbuild of much of the structure is better than most in the same price range.

 

[XJSuperman]

This is clearly all opinion in this thread, but if you ever used a Mohawk you would never put Rotary in front of them in quality. Nothing compares to their construction and stability. I am familiar with 9k and 12k models and have used various other brands at shops all over the place. They feel like tinker toys compared to the Mohawk. FWIW, the 12k has never needed any maintenance in 30 years. We expect the 9k to be the same.

Nettles, those spec comparisons can be done if you have the time, Im sure each manufacturer worth their salt has them listed.

 

[racecougar]

Nettles, those spec comparisons can be done if you have the time, Im sure each manufacturer worth their salt has them listed.

That's what I would do, in fact, that's what I did when shopping for my 4-post.

A glimpse at my spreadsheet:

 

[firebirdparts]

I understand the different opinions but was hoping to see some comments like below:

* The baseplate on X brand is 2 times bigger than Y brand.

* Brand X uses a 3" pulley versus the 4.5" pulley on Brand Y.

* Brand Y uses an S column design versus Brand Z with their C channel design. The S column will always be stronger.

* Brand Z uses 3/4" steel versus Brand X uses 1/2" steel.

Well that might happen if you give it time.

 

[gizardlizard]

Analyzation is paralyzation. Do a quick comparison, buy it, install it and lift it.

 

[sweetk30]

x2 on mohawk should be #1 for price and quality and life span .

best part of a mohawk in todays world is still made in USA with as many USA sourced parts as possible . they even have a list on there site to show it .

keep a eye open for a used one and buy it . there also no top connector plate style so lower shop height is better fitment if you need it .

if i couldnt find or afford a mohawk rotory would be #2 in my book .

 

[GRivera]

A good way to narrow down general rebadging of same model is Vehicle Service Group (VSG) brands https://vsgdover.com/

 

[DaveInTX]

I'm in a similar boat. I'd like to go with high quality / US-made, if possible. From my very limited research, Mohawk and certain Rotary lifts are US-made (I'm sure there are others - please let me know if so).

I've got no clue what the Mohawk costs (tried getting ahold of the local distributor, but haven't heard back). But like some folks have already mentioned, it's hard to compare anything to Mohawk's quality... they seem waaaay overbuilt compared to others. https://mohawklifts.com/library/brochures/Dare_to_Compare_10-12k_Lifts.pdf

 

[Super Mech]

I have 3 lifts. A 9k Ben Pearson, a 10k Bend Pack, and a 7k Mohawk. The Mohawk has enough steel in it than the other two put together. 10x more sturdy than the others. I have 20 years and it was probably at least 10 years old when I got it. Bombproof.
The others haven’t given me much trouble, the Bend Pack is 9 years old and the other about 18 years old but there is absolutely no comparison in build quality compared to the Mohawk.

 

[finn]

Sort of like saying a Peterbuilt has better build quality than a Toyota Tundra, isn’t it?

A well designed product takes many features into consideration, including size and cost.

I get it that the Mohawk is a great lift, but given its size and cost, it may not be best for any one situation, all things considered. In fact, it would be a cumbersome annoyance in a 24’x32’ space with 4” thick floors and single phase power. Total design mismatch.

 

[Super Mech]

Sort of like saying a Peterbuilt has better build quality than a Toyota Tundra, isn’t it?

A well designed product takes many features into consideration, including size and cost.

I get it that the Mohawk is a great lift, but given its size and cost, it may not be best for any one situation, all things considered. In fact, it would be a cumbersome annoyance in a 24’x32’ space with 4” thick floors and single phase power. Total design mismatch.

A Tundra is just as good as a Peterbuilt, LOL.
All my lifts are single phase and honestly the Mohawk is shorter in height than the other two by far. I agree than different situations and building sizes will require different sized equipment. M just saying that the Mohawk is built to last literally a lifetime.

 

[Harrierguy]

Built my garage with 15'6" ceiling (ctr) so I could install a lift, did so after aging 9 yrs. Good friend recommended a company
his trucking company did business with out of Fort Worth for purchasing a 2 post lift. One of the first things the individual I
talked with asked was the reason I needed a lift, told him it was for hobby not commercial use AND I found crawling around
using a creeper was getting to be a chore. His advice was to really compare lifts you had to look at shipping weights so you
could see who really used lightweight materials, and he was right, there was up to 300 lbs difference between shipping weights
on 9000 lb lifts. I checked other aspect as well of course. I settled on a 9k Weaver lift, made in China. 18 months later I am
very pleased with it. I will say I am a ASQC CQA and am familiar with worldwide certs for this type of equipment. The Weaver
I purchased is CE, European Union Certified. CE certification is the same as U.S. (ALI?), with the exception of the electrical
components. CE tests to 150% of rated capacity. Unit has outstanding welds, fit and finish are very good. So far so good.
Weaver was built in U.S. at one time like most brands but had to compete.