2-Post lift talks again...

[Ries]

Alright through all the searching and reading and phone calls and quotes...

I think I have it down to three lifts.

Rotary SPOA10... specifically the extended height version with Trio arms w/ truck adapters in black : $6,662 installed

BendPak XPR-10AXLS the extended height version with standard arms and round pads : $5,257 installed

Challenger CL10V3 the 3’ extended height Versymmetric arms with round pad adapters : $6,150 installed

Issues I have are as follows.

Rotary Trio arms are not good from what I’ve seen and even an installer is mentioned concerns. They will not sell the standard arms with the SPOA10 model. At the highest price of the three I’m not sure it’s worth the premium. Especially when I can’t get the arms I want. However Rotary is one of the most popular lifts and is often what you will find in repair shops and dealerships. They work and work well.

BendPak quality seems to be in question lately and all the installers I talk to complain about their customer service and parts availability. Although once a lift is installed and working properly people tend to be happy with them. The installer did tell me that if I buy it through them they’ll ensure it’s up and running properly and will support me the best they can in the future.

Challenger seems to be priced high for what it is, but it does have the versatility of having the arms set symmetrically or asymmetrically. Grant it the asymmetrical is a compromise and not a true asymmetric lift with the posts being set symmetrically. I see some people complain about the noise they make when in operation, but they do the job well. With Snap-On owning them it seems customer service and parts availability seem to be good.


I really want an asymmetric lift. I want standard arms with round pad adapters. I want something that is gray or black in color to match the shop color scheme. Plus it won’t stick out with a bright red or blue color. It’s not yet in a commercial environment, but I want it to be reliable and serviceable.

The BendPak was going to be my go to lift, but all of the negative comments I’ve seen and even the responses from the installers has left a bad taste in my mouth. As of right now everything is leaning towards the Challenger CL10V3 lift.

I’ve been looking at lifts for the past year and a half and have yet to pull the trigger, but I continue to over analyze things as it’s in my nature to do so. I’ve looked at everything from Atlas, Titan, Direct Lift, and Triumph to Challenger, BendPak, Rotary, and Mohawk. There are tons of lift companies out there and everyone has their little sales pitch. Price ranges from $1,900 to $10,000.

I’ve read a TON of the posts on here and on a few other sites. Some contradict each other. People have different experiences. It’s hard to draw conclusions on some things. However It seems that these three lift companies seem to pull the most business commercially.

Thoughts, comments... go. I’m looking for some reassurance that I’m not missing something and that these are my best options and I won’t regret my choice. In all honesty I could go with either the BendPak or the Challenger.

 

[pelletman]

Not considering used? We picked up a 10 ton Versymmetric for around $800 and are happy with it.

 

[Ries]

Not considering used? We picked up a 10 ton Versymmetric for around $800 and are happy with it.

I’ve looked for used and have had a heck of a time finding anything. Plus I want someone to install it for me as I just don’t have much time these days with a couple of toddlers running around.

 

[ScaldedDog]

What's the issue with the Trio arms? I had the old style on the SL210 in our old place, and have Trio arms on the one where we live now. They do flex more than the old with my 8000lb Excursion on them, but that's the only downside I've seen. I do like the more easily adjustable length.

Mark

 

[Ries]

What's the issue with the Trio arms?

Mark - I’ve seen many people complain that vehicles shift on the trio arms because of their design.

 

[aggie113]

If you do go with the BendPak I can direct you to the place I bought from. They run around $4,300 shipped. But then again, I paid a local company $700 or so for the install

 

[Ries]

If you do go with the BendPak I can direct you to the place I bought from. They run around $4,300 shipped. But then again, I paid a local company $700 or so for the install

The BendPak lift itself would cost me $4,410. Rest of the cost is shipping, labor, oil, etc. So not a bad price.

Shipping is also going to a residential address and would require a lift gate and fork lift. The installer is providing this service for me as they will accept initial deliver and bring it to my home.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Mark - I’ve seen many people complain that vehicles shift on the trio arms because of their design.

Interesting. I've not observed that, and don't completely understand how it could happen with any vehicle of significant weight. I'll watch as I lift our lighter vehicles.

Mark

 

[infinkc]

I have that exact bendpak, I installed it myself. No issues with it, I got the extended height, but I really didn’t need it, thought my truck would be much higher, but since it’s asymmetric, the top bar doesn’t go over the cab, didn’t think about that before. So unless you have like a sprinter van, can’t think of any other vehicle that would need the extended height. It does look impressive however. What really puzzled me is the wiring, it’s only like 14ga on the motor! Any questions about it, let me know.

 

[Quarter Life Crisis]

FWIW, I scored a used 10,000# Atlas from a local transmission shop going out of business. I paid $1200 and another $800 for installation. All in still less than a brand new lift when you take into consideration freight shipping, etc. Keep your eyes open for deals.

 

[ncfireman1918]

I bought a Derek Weaver W Pro-10 in March of this year. It is ALI certified, and if you look up the certificate, Rotary is actually the manufacturer. I have been very happy with it, it can be loaded symmetric or asymmetric. I paid right around $2600, picked up from their warehouse in Charlotte, NC. I did a ton of searching while looking for my perfect lift. I didn’t see a ton of information about their lifts, but what I did find was positive. My use is personal shop/hobby use, but it has done everything that I’ve asked of it. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.

 

[JasonF]

I bought a Derek Weaver W Pro-10 in March of this year. It is ALI certified, and if you look up the certificate, Rotary is actually the manufacturer. I have been very happy with it, it can be loaded symmetric or asymmetric. I paid right around $2600, picked up from their warehouse in Charlotte, NC. I did a ton of searching while looking for my perfect lift. I didn’t see a ton of information about their lifts, but what I did find was positive. My use is personal shop/hobby use, but it has done everything that I’ve asked of it. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.

After much research this is the one I'm leaning towards as well. I'm curious though if you have it set up in the wide position and if so have you had any issues lifting smaller vehicles? I came across someone stating such in a youtube comment but wonder if its really an issue?

 

[VtecGSR95]

I too was leaning that way.......started looking at stratus lifts. I really wanted the extra tall lift as I used to squat under them and always hated it!

Forward makes one that is extended height, but also 3" additional cylinder stroke, but runs about $3800.

The Weaver Pro was about $3100ish, and had everything but the extra tall height.

Noticed another Garage Journal member mentioned Stratus lifts, and he had installed one not long ago. He was very happy with the whole process and quality of the lift. Stratus has a C10E that is extended height, and lifts to like 78.5" to the top of the pad, plus any adapter you add on, and for about $2750 shipped. Might be worth a look.

Let us know what you end up deciding on and how it works out.

 

[jabelding]

I have the stratus lift and absolutely love it. Installed it this summer and have been using it every chance I get. It handles everything from my 3/4 ram cummins to my tractor. It is very well built and can be set up asymmetric or symmetric. It should easily last me a lifetime. Was very easy to install and it was packaged and shipped well. I have had zero issues with it and it came with truck adapters. I got the frame pads for not much more.

Sent from my LM-V600 using Tapatalk

 

[Ries]

Well I have to laugh... after all of this discussion on two posts I ended up buying a 4 post lift with a air over hydraulic bridge jack from a local MN company, Wildfire. My neighbor had the same lift and has been happy with it. I picked up their WF9000XLT model. So it will lift plenty high. I can even move it around if need be, which means I can use it to move heavy items into my loft too.

I still may end up getting a two post in the future, but I think I’ll see how things go with this. Plus it will be nice as my Dad wants me to store his Mustang in the shop over the winter and this will give me the ability to get it up and out of the way if I need to.

Here’s the link : https://www.wildfirelifts.com/copy-of-double-wide-car-lift

 

[VtecGSR95]

I have the stratus lift and absolutely love it. Installed it this summer and have been using it every chance I get. It handles everything from my 3/4 ram cummins to my tractor. It is very well built and can be set up asymmetric or symmetric. It should easily last me a lifetime. Was very easy to install and it was packaged and shipped well. I have had zero issues with it and it came with truck adapters. I got the frame pads for not much more.

Sent from my LM-V600 using Tapatalk

Can you verify the height of the lift arms at max lift? With no extensions under the pads?

 

[jabelding]

Can you verify the height of the lift arms at max lift? With no extensions under the pads?

I have the Stratus SAE-C10C and with the pads all the way down and the lift on the last set of locks the height is 73"

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[VtecGSR95]

I have the Stratus SAE-C10C and with the pads all the way down and the lift on the last set of locks the height is 73"

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Sorry to bother ya on this again......but their specs say 74.8" to top of the pad so I was wondering where the 73" was measured from? Bottom of the arm, top of the pad, etc.?

Funny thing is, the C10E shows a lift height of 78.35", but when I messaged their FB page, they acted like the C10C and C10E were the same lift, but one had electric lock release. But clearly the C10C can be mounted symmetrically or asymmetrically, and the C10E is symmetric only!

If the C10E goes 4" higher, I would pay the extra.....just cant seem to get an answer on it.

 

[jabelding]

Sorry to bother ya on this again......but their specs say 74.8" to top of the pad so I was wondering where the 73" was measured from? Bottom of the arm, top of the pad, etc.?



Funny thing is, the C10E shows a lift height of 78.35", but when I messaged their FB page, they acted like the C10C and C10E were the same lift, but one had electric lock release. But clearly the C10C can be mounted symmetrically or asymmetrically, and the C10E is symmetric only!



If the C10E goes 4" higher, I would pay the extra.....just cant seem to get an answer on it.

The 73 was to the top of the pad with it screwed all the way down.
They probably do there measurement with the pad 1/2 unscrewed. Or maybe they measure max lift and not back down on the last set of stops.

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[aggie113]

VtecGSR95: Not sure if this helps or not, but the lift height on the Bendpak XPR-10AXLS-LP was 75" to the bottom of the puck, and 78 3/4 to the lifting pad top (screwed down all the way). This was sitting on the top locks, can go higher if you leave it resting on the top of the cylinders.

 

[sz0k30]

You've been thinking about this for a year & a half??? You've got to be kidding!

 

[VtecGSR95]

VtecGSR95: Not sure if this helps or not, but the lift height on the Bendpak XPR-10AXLS-LP was 75" to the bottom of the puck, and 78 3/4 to the lifting pad top (screwed down all the way). This was sitting on the top locks, can go higher if you leave it resting on the top of the cylinders.

You measured these on your own I assume?? Good info to have.....