4 post lift capacity question

[fallenherosdad]

I'm shopping for a 4 post lift. I'm leaning towards a BendPak. My question is what weight capacity? It seems many people say they have the 9K model. The heaviest vehicle I have is an '07 Silverado 2500 with a curb weight of 5700 lbs. Most of my vehicles are under 5000 lbs. I don't want to regret getting something too light, but I don't like wasting $$ either. I'm not seeing why the 7K model would not do the job? What are you guys lifting that takes 9K capacity? Has anyone purchased a 7K model and found it under sized?

 

[LB-1911]

Till others chime in - A previous thread you may find of interest -

BendPak 4 Post Lifts (HD-7 or HD-9?)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252364

 

[JJThrasher]

Many 3/4 ton trucks are pushing past 6,000lbs especially crew cabs. The newer 1 tons are passing 7,000lbs. We have both a 9,000lb and a 14,000lb drive on lift at work and you would be surprised how hard the 9,000lb struggles with some of these trucks. My thought is bigger = better. Also consider how much weight a loaded tool box, snow plows, or anything else you put on/in the truck adds.

 

[ixlr8]

Another thing to consider is the length of the truck vs the length of the lift. Bendpak and some others rate their lifts with the load/wheels close to each end of the lift ramp. The closer your wheels are to the center of the lift, the lower the rating is on the lift. Bendpak has a web page that shows the derating of the lift based on where the load is put on ramps, although it is hard to find. There was a post here several years ago were a guy put a short heavy truck, 9000lbs on an extra long lift rated at 14,000lbs. It bent the ramps and the lift vendor would not cover it under warranty as he had violated the ramp loading specs.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'll be considered captain overkill here by some, but as far as drive on racks go, I consider anything under 12,000 lbs pointless. My opinion is twisted by years of being in dealership where the drive one were always at least 12,000 because those were for lifting anything that came threw the door.

 

[fallenherosdad]

Thanks guys. I hadn't considered single axle limits and D-ratings.

 

[Al G]

Check pricing on the two. When I was shopping for my Bendpak the 9000 cost less than the 7000.

 

[Ironcrow]

Another thing to consider is the length of the truck vs the length of the lift. Bendpak and some others rate their lifts with the load/wheels close to each end of the lift ramp. The closer your wheels are to the center of the lift, the lower the rating is on the lift. Bendpak has a web page that shows the derating of the lift based on where the load is put on ramps, although it is hard to find. There was a post here several years ago were a guy put a short heavy truck, 9000lbs on an extra long lift rated at 14,000lbs. It bent the ramps and the lift vendor would not cover it under warranty as he had violated the ramp loading specs.

Ha ha, yes, like I recently learned here, the two post lifts are rated the same way (50% load on front and rear pads). If you want to reliably lift a 6000 lb truck, you need a 10,000 two post lift. Looks like the drive on lifts are the same way. Their "capacities" are "funny" pounds. Be careful!

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Last 2 I bought are 12ks... but I do play with dually crew cabs, and cab chassis with bodies on them.

Both of the 12's Ive bought where built completely different than the lighter ones Ive put up for others, both where leaf chain, with overhead cylinders, and fabbed runways, instead of cables and " braked " runways.

In other words, built more robustly, although that is probably over stating the obvious.

 

[KJINTF]

I to am in the 12K camp
Went with a HD 12K 4 post 10 years ago and never had an issue
Until I got a 20Klb RV that is just too big for the lift
Get more than you need today - you will need it tomorrow

 

[bones1]

I have a HD-14 Bendpak and I am glad I didn't get the smaller 9K model. Beefier all around and beefier makes me feel better.

 

[nuc1]

Just went through this. The HD-7 is the same lift as the HD-9 just shorter and de-rated. If you look at the HD-9 series (-9XW, S etc etc) you will notice that they don't make a high lift, short runway HD-9. It's called the HD-7.
Also note that with a longer vehicle like a truck, your wheels are going to be just about even with the posts. So IMO that makes it useless for any work that requires taking off a wheel.

Mike
Edit: I got the HD-9XW.

 

[D110]

I've been trying to wrap my head around the best 4 post lift for my needs and the capacity ratings for various lifts are confusing at best. Bendpak is one of the few manufacturers that will give the diminished capacity ratings for different length wheelbases - most of the others do not. In my case I need 73" of clearance under the ramps and the ability to lift a 4200lbs vehicle with a 90" wheelbase - the HD 9STX (9000lbs lift) is not rated to do this, but the HD7P (7000lbs lift) is.
The Direct Lift PP9 Plus will give me the clearance I want, but when I asked them about the 90" wheelbase they told me the lift was rated for 9000lbs and the wheelbase didn't matter... if you look at their manual the lift is rated for 9000lbs at 101" so I'm guessing wheelbase does matter - the question is how much.
I really would like to buy a large margin of safety with whatever lift I purchase, but without manufacturers posting ratings for different wheelbases it is almost impossible to know...

 

[D110]

... If anyone wants to give me recommendations, these are the requirements:

Must have minimum 74" clearance under the ramps
Be able to safely lift 90" 4200lbs (Curb) truck
Be able to safely lift 110" 5000lbs (Curb) truck

Ideally a smaller footprint with short ramps - widest vehicle is about 72"