4 post lift decision

[finn]

Interesting in that of 40 posts already, I don’t think anyone has a lift they absolutely hate and wouldn’t recommend….unless I missed something.

 

[Bill T]

I guess some people like licorice too, but air locks are silly. Most people use battery powered tools now so an air compressor isn't as commonly ready. Mechanical locks are simple and easy. The whole idea reminds me of the NASA space pen thing. It's the primary reason I didn't get a bendpak.

My NASA space pen is one of my favorite possesions. But, only because it was a gift from my oldest daughter. I have had it for decades, still writes on the original cartridge (I very carry it around, afraid of loss).

 

[Restomod68]

Interesting in that of 40 posts already, I don’t think anyone has a lift they absolutely hate and wouldn’t recommend….unless I missed something.

I think it's because we want everyone here to have a lift.

 

[P0234]

I think the only mistake most lift owners would say they made was not buying it sooner. I didn't think I could get one to fit in my small garage. Some ambition and time and I made it happen.

 

[racecougar]

No one has mentioned WildFire Lifts. They seem to have a different design for lifting. A boxed section over the posts. I don't believe I have seen this design on any other lift I have viewed.

RaceCougar, does that Cougar have a hopped up 4 cylinder with a turbo in it? Looks fast.

Hi Duane.

Something to keep in mind with the boxed column design is the lack of adjustable lock ladders. You're either stuck with the slope of your floor, or you're shimming posts to get the runways level. The lifting cables will be outside the columns as well.

 

[Old Moparz]

I have 2 Bend Pak HD-9 lifts that have been up & in use for almost 20 years. I actually can't compare them to others because I've never used or had another one but these work well. I have heard that since I purchased mine that they are not made in the USA anymore & that the casters don't roll that great. I've never had any trouble moving mine so the caster design may have changed. I don't have floor drains but my floor is pitched forward & has a 2 in drop over the 24' depth of the garage. I never shimmed or felt the need to shim them.

If you want to read more details on them, I posted this back when I installed them.....

Installing Bend Pak HD-9 - 4 Post

I'm almost done assembling this one, (one more to go) & one thing for sure, it's FRIGGIN' HEAVY!! I could have paid an additional $175 each to have them installed, but a few reasons I decided to do it myself were: 1) I saved some money. 2) More importantly than saving the money, is if I know...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[racecougar]

I have 2 Bend Pak HD-9 lifts that have been up & in use for almost 20 years... I don't have floor drains but my floor is pitched forward & has a 2 in drop over the 24' depth of the garage. I never shimmed or felt the need to shim them.

There's no reason to shim a lift that has adjustable lock ladders.

 

[finn]

Hi Duane.

Something to keep in mind with the boxed column design is the lack of adjustable lock ladders. You're either stuck with the slope of your floor, or you're shimming posts to get the runways level. The lifting cables will be outside the columns as well.

Neither of which is a big deal.

 

[Old Moparz]

There's no reason to shim a lift that has adjustable lock ladders.

I don't know what "adjustable lock ladders" are but I am positive that my lifts don't have them.

 

[P0234]

I don't know what "adjustable lock ladders" are but I am positive that my lifts don't have them.

They are rails inside the columns that can go up or down to adjust the lock point. They are meant to adjust the lift so all corners lock at the same time.

They are also amazingly handy if you have a car that is 1" taller than the ideal lock point but don't have room to use the next lock point. You can just raise the existing lock point and squeeze your car in.

 

[racecougar]

Neither of which is a big deal.

Point of preference. For me, I absolutely want my runways level on the locks, and shims can be a pain to deal with if you move the lift around regularly. They can also require longer ramps to get lowered vehicles on/off the lift (there are a few threads on this site covering that topic). But yes, plenty of folks deal with it.

I don't know what "adjustable lock ladders" are but I am positive that my lifts don't have them.

Maybe the old HD-9 doesn't have it, but the current HD-9 does. Searching Google, I can't find a photo of a HD-9 (even the older blue ones) that doesn't have them. A pic or two of your columns would say for certain.

 

[Old Moparz]

They are rails inside the columns that can go up or down to adjust the lock point. They are meant to adjust the lift so all corners lock at the same time.

They are also amazingly handy if you have a car that is 1" taller than the ideal lock point but don't have room to use the next lock point. You can just raise the existing lock point and squeeze your car in.

That's a great idea. Mine are the permanent, rectangular blocks welded inside each post.

 

[Rusty Pilot]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the feedback. I'm pulling the trigger on an Advantage 9000 HD. However, the install part is a new question. To have them come and install it will be $2k versus me picking it up at a local freight for $600. They have videos on how to assemble it yourself and I'm trying to see if I can borrow a friend's trailer. Videos can make it seem anyone can do it, but how hard is it really?

 

[racecougar]

Assembling a 4-post isn't difficult. The parts (particularly the ramp with the cylinder) are just heavy.

 

[Al G]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the feedback. I'm pulling the trigger on an Advantage 9000 HD. However, the install part is a new question. To have them come and install it will be $2k versus me picking it up at a local freight for $600. They have videos on how to assemble it yourself and I'm trying to see if I can borrow a friend's trailer. Videos can make it seem anyone can do it, but how hard is it really?

I just got a quote for a local installer to accept shipment, bring the lift to me and install it for $900.

 

[Bucko]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the feedback. I'm pulling the trigger on an Advantage 9000 HD. However, the install part is a new question. To have them come and install it will be $2k versus me picking it up at a local freight for $600. They have videos on how to assemble it yourself and I'm trying to see if I can borrow a friend's trailer. Videos can make it seem anyone can do it, but how hard is it really?

Like Racecougar said they are pretty basic. If you are mechanically inclined enough to want the lift to work on cars you shouldn't have a problem. There are lots of youtube videos out there of guys doing it themselves. Just take your time and work smart not hard, let the equipment do the work. Like also mentioned by Racecougar, the ramps are the biggest pain. Mine were both packaged upside down so the had to be flipped over. I ended up using a cherry picker with a strap in the center. Once it was flipped over I put it on some dollies with blocking added to make them taller than the legs of the picker. I also have exposed trusses so I was able to rig up strapping and a come along to lift pieces into place.

 

[finn]

Like Racecougar said they are pretty basic. If you are mechanically inclined enough to want the lift to work on cars you shouldn't have a problem. There are lots of youtube videos out there of guys doing it themselves. Just take your time and work smart not hard, let the equipment do the work. Like also mentioned by Racecougar, the ramps are the biggest pain. Mine were both packaged upside down so the had to be flipped over. I ended up using a cherry picker with a strap in the center. Once it was flipped over I put it on some dollies with blocking added to make them taller than the legs of the picker. I also have exposed trusses so I was able to rig up strapping and a come along to lift pieces into place.

Like I said in another thread, my wife was 70 when she helped me set up a 9k and an 11k Advantage four post lift.

It’s not that big of a deal for anyone confident enough to work on cars seriously enough to need a lift.

 

[Rusty Pilot]

Update: I installed an Advantage HD9000. It's awesome. Thanks for the advice.