4 post lift problem

[Junkman]

I have a Bend-Pak HD9 4 post lift that keeps bending the metal rods that hold the ramp to the runway. Has anyone else experienced this problem and how did you resolve it? I have straightened these hinge pins or rods a few times, but they keep bending.

 

[bmwpower]

Sounds like the rods are inferior or not thick enough to resist bending.

 

[1320stang]

Maybe replace with hardened steel rods?

 

[VTSTI]

How long have you had it? Have you contacted Bend Pak? I'm about to order the same lift and this worries me a little.

 

[Junkman]

Contacted Bend Pak and they are sending replacement rods and new ramps. I think that the quality of the lift is great, and the service is spectacular, and I would say that you have nothing to worry about with Bend Pak. I might go with some heavier rods, since my car weighs 8000 pounds, where as the average car is half of that weight. I would call this more of an inconvenience problem than anything else. If it were some other part of the lift that was bending, I would have been concerned. The rods that they supply are 1/4" and the tubes are 5/8", so they might be using the smaller rods for a fudge factor knowing that under certain conditions, that a rod might bend. If the rods were 1/2", and they were to deform even slightly, then it would be a problem to get them out.

 

[ovilla]

I've always wondered what size lift to buy? Should it have twice the weight capacity of your car?

 

[Junkman]

To me, the length and width are more important if it is the HD9. My car is 8000 pounds and the lift is certified for 9000 pounds. The "safety factor" is probably another 2000 pounds, so I am confident of its lifting ability. I only wish that I had purchased the longest one available. My car has a 145" wheel base, and it is a tight fit on the lift. If portability and $$$$$$ isn't an issue, then go for the 12K lift with the open front. You'll never regret upgrading....

 

[JohnZ]

I have a Bend-Pak HD9 4 post lift that keeps bending the metal rods that hold the ramp to the runway. Has anyone else experienced this problem and how did you resolve it? I have straightened these hinge pins or rods a few times, but they keep bending.

The ramps don't hang on the runway end fittings on My Cytech Double-Park; the end fittings simply locate the ramp fore-aft and laterally to the runway, and the outer edges and center spine of the ramps (1/4" aluminum plate) contact the floor and carry the vehicle weight.

 

[ownsaglock]

Just for public info I talked to a bend pac/ranger rep friday and he comfirmed that bend pac is now building thier lifts from "overseas steel".It took 4 people to give me an answer and he still wouldnt say chinese steel.He kept repeating overseas.

A different company rep told me the locks have to be tested to hold 3x the weight they are rated for. Example- this guys lift rated at 7000lbs had to have locks tested to hold 21000 lbs. This is supposed to be an OSHA spec.

 

[Junkman]

I was told the first time that I asked that Bend Pak was manufacturing the lifts of imported steel. I would think it would be difficult for any manufacturer to say where the steel comes from today, since there are so many countries manufacturing steel products. It is the grade and quality of the steel that I would be more concerned with, than where it comes from. I would be inclined to believe that all manufacturers today have a testing program in place to check the quality of the steel, or have it done by an independent laboratory.

 

[ownsaglock]

The only reason I asked was we have 2 seperate asphalt plants at my brothers company and they have more welding work and steel repalcement to do on the chinese steel plant than they do on the American steel plant. The same weldor works on both plants and said there is no comparison between the two when it comes to steel quality.

At my company we dont use anything but American made grade 8 bolts when grade 8 is needed because the overseas bolts fail sooner in our experiences.The bean counters tried to save a buck using the chinese stuff and soon realized in real world applications it wasnt worth it.

Also all I was hearing was buy an American made lift. So I wanted to know just how American the bend pacs were. Im sure bend pac makes a great lift. Im just looking to support American made if I can.

 

[Junkman]

Steel like any other consumer product, comes in many differing qualities. I know that at one time the Korean steel was one of the poorest quality products that you could purchase, however, today, they have come a long way. Even US made steel has been known to have problems....... remember the Vega???? They would rust on the lot before they were even sold. I will always buy American whenever possible, and purchasing hardware such as bolts is important. One of the problems with foreign made hardware, is that a grade 8 might be a counterfeit, and only be no better than a common bolt. Foreign companies know that they can get away with it because it is next to impossible to track down where it came from. You don't have this problem with American companies that sell American made products. You can always track down the point of origin. One other thing to be aware of, is that American companies do sell counterfeit goods..

 

[wilbilt]

The rods are only 1/4"? It seems to me they could bend from just the weight of the ramps hanging on them.

I have an older BP lift, and the ramp rods are either 3/4" or 1". Mine is a 12K lift, but that seems like quite a difference in size.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

OK Junkman, I gotta ask...What is this automobile that weighs 8000 pounds?

Also, a couple of thoughts here. Anything coming out of China that's made out of steel is suspect. Based on what I've seen/heard, they don't have the process control to make consitant parts. They might be good. They might be bad. Hard to say.

To tell you the truth, I'm running into the same issue with assemblies coming out of Mexico at work. The problem is the castings in the assemblies. Lord knows where a Mexican manufacturer OBTAINS their castings. Might be Toledo Ohio. Might be Toledo Spain. Might be "Ho Lee Toledo" if you know what I mean.

Technically, just knowing that one Grad 8 bolt is stronger than another Grade 8 bolt isn't the question. The question is, do the weaker Grade 8 bolts meet the standard or not. I would lay a wager that most U.S. bolt manufacturers meet the standard with lots of room to spare. Other suppliers might shoot a bit lower. As long as it meets the ASTM standard, you couldn't really complain. McMaster Carr sells aircraft quality bolts that are stronger than 8's. They're some beefy beasts if you want piece-of-mind.

Phil

 

[Junkman]

OK Junkman, I gotta ask...What is this automobile that weighs 8000 pounds?

Also, a couple of thoughts here. Anything coming out of China that's made out of steel is suspect. Based on what I've seen/heard, they don't have the process control to make consitant parts. They might be good. They might be bad. Hard to say.

To tell you the truth, I'm running into the same issue with assemblies coming out of Mexico at work. The problem is the castings in the assemblies. Lord knows where a Mexican manufacturer OBTAINS their castings. Might be Toledo Ohio. Might be Toledo Spain. Might be "Ho Lee Toledo" if you know what I mean.

Technically, just knowing that one Grad 8 bolt is stronger than another Grade 8 bolt isn't the question. The question is, do the weaker Grade 8 bolts meet the standard or not. I would lay a wager that most U.S. bolt manufacturers meet the standard with lots of room to spare. Other suppliers might shoot a bit lower. As long as it meets the ASTM standard, you couldn't really complain. McMaster Carr sells aircraft quality bolts that are stronger than 8's. They're some beefy beasts if you want piece-of-mind.

Phil

The car is a 1978 Superior Cadillac Ambulance. It has a 145" wheelbase, is 7'6" high, and is the standard Cadillac width. The drivetrain is a combination of standard Cadillac and heavy duty Cadillac parts. It is one of ten that were built in 1978.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

The car is a 1978 Superior Cadillac Ambulance. It has a 145" wheelbase, is 7'6" high, and is the standard Cadillac width. The drivetrain is a combination of standard Cadillac and heavy duty Cadillac parts. It is one of ten that were built in 1978.

WOW. The thought of that thing hurtling down the road at top speed, with the siren wailing, 2 paramedics and a fat dude having a heart attack in the back......is enough to give me a heart attack.

Just for a point of reference for anyone that doesn't know what car's SHOULD weigh. A '65 Mustang weighed about 2800 pounds. A new sedan weighs about 3800 pounds. 8000 pounds? That's a one ton dually with a load of gravel in back. I repeat...WOW!

Phil

 

[ownsaglock]

Yeah, thats a beast!