4 Post Lift - recommendations please
- Thread starter Greggles
- Start date
Backyard Buddy. Have 3 of them, no downsides except the cost, but I would not settle for chinese junk, and the designs of all the others.
Advantage Lifts are interesting, but need to do further research, as I may buy a couple more lifts soon.
Advantage Lifts are interesting, but need to do further research, as I may buy a couple more lifts soon.
I looked at a bunch of them. backyard buddy is nice, rather pricey but I do think they're well built.
I looked at Advantage, not bad either-in fact my dad purchased an 11k hoist and is happy with it.
I looked at Direct-lift...definately a little on the cheaper end as far as quality build went,imo.
Bend pal, well...everybody is compared to the bend pacs. They have built the quality into them for sure. I think Bend pak was the only ones that said a vehicle could be left on the hoist(with hoist in down position)and moved around.
What did I end up with?
Atlas, 9000 lb pro lift.this had the highest lift I wanted and can lift a dually truck with no problem.
I looked at the 8ooolb in person and thought for the price this would work.
Honestly, the 9k lift impressed me more than I thought it would.
I went with the atlas because I purchased it for a storage lift more than a work lift, and figured I'd buy a Bend pak later.
Now that I've used this Atlas, I can say this would be finer general use.
Just buy what your comfortable with, you'll be glad you have it once it's in the garage!
I looked at Advantage, not bad either-in fact my dad purchased an 11k hoist and is happy with it.
I looked at Direct-lift...definately a little on the cheaper end as far as quality build went,imo.
Bend pal, well...everybody is compared to the bend pacs. They have built the quality into them for sure. I think Bend pak was the only ones that said a vehicle could be left on the hoist(with hoist in down position)and moved around.
What did I end up with?
Atlas, 9000 lb pro lift.this had the highest lift I wanted and can lift a dually truck with no problem.
I looked at the 8ooolb in person and thought for the price this would work.
Honestly, the 9k lift impressed me more than I thought it would.
I went with the atlas because I purchased it for a storage lift more than a work lift, and figured I'd buy a Bend pak later.
Now that I've used this Atlas, I can say this would be finer general use.
Just buy what your comfortable with, you'll be glad you have it once it's in the garage!
SILVERPLATE
Well-known member
I personally found a lift to be certified by the ALI - American Lift Institute important in my descion. I went with a Direct-Lift and incredibly happy so far with two years of use. Ask someone at Backyard Buddy why there's is not.
ssffnomad
Well-known member
I am not a expert on Lift Certifications. Know very little on the subject. I have 3 Four posts, all bought used. None are bolted to floor. 2 non BYB's are used for storage, I do not work on these lifts. The BYB I use for car restoration or repairs.
None are bolted to floor. If I ever use the 2 non BYB lifts for work. I will definitely bolt them down.
IMO, the BYB is a Cadillac of 4 post lifts. I get into quite a few guy's shops and always get around to asking them how sturdy their non BYB 4 post is. Weather it is bolted to floor or not. I ask them to shake it . Then I see a lot of big eye balls.
Anyone can come to my place, and will let you and another guy shake BYB with a nice car on it. Remember I said I know nothing about Lift Certification. I do know what feels safe.
None are bolted to floor. If I ever use the 2 non BYB lifts for work. I will definitely bolt them down.
IMO, the BYB is a Cadillac of 4 post lifts. I get into quite a few guy's shops and always get around to asking them how sturdy their non BYB 4 post is. Weather it is bolted to floor or not. I ask them to shake it . Then I see a lot of big eye balls.
Anyone can come to my place, and will let you and another guy shake BYB with a nice car on it. Remember I said I know nothing about Lift Certification. I do know what feels safe.
Jazzman442
Well-known member
IM with you!!
I research for over a year. I called all the main manufactures Then I went with Direct lift. Great customer service and they are one of the only Lifts ( Bend Pack the worst ) to rate there lift ( 4 post ) at full ratting the length of the platforms.
I have several cars and 2 Suburbans I use with it all the time.
After I had mine installed I looked it over very closely and it is really well made and certified.
I put my Suburbans on it all the time.
thickhead
Well-known member
First, what size is your garage and how high are the ceilings?
I have a Bendpak HD-9 that has been in place for almost 3 years and is used mainly for a couple of smaller cars (2-3k pounds) and some cars up to 4k pounds.
I got it because it is overkill for my needs and I use it for both storage and repairs/service. I use an airbrush compressor for the locks and the lift is bolted to the floor. Love it and wouldn't change a thing (except now I could get red or black instead of blue). Very stable and solid. I never feel worried working under it. Fast pump with 240v power. Nothing rinky dink on the lift as far as the ramps, pump, runways, etc. A good step up from the basic homeowner storage lifts you see all over the internet. Has a real commercial/industrial feel to it - not a toy.
The BIG thing for me was what fits my cars and my garage the best. That will usually narrow down your choices a lot.
I have a Bendpak HD-9 that has been in place for almost 3 years and is used mainly for a couple of smaller cars (2-3k pounds) and some cars up to 4k pounds.
I got it because it is overkill for my needs and I use it for both storage and repairs/service. I use an airbrush compressor for the locks and the lift is bolted to the floor. Love it and wouldn't change a thing (except now I could get red or black instead of blue). Very stable and solid. I never feel worried working under it. Fast pump with 240v power. Nothing rinky dink on the lift as far as the ramps, pump, runways, etc. A good step up from the basic homeowner storage lifts you see all over the internet. Has a real commercial/industrial feel to it - not a toy.
The BIG thing for me was what fits my cars and my garage the best. That will usually narrow down your choices a lot.
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stingry
Well-known member
I have a Bend-Pak HD-9. Seems to be a good lift. I do like the air lock release so much better then the mechanical linkage lock release that was on the Eagle lift that I had previously. One thing that I do not like on the HD-9 is the non-slip coating on the runways. It is some type of grit that is embedded in the paint. Definitely is NON-Slip but is a pain in the *** to clean and don't even think about dragging your hand across it! I would much more prefer deck plate. Possibly they have changed this feature since I bought mine 4 years ago.
thickhead
Well-known member
^
Clean the grip surface with a brush or broom & non-looped (damp) microfiber - works great for me.
Clean the grip surface with a brush or broom & non-looped (damp) microfiber - works great for me.
396_425
Active member
dlcwent
Member Emeritus
Having a commercial shop, my 12K 4 post Atlas sees a lot of use. In the year and a half I've had it, it's done over 200 alignments and been used for many other jobs as well. I personally would rather do the majority of work on one of the 2 post lifts. Working around the ramps is a pain.( downside) But when putting a 1 ton dually in the air, I'd rather have it on the 4 post no matter what needs to be done to it. (upside) JMO Hope that helps you make your decision.
I have an "autolift" 8k car lift now for about 5 months, just eliminated some trusses across a 10ft span to raise it up all the way.
Purchased it from "bestbuyautoequipment" for like $1799, has a latching safety system that catches the arms in case a cable snaps, only reason I decided to buy it at such a low cost.
Some people are scared of the cheaper lifts, but you should always buy something like this 2x stronger than you really need for longevity. I only plan on putting up to 5k lb vehicles on this, and most of the time my 3k lb camaro sits on it
Purchased it from "bestbuyautoequipment" for like $1799, has a latching safety system that catches the arms in case a cable snaps, only reason I decided to buy it at such a low cost.
Some people are scared of the cheaper lifts, but you should always buy something like this 2x stronger than you really need for longevity. I only plan on putting up to 5k lb vehicles on this, and most of the time my 3k lb camaro sits on it
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R68GTO
Well-known member
Bendpak HD9XW. Have had it for 2 years, use it weekly for hobby type stuff and storage. Have not had the 1st issue with it. Handiest tool in my garage.
tdkkart
Well-known member
Another vote for Direct Lift, here's the thread I started about my experience:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228567
3 years in my home shop, gets used nearly every time I'm in the shop. Lately I've been building a street rod on it so it goes up and down a lot.
I have not yet had a single issue with it.
The only thing I wish I would have done is to have purchased a 2nd sliding jack up front. I'd like to have a 2nd one, haven't wanted to put out the shipping to get it to me.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228567
3 years in my home shop, gets used nearly every time I'm in the shop. Lately I've been building a street rod on it so it goes up and down a lot.
I have not yet had a single issue with it.
The only thing I wish I would have done is to have purchased a 2nd sliding jack up front. I'd like to have a 2nd one, haven't wanted to put out the shipping to get it to me.
Randy Kegg
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 43
There is a definite bias on this forum against Back Yard Buddy Lifts. I don't know why. Perhaps it is because they are expensive. People claim that it is because they are not ALI certified. Based on the cheaper Chinese lifts that I have seen that are certified, I don't see the value in the ALI certification. I was once a professional mechanic. I have stood under every type of lift made over the years. In-ground 1-post; in-ground 2-post; 2 post, 4 post, etc. I have had a BYB lift in my home garage for 20 years with no issues, and I use it a lot. It is the sturdiest 4 post lift that I know of, and it is made in Ohio. I have no complaints. I would also consider a Bendpak. They are nice lifts, but I am not crazy about it being made in China. Still, I would consider it. Some of the other cheaper Chinese lifts are downright scary to me. If I had to buy another lift today, it would be BYB, Bendpak, or perhaps a used commercial lift. You pay more, but they are safer.