Anyone have experience with bendpak HD-9 or the wildfire 9000 xlt. I’m torn on what one. Long road getting to those two in the line up. I just don’t wanna get dinged by something I hadn’t learned about. I believe they are both China made
4 post lift ????
- Thread starter 85lolo
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James E
Well-known member
A lot of us have HD 9s here. In fact, my search for a lift was one of the things that brought me here. What do you want to know?
There are a ton of threads on lifts that ought to tell you everything, assuming you have the patience to read through all of them.
There are a ton of threads on lifts that ought to tell you everything, assuming you have the patience to read through all of them.
finn
Well-known member
The wildfire four post lifts are almost identical to the Advantage lifts, for what it’s worth. Fit and finish is superior to the BendPac.
I have both the Advantage and a two post BendPac. I went with the Advantage over Wildfire since I needed 2 lifts, and Wildfire at the time didn’t offer an 11k version. Products seemed equivalent.
I have both the Advantage and a two post BendPac. I went with the Advantage over Wildfire since I needed 2 lifts, and Wildfire at the time didn’t offer an 11k version. Products seemed equivalent.
stingry
Well-known member
I have had an HD9 for about 8 years. Have had zero problems with it, fit and finish is good. I particularly like the air released locks but I also have shop air which is always pressurized. The only thing I dislike is the ramps have a grit finish on them, don’t know if this is still the case.
humangoogle
Member
Just received my Wildfire XLT lift on Thursday. Unloaded from the trailer that night before the snow started flying here. Got it up and running yesterday and have been very impressed with the build quality. I waffled a bit on which lift to go with, but couldn't be happier with my decision.
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c39er
Well-known member
Have had my HD14 BP. fit, finish and operation flawless since 2010.
Also bought two 7,000lb rolling jacks along with the lift.
No complaints.
Also bought two 7,000lb rolling jacks along with the lift.
No complaints.
racecougar
Well-known member
At a glance, two big differences between them are the adjustable lock ladders on the Bendpak (a good thing, especially if you're installing on a sloped floor) and the pneumatic lock release on the Bendpak (a downside, IMO). DirectLift/Forward offers the same lock ladder design without the pneumatic lock release.
c39er
Well-known member
The pneumatic lock release system is so easy to use...one button and a 4" lever.
Hidden and does not get out of adjustment.
Yes ...it does use a tiny amount of air but any decent equipped hobby garage has air.
Hidden and does not get out of adjustment.
Yes ...it does use a tiny amount of air but any decent equipped hobby garage has air.
racecougar
Well-known member
I only list it as a downside because it's unnecessary complexity. As far as hidden goes, the higher quality lifts hide the mechanical lock linkages as well.
The adjustable lock ladders are of more importance, IMO. If the Bendpak HD-9 and the Wildfire 9000XLT are our only choices, I'll take the Bendpak just to get the adjustable lock ladders.
The adjustable lock ladders are of more importance, IMO. If the Bendpak HD-9 and the Wildfire 9000XLT are our only choices, I'll take the Bendpak just to get the adjustable lock ladders.
I have the Bendpak hd9-xl. I chose it over others because it has a little more width between the runners for serious car work. Just a few inches might make the difference if dropping an engine on the subframe. It also has a narrow footprint — total overall width, which works fine for me but would not be great for full size pick up trucks — the mirrors might clear the posts with an inch to spare. One runner is adjustable — I keep mine in the wide setting and my narrowest car, an E36 M3, just barely keeps its tires on the runners.
Hey thanks guys. Don’t know why I’m beating myself over this choice. Also wondering is the wildfire slower since it’s a 110 motor??? Kinda leaning bendpak at the moment. I know if I just friggen order one I’ll be happy finally having one lol
Old Moparz
Well-known member
I have two Bend Pak HD-9 lifts that I installed almost 20 years ago that are still in use......
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
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RPH
Well-known member
I have had the wildfire now for about four years. Never felt unsafe with it. Does exactly as stated and would buy another one if needed.
Jwallace1
Well-known member
i had the same decision a couple years ago and went with Wildfire, I'm not sure what the big advantage is of the adjustable locks on the Bendpak, the lifts have locks every 6 inches or so i would think that would get you close enough for whatever you need. i prefer the regular locking setup over the pneumatic locks, yeah i can hook up air but why if i don't need to. i also prefer the solid column over the c channel style, if i was bolting it to the floor i wouldn't care but since its not bolted down i feel like its safer. that could just be my perception. i looked at advantage also they are very similar in design to the wildfire, i think the advantage has some items like brass bushing in the cable pullies which the wildfire does not but i didn't think it was that much better for the price difference in a hobby garage where it goes up and down once a week. wildfire was also great to deal with on the phone and have had 2 other guys at work buy them since i bought mine and have been happy with their purchase. the Bendpak GP-9F is the same design as the Wildfire and Advantage likely all coming form the same factory with minor differences.
racecougar
Well-known member
Adjustable lock ladders allow one to level the runways without shimming the posts; especially important on sloped garage floors. I won't get into the square tube vs "C-channel" post design as it's been hashed out time and again here.
Jwallace1
Well-known member
you can adjust the cables at each corner to account for this on the wildfire lift. its part of the install when you're setting it all up i would think that would be standard on any lift so you can get it to raise evenly
racecougar
Well-known member
Adjusting the cables doesn't effect the runways when sitting on the locks. The Wildfire (and others) design relies on shimming posts to get the runways level when sitting on the locks.
Yes, adjusting the cables to raise/lower the runways evenly/level is common across both designs.
finn
Well-known member
I was a little concerned that my Advantage 9000 xlt came with a 110v motor (240 was an option). When I unpacked the power pack, lo and behold, the box said 110/ 240, with instructions showing how to convert.
It’s been up a couple of years now, and I never got around to converting it. In fairness, there’s a long term project on it, so I mostly move it up and down only a few feet.
The Advantage SS11000 sitting next to it has a 240 v powerpack, and gets more use. It’s notably faster, but there’s not a world of difference.
110 v should be more than adequate for a home shop.
finn
Well-known member
A plywood shim takes care of the sloped floor “issue”. One of my posts is located on the slope leading to a floor grate. A 12” square scrap of plywood levels things nicely, and didn’t cost a dime.
The “issue“ is a Trojan Horse.
Jwallace1
Well-known member
i see the locks inside the column can be adjusted so when its locked it can be leveled, nothing i would personally ever be concerned with but that option is nice if you want it.
racecougar
Well-known member
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Yes, as mentioned above, it can be dealt with by shimming posts. IMO, it's nice to be able to adjust the lock ladders and avoid shims, messing with the ramps, etc.
Can't you adjust the wildfire lift by tightening the cables to make sure it's level. Seems much more secure since 4 sided post
Plus adjusting the ladders can give you wiggle room on a car that sits between (fixed) locks.
Also on the 120v vs 240v, 120 lifts plenty fast enough to make mistakes for a homeowner. If you own a business and do it all day, yeah, 240v is probably needed, but man there are times I wish my 120v was a little slower.
racecougar
Well-known member
No. See post #17.
finn
Well-known member
Can you point out anyone, anywhere, that owns a box section lift like the Wildfire, Advantage, and similar lift that has had an issue with leveling that a simple shim didn’t resolve? I think you’re stressing over a non issue,
O don’t ever recall seeing an actual owner raising that subject. Only peop that have never owned or used one.
It’s actually less of an issue with a mobile four post than with any two post where you MUST shim or correct the concrete when installing the lift. Minor floor irregularities are of no consequence other than aesthetics on a four post, and simple shimming takes care of larger deviations.
Likewise I've never read of someone with an adjustable ladder system having a failure with the posts. So if you can't see the advantage of being able to adjust your lift height +/- 2", which can mean being able to squeeze two cars into a tight garage.....
racecougar
Well-known member
I'm not stressing at all. I did my research and bought accordingly. I only posted above to answer vrocket's question. No need to get fired up over it.
There are a number of folks here who have shimmed their box column 4-post lifts to deal with a sloped floor. As mentioned previously, that ends up requiring ramp modifications as well, as now the cross beam and ramps are raised off the floor. If you search "4 post sloped floor site:www.garagejournal.com" you can flip through the threads if you're so inclined.
If you're shimming your 4-post, I would advise bolting it down.
RPH
Well-known member
I have the wildfire lift. My barn is sloped for 35 feet east to west about 5”. I use the lift north/south and east/west. I never had a problem feeling unsafe under it. I have rolled cars around on it without issue. Four post for me is perfect. Wildfire for the win!
finn
Well-known member
Not directed at you in particular. Sorry i didn’t make that clear in my wording.
I don’t see a reason to bolt the lift down if it’s shimmed either. I have two Advantage lifts, both encroaching on the floor grate pitch in the floor. I shimmed one, the other I didn’t. Never an issue with either, and I have used casters on both To roll them around.
i cut a plywood shim for the one, and will do the same for the other eventually. It’s not high on my priority list though, and is more for aesthetics than function.. a half inch over 20 feet length or seven feet width, or whatever the post spans are isn’t really all that much. There’s no issue with binding while in operation. Two inches would likely be an issue, but I don’t know it the loose ladder design would accomodate that
Both lifts are rock solid.
racecougar
Well-known member
Okay. As said above, everyone is entitled to their own opinions on the matter.
Yes, the lock ladders (not loose ladders) have a decent adjustment range. If they didn't, they wouldn't be of much use.
ixlr8
Well-known member
I bought the Bendpak model HD9-ST equivalent about 10 years ago. I say equivalent as it was a new model at the time and it had a different name then. I just moved and having the lift moved is turning out to be a headache. I was thinking of buying a new lift, new owners of the house have offered to buy the old lift. Seems to me somewhere I had read some complaints that in the last few years Bendpak was using thinner metal in the posts and runways. Can anybody verify that? Since I already have the castor set and the Rolling Jack to fit the Bendpak I was thinking of getting another one. But the thinner metal discussion and the lies that the VP of Bendpak told me when I was buying originally is making me think twice.
racecougar
Well-known member
Chances are good that those parts will fit other 4-post lifts. Is the track width of your rolling bridge jack adjustable?
ixlr8
Well-known member
Rolling bridge jack does have adjustable width, but the castors don't seem like they will work on some brands from the pictures I have seen.
When the heck did aluminum ramps get to be so expensive!!??? Seems I paid $75 for the pair 10 years ago, now Bendpak wants $600 for a pair!! Wish I could weld aluminum.
Went through this last year, and ended up with the Wildfire. Had an issue, and their customer support took care of it and more than compensated for any inconvenience. I'm sure they are both great lifts, the Customer Service experience with Wildfire was excellent. I'd make the same choice again.
BTW, installed it myself. Heavy but not complicated. Used an engine hoist, dollys, and an occasional extra set of hands. All went well.
BTW, installed it myself. Heavy but not complicated. Used an engine hoist, dollys, and an occasional extra set of hands. All went well.
racecougar
Well-known member
At that price, you'd be money ahead to get the lighter Race Ramps. https://www.raceramps.com/ramps/rac...8CYHeeANtxu2PS_Z15N-lM4JIJYEniqhoC-EcQAvD_BwE
If you're not pressed for space, and don't have to remove/store the ramps in order to close your garage door, steel ramps are just fine, IMO. I leave mine installed full-time.
ixlr8
Well-known member
Thanks for the info on the Race Ramps. I am pressed for space lengthwise, but I have 16' ceilings. I also tend to store a car on the lift and too many times I have left the ramps on the lift and managed to smack my head on them.... so they come off when the lift goes up. I'm coming up on 70, I want the ramps as light as possible. Presently I am leaning towards the Direct Lift Pro Park 9, as it gets me the height I want without going longer. My BendPak lift doesn't go up high enough and I have to lean over a bit to walk under it. I want a lift that goes up high enough that I don't need to worry about that. But so far, other lift manufacturers, if the lift goes higher, it is also longer, and the added length doesn't work for me.
racecougar
Well-known member
That is the lift that I have (DL PP 9 Plus / Forward EFP9). The height at the top lock is excellent, IMO. I stack cars as well. With it raised all the way up, there's no worry of knocking your head on the ramps as long as you're not much over 6' tall. They hang a bit lower than the runways, but not nearly as low as many. Again, if you have to remove the ramps to close the garage door, it's a moot point. In that situation, I'd make my own aluminum ramps, but barring that, the Race Ramps are a good, albeit costly, solution.
Whelp! I ended up getting the bendpak hd-9. Not 100% finished yet. It does have some wobble (a lot). I hope that goes away when I level the runways up I don’t want to bolt it down. I ordered the castor set with it so I can move it if needed
c39er
Well-known member
Deleted.