Another Car Lift thread..

[pbc]

So have been looking for a lift to expand my garage capacity. Lift will be used regularly several times a week.

I’m in Canada so options are pretty limited and also want an ALI certified lift which reduces it further.

Have basically narrowed it down to the Bendpak HD-9XW or the DirectLift ProPark 8PL. Garage is a tandem garage so length is less of a concern and I have 13 foot ceilings so want a higher lift.

The Bendpak seems to have pneumatic locks requiring a small compressor while the DL does not.

For regular use, would one be more convenient then the other? In terms of speed/simplicity to use?

The Bendpak is about $1500 more excl the compressor.

Curious what folks thoughts are on the two.

Thx!

 

[AC-WC]

I don't believe the Bendpak would take much CFM for the lock release but I think that would be a hassle to have to turn it on every time I wanted to use my lift. I don't have my compressor on unless the tools are being used. Hobby use I wouldn't, pro maybe. Every shop I've ever been in the lift had a simple cable that released the locks.

 

[Al G]

I had a Bendpak in a garage without an air compressor (it was in the other garage). I used a 5 gallon portable air tank to release the locks. It would work for several times before I had to recharge it.

 

[ronr80]

Have you looked here , I have a HD-9 . love it
www.babco.ca

 

[Restomod68]

Also an another ALI option

Advantage 4-Post Lifts for Garage & Auto Maintenance

Discover high-quality Advantage 4-Post Lifts for safe and efficient vehicle lifting. Perfect for auto repairs, maintenance, and garage upgrades. Shop now!

www.advantagelifts.com

 

[Restomod68]

Personally I did not want air locks for my lift...

 

[pbc]

Also an another ALI option

Advantage 4-Post Lifts for Garage & Auto Maintenance

Discover high-quality Advantage 4-Post Lifts for safe and efficient vehicle lifting. Perfect for auto repairs, maintenance, and garage upgrades. Shop now!

www.advantagelifts.com

Thanks, seems to be Pennsylvania though, looking for Canadian dealers.

 

[P0234]

I went with the Direct instead of the BP because the air locks looked like a hassle. Also they include trays, a jacks stand and casters. All those were extra with the BP. After sales support has been excellent.

 

[pbc]

Yes, leaning towards DL. Just wasn't sure if having the air locks was a better feature/more durable long term with a lot of use?

Other concern right now is how the heck to walk out of the garage with the post where it would sit. I guess I could park my lower vehicle further to the front to get behind it.

 

[pbc]

In Sketchup...

 

[Spud McGee]

How much PSI and CFM does it need for the air locks? Can you get away with one of those little 12v DC tire inflators?

 

[Al G]

Yes, leaning towards DL. Just wasn't sure if having the air locks was a better feature/more durable long term with a lot of use?

Other concern right now is how the heck to walk out of the garage with the post where it would sit. I guess I could park my lower vehicle further to the front to get behind it.

There's not room to walk between the wall and the post?

 

[pbc]

There's not room to walk between the wall and the post?

Based on that picture it doesn’t look like it (middle side).

 

[pbc]

How much PSI and CFM does it need for the air locks? Can you get away with one of those little 12v DC tire inflators?

Not much. I think a small wall mount would work.

 

[Imatk]

If you're not set on a 4-post you can get a 2-post that would solve your space problems.

I keep the arms up on mine when not in use and the footprint is tiny because I only have a couple vertical posts to contend with.

 

[pbc]

If you're not set on a 4-post you can get a 2-post that would solve your space problems.

I keep the arms up on mine when not in use and the footprint is tiny because I only have a couple vertical posts to contend with.

Haven't really looked into 2 posts. Is there a disadvantage in terms of leaving a car on a 2 post for long periods of time, e.g., suspension issues? Or requiring a perfect placement each time (not guided by ramps)?

 

[Imatk]

From what I understand for storage the 4-post is the better option. So if that's the primary use then that's what I would go with.


A 2-post is just miles better for pretty much everything else you want to do when working on a car.

 

[tfalk]

easy to get out of garage... back the car in so the driver side door opens into the rest of the garage.
Or shade to the opposite side to leave more room between the car and the post. I'd go with
option 1, I always pull or back my cars in so the driver side door has the most room.

 

[phred]

As far as storage on a 2 post. I had one my trucks on my Mohawk A7 for 6 months while I completely removed and replace everything under it except the frame.

 

[Bucko]

From what I understand for storage the 4-post is the better option. So if that's the primary use then that's what I would go with.


A 2-post is just miles better for pretty much everything else you want to do when working on a car.

I went back and forth for a while on which one I wanted and in the end the 4 post was the winner for me.

A few of the pro's for me was:
Ease of use being able to drive on and lift the vehicle vs pulling in and getting down in the ground to position the arms and needing to recheck as I started to lift it since the vast majority of things I do is by myself and I'm not getting any younger.
Slab was only 4" in my shop so I would of needed to bust out a large section and pour a thicker slab.
Long term storage without worrying about it falling or leaving the suspension fully unloaded for long periods.
Being able to park under it, which is a huge no-no with a 2 post.

The con's were mainly:
Cost but buy once cry once right.
Accessibility vs the 2 post. I did offset some of this by getting the sliding bridge jack (more costs!), and buying the extra wide and tall (there's that extra cost again) so there is more room back and forth to get the suspension in the easiest spot to work on.

 

[jonesg]

I went back and forth for a while on which one I wanted and in the end the 4 post was the winner for me.

A few of the pro's for me was:
Ease of use being able to drive on and lift the vehicle vs pulling in and getting down in the ground to position the arms and needing to recheck as I started to lift it since the vast majority of things I do is by myself and I'm not getting any younger.
Slab was only 4" in my shop so I would of needed to bust out a large section and pour a thicker slab.
Long term storage without worrying about it falling or leaving the suspension fully unloaded for long periods.
Being able to park under it, which is a huge no-no with a 2 post.

The con's were mainly:
Cost but buy once cry once right.
Accessibility vs the 2 post. I did offset some of this by getting the sliding bridge jack (more costs!), and buying the extra wide and tall (there's that extra cost again) so there is more room back and forth to get the suspension in the easiest spot to work on.

looks like the best option in your situation.
any savings in a 2 post would get gobbled up by concrete replacement in a flash anyway .
money is not wasted on quality but junk is no bargain at any price, so I try to save and wait until I can afford the better tools.

 

[ronr80]

Not sure what the issue with the air locks is , they are set and work , in 15yrs I had one platic hose come off, I think it was my fault I hit it with something other wise no issues at all. R

 

[P0234]

Not sure what the issue with the air locks is , they are set and work , in 15yrs I had one platic hose come off, I think it was my fault I hit it with something other wise no issues at all. R

Its an answer to a problem that doesn't exist. You might have your compressor always hooked up. I do about once a year when its time to winterize things around the house. Otherwise battery powered tools have taken over.

 

[ronr80]

Yes your right , air is hard hooked in , so is 220v.

 

[pbc]

Thanks for the input. In the (knock on wood) unlikely event that the lift somehow causes damage to one or both cars, is it covered under a typical home or auto policy?

 

[racecougar]

Thanks for the input. In the (knock on wood) unlikely event that the lift somehow causes damage to one or both cars, is it covered under a typical home or auto policy?

What are you envisioning? Driving into a post? Car falling off the lift?