Hello, I'm a home hobbyist and have been doing a lot of research on the different lifts, and searched through all the previous posts here.. Lot of good info.. I'm pretty well settled on a Bend Pak HD-9 or HD-9XW.. The ads say they don't need to be bolted down and can be rolled with the optional casters.. Does anybody have this same configuration? I'm wondering from a safety standpoint, and "comfort" level thoughts on these not being bolted down from anybody that owns them? Being able to move it around in my garage would be a real benefit.. 25 years ago in high school I had a car come off the jack stands while I was working on it.. I got lucky and only ended up with 17 stitches and bruised ribs, so you could say I am a little gun shy, plus I have kids of my own that will want to be wrenching with me.. Also, with the HD-9, is it long enough to get a family van on or does the XW make more sense? Any info is appreciated..
Bend Pak Owners..
- Thread starter deere2210
- Start date
mikeyr
Well-known member
Plenty of people do not bolt them down, I am one of them. Buying the caster set makes no sense if you are going to bolt it down.
shocksystems
Well-known member
I have an HD9-XW and do not bolt it down. It seems completely stable to me. I bought the caster set but in hindsight I am not sure I will ever use them (I just don't need to).
Cheers!
Jim
Cheers!
Jim
e-tek
Well-known member
I have the HD9-XTW (ExtraTall-Wide) with a caster kit. Have only used it to move it over a bit thus far, but glad I had it already!! Will use it to bring one car off, move it to other side of shop and bring another car on. Won't need to open the shop doors in winter! IT is VERY stable - I currently have an 18foot long 67 Galaxie on it and work on my engine and upholstry underneath, I "trust" it because it has both the cables AND ladders holding it up. I bought the Tall and Wide unit because I didn't want to have to wish I had.
I'll have to say it's been GREAT. Once you have it you wonder how you did without. From an oil change to exhaust & suspension work to fixing rusty floors...wow! I drove the Galaxie for 3 years without Powersteering because I didn't want to get under it...changed it out in 3hours once I got the lift!
Also, I have a 'pit' in my attached garage - I use it for storage now, as it's too hard to get in and out of while trying to work.
Good luck with your search!
I'll have to say it's been GREAT. Once you have it you wonder how you did without. From an oil change to exhaust & suspension work to fixing rusty floors...wow! I drove the Galaxie for 3 years without Powersteering because I didn't want to get under it...changed it out in 3hours once I got the lift!
Also, I have a 'pit' in my attached garage - I use it for storage now, as it's too hard to get in and out of while trying to work.
Good luck with your search!
E-Tek, when you saw my name here you probably thought I was going to post something negative but I'm not, I just have a question. Just out of curiosity when you use those casters to move your lift around does it stay pretty squared up and level assuming the spot you move it to is level or do you have to spend some time getting it all squared and leveled each time you move it? I know they don't have casters for my HD-12 but it seems that it and the HD-9 are pretty similar and with mine it seemed it was pretty critical to get it all square and level on the initial set up to get it to operate correctly. I can't imagine how it would stay that way when you move it unless the HD-9 stays in alignment better since if I remember correctly both runways bolt to the cross tubes don't they?
Junkman
Well-known member
I am on my second HD9 lift, and it is very stable and moving it doesn't present a problem. In fact, on my original one, I never bothered to level it totally, since I knew it was going to be moving to a new location. I never had a problem with that at all. The ladder locks were not perfectly synchronized, but it didn't matter because when I let it down, the safety locks were always engaged. It was rock solid with a 7000+ pound vehicle on it, and I even had the rolling jack holding up one end of the car, and the other end of the car was raised on 6" x 6" cribbing blocks. I did a lot of tugging on bolts, etc. and the lift never once wobbled. I felt perfectly secure under the car on the lift. The only fault that I can find is with the garage itself. I can't raise the car to the full hight, since my car is 7' high, and my garage ceiling is only 11'. That gives me 4' of working space. My garage floor is very level throughout, and when moving the lift, I never saw any issues of alignment of the posts or runways.
akdiesel
Well-known member
I was in the same boat as you are now. I just went and picked up my HD-9XW today and unloaded it in the shop.
I have the caster kit as well. By looking at the system it seems to be very well built. I am not in any way connected with Bend Pak or any other lift manufacture. I am simply a hobbiest like your self and researched the best lift for my applications.
I have taken many pictures during the unloading of the lift and plan on taking many more of the constructin of it. I also plan on taking video of the lift with a 7400# truck on it while moving it around with the caster kit. I will put this in my excisting post for those that are currious.
Oh and I plan on using Junk's notes to help put the lift together. Thanks.
I have the caster kit as well. By looking at the system it seems to be very well built. I am not in any way connected with Bend Pak or any other lift manufacture. I am simply a hobbiest like your self and researched the best lift for my applications.
I have taken many pictures during the unloading of the lift and plan on taking many more of the constructin of it. I also plan on taking video of the lift with a 7400# truck on it while moving it around with the caster kit. I will put this in my excisting post for those that are currious.
Oh and I plan on using Junk's notes to help put the lift together. Thanks.
e-tek
Well-known member
Once again, JUNK beats me to the answer and says (most) everything I would have!
Except - I had heard you could move a car on one of these lifts (not necessarily a BP), so I tried it and although it lifted the car, it would have taken quite a few more than two guys to push it!!! Once I took the car off, the big BP casters moved it no problem. And No, I didn't spend a large amount of time re-setting anything. It went down level, 'cause I then threw my magnetic level on each leg to check. I was told by the distrubutor (in Canada) that it was important to be sure it was level as possible - for the longevity of the cable system. I didn't change anything and now have my 4500lb Galaxie up there - and I work on stuff underneath.
Except - I had heard you could move a car on one of these lifts (not necessarily a BP), so I tried it and although it lifted the car, it would have taken quite a few more than two guys to push it!!! Once I took the car off, the big BP casters moved it no problem. And No, I didn't spend a large amount of time re-setting anything. It went down level, 'cause I then threw my magnetic level on each leg to check. I was told by the distrubutor (in Canada) that it was important to be sure it was level as possible - for the longevity of the cable system. I didn't change anything and now have my 4500lb Galaxie up there - and I work on stuff underneath.
ovilla
Well-known member
I have an HD9 and I had contemplated buying the caster kit but after owning it for about 6 months now I doubt I'll ever need them. I seem to always work on cars in the same one bay, and get the floor as dirty as I want/need (in the same one bay). I think that the only reason to move the lift around is to give yourself more room for accommodating something like axles splines on a Jeep, or just to get better situated for general storage of all your cars and gear.
Also, keep in mind that you have almost a good 4" within to engage the locks so as long as all locks engage within that amount of space, you're going to be able to secure locks in all four columns. Additionally, if your floors are really that out of alignment, then you may need to raise your car a bit higher to disengage all of the locks (most likely just between 1-4" inches).
Also, keep in mind that you have almost a good 4" within to engage the locks so as long as all locks engage within that amount of space, you're going to be able to secure locks in all four columns. Additionally, if your floors are really that out of alignment, then you may need to raise your car a bit higher to disengage all of the locks (most likely just between 1-4" inches).
must8657
Banned
i have been able to move my lift with a car on it by myself. i had to make sure the caster wheels were lined up in the direction i wanted to push to do it though. we were able to move it without a problem with two people. i had an 86 mustang on it.
jason
jason
e-tek
Well-known member
Hmmm, maybe I didn't have them aligned then. I was thrilled when my lift came with HUGE casters, but I still couldn't move it much. I know each lift is a little different WRT caster design - What brand do you have? Although a 67 Galaxie is heavier than an 86 Mustang, shouldn't make that much difference. I'll have to try it again.
Phatsub
Well-known member
I think this thread is jonesing for pictures...Or maybe it's just me. 
bobs409
Well-known member
I have an HD9C and do not have it bolted down. With no car on it, you can rock the posts but once a car is on, it's solid. Other than checking each lock before going under (something you should do everytime), I feel completely safe under it.
Bob
Bob
lis
Member
I'm another HD9-XW owner, and my lift's not bolted down either. I do notice some sway if I'm rocking something enough to set the whole lift moving, but I've learned to watch for it and stop what I'm doing when I see it! My cars are on the ligher side, MR2 and Integra, which may have something to do with it.
-Larry
-Larry
akdiesel
Well-known member
I don't want to sound like I am brand loyal or company loyal but if a product or a company does their job correct and goes that extra mile for you than I will pass my experience along, good or bad.
I purchased mine from http://www.eagleequip.com/. The main reason I purchased from them was due to freight costs. Living in Alaska you have to shop wisely. They also ship direct from the BendPak factory, so the issues that another member had on here was corrected long before my order was placed. I was told that some distributers have stock at their own location and sometimes parts can be mixxed and matched to complete the order and you may end up with old stock that does not have the latest design change incorporated into it.
I purchased mine from http://www.eagleequip.com/. The main reason I purchased from them was due to freight costs. Living in Alaska you have to shop wisely. They also ship direct from the BendPak factory, so the issues that another member had on here was corrected long before my order was placed. I was told that some distributers have stock at their own location and sometimes parts can be mixxed and matched to complete the order and you may end up with old stock that does not have the latest design change incorporated into it.
e-tek
Well-known member
Nothing wrong with being brand/company loyal if they treat you right!
ovilla
Well-known member
I bought my HD9-B from Brian at www.asedeals.com. He was super knowledgeable on all the BendPak lifts and was also courteous and very responsive. Whenever he said he would get back to me with info, he actually did (always later on that same morning or for sure by the end of the same day). He even sent me things, like the installation manual (as a .pdf) while we were still just discussing the HD9 series. I also bought my RJ45 (rolling air jack) at the same time and he was able to give me a package deal. Finally, keep in mind that all of these places also sell other things besides lifts so if there's anything else that you're looking to buy (i.e. like any BendPak/Ranger air hose reels, or a tripod jack for your lift, etc.) mention it to them and find out what they might be able to do to gain your business. It's good for them and it's also good for you. Best of luck and do let us know when you order it and remember to share your experience (whether it's good or bad) with your fellow GJ community.
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lis
Member
I got mine from asedeals.com as well. Call them up, instead of ordering online, and they'll likely knock some more off of the price! They did for me anyway...
e-tek
Well-known member
Congrats. you'll love putting it together (think giant mechano!!) and using it!
Junkman
Well-known member
Depending on where you live, you might find some other Bend Pak owner that has gone through the instal process to give you a hand. Makes it a lot easier to do once you have one under your belt.
akdiesel
Well-known member
Congrats. Please follow up on this thread with your toy.