Bend-pak support

[budk]

Just a quick thanks to Jeff at Bend-pak.

I was installing my HD-9 on Saturday (by myself) and just as I was getting ready to connect the cables I realized that one of the plates on the top of my columns was made incorrectly.

i remembered seeing Jeff's posts on this forum before so I sent Jeff an email and within an hour he responded, appologized for the mistake and promised to have one sent to me Fed-ex.

While I wasn't completely happy that I was shipped a bad part and while I think the documentation is not where it should be, I am extremely happy with Jeff's support.

Thanks Jeff!

 

[pattenp]

I assume those plates are stamped out by the hundreds if not thousands at a time in a factory. So just how was it made wrong?

 

[James E]

Yeah, really. It's just a rectangle with two holes in it and two L-shaped brackets tacked on. Howd the Chinese guy screw that up?

 

[budk]

There are 2 holes in the top, one for the ladder and one for the main cable. There are also 2 tabs welded on the underside to allow the plate to be bolted to the vertical posts. The tabs are not centered in the plate, they are offset towards the rear of the plate. The tabs on my one bad piece were offset towards the front. Whoever welded those tabs on likely put the plate in the fixture backwards.

 

[fireman]

Be aware that Bend-Pak lifts are now made in China and are not the same quality that they used to be.
Here's a post from a different forum referring to outsourcing to China -
Bend-Pack is doing the same thing, mine is 10 years old and was made in USA. High quality and assembled perfectly, no issues to this day.
A friend just bought 3 of them............they are a piece of ****, Chinese junk. What a difference in quality, this country better wise up.

 

[budk]

I'm not under the opinion that everything made in China is junk, just as being made in the USA is not a guarantee of quality.

Bend-pak still owns the design and specifies what materials are to be used.

I will agree that some of the hardware that comes with the lift are junk. I stripped a few of the M6 bolts so I am replacing all of them with 1/4" SS hardware.

 

[fireman]

I will agree that some of the hardware that comes with the lift are junk. I stripped a few of the M6 bolts so I am replacing all of them with 1/4" SS hardware.

I think that statement says it all. Think about that when you're standing under a 2 ton vehicle.

 

[budk]

I think that statement says it all. Think about that when you're standing under a 2 ton vehicle.

Really? The bolts in question are not in a location where their failure would cause a problem. But, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

My opinion is that Jeff provides great customer service.

 

[Matt M PA]

I've had my BendPak for a few years and have been well pleased. In fact, I'm still glad I bought this over the others.

While I try to buy made in USA..it's very tough given the times. At least in BendPak's case, I think it's very well made, does eveything I ask of it...and was glad to have their good customer support when I called with a question.

 

[Ign]

I think that statement says it all. Think about that when you're standing under a 2 ton vehicle.

Whatever. One could argue your quotes say it all. First, you refer to a buddy who feels Bendpaks are junk, but it appears you have no personal experience. Second, a 2 ton vehicle is barely a Ford Focus. Third, I'd want to know where M6 bolts are being utilized (6mm = .234") as they're not going to be load bearing.

I've had 4 ton+ trucks on my two post XPR (purchased new 2 years ago) with no problems. I see no quality concerns with my BP. The arms appear overbuilt as do the base plates, and all welds look great. If I'm ever concerned about failure it's my concrete, and BP can't control that.

The poorly written instructions are the only complaint I have, but they were clearly written by someone who speaks English fluently but excecutes the written word poorly.

 

[pattenp]

budk, don't feel like you are getting beat up for buying a Bendpak and the fact that most of it was made in China, maybe? Things do slip through QC and what matters in the end is how well the product is supported by the manufacturer. I have heard nothing but good from folks when contacting Bendpak. I own a Challenger Lift and it's all made in Kentucky, but my lift has a few sloppy welds. The worst being the bracket that holds the pump on the column is slightly crooked. It doesn't affect anything, but it annoys me to look at it. The bracket must have been welded on a Friday shortly before the end of a shift. Anyway made in the USA doesn't mean perfection.

 

[fireman]

Whatever. One could argue your quotes say it all. First, you refer to a buddy who feels Bendpaks are junk, but it appears you have no personal experience. Second, a 2 ton vehicle is barely a Ford Focus. Third, I'd want to know where M6 bolts are being utilized (6mm = .234") as they're not going to be load bearing.

First - You're right, I have no personal experience with them. I'm going by the word of a friend who has a large shop with multiple lifts and has compared them side by side with the new ones.
Second - The 2 ton value I stated covers almost every CAR made (the Focus weighs 3000 lbs.). Of course Trucks will exceed that. You're just as dead with a 2 ton car on you or a 4 ton truck.
Third - if cheap azz fasteners are used in one place, I'm not willing to bet my life that the ones used in critical places are of any higher quality.

 

[tonycastec]

Let's be careful what we wish for. If Chinese quality ever rises to Japanese levels while retaining very low prices ,US manufacturing will be hurt even worse. My experience in China with producing mechanisms and motors is that they can produce perfect quality when very closely supervised and q.c'd. But their nature is very different to a U.S> tradesman or German Meister. They don't have that motivation for consistent perfection ,nor personal pride in their work. Datsun were poor quality when they began assembling Austin cars .................
I got great service from Bend Pak(Jeff) even though I don't even own one of their lifts (yet!)

 

[James E]

Yes, for the record, my poke at Chinese labor has nothing to do with Jeff. Their customer service is top notch. All things being equal, that's enough to keep me with BP.