BendPak HD-9XW Question

[crlogan]

I've got a BendPak HD-9XW. When I lower it (this is with nothing on it) it sits about an inch high off the metal base of the 4 columns. I've tried adjusting cables but in order to not have sloppy slack and keep things pulling level I can't get it any lower. Is this normal?

The only reason I care is because I'm looking at buying a set of RaceRamps to get very low rise cars on my lift. http://www.raceramps.com/vehicle-lift-ramps.aspx To work with their heights the lift would have to completely bottom. The tallest RaceRamp is 5" in height.

 

[NitroPress]

It's a function of the cable length, as I found out today adjusting my two new HD-7Ws. To have it hang level (which you want), you often run out of cable or adjustment room on one end or the other and get some air between the trunnion and the ground.

 

[crlogan]

NitroPress, How much of a gap were you able to get yours down to?

 

[NitroPress]

Both lifts have about a 1 inch gap on the downslope (entry) end. That might decrease as the cables stretch.

The ramps don't necessarily have to come up to the lip of the runways - with a long enough slope, most cars should be able to clear 1 inch or so of additional step.

 

[darkk]

That's odd, I have an HD-9XW lift and mine sits flat on the floor. I actually got a very thin older drop light cord under it when I lowered the lift. I had to raise it because the cord was stuck, I couldn't budge it. Maybe relubricate the sliderblocks and pulleys, run a car on it and adjust the cables so it sits on the floor. I can't see any reason it wouldn't go all the way down empty.

 

[NitroPress]

If your floor is flat you can get it to set down flat; if you have a slope you have to choose between letting the lift hang straight (with a gap on one end) or hang with a matching slope and/or cable slack to permit it to set down flat.

As your locking ladders should ALWAYS be adjusted to hold the lift flat and level, adjusting the cables to have slope or slack poses some risks with not getting a proper 4-corner lock or having a slack cable come off a sheave. More than about a 1-inch slope, you really have to go with a level hang and put up with the gap. For a half inch, it's your call.