Bendpak HD9 Question

[PurdueSD]

Right now, I am in the browsing stage of my eventual purchase of a lift. I have narrowed it down to a 4 post. The two candidates i am looking at are the Bendpak HD9XW or a similar one from Pro Park.

Initially Bendpak kind of scared me with some of the problems guys had with parts not fitting when they were being set up. I think all of these issues were handled well by Bendpak/ JSK after the fact. Most of the guys with Bendpak lifts rave about them, so I am reconsidering. Around a month ago, i inquired to JSK about a few things and haven't heard anything back. (I am sure he's a busy man) So i figured i would open it up to you guys for your input. Here was the PM:

I am interested in the HD9 XW, havent broken out the tape and ruled out the HD9 ST yet though. I am ready to have a lift but haven't beat myself up yet about choosing a brand or model yet. The support bendpak receives on garage journal has gotten me very interested in your product. I believe I am capable of setting up the lift myself, however i have never set one up. My question to you is, does Bendpak have licensed installers/ retailers in the Evansville, IN. area? Can you recommend one? I would think this would much simplify the shipping/ unloading issues that many have. If so can you give me a ballpark cost what is charged for a proffesional set up?

Thanks for your support on the board!
-Wes

Has anyone here have their lift delivered and set up? If you don't mind giving a ballpark cost, i would really appreciate it. Anyone have any other brands or models to suggest?

The lift will see use from a lifted F250 on 37s, grand wagoneer FSJ, Lowered fox body mustang and other extended family DD's. I plan to use the lift for services like oil/ fluid changes, and some drivetrain work. The catch being i want to use the lift for stacked storage when not in use (thus rulling out the 2 post). I am not set on needing the lift set up, but just figured that it was worth looking into given some of the problems guys have had with their lifts out of the box and the delivery.

Any suggestions or experiences are appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

[mvp dad]

I have a Propark and absolutley love it. Me and a neighbor bought 2 at the same time and picked it up using a U-Haul Car Carrier. The first one took 3.5 hours to install the instructions sucked so we did almost every step twice. The second lift went in in 2 hours. There was 2 of us and we had 1 floor dolly. I would say do it yourself and invite your car buddies over who will want to use it after it is installed to help you. I bought mine through Greg Smith Equipment.

 

[mtwaterguy]

I would agree with setting up the lift yourself. I purchased a BendPak and after checking previous posts regarding owner installs, decided to go that route. Really no major problems. I would suggest that, as per the instructions, you read and reread the install procedures. Some aren't real clear, so you need to familiarize yourself with them. There's also a lot of people from this site ready to offer help and support. Two of us old geezers made the install in a span of a couple partial work days. I'm sure if you had someone helping you, you could easily complete the install.

 

[PurdueSD]

Thanks guys...

MVP- i havent found a whole lot of posts about the pro park 4 posts. Can you elaborate about your likes and any dislikes? WHy did you choose the pro park?

Anybody else with any recomendations about brand or model?

 

[Junkman]

I've assembled 3 Bendpak units so far, and with all 3, there wasn't a person under the age of 60 helping. It isn't rocket science, and if you read, understand, and follow the instructions, it will go easy. I won't go into assembly instructions, since they have been posted on these forums many times before.

 

[e-tek]

Setting up my BP HD9-XTW was - without a doubt - one of the best and most rewarding "shop projects" I've done! I couldn't imagine having someone else do it. You get to use your tools, learn a few things, learn HOW your lift works and can always say: I did that!
No "set-up" monkey is touching my ****!

 

[jcs_in_ky]

Setting up the lift isn't hard if you have some help and or a good way to lift the pieces up. I put my HD-12 together by myself and used my tractor with pallet forks on it to lift the runways into place. Lots of people put them together with the help of friends and or an engine hoist to lift the pieces and that seems to work just fine. I think you are better of putting the lift up yourself if you don't mind doing the work. If you do it then you will have a better understand of how it works. Some people have great luck having installers put the lifts up and some don't, it just depends on how good of a job the installer does. The most important thing is to go through the instructions carefully before you start. Also if you bolt the lift down make sure you get it good and square prior to marking and drilling the holes in your slab.

If you've done some research on the forum you will see that I had absolutely terrible luck with my HD-12 and it took several months to get it resolved. One of the runways was damaged when I received the lift and it took a few tries to get me a good one. A factory installed piece was installed backwards which caused the cydlinder and another piece to be damaged, and the ladders were too long which caused the lift to not be able to reach the top position when it had weight on it. Also prior to purchasing I was told by Bendpak and my dealer that it was ALI / ETL approved and was made in the USA, neither of which turned out to be true. After all of the problems were taken care of it's turned out to be a good lift but it was a very frustrating experience to get it to that point.

No matter what lift you choose spend some time and do some research to make sure that you are getting a good product. If ALI / ETL certification is something you want then I'd recommmend going to their website and looking up the product you are interested in to make sure it is indeed certified.

You might look at Challenger Lifts, they aren't far from you, they are located in Louisville. They make a nice product but it is more expensive then a Bendpak. Also Greg Smith Equipment has a location in Indiana. I have never been there but from what I understand they are supposed to have the majority of their lifts set up there where you can actually see them prior to buying. It would be worth going to see them if you have the time.

 

[soarhead25]

I was contemplating putting in my lift, but wound up paying a local install company to do it that was recommended to me by my former shop owner. For $325 they picked it up at the shipping terminal on their highly modified trailer equipped with tiny forklift, brought it to my house, assembled/leveled/drilled/installed/filled with hyd oil./adj cables/and was done.
The amount of work to drill all the holes in the concrete with a heavy duty hammer drill that I didnt have and with a masonry bit that I didnt have, made me feel like this install was money well spent.
Now this was a 2-post install, and for a 4-post install that wasn't going to be bolted down I might try to put it together myself if transporting from the local shippping center isn't an issue.......

 

[mvp dad]

I got my propark from greg smith equipment, from what I understand bendpak now owns the propark brand. The propark and the bend pack look very similar. I've lifted cars trucks and the roof of a garage (don't ask) without a problem. When I purchased 2.5 years ago I believe I paid $1650 with 2 jacking trays urethane wheels and 3 drip trays. If I had to do it all over again I would not change a thing

 

[e-tek]

I was contemplating putting in my lift, but wound up paying a local install company to do it that was recommended to me by my former shop owner. For $325 they picked it up at the shipping terminal on their highly modified trailer equipped with tiny forklift, brought it to my house, assembled/leveled/drilled/installed/filled with hyd oil./adj cables/and was done.
The amount of work to drill all the holes in the concrete with a heavy duty hammer drill that I didnt have and with a masonry bit that I didnt have, made me feel like this install was money well spent.
Now this was a 2-post install, and for a 4-post install that wasn't going to be bolted down I might try to put it together myself if transporting from the local shippping center isn't an issue.......

These are really good points. I was going to say something similar, but since my direct experience was with a 4 post - and I got it delivered to my shop - and I have my own tools - and I didn't have to drill 8 holes into 5" concrete....I left those comments to someone else. To each their own for sure!

 

[PurdueSD]

Thanks guys... I wish i could see a bend pak lift in person. I plan on traveling up to indy to greg smith to check out the propark lifts. That is as soon as i get the kitchen remodel finished... haha give a little and get a little!

 

[HIRISC]

Had my HD-9 installed - I recall around $450 including delivery. As stated above, not rocket science, but for me it was worth it as I don't have any guy friends into putting lifts together.

Here's a few pics of the nice guys installing it:

 

[krooser]

Heck I dis-assembled and re-assembled my lift with the help of two sons... they were pretty much there only to unload and help me set the columns in place. It's easy to do....

I'm just wondering why so many guys rule out two post service lifts simply because they want to store one car... I put one car on my lift and park another under it all the time... remember those four posts are "parking lifts" not service lifts...

 

[e-tek]

Thanks guys... I wish i could see a bend pak lift in person. I plan on traveling up to indy to greg smith to check out the propark lifts. That is as soon as i get the kitchen remodel finished... haha give a little and get a little!

Haha - you bet!I was lucky-I got the shopfirst...but now it's kitchen time,it'll be twice as much and will take MUCH more than 4 days!!

Had my HD-9 installed - I recall around $450 including delivery. As stated above, not rocket science, but for me it was worth it as I don't have any guy friends into putting lifts together.

Here's a few pics of the nice guys installing it:

NOW THAT'S A PERFECT FIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

remember those four posts are "parking lifts" not service lifts...

Then why do they have them in many shops and make ROLLING JACKS???