396_425
Active member
I've just completed my HD-9ST installation and thought I would share the experience. Shipping was quick and only took 5 business days to receive the lift. The lift was off-loaded at a friend's electrical business and at first glance the package looked great. After further inspection the ramps and posts were scratched and scuffed. It's probably inevitable, but every blue painted piece had some road rash. I'm certainly glad I did not pay extra for a red or black lift.
Preparing to install: Since my floor slopes to the drain in the center I would need leveling plates under the post. I knew exactly where the lift would be located and took laser transit readings from those four spots and knew how much extra plate thickness I needed. I called Bendpak and asked them about their plates, which are 3/8" thick, and over $100 a piece and I needed 7 of them. So, I asked for the spec sheet for the base plates for my lift so that I could make my own extra plates. They sent me a detailed spec sheet that stated in the legend that these are the specs for my lift. The spec sheet stated the base plates were 12" x 12" with 10" hole centers. The lift arrived with 10" x 12" base plates, that's what I get for trying to plan ahead. My plates ended up costing a total of $85. Before assembly, I called Bendpak and asked for some touch-up paint and they certainly agreed, but wanted me to wait until it was assembled, so if parts were missing they could send the parts with the paint......
Installation: Instructions are okay, but being mechanically inclined will certainly help during the build. Three people were needed to install the cross beams to the posts. The instructions state that you will need to raise the cross beams about 24" from the floor before installing the ramps. There's a lot of plumbing to be done under the power ramp and 24" is an uncomfortable height to be doing this work; should have been at least 36" off the ground. Four people were needed to install the ramps. Two of the grease zerks were broken during shipping, so off to NAPA for two 6mm grease zerks.
Operation: The lift works perfectly and is very quiet. I believe getting it level is the key to proper operation. The ladders are at the very top of the posts and I have not touched them. I did take up some cable slack from the two rear posts and all of the locks are within a split second of each other. I had every intention of fastening the lift to the floor, but it's just not necessary. The best part, no leaks.
Preparing to install: Since my floor slopes to the drain in the center I would need leveling plates under the post. I knew exactly where the lift would be located and took laser transit readings from those four spots and knew how much extra plate thickness I needed. I called Bendpak and asked them about their plates, which are 3/8" thick, and over $100 a piece and I needed 7 of them. So, I asked for the spec sheet for the base plates for my lift so that I could make my own extra plates. They sent me a detailed spec sheet that stated in the legend that these are the specs for my lift. The spec sheet stated the base plates were 12" x 12" with 10" hole centers. The lift arrived with 10" x 12" base plates, that's what I get for trying to plan ahead. My plates ended up costing a total of $85. Before assembly, I called Bendpak and asked for some touch-up paint and they certainly agreed, but wanted me to wait until it was assembled, so if parts were missing they could send the parts with the paint......
Installation: Instructions are okay, but being mechanically inclined will certainly help during the build. Three people were needed to install the cross beams to the posts. The instructions state that you will need to raise the cross beams about 24" from the floor before installing the ramps. There's a lot of plumbing to be done under the power ramp and 24" is an uncomfortable height to be doing this work; should have been at least 36" off the ground. Four people were needed to install the ramps. Two of the grease zerks were broken during shipping, so off to NAPA for two 6mm grease zerks.
Operation: The lift works perfectly and is very quiet. I believe getting it level is the key to proper operation. The ladders are at the very top of the posts and I have not touched them. I did take up some cable slack from the two rear posts and all of the locks are within a split second of each other. I had every intention of fastening the lift to the floor, but it's just not necessary. The best part, no leaks.
