Bendpak Questions - Ready to Pull the Trigger

[gpalmer77]

So I've been thinking about this for a while, built the garage around a future wish for a nice four post lift, for Winter storage of my track/AX car, and for maintenance too.

I think I've settled on the Bendpak HD-9XW for the following reasons....

• Good quality make, ALI certified, good reviews.
• XW is just high enough that I can walk under the thing without bumping my head at its full height.
• It seems I can move one of the ramps to make it wider, and I've also read that some people drill their own holes to custom set the width, allowing maximum access underneath with the inside of the tires close to the inside of the ramps.
• With a single RJ-45 I can do some pretty intensive maintenance work.

So now it comes time to buy and I have some concerns to figure out before I pull the trigger.

• I found a place in Elgin IL (Auto Body Toolmart) that can have the lift shipped to them, I could then go and pick it up from them with a trailer. I do not have a forklift at my house, obviously.
• However, when I asked Bendpak to refer me to their nearest dealer, I got a call from a guy in Tennessee. So my guess is the other place isn't an authorized dealer, just a guy who orders a lift and sells it on to me.
• Any thoughts on which might be the better idea? If I go with the dealer in Tennessee, I have to figure out the logistics of getting it to my house at this end, and risk extra charges from a third party shipping terminal.

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated. I'm working on a budget number of $4100 to get the lift and the single RJ-45 shipped.

 

[seagravedriver]

I just got mine. I rented a forklift, and found that to be well worth it. It is LONG! No way I could have got it home without renting a trailer, which still would have left me with a bit of an unloading problem. But you have to have an appropriate area to operate the forklift. The rental place I use told me that it is the 2nd heaviest piece of equipment he owns.

BendPak is a good choice. For what I paid, I wish they could at least put stickers of straight. Both on the U.S. made pump and the China made structural parts. The drip pans showed up cracked and damaged, and the frame they build around the end of the lift for shipping was damaged. Fortunately , the lift was good. Inspect it before you accept it!

I was just happy to have it delivered to my house and not have to deal with any other logistic issues. The dealer also took off the residential delivery surcharge.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I bought my bendpak from an out of town dealer and had it shipped to the local trucking companys yard (conway) which was still about 40 minutes away. they called me when it was in and I went and picked it up with a small trailer, they loaded for me. worked out good.

try calling the dealer in tennessee, he should be able to do that for you, after all they all come from ca anyway. i'm sure he doesn't stock them..............i was surprised how quick it showed up, less than a week

 

[gpalmer77]

I just got mine. I rented a forklift, and found that to be well worth it. It is LONG! No way I could have got it home without renting a trailer, which still would have left me with a bit of an unloading problem. But you have to have an appropriate area to operate the forklift. The rental place I use told me that it is the 2nd heaviest piece of equipment he owns.

BendPak is a good choice. For what I paid, I wish they could at least put stickers of straight. Both on the U.S. made pump and the China made structural parts. The drip pans showed up cracked and damaged, and the frame they build around the end of the lift for shipping was damaged. Fortunately , the lift was good. Inspect it before you accept it!

I was just happy to have it delivered to my house and not have to deal with any other logistic issues. The dealer also took off the residential delivery surcharge.

Ugh, I hate it when the stickers aren't straight!

Forklift is not really an option for me, my driveway is still just crushed stone (concrete coming later this spring) and I don't really have enough space to carry that thing up the driveway sideways on the front of the forklift. I'm actually better off backing a trailer up to the garage and unloading there.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

here's how i picked mine up, i don't have the same lift as you (i have the xp10cx) but i'm sure it'll be close to the same size.

the pic may look a little shakey but i brought lots of stuff (battery drills, screws, 2x4's)to tie it down, everything in the picture is fasten with screws to the trailer bed including the pallets which conway gave me because i didn't figure for the angle frame that bendpak puts on each end when they ship.

once I got it home, i pretty much disambled it on the trailer. the heaviest part was the columns which i ended up strapping to the bucket of my kubota.

if you have to go across any dirt or mud you may want to consider renting/borrowing a small tractor they would be better than a hilo for that.
I had about 30' of my approach that wasn't poured yet so the tractor worked out good.

 

[gpalmer77]

I bought my bendpak from an out of town dealer and had it shipped to the local trucking companys yard (conway) which was still about 40 minutes away. they called me when it was in and I went and picked it up with a small trailer, they loaded for me. worked out good.

try calling the dealer in tennessee, he should be able to do that for you, after all they all come from ca anyway. i'm sure he doesn't stock them..............i was surprised how quick it showed up, less than a week

Auto Body Toolmart called me this morning, they tell me they are an authorized dealer. Only issue here is that they charge sales tax. But, they will take delivery for me at their shop, for me to come and get with the trailer.

The dealer in Tennessee would indeed ship to a local freight depot..... that is my concern, I've been stung with extra charges on other items this way before.

 

[gpalmer77]

here's how i picked mine up, i don't have the same lift as you (i have the xp10cx) but i'm sure it'll be close to the same size.

the pic may look a little shakey but i brought lots of stuff (battery drills, screws, 2x4's)to tie it down, everything in the picture is fasten with screws to the trailer bed including the pallets which conway gave me because i didn't figure for the angle frame that bendpak puts on each end when they ship.

once I got it home, i pretty much disambled it on the trailer. the heaviest part was the columns which i ended up strapping to the bucket of my kubota.

if you have to go across any dirt or mud you may want to consider renting/borrowing a small tractor they would be better than a hilo for that.
I had about 30' of my approach that wasn't poured yet so the tractor worked out good.

Thanks for the pics and tips. Mine is a four post, so the total package is longer, about 16 feet. I'm still looking for some contacts locally through people I know who may be able to help receive or maneuver this thing for me.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I didn't have any problem with additional shipping charges. it was free shipping and when i picked it up there were no charges due, bendpak is a pretty good company so i wouldn't expect that from them.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

wow 16' they must have those post end to end, that is long. my columns are 12'.

another thing i looked at was possibly renting a you haul truck, maybe even with a lift gate, might be easier than trying to get a trailer up your drive.
just a thought

 

[gpalmer77]

wow 16' they must have those post end to end, that is long. my columns are 12'.

another thing i looked at was possibly renting a you haul truck, maybe even with a lift gate, might be easier than trying to get a trailer up your drive.
just a thought

Yes, the runways are the longest part, I believe they use those and two metal brackets to make a "box" and pack the four posts and two cross beams inside.

I have a local UHaul, actually right behind my house..... but I'd need an open truck...... can't see end-picking a 16' load on my driveway, or asking the guy at the freight place to do it with a regular UHaul truck. An open trailer is about my only option here, and I've backed one up my driveway before when I got the 20' steel beam for my garage build. Not easy, but I've done it.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

Yes, the runways are the longest part, I believe they use those and two metal brackets to make a "box" and pack the four posts and two cross beams inside.

I have a local UHaul, actually right behind my house..... but I'd need an open truck...... can't see end-picking a 16' load on my driveway, or asking the guy at the freight place to do it with a regular UHaul truck. An open trailer is about my only option here, and I've backed one up my driveway before when I got the 20' steel beam for my garage build. Not easy, but I've done it.

yeah i could see how unloading it with a closed truck in your driveway could be a pain.
but i doubt that the freight company would have any problems puting it into a covered truck, thats the way they loaded mine the forks go right thru that angle iron frame on the end, he didn't load it on the trailer from the side, he loaded it from the back.
i guess no matter how you do it it'll be a pain, you know how that stuff is you never really know how its going to be until you actually get into it.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

if your going to do a open trailer why not back the trailer up to your garage and then build a scaffold over the trailer and using a chain fall, (actually if you used two chain falls/come alongs would be better,one on each side) lift up the lift a couple of inches and then just pull the trailer out from undernieth of it.

here's what we did more than once, you don't need anything this elaborate but you can get the idea.
you might only need one 5' section, you can remove the bracing on the truck side of the scaffold just tie the sections together so they can't move on you.
you could also use a gantry but a scaffold is a lot lighter and much easier to work with.

 

[happy]

I did the trucking terminal route. I was able to have them place it in my open car trailer. Took it off with my engine hoist or I could have easily backed the trailer in the garage. The parts for the 4 post are not that heavy. You and a helper should have no problem. My buddy and I had it up in a single day. Good luck!

 

[brownbagg]

they are not heavy. just ship to yellow freight or conway terminal. pick up with trailer, they will load it for you, back trailer in garage and just stand them up. i did mine, myself with a small toyota truck. you are thinking to much, the heaviest parts about 200 pounds

 

[gpalmer77]

Thanks guys, I'm not so worried about unloading it off the trailer in my driveway..... more the logistics involved with the various options in terms of making sure I don't overlook anything.

 

[Matt M PA]

When I got my HD9, I guess I was lucky.

We have friends with a body shop, a rollback, and a forklift. We had the lift delivered to their shop. They unloaded with the forklift…onto their rollback. Then, when it got here we rolled it off with car dollies.

 

[gpalmer77]

When I got my HD9, I guess I was lucky.

We have friends with a body shop, a rollback, and a forklift. We had the lift delivered to their shop. They unloaded with the forklift…onto their rollback. Then, when it got here we rolled it off with car dollies.

This is what I'm trying to set-up as an ideal way of doing this...... the few people I know with the facilities/equipment are not immediate friends though, so it might just take a little more legwork to set it up.

 

[my58]

Not to beat a Dead horse, but just to re-assure you... I also unloaded and set up my 4 post lift basically alone with a engine hoist and 2 floor jacks. Get some good wood scraps, old beams or pieces of railroad ties to sit pieces on and take it slow 1 step at a time. Enjoy the experience and savor the Day you set-up your lift.

Takes lots of pics and remember to share them with us all.

 

[J Persons]

I just bought my HD9XW from ASE deals, also ordered the RJ45 rolling jack and the JP6 jack plate. Everything that's ordered along with the lift is included with the free shipping. The lift and jack plate came on 2 pallets and the RJ45 had it's own pallet. The lift was shipped to my closest Con-Way transport hub which was about 50 miles from me. They loaded it on to my trailer and when I got it home, I unloaded it using my engine hoist and a couple of furniture dollies. I had a couple of friends come over to assist me with the main assembly, it only took about 2 hours to bolt it all together.

Unless they have updated the instructions, the hydraulic connections are different than what the manual shows. Also, my reservoir took 16 quarts to get the level up to the dipstick. My manual said that the reservoir held 12 quarts.

Once it's assembled, you will need to plumb the air for the locks and the RJ45. I used their work station, but it's expensive for what you get. Their optional air line kit is way expensive, I made my own using some stainless tubing and AN fittings, it cost me less than half of what they wanted for the air line kit.

 

[shopnut]

FWIW, I just picked up a HD-9XW last week and will be explaining the whole process shortly in the Asylum build thread if your interested in seeing some details. I'll be putting it together by myself.

And thanks J Persons, I just bought 3 gallons of ATF to fill it up - sounds like I better get another gallon before starting.

 

[Slowbra]

I'm a few weeks from ordering my HD9XW. Is it possible to assemble this without destroying a freshly epoxied floor? I am thinking about buying some of those thin plywood sheets to put over the floor to prevent scratches from moving around a chert picked and the lift pieces.

 

[forced induction]

Looks like Summit Racing has free shipping and free truck freight currently. Not sure if the shipping issue was still a valid concern. Don't know about unloading either or if they charge you a handling fee. Just saw it and thought I would share. Similar lift I am thinking about.

 

[msgross]

NOrthern Tool has free shipping

 

[e-tek]

I called a few friends and had them at the ready when mine arrived on the transport (just said I was a business address!). I just quickly unbolted it from the shipping ends then we hauled the pieces into my shop. Once you stand the ends up, a couple guys can lift each end over for bolting.
I like the idea of drilling bolt holes for a custom width, but I've also made the comment that I regretted ordering the xtra wide lift. The narrow one will accept anything less than a dually and the wide stance of the XW takes up a LOT of garage space. I'm forever squeezing around the posts next to the wall!
FWIW - I'd also caution against installing an air line going from the jack like the photo above - that air line will always be in the way. I saw another whee the line is tucked along, or under the ramp, then across to the RJ.

 

[my58]

gpalmer77,

Once you get the lift and get it all set up you may find yourself needing a better work light for use with the lift. About a year ago I posted about a lift lite I cobbled together because my old eyes ****, and I found nothing that fit my budget. I have now used this light often over the last year and it has proven to be a wonderful addition to my lift and a great help. I added the link below just incase you need something similar.

Good luck with your purchase and have fun!


http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=178165

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

my58, I just saw your light idea, very nice and looks easy and inexpensive to build. I also need much more light than I did 30 years ago.

 

[Slowbra]

gpalmer77,



Once you get the lift and get it all set up you may find yourself needing a better work light for use with the lift. About a year ago I posted about a lift lite I cobbled together because my old eyes ****, and I found nothing that fit my budget. I have now used this light often over the last year and it has proven to be a wonderful addition to my lift and a great help. I added the link below just incase you need something similar.



Good luck with your purchase and have fun!





http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=178165

Great idea.

 

[shopnut]

Again, FWIW for potential BendPak owners...

I posted this in my build thread, but more people may find it of use here. Here are all the parts laid out for an HD-9XW. Parts in the foreground are accessories.

BendPak lists the following shipping weights for the parts I bought:

2040 - HD-9XW
68 - JP-6 Jack Plate
55 - JP-3 Jack Plate
140 - Caster Set

A rough estimate of the 2040 pound weight breakdown for the base lift is as follows:

400 - Runway with 4 ladder lock plates lying in it
400 - Runway with hyd cylinder in it
250 - Each cross tube (2X) (maybe 200 each and an extra 50 on each runway)
125 - Each column (4X) (I could lift them easy enough)
100 - Ramps/chocks/column caps
100 - Pump and all misc hardware
40 - Shipping brackets (4X)


My BendPak story starts here: Linky

 

[c39er]

"FWIW - I'd also caution against installing an air line going from the jack like the photo above - that air line will always be in the way. I saw another whee the line is tucked along, or under the ramp, then across to the RJ."

I made my coiled jack (have 2) hoses follow a stainless guy wire to keep the RJ7 jacks air supply hoses out of the way.
I realised quikly the hoses could not be hanging between the runways.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

c39er, that's a great setup you have for the air line. It seems to answer all the problems.

 

[J Persons]

FWIW - I'd also caution against installing an air line going from the jack like the photo above - that air line will always be in the way. I saw another whee the line is tucked along, or under the ramp, then across to the RJ.

The air line is a non-issue. The jack carriage can can be moved to 1½ " from the cross tube without fouling the air line. This is similar to the way the factory air line is configured.

 

[gpalmer77]

I called a few friends and had them at the ready when mine arrived on the transport (just said I was a business address!). I just quickly unbolted it from the shipping ends then we hauled the pieces into my shop. Once you stand the ends up, a couple guys can lift each end over for bolting.
I like the idea of drilling bolt holes for a custom width, but I've also made the comment that I regretted ordering the xtra wide lift. The narrow one will accept anything less than a dually and the wide stance of the XW takes up a LOT of garage space. I'm forever squeezing around the posts next to the wall!
FWIW - I'd also caution against installing an air line going from the jack like the photo above - that air line will always be in the way. I saw another whee the line is tucked along, or under the ramp, then across to the RJ.

I have looked at both lift widths..... given the size and design of my garage, the wider lift actually works better, it places the right side posts about 3" from the wall...... the narrower lift is the one that would leave me with an awkward gap to walk around. So in this case, the bigger lift suits the space a little better, even though mostly smaller cars will be on it. Can't get much smaller than the M Coupe that will get parked on it in Winter...... but I want to be able to work on bigger stuff too.

 

[gpalmer77]

"FWIW - I'd also caution against installing an air line going from the jack like the photo above - that air line will always be in the way. I saw another whee the line is tucked along, or under the ramp, then across to the RJ."

I made my coiled jack (have 2) hoses follow a stainless guy wire to keep the RJ7 jacks air supply hoses out of the way.
I realised quikly the hoses could not be hanging between the runways.

That is a very slick solution. Thanks.

 

[b974k]

I had mine shipped to a local shop with a roll off car hauler They loaded it to the hauler which is perfect height he delivered to me for a total of $125 At my house he just tilted the hauler and we slid it onto a dolly I have If you don't have a dolly you can easily slide it directly to the ground

 

[Bigshed]

I bought my Bendpak from Smitty's http://www.automotiveshopequipment.net/ he is located in northern Illinois had it shipped to a local ag dealer near my home. They loaded it on my trailer I unloaded it with a small utility tractor one piece at a time. Smitty's is a bendpak dealer and is located in Allison Illinois. This should be close to you.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

I just got a new Summit catalog and noticed that they sell Bendpak lifts. The nice part is that it has free shipping. Now that's a deal.

 

[BHR4CE1]

I LOVE my Bendpak!!!!!!!

 

[shopnut]

It seems I can move one of the ramps to make it wider, and I've also read that some people drill their own holes to custom set the width, allowing maximum access underneath with the inside of the tires close to the inside of the ramps.

The new "Rev M" XWs are about 7" narrower than the old ones. Take a look at this picture with the ramps in the "wide" position. Note that each ramp could only move about 2" out before hitting the cross tube gussets - might not be worth the mods for the small gain

BTW, I'm just inserting the write-up for my assembly process in my build thread.
.

 

[domer911]

"FWIW - I'd also caution against installing an air line going from the jack like the photo above - that air line will always be in the way. I saw another whee the line is tucked along, or under the ramp, then across to the RJ."

I made my coiled jack (have 2) hoses follow a stainless guy wire to keep the RJ7 jacks air supply hoses out of the way.
I realised quikly the hoses could not be hanging between the runways.

That's a great setup. One more project for this weekend.

 

[my58]

Note that each ramp could only move about 2" out before hitting the cross tube gussets - might not be worth the mods for the small gain

.

I would also be concerned that messing with the spacing could impact any standard add-ons you may want to purchase latter that are made to fit between the standard distance.