Bendpak XPR-10A...Up and running!

[RandyL]

With a lot of help from my oldest son, my new lift is now installed and working great.
It took both of us to get the towers upright and again to get the top plate installed. After that, it was mostly nuts and bolts...12 ft off the floor, and I hate ladders. Still, I worked though my fears and stayed on it until it was finished last night...........works smoooooooooth!
Running this one Dexron type III...thanks to all the folks that responded on my many questions while making my lift decisions.

I had a terrible time with the freight and it took Bendpak to call the shipper to get things off center...it was no fun, but I managed to get it to the shop.

A bent top plate stopped me for an evening until I had time to straighten and repair it. Bendpak is backing me on that, I have only good to say about the company and this lift. It is what I wanted....well built and certified.

The installation manual leads you astray at times and just plain lost other times, I am going to putting this in writing for Bendpak and maybe try and get a supplement to the manual that would help other installers.

Sons Jeep was first test...... Nervous but perfect!

 

[cspcrx]

That is awesome! congrats. Two weeks away from ordering my MD-6xp and cant wait. A lift is a game changer in the garage. Great job!

 

[Fcvapor05]

Nice. I can't WAIT to have a garage big enough for a lift.

 

[gasaxeman]

Had a similar experience with mine few weeks back.
The shipping ***** and their method of packaging is horrible.
Got some back from them in the form of merchandise
I am not impressed with the overall experience.
Can not complain about the lifts performance but they really need to improve their shipping and packaging.
If I wanted to buy a scratched up beat up POS lift I would expect it to be discounted.
But it seems they all arrive their destination in less than perfect shape...... For full price.

 

[toyoguy81]

Congrats Randy, i got a sweet deal on a used challenger 9k, target date is set for this thurs. I can't wait either...

 

[RandyL]

This thing is gonna be great to have around. I can think of a hundred uses for it and that is other than lifting cars!

I think that Bendpak will take care of me concerning the problems I dealt with, they have been fair so far.... when the smoke clears I think I will have a nice lift for many years to come..

They want the inside corners lubed with a light coat of bearing grease, where the blocks rub when lifting.

I will be using John Deere cornhead grease. This is one of the slickest, widest temp range lube that I know of. I started using it about 20 years ago when Toyota suggested it for the front axles on 4x4's. We still use it in the shop today. Available at John Deere tractor shops, we buy it in tubes now days...used to buy it in 5 gallon buckets back in the day. Any old Toyota techs out there using this??? I think we were mechanics back then...not sure when I turned into a tech, and then into an oldtimer.

 

[wnstwolf]

Great job Randy!

Did the manual lead you astray on having the columns squewed like that? ;-) Assuming yours is Asymmetrical. I have a used lift and the manual that came with it was water damaged. Called BP and they sent me two. First one was for a lift like yours. Only thing is mine is symmetrical. I had to take a few looks at things and ask why the columns would be turned like that…

Good luck with the lift and all the new tools you have to buy; Oil drain pan, ****** lift, support stands.. If your friends are like mine get ready for many "beer” tips when they want to change their oil at your house!

 

[Arps]

Nice! Congrats!

 

[RandyL]

Great job Randy!

Did the manual lead you astray on having the columns squewed like that? ;-) Assuming yours is Asymmetrical. I have a used lift and the manual that came with it was water damaged. Called BP and they sent me two. First one was for a lift like yours. Only thing is mine is symmetrical. I had to take a few looks at things and ask why the columns would be turned like that…

Good luck with the lift and all the new tools you have to buy; Oil drain pan, ****** lift, support stands.. If your friends are like mine get ready for many "beer” tips when they want to change their oil at your house!

Mine is asymmetrical... XPR-10A ( think that is what the A is for ). The manual covers the 10 and the 10A both and it is confusing at best sometimes.
The 10 comes with equal length cables, the A comes with one cable about 6 inches shorter than the other...book says to install cables...thats it...install cables. Sure leaves you reading and wondering what you are about to screw up. As it turns out, the short one can go on either side, but it needs to be marked as it must go through certain pulleys in the top plate. Why could they not say install either side and mark the short cable...would have been so easy to do.

The towers mount 30 degree off center... says to decide which side you want the power and pump, then install first tower...I did....then the 2nd tower. Now on to the top plate, Bold type says to mount top plate with micro switch closest to power tower.....can't be done on mine as the top plate is screwed 30 degrees and only can go on one way..and the micro switch is way across the top on the wrong side from the instructions. No less, there is not enough wire to reach the power station..off to town to buy a $30 roll of wire to rewire a new lift.

so it went on with several things...the instructions need revisions, and a seperate book for each model. I wasted nights reading and re-reading then having to guess and go on with the install..

Randy

 

[wdrumheller]

I'm curious about your choice of the location of the hydraulic tank. It's on the "inside" of the lift. I did mine on the "outside". Does this make any difference? This is how I did mine. (Borrowed image).

 

[RandyL]

I questioned the placement of the pump motor to the inside like you mention. I preferred my controls to be on the drivers side of the vehicle, and be out it the center of the shop for easier viewing of the top of the vehicle as it raises if need be.

Being a long time airplane modeler, I went down to my hobby shop and mocked up the actual beams and motor placement out of balsa and ply.. that way I could see exactly the end result. It turned out that the motor and tank were not obtrusive at all. Not like I thought they might be.

It will work well either way... I even got to stay close to my main electric panel, not that it was a deal breaker.

Sure is nice to have....already!

Randy

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I'm totally jelly about that lift, but more importantly- there is a freaking space shuttle in your garage.

I'm always saying "it's not like we're working on the space shuttle here guys". But in your case I would be wrong! I'd have to tell my buddies to buckle down and get this stuff right, we're working on the space shuttle here boys !

Anyway sweet lift setup.

 

[Cjk]

Looks great, I plan to get the same hoist. Can you tell me what distance from the wall you placed your posts? I laid my floor tubes out expecting the posts 10 ft from the wall. It looks like you have plenty of room in front of your hoist so I am curious on the distance.

 

[pattenp]

Typically the power unit is on the passenger side to reduce steps when loading the vehicle.

From Rotary Lifts
The factory has located the power unit on the passenger side of the lift to reduce the steps required for the technician when positioning the adapters and raising the vehicle. Typically, when placing a vehicle on the lift, the technician spots the left front wheel in the proper spotting dish position, as determined by the wheelbase. The technician then exits the vehicle and proceeds to locate each adapter according to the vehicle manufacturers recommended lift points, first on the driver’s side, then on the passenger’s
side. By locating the power unit on the passenger side of the lift he is now ready to continue with the lifting procedures.

I'm curious about your choice of the location of the hydraulic tank. It's on the "inside" of the lift. I did mine on the "outside". Does this make any difference? This is how I did mine.

 

[RandyL]

and from the Bendpak install manual...

Mine fits my building and benchs nicer on the drivers side..but it can be either way and work fine.


1. Determine which side of the lift will be the approach side.
2. Now determine where the power unit will be located.
The POWER SIDE column has the power unit mounting
bracket attached to the side.



The center of my lifting post is 11ft from my front wall, again, this has to do with my centering on the roof..but it appears to be fine with everything I have lifted.

Go to Bendpak.com, on the right side there are downloads... download the manual and it gives minimum spacing specs..

Randy

 

[smithred67]

Awesome!

 

[RandyL]

Awesome!

Thanks!!!

They are great no matter how you set them up. Mine has controls on drivers side, and is installed in the wide mode, about a foot wider than standard width. I had room to spare so that is how I put it up. Very easy to get around.

Randy

 

[RandyL]

I'm totally jelly about that lift, but more importantly- there is a freaking space shuttle in your garage.

I'm always saying "it's not like we're working on the space shuttle here guys". But in your case I would be wrong! I'd have to tell my buddies to buckle down and get this stuff right, we're working on the space shuttle here boys !

Anyway sweet lift setup.

That shuttle flys fantastic. You are right, I need to use it as an icon to do my best work all the time! Thanks........

Randy

 

[BHR4CE1]

If you like the lift, you will LOVE the customer service. I'm so glad I went with Bendpak for my garage!

 

[smithred67]

Jealous!

 

[Quijote]

My XPR-10A-LP gets installed monday morning. Because my ceiling is 10', the posts will go in between trusses. I'll post photos.

 

[RandyL]

My XPR-10A-LP gets installed monday morning. Because my ceiling is 10', the posts will go in between trusses. I'll post photos.

I dealt with 11ft trusses... checked CG and meaurements of many vehicle, put them in an overlay and found where I wanted my posts. It worked out perfectly for me. Best of luck..let us know how you do.

I had some shipping and other minor issues. They were all handled very well by Bendpak.. I'm impressed with their customer service.

Randy

 

[killahog]

Randy How did you deal with the cable pulleys for the safety locks when you installed your pose unit on the off side. I sent you a pm before i found your thread. Thanks

 

[RandyL]

There is no conflict on the saftey latchs, cables, or pulleys...no matter which side you set the control unit. They fit perfect either way.

The one thing, and only thing, is the wire to the overhead saftey switch needs to be lengthened. I forget the gauge of the wire offhand ( maybe 16?? ). Around here they wanted way too many $$ by the foot at stores. I bought an outdoor extension cord of the proper gauge for 1/2 the $$ and cut the ends off.

Randy

 

[killahog]

Randy I will take a few pictures of the routing of the safety cables and post them. Mine might be different than yours. Thanks

 

[Racersteve64]

Randy,
Where in Kansas are you located? I am building a 30x48 shop this Spring, and planning for a two post lift...looking for ideas. I am near Lawrence and have time to travel to see a cool shop.

Racersteve64

 

[RandyL]

Randy,
Where in Kansas are you located? I am building a 30x48 shop this Spring, and planning for a two post lift...looking for ideas. I am near Lawrence and have time to travel to see a cool shop.

Racersteve64

Mine is a metal building type shop.. if you want air condioning you open the door.. : ) but I like it! Would be happy to show you my Bendpak lift if that is anything you may be interested in.

I'm not far off...work in Topeka and live 7 mile west in Silver Lake area. colder than heck right now and the shop is 1/2 full of Goose decoys, trailers, and quadrunners.

 

[Willyj]

Awesome! We have 145 3/4" from floor to bottom of trusses in our new shop. We are hoping this particular lift will fit w/o any mods.

 

[killahog]

Randy, I have the pictures of the XPR10A LP almost complete. I was concerned about the routing of the Saftey lock connecting cable. I mounted my lift with the power unit on the left side as viewed if you were approaching it in a vehicle. The one thing I was not prepared for was the way the saftey lock cable sheaves were positioned on the overhead connecting bar. When I reversed the colums this put them on the opposite side of the and therfore is routing the cable sort of diagonaly up thru the columns. I am asuming your cables are routed the same way as mine . If so are you having any issues. The cable in picture is not in line with the small sheave and not secured in the safety latch yet. Thanks Tony

 

[ADSR]

Something doesn't look right there. My lock cables are straight.

 

[RandyL]

Too late tonight to go out and look at mine, will look early in the morn as I don't recall any issue... 9 pm

Randy

 

[killahog]

Diesel , thats the issue I am having. I reversed the colums to have the power on the left side and the consequence was when the colum was switched it actually rotated it and cable sheaves are not lined up.

 

[RandyL]

Tony, My books are out in the shop as well, but will look for you.

Your towers are set exactly like mine in the first pic of this thread?

The top plate stays the same no matter which side the pump is mounted. It should make no difference on the saftey latch cable as to either as I recall.

Hopefully a quick look and I will have an answer to help you.

Randy

 

[killahog]

Thanks Randy, your thread was what gave me the idea to reverse them. At first I was very concerned but after studying the operation of the cable and taking into account it is only moving 2 or 3 inches and under slow speed and low tension I dont think it will wear out very quickly.

 

[RandyL]

Tony, Mine is exactly like yours. I did not even notice that the cable has this slight angle. It works perfectly fine as it is. Once the cable is on and adjusted you will never notice...I know I did not. : )

Good job at paying attention!

Randy

 

[killahog]

Thank you for taking the time to post the picture Randy.

 

[Low N Slow]

I installed my XPR-10A with the power unit on the left side like this one, I had to add a couple small clamps to hold the cable closer to the column because when the lift got near the top of the travel the carriage would contact the cables and stop the safety latches from engaging.

 

[killahog]

I installed my XPR-10A with the power unit on the left side like this one, I had to add a couple small clamps to hold the cable closer to the column because when the lift got near the top of the travel the carriage would contact the cables and stop the safety latches from engaging.

That could be dangerous. Could you get a picture of your improvement . I started on the wiring for mine today but have a issue with the overhead saftey bar. My roof trusses are running parallel to the overhead safety Bar. The bottom of the truss is 11" 4' and the saftey bar is positioned just 4 inches from it. The vehicle will contact the truss before the bar. So unless I find an easy way to drop it down I am going to just install a switch above the power unit to cut the power in case of a malfunction.

 

[fnieto]

I must have had a differant installation manual. I downloaded a copy and studied it prior to the XPR10A-LP arriving. The only question that I had was two differant measurements given (inside from column to column). The discrepancy was 3". I did not flip my power unit as my set up works better with power unit on the right (passenger) side. All cables including saftey are lined up. I would correct your set up. You could re locate the small cable pully mounts if your compitent, but I would not trust it the way it is. These lifts are extremely handy but can get you killed just the same. I also built a small shelf for the oil reservoir for added support.
I enjoy using the new addition to the shop.

 

[killahog]

Thats a nice shelf fnieto. I carfully considered moving the cable sheve however it would only be possible to move it 1 inch or so on the overhead support without putting it in a position to contact the large cables. I will watch it and if nessasary I will install 2 additional cable rollers to reduce the side load on the lower rollers.