BendPak?

[Gizzygone]

I’m shopping for 4 post lifts for my small garage (at the very least I figure it’ll make oil changes a little easier, and get my toy up out of harms way for the winter).

Bendpak makes a lift that seems to fit the bill pretty good (it’ll make good use of the space while still being just big enough to raise my truck up for some service too).

A few installers, however, have written off Bendpak locally due to customer service issues. Has anybody else had a bad experience lately? Is it worth shopping elsewhere at this point, or are these experiences just pandemic-related supply/staffing pains?

 

[finn]

Not sure there’s really any certainty in lift manufacturers.

Mohawk is a manufacturer of commercial/ industrial lifts that’s been around for a long time, but they’re expensive, large and bulky, and really for industrial, not commercial applications. Rotary is another commercial line, although they also offer imported lifts aimed more towards the consumer market under, I think, the Direct Lift brand.

Bendpack has a poor reputation here for parts availability and follow up service, but they’re probably no worse than the lesser Chinese clone lifts that are here today, gone tomorrow. Also, consider that they are likely the highest volume seller of homeowner lifts, which increases the complaint exposure even if their quality and service are the same as everyone else.

Lots of brands have disappeared or been acquired, or are niche players. Danmar was heavily advertised, but went bankrupt and the assets largely picked up by Bendpack. Backyard Buddy is now part of Advantage, and Greg Smith is part of Tooltopia.

Many of the old commercial names have disappeared over the years.

Many of the wear parts are pretty generic on all lifts, and should be available on the market. Cables, pulleys, fasteners switches, etc come to mind. There are probably thirty vendors selling hydraulic power units. Biggest vulnerability is probably hydraulic cylinders, as they may be supplier specific (or maybe not), and I’m not sure how rebuildable they are.

 

[tunerwithkids]

I think BendPak has been dropping with CS lately...most of their products are made in China and imported. They spend alot of money marketing and getting their products mainstream (YouTube channels) but it appears they've also increased prices to reflect the effort and brand recognition.

4-Post lifts have become a commodity item now, so there area lots of no-name brand or private label lifts on the market for like 30% or more cheaper than BendPak. If you're paying an installer, may want to bug them about who they recommend.

 

[ToddG]

I've had exceptional service and help from Advantage Lifts.

 

[wssix99]

I would take this kind of feedback with a grain of salt. "Installers" are going to have a favorable view of brands that give them a discount, allow them to sell a lift to you at sticker sprice, and then pocket the difference. If BendPak isn't dong that for them, they will poo-poo it.

I have three BendPak's and they have done really well. I would rather have lift made well in China than a lift made poorly in the US, which is comprised of Chinese steel, anyway.

All of my lifts had some sort of scratch, missing parts, or out of date instructions. (The later seems to be a thing with BendPak.) I didn't have any customer service issues at all. I was able to speak to people (in California) right away, had escallation access to engineers to help with the installation questions, and they shipped me any materials I needed the same week.

^ An installer, who wants to get in, get out, and then get paid will probably not have tollerance for this and would count this as bad "customer service". They will want to have access to parts locally so they can get their install done same-day and not have to come back. For me, installing my own lift, this is no big deal - and I don't have to compromise by buying the **** that is avaialble locally.

 

[Gizzygone]

I think BendPak has been dropping with CS lately...most of their products are made in China and imported. They spend alot of money marketing and getting their products mainstream (YouTube channels) but it appears they've also increased prices to reflect the effort and brand recognition.

4-Post lifts have become a commodity item now, so there area lots of no-name brand or private label lifts on the market for like 30% or more cheaper than BendPak. If you're paying an installer, may want to bug them about who they recommend.

What scares me is the parts availability. There’s a place not too far from here that sells Advantage Clones (Universalift): They’re tempting because I like the design and he’s a short drive away should I need support, but I also feel a little more warm and fuzzy when you put that ALI sticker on it…

Are all parts interchangeable for these things? Or could I be up a creek in 10 years should I need a cable or something and the brand is out of business?

The local guys steer towards Mohawk, Rotary, Forward and Direct… but they all make lifts just too large for my space. Bendpak and Advantage offer models that would work well for me.

Challenger has the ”home owner” style lifts which would work, but you’re paying a premium for what I can only assume is probably a lift made in the same factory as the others…

 

[firebirdparts]

From the threads posted here, FWIW, a lot of the time it's been people get mad at Bendpak for basically them saying "you're not understanding the wiring diagram" and "you're not understanding how the lift works" and Bendpak is actually right. This is part of the "poor customer service" that occurs. It's probably true that if you are the sort of person who would antagonize Bendpak because of the way the lift was delivered, that's not going to go well, and that is their fault. They are shipping from China, so if a piece of the lift gets bent, it's not really very practical for them to get a do-over. They've chosen not to be capable of dealing with that quickly (at least not for every case). FWIW.

 

[firebirdparts]

I don't think parts availability is much of an issue, but by no means are the parts interchangeable. I just think you'll find somebody to make up cables if you wear one out. The cables and hydraulic lines and all the hard parts are custom made. The cables are an unscalable business, basically, like the hoses. There's a business in your town that makes those hoses just as well as the factory. You presume the hard parts would never need replacement. A bunch of other stuff is just off-the-shelf components.

 

[Gizzygone]

I've had exceptional service and help from Advantage Lifts.

The 9000HD is what I’m also considering. I like the design of their sleeved posts better… but the bendpak (HD9XW) has a wider track so my truck woudn’t be overhanging the sides as much…

I would take this kind of feedback with a grain of salt. "Installers" are going to have a favorable view of brands that give them a discount, allow them to sell a lift to you at sticker sprice, and then pocket the difference. If BendPak isn't dong that for them, they will poo-poo it.

I have three BendPak's and they have done really well. I would rather have lift made well in China than a lift made poorly in the US, which is comprised of Chinese steel, anyway.

All of my lifts had some sort of scratch, missing parts, or out of date instructions. (The later seems to be a thing with BendPak.) I didn't have any customer service issues at all. I was able to speak to people (in California) right away, had escallation access to engineers to help with the installation questions, and they shipped me any materials I needed the same week.

^ An installer, who wants to get in, get out, and then get paid will probably not have tollerance for this and would count this as bad "customer service". They will want to have access to parts locally so they can get their install done same-day and not have to come back. For me, installing my own lift, this is no big deal - and I don't have to compromise by buying the **** that is avaialble locally.

Good points.

I’d prefer to install the lift myself, but it would likely require me taking a day off of work, renting a trailer and buying an engine hoist… When I consider it all: having somebody install it seems more tempting…

I know for many the AirLocks on Bendpak are a sticking point. Getting air to the lift wouldn’t be an issue at all for me, but I do wonder how they’ll hold up if they’re not used on a daily basis?

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I don’t think that ALI sticker means much if you buy the right lift. When the ALI certification was granted to my Advantage lift, the only change to the lift was some stupid end plates on the runways that act as wheel chocks to keep a vehicle from rolling off if the lift is above the floor. (According to my installer)

 

[finn]

The 9000HD is what I’m also considering. I like the design of their sleeved posts better… but the bendpak (HD9XW) has a wider track so my truck woudn’t be overhanging the sides as much…

Good points.

I’d prefer to install the lift myself, but it would likely require me taking a day off of work, renting a trailer and buying an engine hoist… When I consider it all: having somebody install it seems more tempting…

I know for many the AirLocks on Bendpak are a sticking point. Getting air to the lift wouldn’t be an issue at all for me, but I do wonder how they’ll hold up if they’re not used on a daily basis?

I have the 9000 xlt and also an ss11000 for my dually. The quality is definitely better on the Advantage lifts than on my two post Bendpac, as measured by fit and paint finish thickness, cable and hose crimping, weld quality, etc.

Wildfire looks to be almost exactly the same lift as Advantage, and there are another one or more vendors selling them too.

Communication with Advantage was exemplary during the ordering and pickup process.

The Bendpac was delivered by commercial carrier and had some superficial blemishes that others have bitched about, but I understand Bendpac has stepped up their packaging to minimize shipping scratches, etc. The Advantage lifts were well packaged, and I picked them up from the warehouse in St Paul, so they didn’t have an opportunity to get shipping and handling blemishes. In fact, the ss11000 was still in the sea can when I picked it up.

Those blemishes from shipping seemed to be a large portion of the “poor customer service “ complaints from past Bendpac posts.

 

[Gizzygone]

I don’t think that ALI sticker means much if you buy the right lift. When the ALI certification was granted to my Advantage lift, the only change to the lift was some stupid end plates on the runways that act as wheel chocks to keep a vehicle from rolling off if the lift is above the floor. (According to my installer)

I keep going back and forth on it…. Wildfire was on my short list at one point, but the lack of an ALI and the similar cost of the Advantage swayed me away from them.

I wont be working these lifts too hard: but I would still like to feel safe if my kid runs underneath it.

 

[Cairo94507]

I have had 2 BendPak lifts and loved them both; 4-post and mid-rise scissor. We are in the process of submitting plans to the County to build an ADU with an attached 1550 sq. ft. garage with a 13' ceiling. Not sure what type lift we will go with this time, likely a 2-post Rotary, but who knows. We have spec'd the floor to be 6" 4000 PSI polished concrete, so we will be able to place lift wherever we want in the space.

 

[tester19]

Be aware what ALI brings to the lift?
All ALI certified lifts have been tested to 150% of rated capacity.
So your 10K lift has been tested with a 15K lb test load.

Without ALI they may have tested it to 150% too but you have no 3rd party documentation. If anybody has done anything with quality systems one of the first things you must do is have you product tested and rated by a 3rd party independent from the manufacturer of that product.

So it's not perfect but we don't have anything else beside ALI certification.
.
.
.

 

[wssix99]

What scares me is the parts availability. There’s a place not too far from here that sells Advantage Clones (Universalift): They’re tempting because I like the design and he’s a short drive away should I need support, but I also feel a little more warm and fuzzy when you put that ALI sticker on it…

Are all parts interchangeable for these things? Or could I be up a creek in 10 years should I need a cable or something and the brand is out of business?

What would break? lol I think that's the point. If something breaks, you have a bigger problem than needing parts. The only things that are wear items are the hydraulics and the cables. Those are comodities and any local hydraulics shop should be able to rebuild the cylinders or make you new cables if BendPak (for whatever reason) can't supply parts in the future.

As I mentioned above, I think the parts availablity is a bigger issue for local installers. When things go wrong during an install, they need same-day resolution. For personal uses, we can take a few days.

I’d prefer to install the lift myself, but it would likely require me taking a day off of work, renting a trailer and buying an engine hoist… When I consider it all: having somebody install it seems more tempting…

I do recommend picking it up by one's self at a terminal. You have a lot of control over refusal, etc. if things go really bad in shipping vs. relying on an installer to do the right thing vs. choosing to make their buck.

You do need to rent a good trailer, but its a drop in the bucket compared to an "installer." You don't need a hoist or a crane. Just one helper. My wife helped me unoad all my lifts off the trailer. (Full disclosure, she's got some muscle.) You can break down the crate on the trailer. All the parts are light except for the two ramps. We used furnature dollies to roll them off the trailer and onto the pavement and into the garage. You can spend less than $100 and get three of these and have all you need to get the heavy stuff off the trailer and roll it around without breaking your back.

I know for many the AirLocks on Bendpak are a sticking point. Getting air to the lift wouldn’t be an issue at all for me, but I do wonder how they’ll hold up if they’re not used on a daily basis?

They are fine. I keep trailers and toys stored up in the air on mine for most of the year. For another $100, I purchased this tank from Jegs:



I can fill it with a tire pump and just plug it into the lift when I need to release the locks. (They use a very small amount of air. I fill this tank up maybe 2 or 3 times a year.)

 

[Imatk]

I had a MaxJax that had issues with the power unit right off the bat. Bendpak was great in tech support and getting me a new unit.

I just moved and installed a GP-7 and the power unit they sent out was the wrong one (it was for an hd-9 four-post lift) the reason I knew right away is it was a 110v not a 220v unit.

Again they shipped one out right away no issues.

BUT... there were and are issues still.

I have a torn rubber protector (car door protector) and if it wasn't a brand new lift I wouldn't really care since it's kind of cosmetic, but after dropping almost 5k on a lift... yeah I want it to not be torn right away

For whatever reason I can't get them to send me a replacement... have no idea why but I've been back and forth with them for over two months now and I'm giving up and trying to find one on my own.

When I ordered it, the first person that was taking care of the order dropped the ball, also she left the company (I think they have a high rate of turnover) and then I had to deal with about three different people to find out where my order was and why it wasn't here.

It was supposed to arrive in late October, I got it in January so yeah they screwed up.

So am I glad I have a Bendpak lift? Yes because I think they're well-built and I like the lift. But customer service is a friggin crapshoot.

That's not to say it's better elsewhere though because I just don't know

 

[Snapped-off]

I have a quickjack from bendpak and had no issue contacting them for replacement of a leaky quick connect fitting.

 

[brownbagg]

there a bentpak warehouse by my office

 

[pbon]

One of the rolling jacks on my Bendpak HD-9 stopped working after I tried to keep raising it when it was fully extended. I need to figure out whether it is the yellow hydraulic box with the foot pedal or the ram piston is the scissor part. Any ideas?

 

[Byrdnyrd]

Gizzy,
I installed my BendPak HD9XW about a year ago and love it. I had a great experience in dealing directly with BendPak in their new GA Facility.

I don’t know where you are located but I had my lift delivered to a local business that had a fork lift, the owner was happy to use it to load it onto my trailer ( of course I tipped him!)

installation is a piece of cake, like others have mentioned, I did it with the help of my wife (our combined weight is less than 250 lbs!)

I researched the bejesus out of 4 post lifts and decided on BendPak for a few reasons:

I wanted the air lock safety release, it allows you to release ALL locks from a single location

I bought the wheel kit so I can move the lift if I want.

Safety—the last thing ( literally) I wanted was to be found dead under a substandard lift, the ALI certificate and all related documentation is supplied with each BendPak lift.

if you have any questions please PM me and I’ll provide the salesperson that I dealt with at BendPak.

Cheers,
BN

 

[Yankeefarmer]

….

I researched the bejesus out of 4 post lifts and decided on BendPak for a few reasons:

I wanted the air lock safety release, it allows you to release ALL locks from a single location

I bought the wheel kit so I can move the lift if I want.

Safety—the last thing ( literally) I wanted was to be found dead under a substandard lift, the ALI certificate and all related documentation is supplied with each BendPak lift.

if you have any questions please PM me and I’ll provide the salesperson that I dealt with at BendPak.

Cheers,
BN

Just so there is no confusion:
The mechanical safety locks on the Advantage 9k four post lift are ALL released from a single location. No air required.
The wheel kit is included with the Advantage, no extra cost.
The Advantage 9k I bought is ALI certified.

 

[finn]

bendpak doesnt sell parts, they sell units. you burn up a motor, you got to buy the whole hydraulic power unit, pump and motor. you clyinder needs a new seal. cant buy new seal, you got get the whole clyinder

It costs about the same to buy a power pack complete with motor for a Mohawk as a motor costs, per one vendor I talked to.

The only people that are replacing the motor only change out are those doing multiple unit updates or facilities overhaul For large chains. Otherwise it’s more efficient to change the entire power pack.

It’s not 1959 anymore. Things are produced and serviced as modules now pretty much in all industries.

 

[finn]

Just so there is no confusion:
The mechanical safety locks on the Advantage 9k four post lift are ALL released from a single location. No air required.
The wheel kit is included with the Advantage, no extra cost.
The Advantage 9k I bought is ALI certified.

So is mine, but the 11k isn’t.

 

[Byrdnyrd]

Mea Culpa x 3!


I in NO way intended my post to be a “My Lift is better than your lift” statement, OP asked about BendPak, that’s what I have.

Cheers,
BN

 

[Yankeefarmer]

Mea Culpa x 3!


I in NO way intended my post to be a “My Lift is better than your lift” statement, OP asked about BendPak, that’s what I have.

Cheers,
BN

I certainly didn’t see it that way. That’s why I started out with ”just so there’s no confusion.” Hard to convey intent when writing, especially for someone like me who hates to type. Was more concerned that a person just beginning lift research might form a false impression.

Cheers back at ya, neighbor.

 

[D-train]

I bought the Advantage lift. Tony ( I believe he's one of the owners) called me back on a Saturday OVER A HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!! He was out and called me from his cell phone. He told me to give him a call back if I needed any further help.

Yes, they bought Backyard Buddy. I assume that is still made in the USA. Also, remember that the Advantage lifts are ALI certified. I don't know if it only a select models, but give them a call to ask them.

 

[Gizzygone]

I have contacted advantage lifts myself also, as they’re still on my short list.

I’m sure it’s busy season for them, but communication has been a little tough (slow to respond to emails, and having to transfer to a few different people so I could ask for instructions on the lift.

I’m not counting them out, as that design has appeal, but the bendpak has slightly more appealing dimensions for my small area.

I did reach out to Advantage’s “local installer” this past week: I found it funny that even they tried to sell me a different brand lift!

 

[brownbagg]

i remeber back yard buddy had an article on ali certification, it was just an association where the mfg give them money and they get their blessing, non certfied are not really an issue

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I have contacted advantage lifts myself also, as they’re still on my short list.

I’m sure it’s busy season for them, but communication has been a little tough (slow to respond to emails, and having to transfer to a few different people so I could ask for instructions on the lift.

I’m not counting them out, as that design has appeal, but the bendpak has slightly more appealing dimensions for my small area.

I did reach out to Advantage’s “local installer” this past week: I found it funny that even they tried to sell me a different brand lift!

The company that delivered and installed my Advantage lift does not sell them. The lead guy on my install told he he thought that the lift I bought was the best value in its class. There can be many reasons why a company doesn’t sell a particular brand. As an example, when I bought my zero turn, I decided on a Ferris. The power equipment dealer I prefer for my Stihl equipment sells Ferris, but didn’t have a single model for me to try. The owner told me Ferris’ policies made it too costly for them to have machines to sit in the showroom, but he’d be happy to get me whichever model I wanted. I bought from another (larger) dealer who had several models I could test before driving.

 

[Jeepster04]

Wildfire seems to make good lifts.

4 Post Car Lift | Four Post Car Lifts for Home & Pro Garages

Shop heavy-duty 4 post car lifts at Wildfire Lifts. Safe, reliable four post car lifts built for professionals, enthusiasts, and home garages.

www.wildfirelifts.com

 

[brownbagg]

i bought my bendpak around 2006, I have replaced every part on it except the towers. i have change the
pump, motor, 2 cylinders, hoses, switch, oh yea the chains, they are still original. I need to change the feet, the rubbers is off of them

 

[zkdiesel]

I’d buy a used rotary for more money then a used bendbsck. Just my experience

 

[1MtnGoat]

I've installed two Bendpak 4 post lifts over the past 17+ years. Parts if needed (rarely) and communication with BendPak have not been a problem. Heavy equipment/lift is not needed for installation. As previously mentioned a good furniture dolly it very helpful. I put a heavy duty wooden box about 10" high on the dolly to raise the ramps when we did our installs. It can be done with two people. Both lifts were 12k lifts with 2-6k rolling jacks on them. The furniture dolly also helps for installing the rolling jacks. Air needed for releasing the safety is minimal and should be kept to 40 psi to keep the piston seals from blowing out. I used a mini spray gun regulator on the lift where the air hose connects. Air hose and electrical can be dropped down from the wall or ceiling to keep the floor clear.

 

[c39er]

I bought my BP HD 4 post lift with rolling jacks in 2010.
Have used the heck out of it...never ever had a problem.
I do lube the cables and pulleys often.
I love to keep equipment well lubed.

 

[clutch47]

I bought a BendPak HD-9 in October. Installed it myself.
Never owned a lift or serviced a lift before, so I was concerned with the installation.
The directions were decent but could have been better. Their Customer Service was fine.
Every part was there, install was NOT as hard as I thought, and the thing works great.
I used an engine hoist for the heavy lifting, and it went easy..