Car lifts

[Roadie800]

Researching 4 post car lifts, I found that as far as I can determine, there is only one company that manufactures and markets a USA made product:

https://www.standardautolift.com/shop/stda-7000xlt-usa-made-7000lb-4-post-lift/ The lift I would like is priced at $7585 delivered to a freight destination near me.

There are a few other companies that market Chinese made products of the same level, one seems to be of high quality and reputation:

https://www.wildfirelifts.com/ Their equivalent product is priced at $5219 delivered to a freight destination near me. Anyone on this forum familiar with the quality differences, whether the USA-made product is worth the extra $2300?

 

[mcj115]

What about backyard buddy? They are now owned/distributed by Advantage. I believe they are essentially the same lift with two lines. Advantage is the import line; Backyard buddy is the US manufactured version.

Backyard Buddy Lifts

Discover Advantage Lifts, your trusted source for high-quality 2 post and 4 post car lifts. Our lifts are designed for low garage ceilings, car collectors, car restoration specialists, and DIY Automotive Enthusiasts. We also offer Made in USA Backyard Buddy 4-Post ALI Certified Car Lifts for...

www.advantagelifts.com

 

[Roadie800]

Thanks mcj. I'll check into this one. Hopefully it's a genuine USA manufactured product and not just assembled in the USA with Chinese steel.

 

[Kaizen]

Thanks mcj. I'll check into this one. Hopefully it's a genuine USA manufactured product and not just assembled in the USA with Chinese steel.

You think you’re gonna get a lift with steel guaranteed smelt in USA?


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[mike93lx]

Thanks mcj. I'll check into this one. Hopefully it's a genuine USA manufactured product and not just assembled in the USA with Chinese steel.

I think your hopes are a little unrealistic.

I bet there is overseas stuff in the first one you listed in your OP too.

 

[mike93lx]

If only coo determined if something was safe and good quality...

Lots of USA made stuff is junk. Lots of stuff out of China is good

 

[ch612T]

I looked at most all of the of the 8,000 pound 4 post lifts available. Finely decided to purchase a unit made in China. Purchased it from a local garage equipment dealer 45 minutes away. They sell enough of them to brag them up. Time will tell........

 

[ToddG]

China made does not automatically assure poor quality. My Advantage lift is very well built.

 

[boatshoes]

Anyone on this forum familiar with the quality differences, whether the USA-made product is worth the extra $2300?

Even the USA product you listed uses "North American Steel" which I assume is code for Mexico

 

[finn]

Just finishing up assembly on my 11k Advantage four post lift. I haven’t seen it’s US built sister, the Backyard Buddy, but, compared to my BendPac two post, the quality of the Advantage is outstanding. Very well built and detailed. The welds look really nice, too.

I wouldn’t pay extra for the BB, based on what I got with the Advantage, but at least on my tablet, the two look quite similar in design. The Advantage isn’t a low budget lift, but it has a lot of content, like aluminum ramps, drip trays, and a wheel kit that cost extra on many low cost lifts.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

China made does not automatically assure poor quality. My Advantage lift is very well built.

I have a Direct Lift and feel exactly the same.

 

[dcg9381]

You think you’re gonna get a lift with steel guaranteed smelt in USA?


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I'm sure you can. For a price. A very high price. I'm all for made in USA but the economics are such that we can't compete in some industries and us "consumers" are not wiling to eat the difference.

China CAN build some good stuff. Having stuff manufactured over there, definitely seems to be a propensity to take short cuts, and (likely) move a little more manufacturing profit in. It was always a challenge to explain that I'd pay more for a product that was slightly over built and consistently built that way - more than they'd get by omitting 5% of whatever material.

It's not the steel that I'd necessarily worry about.. But, OP, you're definitely asking the right people.

 

[Steve_P]

I personally would not worry about where the steel is made. I would focus on the quality of the lift mechanism and cylinders. China can make mild steel as can everyone else.

 

[Viper98912]

I'm all for supporting every American job that I can, but with the complexity of today's global economy, there's no way you can ever guarantee that everything is truly made in the USA. Even the manufacturing sites here in this country have parent companies that the money is sent back to at corporate. There's also lots of things that are made here and exported around the world, so the inverse is true as well. At the end of the day, I look more for intellectual property and don't buy things that are clearly imported knockoffs of things designed and made here.

I find $7500 a little excessive for a simple four post lift that you can get for a third of the price. Probably not worth the extra money.

 

[Kaizen]

I'm sure you can. For a price. A very high price. I'm all for made in USA but the economics are such that we can't compete in some industries and us "consumers" are not wiling to eat the difference.

China CAN build some good stuff. Having stuff manufactured over there, definitely seems to be a propensity to take short cuts, and (likely) move a little more manufacturing profit in. It was always a challenge to explain that I'd pay more for a product that was slightly over built and consistently built that way - more than they'd get by omitting 5% of whatever material.

It's not the steel that I'd necessarily worry about.. But, OP, you're definitely asking the right people.

Like viper says above it is close to impossible to trace commodity items like mild steel. I get the buy USA thing but in our global economy it’s not common. Imo it’s a marketing scheme. Slap a label on something and people will spend double.
I bought large expensive compressor that has one of those stickers. Bought for the quality and features. I highly doubt the steel is not recycled from around the world Or the parts were not made all over as well.
Anybody know why we buy diamonds for engagement rings? All stems from a marketing campaign from dabeers.


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[70Beee]

I bought a Backyard Buddy four post lift a dozen or so years ago after a friend talked so much about his. He uses his a lot more than I do mine but he and I have had very reliable service from them and the locking mechanism is the best design I have seen. I ordered it and picked it up at their Warren Ohio factory and assembled it by myself. Wish I had bought two then.

 

[Twodawgs]

I bought a Worth lift about 4 years ago. Made in Texas. Mine is a 2 post, but they have 4 post lifts also. http://www.worthequipment.com/

 

[ronr80]

I bought a Bend-Pak years ago and no issues model HD-9 great rig and easy to work with . R

 

[jethro29]

i have the bendpak and realy like it .

 

[Byrdnyrd]

I just installed a BendPak HD-9. I’ve only used it 2 times so far, but its a LOT nicer than rolling around on the floor!

 

[Byrdnyrd]

No I didn’t install the lift on the Wall, the Picture is rotated!

 

[rsenechal]

I have a wildfire lift and it works great for me. I’m not lifting something daily, use it for storing an extra car mostly but also for maintenance when needed. Also came in handy for lifting my sawstop pallet off my trailer. Looked at bendpak but didn’t want to have a compressed air in order to release the locks. The wildfire just has a lever you pull.

 

[sschung]

You can check out the liftsuperstore.com. I'm not sure about where they source their materials but at least in the Ontario location, they do manufacturing in their plant in Oakville. Might not be USA but it's North America.

 

[Grogg]

You can check out the liftsuperstore.com. I'm not sure about where they source their materials but at least in the Ontario location, they do manufacturing in their plant in Oakville. Might not be USA but it's North America.

I used to drive past that location every day when going into the office was common practise. Several people where I used to rent shop space all got their lifts from there. A year or two later everyone was still really happy with what they got.

 

[sschung]

I used to drive past that location every day when going into the office was common practise. Several people where I used to rent shop space all got their lifts from there. A year or two later everyone was still really happy with what they got.

if you are local and looking for a lift, you owe it to yourself to visit their plant. it's also their sales showroom and you can see a good number of their lifts up front and personal. it's great if you are a picky and technically knowledgeable buyer as you can see their fabrication quality and action of the different actuations before you buy.

 

[Cairo94507]

I had a BendPak 4-post in my last home and their mid-rise scissor in my home now. I use it about twice a week and have never had an issue with BendPak. In fact, their factory is located in Southern California and they came to my home, both times, to do the install. Very satisfied with them and their customer service. In my next garage I will definitely have at least 1 BenPak lift.

 

[HAULNSS]

I love my Advantage lifts. Very well constructed and heavier duty than the really cheap 4 post lifts.

 

[tp5554]

.

 

[tdkkart]

I have a Direct Lift and feel exactly the same.

Myself and many others here have Direct Lifts, they are good quality, certified, and mine has been trouble free for more than 10 years. A local lift service company that had installed nearly every brand of lift remarked at how well built my lift was. I'd buy another in a minute.

 

[pbon]

I have had the Bend Pan HD-9XL for several years as a DIY lift and like it. My only hindsight is that I could have bought the shorter HD-7 — I won’t lift over 7k and don’t really need the longer runners.

 

[brownbagg]

my bendpak *****
parts are almost impossible to get, and then its that china stuff

 

[ScaldedDog]

This is sort of on topic, and I've always wondered...

How often do you drive the vehicle that's stored on the lift? Do you find yourself driving it less that you would if it was stored on the ground?

Mark

 

[Glemon]

I have two sports cars (in addition to regular daily drivers) that go on the lift and the space under the lift. If it is a nice day and I suddenly decide to go for a drive the car on bottom is usually picked. It is about 5 minutes or less to move the cars, drive the car out from the bottom, park, lower the lift, attach ramps and off you go. I swap out top to bottom from time to time because the bottom car gets driven more often as previously described.

 

[P0234]

This is sort of on topic, and I've always wondered...

How often do you drive the vehicle that's stored on the lift? Do you find yourself driving it less that you would if it was stored on the ground?

Mark

I'm not sure I could do it in 5 mintues, maybe close to 10 in reality, but I look at the time saved by not having to wash my other car as often because it used to be parked outside.

 

[racecougar]

This is sort of on topic, and I've always wondered...

How often do you drive the vehicle that's stored on the lift? Do you find yourself driving it less that you would if it was stored on the ground?

Mark

I drive the ones stored up top just as often as the ones stored below (I keep a regular rotation going). It only takes a few minutes to get the top one down.

 

[Wowcars]

Here is a great youtube with Vice Grip Garage when he got his wildfire hoist installed. I have a Direct Lift four post that I inherited from a friend. Was easy to disassemble and reassemble in my shop. Here's a pic with my '58 on it.

 

[Wangta]

How hard is it to install these by yourself (meaning with a friend - not hiring an installer)?

 

[brownbagg]

.

 

[HeadsUp]

I assembled my 4 post by myself using an engine hoist. Took my time and had it done within hours.

 

[finn]

How hard is it to install these by yourself (meaning with a friend - not hiring an installer)?

My 5’2”, seventy year old wife and I installed two Advantage four post lifts, with no other assistance.

The XLT 9000 lb was easier than the bigger 11000 lb unit.

You need equipment to lift and flip the ramps, but you can rent that if you don’t have something with forks. An engine hoist will work. Look at the dozens of YouTube videos out there.

Really depends on how handy and resourceful you are.