Full size Chinese 2-post lift vs Dannmar MX6

[Handyandy23]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and looking for some advice / opinions. I'm going to be buying a 2 post car hoist soon, and I'm a little torn on what to buy based on my budget.

For about the same price locally I can get either a Chinese-made full height lift, such as an Atlas 9KBP or Torin Big Red 2 Post, or a "higher quality" shorter lift like the Dannmar MX6 or MaxJack.

I have the ceiling height to fit the full size (around 6ft under car) lifts, but part of me worries the full size lifts at the lower price point will be poorly made, and difficult to get replacement parts for.

On the other hand the Dannmar I believe is made in the US, and they seem to be more accessible for advice, troubleshooting, and parts. I'm not tall myself (5'7") so for the amount of time I'd be directly under the car, the 4 foot clearance wouldn't be a huge hindrance. But then I also feel like it's a bit of a waste to settle for something shorter than I could fit.

Can anyone with experience with any of these please chime in with thoughts and opinions? I'm leaning towards the Atlas or Torin, but I also want something that will last. It's just going in my home garage for occasional use, so it's not going to be abused, but I also don't know what level of quality to expect from any of these.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[lucky3]

I sold my max jax to buy a atlas bp8000. So glad I did. Buy the atlas, it's a much better and heavier built lift. If u can fit a full size lift in your garage, there's really no sense in buying a portable lift unless u need to move it. Also the max jax is made overseas just like the atlas.

 

[T_R]

The maxjax is also a Chinese lift.

 

[rburke65]

I believe only a small percentage of lifts are USA made.

 

[Handyandy23]

Thanks for the replies. I had assumed the Dannmar was American made because I read some reviews where people talked about speaking over the phone with a tech center in Arizona, and getting replacement parts. That was a bad assumption on my part.

I don't necessarily think Chinese or overseas products are worse quality either, my main concern is just getting a product that's decent quality and that I can get ahold of the manufacturer if I need to.

@lucky3, thanks for weighing in with your experience with both lifts. It makes sense the Atlas is much more heavy duty since it's rated for quite a bit more weight. It sounds like that's the best way to go since I can fit it. Have you had to contact Atlas at all for support or parts? Just curious how accessible they are.

 

[nh_yota]

Often a product will be manufactured overseas but the company will maintain a customer support center in the USA with a stock of common replacement parts.

 

[boosteddsm92]

Danmar has regular lifts that are ALI certified. A good middle ground IMO. Chinese made but has a good support presence in the US and many models are ALI certified. They make a baseplate 9k lift that may fit the bill so maybe give them a look. I have an extra wide 10k Danmar 2 post that has been working great for 7 years now.

 

[Falcon67]

My Weaver is serviced here (well, Fort worth - 150 miles) but is made elsewhere. Nothing I found about it looked "cheap" or light weight. The posts use some really thick steel and all the parts are really heavy duty. I've had the F350 on it just a hair up for brake service - 5800 lbs and it didn't blink. Everything else I use it for is 3000 or less. Total cost was under $1800 for the parts, plus a nice drive to Fort Worth and back to pick it up, plus a nice lunch for the wife and I.