Help Choosing the right lift

[Jeepwx03]

I've been reading all day on this topic and there is a lot of different opinions and lots of information.

My Story:
My wife and I hare building a new home and I'm have a 36"x21'7"x12'2" attached garage being built. I would like to get a 2 post lift for the center bay with plans for a 4 post on the end by in the future. Currently the largest vehicle I have is a 2004 F-150 ext cab and the lowest car is a 2015 Mustang GT.

What I have found is that it seems there are a lot of guys going with BendPak, Dannmar, and Atlas.

I'm leaning towards BendPak because of the 3 stage arms to allow for flexibility as well as it's popularity. I'm not apposed to the others, but I'm wanting to get opinions to make sure I make the most educated decision possible, this is why I included my information above.

Also who is everyone buying these form and what kind of deals are they getting?

Thanks in advance

 

[Kevin54]

I have a WORTH 2 post. Made in the USA in Texas.

 

[Jeepwx03]

I have a WORTH 2 post. Made in the USA in Texas.

How long have you owned it?

Any issues? If so how was the customer service?

Where did you buy it?

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[aka Larry]

I have a Atlas 9KOH from GSE. I've had it about 4 years now and the only problem was a bad capacitor on the motor, which was less than $50. I'd buy it again for sure.

 

[Kevin54]

I bought it used off of Diesel Dan. He liked it so well that he bought another one only larger. I've had mine for a year with no problems.

 

[tgj7]

I also have a Worth, but a 4 post. Nice lift but the customer service after you pay is awful. Never again! I wanted a Backyard Buddy, but the lead time was too long, turns out that with all the delays for the Worth lift, it ended up the same.

I looked into Bendpak, they are designed, engineered, and built in China. Not for me!

 

[zmotorsports]

Mine isn't one you listed but I chose it for its versatility. It is an Ammco CV series 10k pound capacity. They refer to it as a 2 N' 1 because it is mounted in the symmetrical fashion yet the three stage front arms and longer two stage rear arms make lifting a car asymmetrically as well as a heavier truck or SUV in the symmetrical manner.

I purchased mine from my local NAPA store and they informed me that they are basically the same lift as the Challenger Versalift and that they came out of the same factory. It is also ALI certified.

Mike.

 

[JohnnyK8]

I just ordered a C7000 Triumph that you can move away when not in use. They have an 8000 K lbs unit too.

I bought mine from Big Boy Garage Toys. But yes made in China.

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[lakeroadster]

I have a Rotary two post SPOA10 lift. American made and tested in Indiana.

Best tool I've ever purchased. Assembled and Installed it myself.

http://www.rotarylift.com/LIFTS/SPOA10/

 

[therickster]

I have the bendpak xpr10. It's been great! Which ever one you get you will
Love having a lift.

 

[Marcm157]

I have the Atlas 90HSC - I have absolutely no issues with it and would not hesitate to recommend it. I chose this one over the 9KOH because of the "Supersymmetrical" arm configuration. It allows setup as symmetrical, or asymmetrical.

The only problem I had was understanding the loosely translated installation instructions.

 

[rburke65]

Bought a used Mohawk, 9,000. Like it a lot.

 

[MrBalll]

I don't have one yet, but I plan on purchasing a Bendpak. I know a store local to me, Northern Tool, sells them. Could also get it on Amazon.
My only problem is getting and unloading it at me residence. Still need to figure that out.

 

[tgj7]

I don't have one yet, but I plan on purchasing a Bendpak. I know a store local to me, Northern Tool, sells them. Could also get it on Amazon.
My only problem is getting and unloading it at me residence. Still need to figure that out.

Call a flatbed/wrecker, he will pull it off and put it down anywhere you want. You can have it delivered to his yard or call him when the truck shows up at your house.

 

[willett]

The Dannmar lifts are on sale right not from several of there distributors, I'm going to order one this week, I'd like to go with a USA made, but for home use, it's not practical for me.

 

[408sbc]

The Dannmar lifts are on sale right not from several of there distributors, I'm going to order one this week, I'd like to go with a USA made, but for home use, it's not practical for me.

Looks like the same lift as Harbor Freight which actually gets pretty decent review - many lifts like this with the rear casters that contact the floor when in operation look very similar. Harbor Freight is $1499......and I wonder if a person could use the upcoming 25% coupon to get it down to $1125?

Having said that, my favorite lift in the mid-rise category is the Atlas Kwik Bay 7K - but retails at $2300 before shipping.

 

[tgj7]

Looks like the same lift as Harbor Freight which actually gets pretty decent review - many lifts like this with the rear casters that contact the floor when in operation look very similar. Harbor Freight is $1499......and I wonder if a person could use the upcoming 25% coupon to get it down to $1125?

Having said that, my favorite lift in the mid-rise category is the Atlas Kwik Bay 7K - but retails at $2300 before shipping.

Wow I did not know that HF made lifts, that is scarey.

I'm not trashing them, I buy stuff from them too, but a lift, especially a 2 post, where my life hangs in the balance, I would chose to save money elsewhere.

 

[408sbc]

Wow I did not know that HF made lifts, that is scarey.

I'm not trashing them, I buy stuff from them too, but a lift, especially a 2 post, where my life hangs in the balance, I would chose to save money elsewhere.

yeah, yeah, yeah. This has been beaten to death. Most lifts are made in China, many by the same factory and then branded with various names. There are many people who have bought the HF lift and had very good luck with them. Lots of info on the interweb. I have run across no HF lift failures that had anything remotely related to safety. Of course I am sure there are idiots out there that have tried to use lifts on side hills that are no longer with us - that's a Darwin issue. In addition, a couple of safety stands under any lifted vehicle on any brand or type of lift is never a bad idea. BTW, this is a mid-rise scissors lift, not a 2 post.

 

[vision8]

I do not know what you are looking to do with your lift, ( only storage ? ) but I would increase the height in the lift area so you can use the maximum lift height. You can see me Rotary 9,000lb. in my " The Shed' pics.

 

[Ironcrow]

...My wife and I hare building a new home and I'm have a 36'x21'7"x12'2" attached garage being built. I would like to get a 2 post lift for the center bay...

At 12'-2" you will have to look closely at lift height and consider garage door tracks, position of lighting, and even the thickness of the sheet rock on the ceiling. If you can plan on a 13' ceiling, even if you have to bump the joists up a little and leave the roof profile alone, you will thank me later.

 

[Jeepwx03]

At 12'-2" you will have to look closely at lift height and consider garage door tracks, position of lighting, and even the thickness of the sheet rock on the ceiling. If you can plan on a 13' ceiling, even if you have to bump the joists up a little and leave the roof profile alone, you will thank me later.

I'm stuck at those measurements, joists are up and the garage walls with footers are poured. The plans say it's 12'2" at the back of the garage and the floor has a 4:1 slope, so the spot where the 2 post would go should have a little more room. I still need to walk the house with the electrician so I should be able to shift the lights to a good location, but there is attic above so they will be easily moved, thanks for the tip.

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[sublimate]

The plans say it's 12'2" at the back of the garage and the floor has a 4:1 slope, so the spot where the 2 post would go should have a little more room.

A 4:1 slope is difficult to just walk up.

I'm guessing you meant 1/4" per foot?
Even that is more than I'd want with a lift. If you can do 1/8" per foot I think you'll like that better.

 

[Pwrgeek]

I went with Mohawk. It's pricy but when I'm going to have several thousand pounds over my head money really becomes less important. They also have the ability (which I took advantage of) to run the hydraulic lines under the slab so that there is no overhead height loss (important in your case) from overhead lines and you still get a clear floor.


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[mx185sw]

I also went with Mohawk (System 1).. Installed new for 7K.. Expensive, but well worth every bit of the $$. My buddy who has a bendpak.. always comments when he is over about how overbuilt the Mohawk is and how his guide blocks wear from use. I use it for my F250 Diesel.. and at full height, you will need 12.2 (my rafters were modified from 11Ft to 12 ft.3).. I opted to run my Hyd lines over the top, up in the rafters.

 

[jfitz]

You can read for - literally - years on lifts, what to buy?, which one to buy. In the end you will be more confused than when you started!!. I was in the same boat but pulled the chute on a Bendpak HD9XW in June 2015. I mainly picked this 9k lift as it would lift/fit my 08 MegaCab, and was over a foot narrower than most lifts in the same segment. This allowed me to get another car in/out of my 26ft wide garage (16ft wide door)without moving the lift. I do like the air locks and they work well. My neighbor has another brand with the release bars and he wishes he had now got the Bendpak. It came down to the Bendpak and the Atlas 409. Anyways, I know it is a Chinese lift, but probably one of the better ones. . And as in the previous post, at least a 13ft ceiling!!!

 

[Jeepwx03]

Am I really in that much trouble with the ceilings only being 12'2"? I know it's only 1" of clearance, but I figured the manufacturers have the height there for a reason?

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[Ironcrow]

Am I really in that much trouble with the ceilings only being 12'2"? I know it's only 1" of clearance, but I figured the manufacturers have the height there for a reason?

I installed my first lift in a tight clearance. It was 1/2 inch taller than the manufacturers spec when I added leveling shims and the cylinder bleed ******* when the lift was all the way up. I had to select a shorter profile light fixture and mount the high lift garage door far tighter to the ceiling than the manufacturer of the door recommends. I coved the ceiling over the columns, and worked with the lights and door. Did it fit? Yes, it did. But, everything was carefully measured, considered, and finagled. What if I had selected a lift that was 2 inches taller? That's what people voting for 13 feet are thinking. At 13 feet most "normal" sized lifts will fit without struggling.

 

[Jeepwx03]

At this point I have no choice, everything is set. It is what it is and I'll have to deal with it, right? I'll wait for the floor is poured to take measurements to the trusses. I do not think the doors will be an issue since they are 8ft high lift doors, so most of their travel distance should be on the front wall

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[SVE Performance]

I have had Worth ,Forward and Challenger lifts. The Worth was about 30 yrs old when the building fell on it otherwise I would still be using it .The Forward was about 10 years old when the same building fell on it ,never had a problem with it either. The Challengers replaced the other lifts 3 years ago and have been trouble free so far. Bill

 

[Jeepwx03]

I have had Worth ,Forward and Challenger lifts. The Worth was about 30 yrs old when the building fell on it otherwise I would still be using it .The Forward was about 10 years old when the same building fell on it ,never had a problem with it either. The Challengers replaced the other lifts 3 years ago and have been trouble free so far. Bill

You seem to have problems with buildings falling down!

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[lakeroadster]

Am I really in that much trouble with the ceilings only being 12'2"? I know it's only 1" of clearance, but I figured the manufacturers have the height there for a reason?

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It depends on what lift you end up with. Some require access from above for assembly, maintenance , etc.

• What orientation are the trusses in relation to the lift?
• Are the trusses 24" on center?
• Can you locate the lift so the trusses straddle it and then make an access area between the trusses?

My Rotary lift is 11' 8-1/2" tall, they specify a 12' min. height. You're go to go.

Measure thrice, buy once

http://www.rotarylift.com/LIFTS/SPOA10/

 

[tgj7]

Jeepwx03 are you using scissor trusses? They will add some height.

 

[Jeepwx03]

I'm not sure if this picture will help

The floor gets poured today and I am bringing a tape to confirm everything before ordering.

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[lakeroadster]

So my idea of access between trusses won't work with the truss orientation you have.

What thickness and strength concrete are you using? Any wire mesh or re-bar planned?

As an fyi: Rotary spec's. http://www.rotarylift.com/Support/FAQ/

 

[bry@n]

Is that your mustang in the pic?

 

[dave*99]

I have a Rotary two post SPOA10 lift. American made and tested in Indiana.

Best tool I've ever purchased. Assembled and Installed it myself.

http://www.rotarylift.com/LIFTS/SPOA10/

+1 on the Rotary SPOA10. I was fortunate to find a local outfit that equips professional shops and had a few used lifts for sale. Mine was in perfect condition and I had it delivered and installed for less than half of the new price. I had a very low car at the time and the SPOA10RA with the low profile pads was the perfect choice. I've had it for 6 years now and it's great.

 

[walrus]

I have a spo10 rotary also, more money but I felt it was the best for me. Picks my freighter 2500hd service truck up no problem, extended cab, 8 ft reading body
Doesn't know my mustang is even on it

 

[Will McRay]

I have the Challenger CL10-V3. Great lift with no issues. Lifts my GMC 2500HD CCLB with ease.

 

[TheJDMan]

Personally, I would recommend a 4 post lift. They do not need to be anchored and in fact can be equipped with caster wheels so you can easily move them around.

 

[JSTAN]

Rotary SPOA10 here.

I was in the same boat as you, read thousands of different threads, each time changing which lift I wanted to get.

My requirements - 10k capacity and ALI certified, Less than $2500.

The 2 lifts I found which fell into my requirements were at Atlas and Danmar, both made in China.

Any US made lift new were over $3500.

In the end, being patient and endlessly searching CL every day I hit gold when I found my lift, 2010 SPOA10 which was installed in a personnel garage and I was able to purchase it for $2100 installed.