John Bean lift opinions

[wildstyle]

Hey everyone!

Signed up on here to get ideas for the home shop I will be building in the spring.

I am putting up a 26x40 with 13 ft ceilings and a 12x40 storage lean too off one side.

Garage will have a 12x12 roll up door on the 26' wide end.

I am an automotive tech for a living working for the local Ford dealership for the last 9 years so I am not new to lifts. At work our shop is filled with Forward asymmetric and symmetric 2 post lifts and one Mohawk 15k 2 post lift and the rest are Rotary 4 post and Y lifts and one Challenger 4 post 30k lift.

I have been looking around for an affordable but good quality 2 post lift for my shop when it gets put up. I have looked at the Bendpak's and don't mind them at all. I have just come across a brand new still packaged up John Bean 10k asymmetric 2 poster that a local guy has that decided against using. I can pick it up for approximately $1000 less than what I would pay for a Bendpak.

I know its is a Wheeltronic/snapon made lift and is ALI certified. I just have not seen many shops using these. I will be lifting everything from my 67 Mustang to my F350 6.4L PSD.

Will I be happy with the John Bean?

Thanks!

 

[wildstyle]

Anyone?

 

[dankicksass]

I'd buy it. You'll be kicking yourself if you don't buy it in the morning. Costs less than the Bendpak, no brainer. I'm sure your Snap-On guy can take care and get a service guy out if you ever have a problem then too, one less guy you need to get to know.

 

[DangerousDan55]

12x12 roll up door with 13' ceiling?
You need 2' clearance for a roll up door.
Or, are you talking about a roll up sectional door? Then it should fit in 13'.

 

[wildstyle]

Well there will be a 1ft concrete curb, then 12ft 2x6 studs plus bottom and double top plates....so ceiling height will be more than 13ft.

I'm talking your normal insulated overhead door.

 

[wildstyle]

I'd buy it. You'll be kicking yourself if you don't buy it in the morning. Costs less than the Bendpak, no brainer. I'm sure your Snap-On guy can take care and get a service guy out if you ever have a problem then too, one less guy you need to get to know.

This is true as well and I have an excellent relationship with my snap on guy.

The fellow who owns it is going to drop off all the paper work for the hoist so I can go over it before making up my mind.

I'm just a bit unsure if I want the asymmetrical lift or not. I know it will pick up my superduty no problem, just symmetrical lifts always have seemed better for large trucks.

The truck will only go on there for the odd oil change and tire swap. I usually just do that stuff at work anyways.

 

[dankicksass]

I like asymmetric lifts. I actually prefer them for trucks as well as cars, tho I suspect you work on more full size trucks than I do.

 

[Modoc]

Here's my 2 bits worth and that's about all it's worth. From all the research that I have done regarding buying a 2 post for my self and I have 2 full size diesel 4x4 pickups I am planning on a symmetrical. Have read up on Bendpac, Rotary, challenger, Mohawk, and Worth still not sure which one I'll end up with but in your situation and with a deal like that I'd probably think about it. Does it still have full warranty ?

 

[twertsy]

Here is another thread about these lifts that may help.



http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218363

 

[pattenp]

Make sure serviceable parts are still available.

 

[countryroad82]

I have one at my work. It has served me well, we bought it from a car dealership that was going out of business. I say buy it!!!

 

[wildstyle]

Yea I don't think I can really turn down a brand new lift for $2500....

And the guy said he will deliver it to my house with his trailer.

 

[wildstyle]

So...I bought it.

Now just to wait for spring so I can start to actually build the shop that this will reside in!

 

[saceone]

That's awesome, it's like buying a performance part for a car you don't own yet!! Extra motivation to get err done!

 

[wildstyle]

Yup....it can go with the 72" tool chest I bought that has no where to go at the moment either!