Leaving Ramps on 4 Post Lift??

[jerkyboy]

I have a Danmar D-7 four post lift and left the ramps on while it's been up for the past few days. No problems so far but i just parked my '68 underneath it and now I'm worried that the ramps might bend and hit the trunk. The ramps are the stock steel ones that came with the lift and probably weigh at least 40 lbs each. Should I be concerned?

 

[NitroShark]

BendPak sells a bracket for that exact reason to keep the ramps up. Maybe you can fab up one similar?

Shawn

 

[Kev442]

I sometimes leave the ramps on mine all winter. No problems in 10 years.

 

[jerkyboy]

The ramps have been on with the lift up for five days now and the ramps don't show any sign of bending...only reason I'm worried is because my car is now underneath it. Should I drop it down and take them off?

 

[Wangstang]

Should I drop it down and take them off?

It's clearly on your mind so go for it.

Better safe than sorry as they say!

Wes

 

[Matt M PA]

I'd agree that there's likely no problem leaving the ramps attached. If you're concerned...pull 'em off. I remove them sometimes from my HD9 if double parking.

And yes... I DID buy the optional...and expensive brackets that BendPak sells...absolutely a waste of money. I do have the longer ramps...but they hang so low even with these brackets that you can't get a car underneath. If I have a disappointment with my HD9...it's these bits.

 

[darkk]

If they were that weak they wouldn't be sturdy enough to drive on either...relax

 

[c39er]

It's too bad that some lifts today are made so flimsy that the owner would be so concerned as to safety! All mainly because the buyers won't spend more to get a better designed quality lift.

 

[ovilla]

Definitely get the brackets that hold the ramps up in the air. That's what came with my BendPak HD9. Anyways mine flex down maybe an inch at most and I always leave them on so I can easily drive on/off, as needed.

 

[46Nash]

The ramps on my Atlas barely deflect at all when the lift is up, maybe an inch or two at the most. I just leave them on all the time since they are so heavy.

 

[James E]

Mine are heavy as heck. The only reason I would remove them is because my forehead is irresistibly attracted to their sharp corners when the lift is up. I have the brackets from Bend Pak and they work ok, although the ramps still sag a bit even with them installed.

If I had aluminum ramps, I'd probably pull them off when I have a car up on the lift for long-term storage.

 

[Alta_Racer]

I removed the pins on my wheeltronic, and the ramps either stay on the floor, or on the runways, (space constraints) They probably weigh a bit more, not sure, but I dont have trouble with them at all. They have anchors to hold them in place running something on or off. Yes lifting the hoist without pulling the ramps away makes a very loud noise

 

[HTGTS350]

I used to always leave mine on until I forgot they were there one day and walked into one and busted my head, since then if the lift is up the ramps are off.

 

[NitroShark]

And yes... I DID buy the optional...and expensive brackets that BendPak sells...absolutely a waste of money. .

(Mine were free- with my BendPaK lift.)

Why do you say Expensive? The bracket's retail for $9 each. Did you ask BendPak why your brackets did not perform as designed? I would be Interested to hear your reply..... thanks

Shawn

 

[Matt M PA]

NitroShark....I can't put my hands on the paperwork at this moment...but mine are the ones that slide onto the ramp hinge pins and somewhat resemble Pacmen. (the ramp pins slide through the eyes)

If memory serves, it was something like $50 for the set. They didn't fit well...and allowed the ramps to droop far enough that they were worthless.

As I said, I have the optional longer ramps and even with the lift at the highest position....the ramps droop so far that a car cannot be driven under. So, I took the bits out and just remove the ramps if we need to double park.

If BendPak has developed a better set-up...I'd buy it today. The ones I already have at any price were a waste. I remember at least one other thread here with comments about these "locks"...but I don'torecall any comments from BendPak.

EDIT....found the old thread about the locks.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125446

 

[c39er]

I made my own H-Duty Flip Up's because I hated those ramps hanging down always in the way. So I made my own designed the way I needed them to look and operate.

 

[ixlr8]

I have the alum ramps on my PB HD-9M, they only droop an inch or so. I tend to leave them on all the time. Unless I have my truck on the lift, then they are at just the right height for me to split open my head when I hit them.
OP- if I were you, as long as you are not banging your head on them, I wouldn't worry about it. But if you are worrying... then pull them off and sleep well tonight.

 

[NitroShark]

Finally got some data to post off my Bendpak HD-9XW.... with the ramp brackets.

When the lift is all the way to the top with the locks secured, the ramps have 74 inch clearance at their lowest point. I'm 6.1 and can easily walk under them.

Bendpak must of made a change since some of you bought them is all I can figure.

Shawn

 

[LX-Markham]

Extended my Bendpak ramps to be double-long. They fold up to clear the garage door. While I was at it, I welded on a piece of plate so the ramps don't droop down (sorry, couldn't find a pic of the actual bracket). With the lift up, there's a full 6'-3" clear.