Lifts...again

[428]

Admin: any way to group certain things, the site is getting so big it takes awhile to scroll through, search gives you a long list as well.
Nice to see the site doing so well, but makes searching a hassle sometimes.
One of my other favorite sites has "Frequently asked" or "Most Popular" threads.

Anyway, I was looking at Autolifters, glad I waited since their OOB.
Leaning toward Eagle but they've gone up to $2500
BYB quoted me in the $3500 range.
I found this one $1850 with casters, jack tray, ramps and drip trays, some parts are overseas but others are US, like the hydraulics, and with those options added to Eagle this is one almost $1000 less.
I do think Eagle has free shipping and this is $275.
Anyone ever deal with them?

http://www.completehydraulic.com/cl8000csp.htm

 

[kartracer55]

I would never buy an asian made lift, whether its used proffesionally or once a year. I simply couldnt bring myself to trust chinese steel. Its your life here, dont take chances

 

[ChucksCrib]

I ended my search for lifts between the Back Yard Buddy and the Autolifters due to the sliding collar type of locks as opposed to the posts behing channelled out and the stops welded in place.

I too would keep in "Made in the U.S.A."

 

[JoeKramer]

I am looking into a 2 post lift myself.

But I am looking more for quality and reliability, I'm going to keep cost second. Like kartracer55 says, 'I don't trust chinese steel' they tend to make stuff as cheap as possible and use inferior metal (steel shortage in asia right now).

I'm leaning to Bend-Pak at the moment, but I am still doing research.

 

[sierradmax]

check local newspapers and want ads. I bought a second hand Challenger VBM for $1100 and its a strong lift. I don't know where everyone is located but check here

http://www.autoliftparts4u.com/board/?topic=topic1

 

[428]

lift

Eagle tells me the MS 7000 is an import and the SS 7000 is made in Texas. Shipping is included.

I'm waiting for CH to reply what exactly is imported, on the phone they said some parts were imported but some were built in Texas. Shipping is extra.

The Back yard buddy is a little more than Eagle, made in Ohio. Shipping is extra.

For as little as I'll use it, price is an issue but not to the point of safety which is why I'd like feedback from some users of each.

http://eagleequip.com/page/EE/CTGY/LI-SS

http://www.completehydraulic.com/cl8000csp.htm

http://www.backyardbuddy.com/

 

[MacTexas]

I have the Eagle made in Joshua Texas just south of Ft Worth. Great lift.

 

[pescadito]

I like my Bend Pak. Sturdy and well made. Make sure the lift you are considering is ALI certified or ETL approved.

 

[kartracer55]

I like my Bend Pak. Sturdy and well made.

You have some pretty nice rides there

 

[pescadito]

You have some pretty nice rides there

Thanks! That was my first post. Been lurking for a while now. Great site and great people.

 

[krooser]

I REALLY don't mean to be a smart-*** but....

I'm continually amazed at the #'s of guys who have zillion $$$ cars, fancy houses, are successful in their careers, have wonderful families. obviously are smart and think that some cheap-*** Chinese-made lift is OK 'cuz it saves 'em some $$$.

Is your life worth $500.00?

The only people who should own Chinese lifts live in China.

 

[krooser]

Here's an interesting link for used lifts...http://www.autoliftparts4u.com/board/?topic=topic1

 

[DynoDave]

I know Jon has one of these, and is very happy with it. They are around $2500-2600 for their US Made (in Texas) lift. They just started carrying a Chinese knock-off of it for (I think) around $1600. It's what I plan on buying when the time comes....hopefully this coming summer.

ARESCO

 

[Fort94Z]

I ordered the Backyard Buddy. Should be here in about 5 weeks!

 

[autoist]

This is the one I have - made in the USA

http://www.metro-lifts.com/four-post-garage-lift.html

 

[TurboBuickGN]

Bend-Pak

I am very pleased with the quality of my Bend-Pak. I have looked at every lift on the market, including the Chinese imports. Happy that I paid the extra $$ and went with quality. Plus their service is excellent if required.

 

[dink]

So here is my question....are lifts easy to install/put together??? Or do they have to be professionally installed???

 

[MacTexas]

So here is my question....are lifts easy to install/put together??? Or do they have to be professionally installed???

Once you have seen it done you can do it yourself. What that means is I had someone install mine. You need to understand lifts are heavy and you better have some way of handling heavy stuff if you are going to install it yourself.

 

[MacTexas]

I REALLY don't mean to be a smart-*** but....

I'm continually amazed at the #'s of guys who have zillion $$$ cars, fancy houses, are successful in their careers, have wonderful families. obviously are smart and think that some cheap-*** Chinese-made lift is OK 'cuz it saves 'em some $$$.

Is your life worth $500.00?

The only people who should own Chinese lifts live in China.

Amen brother! Buy American!! I agree.

 

[428]

Bend Pak

Just got off the phone with them, HD-9 9000 lb lift, US Made, including shipping is $2364.00
Now we're getting somewhere.

BYB and Eagle (US made) are a $1000 more unless I'm missing something.

 

[krooser]

You won't go wrong with a Bend-Pak...my Peterbilt is up on one more than I'd care it to be....

I just bought another lift...a used Ben-Wil (Jap-built?)...a drive-on two post...haven't seen it yet BUT at $350.00 complete how can I go wrong?

 

[autoist]

All it took was 2 men & a boy & a Saturday - some parts are heavy!

 

[mikeyr]

So here is my question....are lifts easy to install/put together??? Or do they have to be professionally installed???

Can't say about 2-post lifts but my wife and I put my 4-post together, I would not call it fun but it certainly was not hard, we used a engine hoist for all the heavy items as my wife is a cute petite little thing that certainly can't lift a 400 lift post.

I have not installed a 2-post but I bet its just as easy, only difference is drilling the holes in the slab.

http://www.singercars.com/restoration/lift.html

 

[Truck Guy]

I like my Bend Pak. Sturdy and well made. Make sure the lift you are considering is ALI certified or ETL approved.

Nice......I'm placing my order for two HD-9ST Bend-Pak's tomorrow morning (one for me and one for a buddy's garage).

Talked to the distributor today and am pleased with the pricing as well as the accessories.

Got the 9000# four post lift, caster kit, galvanized drip trays, rolling jack tray and the air/electric work station (mounts to a lift post) with shipping included for a little over $3000.00

I called Back Yard Buddy the day before, but they just raised their prices over $400.00 on the lift alone and shipping was extra.

It was a no brainer for almost $2K less

 

[krooser]

Can't say about 2-post lifts but my wife and I put my 4-post together, I would not call it fun but it certainly was not hard, we used a engine hoist for all the heavy items as my wife is a cute petite little thing that certainly can't lift a 400 lift post.

I have not installed a 2-post but I bet its just as easy, only difference is drilling the holes in the slab.

http://www.singercars.com/restoration/lift.html

My used two-post lift was EZ..no instructions BUT I did help disassemble it and I took measurements BEFORE we took it down.

I did a real simple layout on my shop floor...made sure it was where I wanted it and square to trhe wall and to each post...fired up the hammer drill...made a bunch of holes and bolted it down.

One electrical connection, a little make-up hydraulic fluid and presto....it worked!

Just take your time...measure twice...it's not complicated at all.

 

[pescadito]

Nice......I'm placing my order for two HD-9ST Bend-Pak's tomorrow morning (one for me and one for a buddy's garage).

Talked to the distributor today and am pleased with the pricing as well as the accessories.

Got the 9000# four post lift, caster kit, galvanized drip trays, rolling jack tray and the air/electric work station (mounts to a lift post) with shipping included for a little over $3000.00

I called Back Yard Buddy the day before, but they just raised their prices over $400.00 on the lift alone and shipping was extra.

It was a no brainer for almost $2K less

Thats a good price! I also got the casters and drip trays but not the rolling jack tray or workstation. I got the "low boy" rolling jack instead. Total for me including shipping and install was just over $4000. The "low boy" was around $1000 alone. Totally worth it for me.

 

[kartracer55]

You won't go wrong with a Bend-Pak...my Peterbilt is up on one more than I'd care it to be....

I just bought another lift...a used Ben-Wil (Jap-built?)...a drive-on two post...haven't seen it yet BUT at $350.00 complete how can I go wrong?

I wouldnt get under it... especially with a peterbuilt on it

Jim

 

[krooser]

I wouldnt get under it... especially with a peterbuilt on it

Jim

NO...NO...NO....The Pete goes on the Bend-Pak....the Ben-Wil may go in my buddies body shop...

 

[kartracer55]

Friends dont let friends use asian made lifts... lol

Well as long as hes ok with it I guess. Ive stated my opinion on asian lifts before.

jim

 

[krooser]

I've been TOLD Ben-Wil's were Jap...not sure myself...I haven't picked it up yet...I'll let ya know...at least the **** haven't put us on their #1 enemy list everyyear (as far as I know!)....

 

[mikeyr]

I would not worry about a Japanese lift, its the Chinese-Taiwan steel I would be worried about but generally the Japanese have had good steel and workmanship. Having said, both my lifts are made in the USA

 

[Old Moparz]

I posted about the 2 lifts I bought the end of last year. I installed one with some info of how that went. If you're up for reading it, here's the link.

http://www.garagejunkies.net/showthread.php?t=291&page=1

 

[PhaseIII]

Aside from not buying "Made In the USA"

Who has or knows of anyone who had problems with the chinese lifts? I was looking at one of these at Barette-Jackson last Feb and it looked good, heavy-duty etc. I don't know much about lifts, but it appeared to compare well with the $3K lift.

Is it not just the cheap labor that allows them to sell so cheap?

Elliot

 

[mdshore348]

im wondering that too, i dont think there is anything wrong with chinese steel. is everyone bashing the import lifts because they feel more patriotic?

 

[camarojoe]

Is it possible to put a lift in a garage with 10 ft ceilings? f nothing else but to park 2 cars above/below? I haven't done the math, but is it even a possibility?

 

[AndrewM]

4 post is no problem in a 10 ft ceiling garage.

2 post, you'll need a floor plate lift. That's what I have in my shop - my posts are right at 9 feet tall. My ceilings are just over 11 feet, but my garage door rail gets in the way well before the car gets to the ceiling. I'd bet the car goes a smidgen over 10 feet total. I can park underneath this car at this height (with one of my Camaros).

Floor plate lifts certainly aren't ideal (makes it a pain to pull the ******), but I got a good deal on this one used, and jumped on it since it fit my shop.

 

[bimmer95]

I like my Bend Pak. Sturdy and well made.

I think someone is trying to copy me

My Bend-Pak PL-6SP single post...

 

[428]

I ran across this one at Charlotte, it's very similar to BYB with a few differences and some improvements. And about $400 cheaper.
Anyone had any experience with them? They looked really nice and well built.

Sorry, no web link and I couldn't rotate the pic.

 

[Ironcrow]

No experience with them, but I found their web site:
http://www.classicautolift.com/

 

[428]

I talked to the guy again. Really nice, just builds these lifts. His is only one of three I found with the outside slider rather than the inside plastic block. His is also a lot heavier using 1/4" thick tube post, angle and plate, it's almost identical to BYB but $3800 vs $4200. Only other outside slider I found was by Superlift and it was $3400. But I think it's made in China and assembled in Texas if I remember their rep right.
I talked to 4 lift companies at the Charlotte meet. They all said that all it takes is a small percent to be done here and they can say "Made in USA"
BYB and Classic seem to be the only that were made entirely in the USA.

I'm just not comfortable with the formed post and plastic slider with welded block locks.
But they are a lot less expensive.
And the $1500 less for another lift would epoxy the floor.