Looking for 4 post lifts... need advice...
- Thread starter Herblenny
- Start date
Rickenbackerman
Well-known member
I've got a pro-park 8S. Haven't used it a whole lot yet, but so far I love it.
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
I would go with the Bendpak 100%, I don't trust the lift cable design on the pro parks at all. I know many people have them without problems, but the way it is designed just turns me off. The Pro Park's have the uprights, and a piece of metal at the top that sticks over the edge, and then the cable hangs from that.. that's what lifts the platform. On the Bendpak's, the top piece is fully capped on top of the upright, and the cable comes out of the center of that top cap, inside the center of the upright.
Here's a good comparison of each:
http://www.astudyinliftdesign.com/Product-Comparison-BendPak-vs-Direct-Lift.pdf
Here's a good comparison of each:
http://www.astudyinliftdesign.com/Product-Comparison-BendPak-vs-Direct-Lift.pdf
c39er
Well-known member
Buy the BendPak!
69CHARGERMD
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2010
- Messages
- 134
Bendpak, hd9 , great quality,safe, customer service with jeff kritzer is second to none.
I've owned a Propark7 for 5 years, long before they were certified... old design with the welded locking tabs. Never had an issue with the hoist, and I use it weekly for restoration and service work. While the design is not the greatest, and I will probably buy something different for my next lift when I retire and move in 4 years, you must approach any device that raises 7,000 lbs in the air with a healthy dose of respect and you won't have a problem.
I follow the following to avoid issue:
1) Have it professionally assembled, levelled and installed. Bolt it down. It's not a trophy case. It's a hoist. No professional shop does it themselves, neither should you.
2) Daily inspection prior to use, regular maintenance and servicing- read the manual
3) Its not a toy- never take your eyes off the lift when you are operating it.
4) Open the beer only after it's down and you're done for the day.
I follow the following to avoid issue:
1) Have it professionally assembled, levelled and installed. Bolt it down. It's not a trophy case. It's a hoist. No professional shop does it themselves, neither should you.
2) Daily inspection prior to use, regular maintenance and servicing- read the manual
3) Its not a toy- never take your eyes off the lift when you are operating it.
4) Open the beer only after it's down and you're done for the day.
Threads are always better with pics... Just finished installing an HD9-XW about two weeks ago.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/1965/5689001084/" title="IMG_9763 by Rye425, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5689001084_d257cea760_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="IMG_9763"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/1965/5689001084/" title="IMG_9763 by Rye425, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5689001084_d257cea760_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="IMG_9763"></a>
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
Here's mine:
And here it is almost all the way up. I think it had another couple notches to go. I'm 5'10", so it goes plenty high. **** quality pic though
And here it is almost all the way up. I think it had another couple notches to go. I'm 5'10", so it goes plenty high. **** quality pic though
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
It's not rocket science. Its just heavy. If need a lift to work on cars, then you should have the technical aptiude to assemble one. Its really no big deal at all if you can follow directions.. plus you can save yourself $5-600 or whatever it costs to have it assembled. All you need are some basic hand tools and an engine hoist to move the heavy ramps around
6 guys and a case of beer replaced the engine hoist for me.
There was no issues installing it myself. Like Cryptic said you just need some lifting force.
attitude32
Member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2010
- Messages
- 6
i HAVE A DIRECT LIFT 9000XLT AND LOVE IT..
59 wagon man
Well-known member
my wife and 14 year old daughter helped me set my pro park up
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I have a bend pac HD9 and a HD 12 would buy another one in a minute. I use the HD9 for double stacking my classic mustangs and the HD12 as a working lift for projects. If I only had one it would be the HD12 because of its larger size and movable ramp (one is bolted and one is easily movable) the HD9 to move the right ramp you have to unbolt it then rebolt it for safety
kchalle
Well-known member
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
I too have a BendPak. I installed mine myself. I was quoted over $1000 to have it assembled...and couldn't afford that. Some car club guys came over and the heavy stuff was done in a couple hours. We used an engine hoist. I spent the next day doing the rest and I'm glad I did for a couple reasons. First, I saved alot of money. Also, I know how it works, how to adjust it, etc...I'm not at someone else's mercy.
I got my bendpak stuff from asedeals as well..
I installed the first one by myself, defiantly a situation where working smarter not harder comes into play big time.
On the second one I had two friends help, took about a third of the time to do (although most of the saved time was not really having extra men, the time was saved mainly from not needing to keep referring back to the instructions between each step)..
I installed the first one by myself, defiantly a situation where working smarter not harder comes into play big time.
On the second one I had two friends help, took about a third of the time to do (although most of the saved time was not really having extra men, the time was saved mainly from not needing to keep referring back to the instructions between each step)..
dirttracker18
Well-known member
Wow that pro park looks like it is bending already! I am pretty sure I see some lift at the opposite end of the cable!
Interesting comparison there.
Interesting comparison there.
++ for http://www.asedeals.com/ If you are only purchasing one I would go with the HD9XW a full size crew cab pickup might not fit well with a std length
yes very easy to put a bendpak together. Just need a hoist or a lift. First one took me an a buddy about 6 hours to do. Next one we did was just over two hours. You will want to put it together yourself so you will learn how to adjust them.
My opinion was strictly based on liability in the unlikely event of failure. Skill and aptitude was not part of my decision. What you choose to do is entirely up to you.
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
Exactly!, That just looks totally sketchy to me. I'll probably never have a problem, but just looking at that scares me 
Nah it's not bending..
The holes on the tabs welded to the top plate are a touch bigger diameter than the bolt in the side that holds it on, so there is bit of play there and it's just lifting in the back. The bendpak has similar tabs for the cap, and the holes are a bit bigger than the bolt as well, but it has no effect on the BP as all the force is straight down not over and out like the other...
Although it will probally be fine and there are tons of them out there, I would never put one in my home, but that's my opinion and I tend to prefer overkill when I build stuff not just "good enough" or "up to code".. I can't believe there are not gussets on a design like that?
Both lifts pictured are 9000lb models, I've put my 2500 Chevy Express work van loaded with tools (local truck scale weighed it in at 6850lbs mildly loaded w/ less than 1/2 tank gas) on my HD-9XW and the van seemed like a monster on it, the BP took the load with no problem, but there is no way in hell I would put that van on any four post that was any thinner/smaller or had tabs overhanging the posts like pictured above..
And I'm not sure what would fit these lifts that weighs a full 9000, but I would buy the HD-14XW if I was pushing anything like that.
muibubbles
Well-known member
hey phil 
I've seen that comparison by Bend Pak..
Here is a link to the pdf file..
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...jRFRwLb_w&sig2=C1bvN6Hj-PoGj1b_zCUufA&cad=rja
My thing is that I'm never going to exceed weigh of RX330 (Lexus) and mainly used for my RX7s and 3500lb Cosmo for storage.. In order for me to get the same accessories that comes with the PP8, HD9 will cost me about $1500 more. Not sure if $1500 extra I spend is going to be worth it.
I did get couple of messages from PP8 owners and they had no issues.. I'm still debating... Also air to release HD9 vs mechanical release is something I'm also considering..
Here is a link to the pdf file..
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...jRFRwLb_w&sig2=C1bvN6Hj-PoGj1b_zCUufA&cad=rja
My thing is that I'm never going to exceed weigh of RX330 (Lexus) and mainly used for my RX7s and 3500lb Cosmo for storage.. In order for me to get the same accessories that comes with the PP8, HD9 will cost me about $1500 more. Not sure if $1500 extra I spend is going to be worth it.
I did get couple of messages from PP8 owners and they had no issues.. I'm still debating... Also air to release HD9 vs mechanical release is something I'm also considering..
hey phil
LOL! HELLOOOoooo!
Isn't the Revolution RFP9 similar to Direct Lift PP9?
If so, have you been happy with your lift?
I'm not sure if you noticed the picture posted on the first page, but the revolution is way more beef than the pp..
As for design this lift would be my second choice after the BP.. I initially looked at them, but could not get any extra details about it from the company, where as BP tech support over the phone and JSK on here answered every specific question with accurate factual answers quickly and with 0% sales pitch.
Oh and, no powered jack available for the revolution. A key option if your going to use the 4 post for working on cars other than oil changes and storage.
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No exposed cables and secondary backup safety locks were well worth the price difference for me. But may not be for everyone.
The use of air seems to be a negative for alot of people, but it was a positive for me. I don't like the typical multi-linkage designs of manual locks, and I had plenty of air around the garage.. Gotta run power, just run some air with it.. Depends on how you look at it..
I installed the air bottle on the other lift, and it works great, but is expensive if your already trying to keep the cost minimal..
No matter what brand you get you will love it.. If it's only for parking, get whatever. If it's for working go with the bendpak and get the RJ-45, the only real powered jack out there for small lifts...
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James E
Well-known member
I bought my HD-9 from Jeff at Workshop Depot. The sale went great, his customer service is great, too.
I assembled it with the help of several friends and that went fine. Not difficult, although the instructions are poorly illustrated and worded in several places. Threads here on GJ that went through the assembly process were invaluable.
I assembled it with the help of several friends and that went fine. Not difficult, although the instructions are poorly illustrated and worded in several places. Threads here on GJ that went through the assembly process were invaluable.
I have a pp and a byb 4 post lift i bought both used and really like how the byb is built compared to the pp. the pp is just a cheap looking lift the fit and finish is lacking as well ...does it work yes... but i wont work under it, now i just ordered a bp from jeff on here and hopefully will get it soon and give my honest opionion of that one, as far the byb i love that lift its stout.
cruzn57
Banned
I have a chinese xl-xt hd9, set outside, no cover.
I use it almost daily, and lube and adj it about every 6 mos. if needed.
I've had chevy dually crew cab diesel on it NO PROBLEMS!! ( no flex, no bending, )
I got mine from a distributor of auto equipment, funny part was, some of the
Benpak parts came in FROM CHINA, along with the other lifts.
buy what makes you feel good and safe,
I do not care to bash any make, ( like ford vs chevy) but instead, let the buyer make their own decisions.
I use it almost daily, and lube and adj it about every 6 mos. if needed.
I've had chevy dually crew cab diesel on it NO PROBLEMS!! ( no flex, no bending, )
I got mine from a distributor of auto equipment, funny part was, some of the
Benpak parts came in FROM CHINA, along with the other lifts.
buy what makes you feel good and safe,
I do not care to bash any make, ( like ford vs chevy) but instead, let the buyer make their own decisions.
cyanidecotdpnuts
Well-known member
All I have to say is that ALI certified lifts are best in terms of safety...Bendpak is ALI certified.
And so is Propark, among others....