Low Ceiling Height Lift Experiences

[Naugusty]

All;

Due to the lower (11') ceiling height at my home, I chose to install a Dannmar D9-2 narrow (132") installation lift. However, once the installation was completed by Thielson Enterprises (Listed as a 5 star installer in my area of IL on BendPak's site) I am still having some issues. I currently have both posts shimmed, plumb and level but the lift arms are nowhere close to level. The rear arms are off by about 5/8" and the fronts are off by 3/8" in opposite directions. Meaning if I diagonally measure from the front to rear arms, they are reasonably level. Is this typical of all two post lifts? I am thinking about returning it for a BendPak XPR-9D since the tolerances of everything on this lift seem to be off. Does anyone have any expereinces they can share?

I have attached an image of the only thing I have lifted with it so far....

Any help or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-Nick

 

[rponfick]

What are you measuring from? If your garage floor is sloped for drainage (like most are) you will get different readings from the floor. I was surprised that when my lift advertised 3 1/2 pad height, and I couldn't get that on all pads. Finally figured the floor height was different, post to post, and then slope to front of garage.

Something to think about. Ralph.

 

[OldmanB]

I think you have overloaded it!
Brian

 

[brownbagg]

my bendpak does it too, basically the same lift, I think the adjustment in the cable. nothing wrong with the lift just need adjusting

 

[JSK]

Before you do anything, read this thread. I highly suspect install related.

Throw the bubble level in the trash! Lift installers are all alike. Nicely plumbed columns but dangerously crooked/unlevel pads.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65457&highlight=BendPak

 

[torquepower85]

Before you do anything, read this thread. I highly suspect install related.

I think JSK's on to something. Have you contacted Dannmar yet?

 

[Naugusty]

Just wanted to give everyone who contributed to this thread a big thank you.

I agree with everyone that it is an install issue and JSK's link was greatly appreciated.

I will be working on it this weekend. So much for paying a "professional" to do it right.

-Nick

 

[Naugusty]

One other thought on this subject...

When my posts are plumb... and the base plates are coplanar within an 1/8"...

My right front arm is about a 1/4" lower than the left and the rear left arm is about 1/2" lower than the right.

If we define the floor as an XY plane (X = lateral and Y = longitudinal) and the vertical direction as Z...

What is the thought behind shimming them such that they are leaning in opposite directions of an XZ plane which bisects the posts when they are plumb?

Thanks!

-Nick

 

[JSK]

One other thought on this subject...

When my posts are plumb... and the base plates are coplanar within an 1/8"...

My right front arm is about a 1/4" lower than the left and the rear left arm is about 1/2" lower than the right.

If we define the floor as an XY plane (X = lateral and Y = longitudinal) and the vertical direction as Z...

What is the thought behind shimming them such that they are leaning in opposite directions of an XZ plane which bisects the posts when they are plumb?

Thanks!

-Nick

Uhhhhhh........

All kidding aside, I understand what you mean - diagonal as opposed to simple left to right. I’ve seen it many times before so probably best to not overthink it. If you get your pads within 1/4" of each other that's as good as it gets. With the arms being so long when extended even the slightest shimming makes dramatic changes in pad attitude and position.

Try the shimming method and get your pads as equal as you can then check for parallel’ity (is that even a word - if not it sure should be). If still impossible because of a mis-welded carriage or something then you'll have to contact the factory.


P.S. Before doing any shimming, you need to make sure both carriages are settled on the same lock position.

Jeff

 

[UPSHIFT]

JSK !! Thank You !!

 

[roaddog359]

You can always count on Jeff to help out! Bend Pak or not! Not many people like that anymore.