Really, how great is this Bendpak four post lift. Yeah!

[randyny]

Hey fellas, I posted this in the corvette forum and wanted to copy it here since I got most of my research from garage journal.

Yes, many have waxed poetic about how great it is to have a lift. Here's my experience.

Got a bendpak hd9xw two weeks ago. The convenience of the lift is tremendous, and that's not even counting the cool factor. This weekend:

- raised the vette and drained the oil with a lift oil drain. (First time I ever had a truly 100% drip free drain)
- saw it was trickling out at the end so I used the bridge jack to raise the rear and help it along
- lowered it to fill the oil and start it up for a minute
- raised it up to check for leaks
- lowered it two notches to change out the front sway bar to a Z51 bar
- lowered it four notches to remove the rear wheels to change out the rear shocks
- raised it up two notches to get the calipers off and the lower shock bolt. Found myself on my tippy toes to get to the top shock bolts. When I quickly realized this, I:
- lowered it two notches to make it comfortable

Maybe when the novelty wears off I won't adjust so much. But why not? It's a simple button push for a few seconds. This is great. Like almost everyone says, I should have gotten one a looong time ago.

Btw, like others, my bendpak was terribly scratched (gouged) in places upon delivery to the freight terminal. I kept it after talking to bendpak and getting assurances that it would be ok. They shipped me the touch up spray paint but after using it a few times I don't even notice the scratches. Granted, it's no excuse for the beating these lifts take during transport but it's not that bad after the initial shock. Count me as an extremely pleased customer, looking forward to many years of use.

Yeah!

 

[ACR]

Looking good! I'm sore as &#€¥ from crawling under my car all weekend replacing the hard fuel line, front sub frame and steering rack. Getting too old for this so an identical lift and rolling jack has been on my list of things to order as soon as the new garage is finished.

BTW do you have any photos showing the rolling jack at rest and its clearance to your Vette?

 

[TurboCup87]

Congrats! Enjoy your lift. Wish I had your garage height

 

[Junkman]

First time that I have seen the yellow ramps.. I have had mine for over 5 years, and it is great. My only regret was not buying it sooner. Enjoy your new toy.. I mean tool...

 

[Davev]

I'm pondering 4 post vs 2 post so thanks for this info.

 

[Flexia]

I'm pondering 4 post vs 2 post so thanks for this info.

I've been trying to figure that out myself....

 

[Pate]

Did you assemble it or have a company do it?

 

[TheGunCollector]

Nice!

Are the scissor jacks rated to lift as much as the lift itself is(9000lbs)?

 

[600SL]

I love everything about mine except for one thing. The motor is directly fed through the tiny micro switch in the push button. My switch exploded within the first couple of weeks of operation. When I took it apart and saw how tiny the switch was I understood why.

At the time when the switch failed it had welded itself closed and the lift was going up uncontrolled. fortunately I had not yet hardwired it yet and I was able to unplug it before my car hit the ceiling.

I have since put a 20amp CB right on the motor box so I can shut it off in the event of another problem. But this lift really needs a magnetic contactor.

As far as two post verses 4 post go two post if you have the room. Its actually cheaper since you don't need the $2000 bridge jack. I didn't have the room so I had to go 4 post. But if you plan on installing 2 lifts go with the first as a 2 post and the second as a 4 post.

 

[Scud67]

Nice lift, just not my style. I like a 2 post for what I do.... If I had a second bay to put another lift in, I would opt for the four post (since I already have a 2), and have the best of both worlds.

 

[randyny]

No pic of the collapsed scissor but it fits nicely between the runways. Maybe sticks up tpe inches if that. Nothing on the vette hits hits it, not even the air dam.

Me and a buddy assembled it one afternoon. It really is a two man job. I have a loader but choose to use two engine cranes and several ratcheting straps.

The scissor jack I have is the rj-45 rated for 4500 lbs.

2-post vs 4-post? For me 4-post is the way to go. I need to be able to move it around with the wheel kit. But, I did have my wife's Malibu lifted tonight to change the fuel pump; need to drop the tank for this job. There were a few times when I was ducking back and forth around the runway to get the proper angle to reach a connector or muffler hanger or something. A 2-post would be more convenient in that case.

And whoa on the broken switch. If it gets stuck in the going up position that could get squirrelly pretty fast. I'll have to consider a fail safe like you did.

 

[J Persons]

I love everything about mine except for one thing. The motor is directly fed through the tiny micro switch in the push button. My switch exploded within the first couple of weeks of operation. When I took it apart and saw how tiny the switch was I understood why.

At the time when the switch failed it had welded itself closed and the lift was going up uncontrolled. fortunately I had not yet hardwired it yet and I was able to unplug it before my car hit the ceiling.

I have since put a 20amp CB right on the motor box so I can shut it off in the event of another problem. But this lift really needs a magnetic contactor.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/jpersons/Shop/DSC_0002_zps5526668a.jpg[/IMG]

did you replace the start button with something more robust or just a factory replacement?
I have also heard stories about the start switch failure, so I added an extra on/off switch in the power line. I also had a problem with the hydraulic line rubbing on one of the cables. I welded a ¼-20 bolt to the bottom of the runway and used a padded Adel clamp to secure the hydraulic line out of harms way.

 

[600SL]

did you replace the start button with something more robust or just a factory replacement?
I have also heard stories about the start switch failure, so I added an extra on/off switch in the power line. I also had a problem with the hydraulic line rubbing on one of the cables. I welded a ¼-20 bolt to the bottom of the runway and used a padded Adel clamp to secure the hydraulic line out of harms way.

I replaced the switch with a direct fit replacement from McMaster. The switch is only 1" x 3/4" x 1/4" and is rated at 25 amps or 2 HP. There are several models available from McMaster 25 amp 15 and 10 amp. I don't know the rating for the one that comes from Bend Pack.

I find the 25amp 2 HP rating laughable. So far I have basically the same setup you have except my switch is just a 20 amp CB.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#7510t11/=rgk7sg

I'm considering replacing the switch with one of these.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#7065k22/=rgkchv

Only problem is they don't give a power rating for it at 230V single phase but if it can do 1.5 HP at 115V it should be fine.