Recommended 12k 2 post lift?

[Doward]

I've got 15' ceiling in one of my garages, and I'd like to finally get a lift!

It's new construction (built in October of '20), 6" reinforced concrete according to the builder.

I'd like to be able to lift everything from a lowered Supra to a lifted F250.

I'm wondering if something like a BendPak is really anything more than a better paint job over something like one of the eBay L1200s.

I'm open to suggestions!

Residential, so 220v single phase, please.

 

[charbar]

Personally I don't think BendPak is much better than some of the 'better' 'cheap' lifts. Not worth the extra coin I guess is what Im saying. Definitely better than the real cheapies though, I wouldn't waste my money on those.

You'll get 1000 different answers on what to get. Start looking for ones the size and with the features you want and make a list from there.

12k is overkill for a F250, and most would probably be a pain to put a Supra on, especially lowered.
I have MANY one ton dually diesel cclb pickups with giant grill guards and flatbeds on my 10k's and they handle it no problem.

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

I agree that I don't think BendPak is that great. They seem to have the marketing figured out as you see them in the garages of all of the YouTube stars, TV shows, etc. However, I've seen too many quality concerns for me to trust them with something that will kill me if it fails. I remember seeing that twisted BendPak on here years ago. No thank you.

I'd spend the money on a Rotary myself. The price difference won't matter in the long run. Especially when your life could depend on it.

 

[Doward]

Personally I don't think BendPak is much better than some of the 'better' 'cheap' lifts. Not worth the extra coin I guess is what Im saying. Definitely better than the real cheapies though, I wouldn't waste my money on those.

You'll get 1000 different answers on what to get. Start looking for ones the size and with the features you want and make a list from there.

12k is overkill for a F250, and most would probably be a pain to put a Supra on, especially lowered.
I have MANY one ton dually diesel cclb pickups with giant grill guards and flatbeds on my 10k's and they handle it no problem.

Really? My '16 is around the 8k mark, and I haven't started outfitting it yet for overlanding. I was considering 10k might be borderline - and I'm not super interested in being underneath something borderline, if you know what I mean

Then again, a quality 10k may be stronger than a cheap 12k. Probably explains why I'm looking for what others have experienced (like yours, thanks!)

 

[Doward]

I agree that I don't think BendPak is that great. They seem to have the marketing figured out as you see them in the garages of all of the YouTube stars, TV shows, etc. However, I've seen too many quality concerns for me to trust them with something that will kill me if it fails. I remember seeing that twisted BendPak on here years ago. No thank you.

I'd spend the money on a Rotary myself. The price difference won't matter in the long run. Especially when your life could depend on it.

What's a rotary lift? Like one of those old school in-floor ones with the single giant post?

 

[Snapped-off]

https://rotarylift.com/

They make commercial lifts.

There's also Mohawk and Challenger in the commercial segement.

 

[Chevy350]

Ill throw the hat in for Mohawk Lifts. I have the System I http:/https://mohawklifts.com/automotive-lifts/2-post-lifts/system1/

It's a beast. I have had a mid 90's Chevy 3500 1 ton (single axle) on there with no issues. 220V Single Phase.

 

[Doward]

Ill throw the hat in for Mohawk Lifts. I have the System I http:/https://mohawklifts.com/automotive-lifts/2-post-lifts/system1/

It's a beast. I have had a mid 90's Chevy 3500 1 ton (single axle) on there with no issues. 220V Single Phase.

HOLY SH!T - I haven't heard of those Mohawk Lifts, but I think that 10k setup might be the way I go. Damn, those comparison pics of a 12k Rotary column sitting inside a 10k Mohawk column make a hell of an argument!

 

[zkdiesel]

12k rotary is way to go. Have 4. Amazing lifts
Also have 18k rotatarys

And one bit Mohawk that will lift that truck

Coming from somebody who lifts bigger **** than 98% of
People here every day, the spo12 rotary is what you want, and a spo10 with three Stage arms will also do

Hell with the bendback, and the Mohawks like a an antique

 

[a_whale]

<deleted>

 

[zkdiesel]

I disagree with the F250 statement. My F250 is 8650lbs with a full fuel tank and nothing else but myself, a fire extinguisher and a few tools in it and a fiberglass bed cover (according to CAT scales) and it concerns me "just a bit" when I get that thing up high on my old 10k lift. My next lift will be 12k for sure. If you figure that the arms on a cheaper 10k lift are intended for 2500lbs on each arm in an ideal situation, then how much overload can 2 of the arms regularly take when you don't have the vehicle centered? 25%? 50%? I have no idea. I can't get my truck centered weight-wise due to arm placement, I'd rather get the bigger lift and deal with the annoyance of lifting small cars than have that massive weight up there for that worrying few moments before I get the stands under it.

Good quality 10k lifts do 10 trucks in shops all day long everyday. Maintain them and do maintence and they do fine. It’s work trucks that they still lift, but are overloaded that hurt them(crew cab f350 with a welding body and a welder in the bed, the f450 with a skidsteer bucket of stone in the dump bed still)

So you guys with you “heavy pickups” crack me up, you don’t know what a pickup can weigh till you enter the vocational work truck life

 

[charbar]

I disagree with the F250 statement. My F250 is 8650lbs with a full fuel tank and nothing else but myself, a fire extinguisher and a few tools in it and a fiberglass bed cover (according to CAT scales) and it concerns me "just a bit" when I get that thing up high on my old 10k lift. My next lift will be 12k for sure. If you figure that the arms on a cheaper 10k lift are intended for 2500lbs on each arm in an ideal situation, then how much overload can 2 of the arms regularly take when you don't have the vehicle centered? 25%? 50%? I have no idea. I can't get my truck centered weight-wise due to arm placement, I'd rather get the bigger lift and deal with the annoyance of lifting small cars than have that massive weight up there for that worrying few moments before I get the stands under it.

Hey, if you want a 12K then by all means buy one, its your money after all. I'm not trying to tell anyone not to buy a 12k for a 3/4 ton, just stating that I run a lot of 1 tons with extra **** through my shop on 10ks and have never had a problem or felt inadequate. Everyone has different opinions and experiences.

Will the OPs lowered Supra fit on a 12K is my concern. Depends on the lift I guess. My 10ks can be a royal pain to get a lower car or even a Jeep with a shorter wheelbase on. Maybe a lowered Supra will fit fine on a SPO12. I have no idea because I don't have a rotary 12k and there isn't a lowered supra within 200 miles of me. Would have to ask zkdiesel if he thinks little cars would work worth a **** on his.

Im just saying its something to consider.....why not find a happy medium that will work for everything you are going to do instead of sacrificing one way or the other.

 

[zkdiesel]

Hey, if you want a 12K then by all means buy one, its your money after all. I'm not trying to tell anyone not to buy a 12k for a 3/4 ton, just stating that I run a lot of 1 tons with extra **** through my shop on 10ks and have never had a problem or felt inadequate. Everyone has different opinions and experiences.

Will the OPs lowered Supra fit on a 12K is my concern. Depends on the lift I guess. My 10ks can be a royal pain to get a lower car or even a Jeep with a shorter wheelbase on. Maybe a lowered Supra will fit fine on a SPO12. I have no idea because I don't have a rotary 12k and there isn't a lowered supra within 200 miles of me. Would have to ask zkdiesel if he thinks little cars would work worth a **** on his.

Im just saying its something to consider.....why not find a happy medium that will work for everything you are going to do instead of sacrificing one way or the other.

The arm design will get them with three Steve arms, can pick up a Suzuki Samurai. sometimes height gets you on the lowered/ specialty cars. 2/12 underneath front tires usually rectifies it. Very seldom do I need to do both axles.

 

[Shadowdog500]

HOLY SH!T - I haven't heard of those Mohawk Lifts, but I think that 10k setup might be the way I go. Damn, those comparison pics of a 12k Rotary column sitting inside a 10k Mohawk column make a hell of an argument!

Mohawk also make a 12K lift.

I’ve had a Mohawk System 1 for about 10 years and really like it. It is built like an army tank.


Heck, they make a 30,000lb two post if you need one.

 

[JeepJohn62]

I have an Atlas 10K and it works for me. I have had F250 4x4. F350 Crewcab, and Ram 3500 on it with no problems. However, when you are working under a truck, more steel feels better. If I had more height, I can't say 12K would be out of the picture.

I don't know if completely symmetrical loading is possible, so the front arms will likely carry more weight.

Mohawk and Rotary seem to be the commercial standard everyone talks about. I found Atlas and Derek Weaver offered a nice lift for less $$. In a perfect world, I would greatly favor US made and high quality. Your wallet may help with those decisions.

I don't know what safety factor is engineered in. But a 10K lift doesn't collapse with 10001 lbs. A 12K lift would be expected to be more rigid with heavier arms.

The anchor bolts and installation is the most important part of any lift.



Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[zkdiesel]

Mohawk also make a 12K lift.

I’ve had a Mohawk System 1 for about 10 years and really like it. It is built like an army tank.


Heck, they make a 30,000lb two post if you need one.

Own that monster!

Don’t like their small ones, only reason I have that is it’s biggest two post made!

 

[Ign]

Yeah I wish I'd gotten a 12k or more. I recently tried lifting an ambulance with my older BP 10k XPR (which i mention because it was apparently/allegedly built before BP really went downhill).

It did it, but it was not thrilled about it and I didn't feel safe under it. The hydraulic pump whined like I've never heard, and the pump always sounds the same from an '09 Focus to my '11 F350 CCLB (8200#)

The ambulance was just a '92 GMT400 chassis w 454 and was of course empty - no supplies, gurney, tanks, anything.

Of course in truth a 15k might be better for the ambulance.

Then I was recently wishing I could lift an '18 Ram 5500 with 11.5' flat bed but I didn't dare

 

[IndyGarage]

I found a used Mohawk 12K a few years ago. It had been used in a school maintenance facility.

It's lifted everything from a miata to a box truck no sweat. I've only had one car that I couldn't get the arms under and it just took a light push with a floor jack to get the arm under.

If you can find one, I highly recommend it.

 

[warrens]

Not me but my brother has a Mohawk lift in his garage. It is very tough and dependable.

 

[AGT]

BendPak does a great job of marketing. The actual lift itself is just all right. We sell and install Rotary and Forward lifts (both Heavy Duty 30k-120k+ and light duty) as well as install most other ALI certified lifts. We have never had an end user bought BendPak lift that had all parts with it or that didn't have broken parts. Just today we were on the phone over an hour trying to help a guy get a warranty part for his brand new, never used lift we installed. This is the 4th call in 3 weeks we've made for him and we didn't sell the lift.

As for what size to get it depends on the trucks you have now and what you might get in the next 20yrs. A high quality 10k will typically be fine for gasoline engines and single rear wheel trucks. If you plan on a diesel crew cab dually you should definitely consider a 12k lift. It is entirely possible to overload one set of arms while still being under total weight rating. Regardless of what you buy I highly recommend making sure it has the gold ALI certification.

Mohawk lifts are just plain brute strength method of lifting, especially the older ones. Great lifts though. Most modern day lifts achieve the same lifting capacity via engineering. The more bends in the columns the stronger they are relative to the steel thickness.

Our client base is almost all New Car Dealerships, Public Works, Gov't, and Military. Rotary is what they all use. For what I call the "Pro-sumer" market Forward makes a nice product that is a great value. It's Rotary's 2nd line and can also be found in some dealerships. Hope that helps.