So I hate to discuss this...

[mercifiknow]

But I need actual information, experience, and frustration from people who have 4 Post lifts. I’m gathering data on getting a 4 post lift from a vendor. I’ve looked at Advantage, Wildfire, Bendpak, and Atlas. The first three quite honestly are pricey. I’ll get to the Atlas in a second.

I started out calling each of them. I couldn’t get a hold of Atlas either time called them. Not sure why, but couldn’t. Anyways, when I called I asked about the motor/hydraulic unit and got a shocking answer when asking about warranty. I was told that if I was using my lift more than a couple times a WEEK, I would be replacing the unit in a couple of years. Is that true?

I will raise and lower my hobbyist lift more than a couple of times on Saturday or Sunday! I couldn’t get Greg Smith people on the phone to ask these questions.

Anyone have experience in this arena? I can’t see paying premium cash on similar designs when I can save $1500 by going to Atlas. Especially if I have to replace major equipment regularly.

Thanks!

 

[carnutdallas]

I use mine weekly. 110v a household version. No issues. None. I can use 3-4 times a day, no problem. 4 years old. I can go weeks without using as well. My lift guy is picky and has no problem with my cheaper lift. He poo-poo’s Bendpak and most name brands. He is a believer in the old German ones. But they don’t make 4 post for the most part, these days.


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[ghnl]

About 10 years ago I bought a DirectLift ProPark9 because the ramps are wider than other models so it'll fit my F250 Ext Cab diesel and also my small cars (MG, Alfa Romeo). I use it often - not everyday but a few times a week on average. It has the 110V pump. The only issue I've had was a burst hydraulic hose in the first year. I contacted DirectLift by email and it was quickly replaced under warranty.

 

[meathooker]

If you want a challenger PM me. I’m a dealer.

 

[chicane]

I'd like to get in on this discussion. Also looking for a 4 post. Does a 4 post have to be bolted to the floor or does gravity pretty much take care of it?

 

[jferrante]

Greg smith and go atlas, get one of their reps emails and service is fantastic. Doesn't need to be bolted but way more sturdy with it bolted

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[LX-Markham]

I’ve had my Bendpak for several years now (2013). I’d say it gets “average” use. No issues so far. That said, it doesn’t move much during the winter. But during the summer it cycles at least weekly.

 

[chicane]

Greg smith and go atlas, get one of their reps emails and service is fantastic. Doesn't need to be bolted but way more sturdy with it bolted

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How much is the Atlas 4 post? I am always suspicious when I don't see prices and it says call us?

 

[jferrante]

2660 with tax for the 8k XL, they make a smaller one for a little cheaper

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[Oilguy]

I have the Atlas 8000Lb unit. It has been working well for about 10 years. I had it delivered and installed by a professional company that works with local car dealers. I have them back about once every two years to check things out. It does not get a lot of use but is a life saver when I need it. I do not keep a car raised up on it for storage as I have this earthquake phobia. Also not bolted down. No problem. I have been very pleased with it.

 

[mercifiknow]

About 10 years ago I bought a DirectLift ProPark9 because the ramps are wider than other models so it'll fit my F250 Ext Cab diesel and also my small cars (MG, Alfa Romeo). I use it often - not everyday but a few times a week on average. It has the 110V pump. The only issue I've had was a burst hydraulic hose in the first year. I contacted DirectLift by email and it was quickly replaced under warranty.

Thanks for the information. If you’re using it say one day, how many times a day are you going up and down?


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[mercifiknow]

How much is the Atlas 4 post? I am always suspicious when I don't see prices and it says call us?

About $2600 with included. I’m looking at the Garage Pro 8000 Hobbyist.


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[mercifiknow]

About $2600 with freight included. I’m looking at the Garage Pro 8000 Hobbyist.




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[mercifiknow]

2660 with tax for the 8k XL, they make a smaller one for a little cheaper

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One of the venders I mentioned said to go with XL. I have 1996 F150 Long Bed and stated it would be best and give me some head clearance. I’ll have 12’ ceilings.


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[mercifiknow]

Can’t get Greg Smith on the phone so I may have to write them off. Can’t get them in the phone to buy, might not get them for repair...


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[mercifiknow]

I’ve had my Bendpak for several years now (2013). I’d say it gets “average” use. No issues so far. That said, it doesn’t move much during the winter. But during the summer it cycles at least weekly.

Initially I wanted Bendpak. Prices have skyrocketed lately.


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[denis4x4]

I have a Back Yard Buddy that I bought about 18 years ago. Over the years, I've moved it once, stored cars and never bolted it down. Unlike some lifts, the BYB has 4" X 4" posts with slots cut out. The fact that it is made in the USA was a factor for me.

 

[mercifiknow]

Advantage sells them now. I like them but simply can’t afford them. IIRC, the steel is Chinese steel but everything is fabricated and assembled in Ohio. I try and buy USA almost exclusively but can’t in this particular case. Also I don’t think you get freebies with them.


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[jferrante]

Contact [email protected]
Hes been responsive even on weekends for me and will call you if you give him a phone number

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[mercifiknow]

Are the Units the weak link? Can you upgrade them?


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[logical]

My Bendpak HD9XL was $3060 + 100 black paint + 150 delivery. I assembled and it has been going up and down every few weeks for 5 years.

Sent from my garage.

 

[ghnl]

Thanks for the information. If you’re using it say one day, how many times a day are you going up and down?

I use my lift mostly for storage. I put my MGA (vintage race car) on the lift and park one of my Alfa's underneath. But of course with older vehicles I do use it for service quite often. So, I'll move the MG out, put another car up, work on it (maybe up & down a few times during the day) then when finished I put the MG back up and park the cars.

The lift is not bolted down. I marked the footprint with chalk when I got it. It hasn't moved.

 

[Robert Haas]

If it is a parking lift, then get what your budget can survive, however if it is something you plan to actually work on, and I mean real work not just lift the car up and tighten a bolt from time to time. Then look into the TwinBush from Germany. German design but contracted in China, these units offer extreme versatility and functionality. They have the best trolley scissor jack and offer standard rear wheel slide plates and front wheel turntables to do alignment/suspension work.

Damn fine piece of kit and I would buy another one if I needed it.

 

[59 wagon man]

direct lift owner here for almost 20 yrs never bolted down, cant say much about customer service as i have not needed any. on a busy weekend my lift can easily go up and down 20 times with no problems

 

[tdkkart]

About 10 years ago I bought a DirectLift ProPark9 because the ramps are wider than other models so it'll fit my F250 Ext Cab diesel and also my small cars (MG, Alfa Romeo). I use it often - not everyday but a few times a week on average. It has the 110V pump. The only issue I've had was a burst hydraulic hose in the first year. I contacted DirectLift by email and it was quickly replaced under warranty.

I too have had the same lift for 7 years, I use it several times a week usually, I have had ZERO issues with mine. It has a 110V pump on it, which the guy I had install it said is one of the better models he sees.

Got mine from https://www.derekweaver.com/rodders...t-lift-pro-park-9-plus-certified-4-post-lift/

 

[tdkkart]

I'd like to get in on this discussion. Also looking for a 4 post. Does a 4 post have to be bolted to the floor or does gravity pretty much take care of it?

Mine has been sitting in the same spot for 7 years, just a couple weeks ago I had to move it forward just a smidge(RCH?) because it had walked maybe an inch in all those years and the ramps were starting to rub the door slightly.

 

[finn]

My lift is a 2 post, not a 4 post the op is asking about, but the motor on the hydraulic unit failed after two years. It’s a Bendpak 10k asymmetric, and used occasionally for six months of the year. Not used at all for the winter months.

Looking for a replacement motor, I determined that the motors are proprietary and essentially non serviceable.

There are dozens of cheap imported power packs out there, though, probably all made by a small group of manufacturers in China, with different labels.

Bend pack specifically doesn’t sell repair parts, and their price for the generic powerpack was a little higher than what I found online.

One vendor online told me that they do occasionally sell replacement motors for higher end Rotary and Mohawk lifts, but the motor price isn’t significantly less than an entire powerpack.

I opted for a SPX powerpack to replace my generic Bendpak. It was maybe $100 more, but at least I recognize the brand.

It looks like they all use the same mounting and basic design. The SPX bolted right up, and I only had to replace the included cord with the longer one I had installed originally.

The local electric motor guy couldn’t repair the burned windings on the original failed Chinese motor.

 

[mercifiknow]

I use my lift mostly for storage. I put my MGA (vintage race car) on the lift and park one of my Alfa's underneath. But of course with older vehicles I do use it for service quite often. So, I'll move the MG out, put another car up, work on it (maybe up & down a few times during the day) then when finished I put the MG back up and park the cars.

The lift is not bolted down. I marked the footprint with chalk when I got it. It hasn't moved.

Essentially what I’ll be doing!


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[Rsharp66]

I recently bought an 18 year old used Eagle GLO-7000 which is now their 8000 lb lift. It has not seen a lot of use so in really good shape given the age. Pretty beefy construction and it has a roller kit so you can move it if you need to. If I start using it a lot I will bolt it down so it will be a lot more rigid. Its a hobbyist lift but I got a killer price so could not complain at all.

 

[428PI]

At my previous job we installed a 2 post lift from a major company and one day I was lifting a car and the pump driver gave out. Luckily we got the car down. Didn't take the pump off of the motor to see what actually happened. Luckily it was barely under a warranty as it was something like less than 6 months old. It would have cost 600 bucks for new pump and motor. At work now we use 2 post lifts and use some lifts 15 plus times a day and haven't had a motor or pump fail in almost 4 years I've been there. Had one lift leak at a cylinder and some of the cables replaced on some and arms on others. Some of these lifts were less than 1 year old and others 12 plus years old.

 

[ovilla]

I have a BendPak HD9-B (extra wide and tall but regular length) that I got about 12 years ago. Only issue I’ve ever had was a burned out lift switch that I blame on a friend that was abusing it. I called BendPak on a Saturday and got a new switch sent to me for free (and it was also an improved design switch that easily retrofit into my unit). I specifically wanted a lift from a company that had been around for a long time and that I’d be able to find parts for in the future. BendPak hasn’t disappointed me in the least. Check out any issues that anybody’s ever had with their BendPak (here on GJ) and you’ll see that BendPak always takes care of their customers. I like their lifts so much that I’ve even helped a bunch of friends get BendPak’s of their own, and they’ve been just as happy as I am.

I use mine for storage mostly but it’s also used for vehicle maintenance as I have an RJ45 and a jacking tray to get my vehicles off the ramps - as needed. On any given day I’ll use it to do oil changes on 4-5 cars, or to sharpen blades on my rider mower, and it works flawless. Mines not bolted down as I have a caster kit so I can move it around, as needed.

 

[OldracerJones]

Mine is unbolted for five years with no issues.

 

[grump]

I have a Quality 4 post. It came with a 2 year warranty and it's very well made. I got it on sale at Good guys at Columbus Ohio. The salesman told me not to consider buying his product until I had looked the other s that were there. They also make a 2 post with a different name which I can't remember but the salesman commented that they have a lot of their 2 posters in new car dealerships. I got the casters and I can and do move it where ever I need it. I wouldn't hesitate buy another one if needed.

 

[Nutty 5.0]

Another Direct Lift Pro Park 8 Plus 4 post owner bought new 13 years ago w/110V motor. It's been problem free (knocking on wood) with use about twice a week. It is mostly a parking lift for me as I use my 2 post to do actual work. It has not been bolted down and doesn't move.
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[mercifiknow]

I’ve almost made my decision as I’ve tried contacting Greg Smith Atlas several times now.


Looks like it’s Direct Lift...now just waiting on the house/garage and detached garage are built...


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[south_paw]

Spend up if you can and get the advantage lift. Customer service is first rate and so is the lift. Well built, sleeved post connections, dual safety locks and sturdy. Nothing moves! I'll let the full size cars do the rest of the talking.

 

[Mthomas1686]

I think I'm going to get the advantage 11k. It looks like a beast of a lift at a great price.

 

[HAULNSS]

Spend up if you can and get the advantage lift. Customer service is first rate and so is the lift. Well built, sleeved post connections, dual safety locks and sturdy. Nothing moves! I'll let the full size cars do the rest of the talking.

I agree. I have two Advantage lifts, one single and one double. Compared to others, the quality is very nice and they come with the drip trays, rolling jack base, drive off plates, wheel chocks, and lightweight but heavy duty ramps. I feel much safer under the Advantage than the cheap low end lift I used to own.

Randy

 

[naim]

I have the BendPak 9XL...
You know what I really do not like about it... It's the air powered safety release. Besides needing to hookup the air compressor when I want to lower the lift, it gives you ZERO feedback if one or more of the air cylinders is not releasing. This occurred this past week with mine... With a lever system you would feel it binding if one did not release.

I'm always scanning with my eyes to make sure that the lift is lowering evenly, but to tell you the truth if one of the locks does not disengage properly your not going to realize it until the the other corners have dropped at least couple of inches. This past weekend I was lowering the car on the lift. I had the car cover on the back half of the car which was really blocking my view. A little voice said pull that thing off.. Good thing I did because the post is was obstructing the view of was not releasing.

I was also looking at Advantage lifts at the time I bought my Bendpak. I got swayed because of the name, but if I could do it over I think I would have gone with a Advantage lift..

Did I say I really do not like the air powered safety release design?

 

[1984shovelhead]

Just had a 4 post bendpak hd9 xw installed second one I bought.Like they say devils in the details depends a lot on your installer can’t believe some of these guys are professionals.