The age old 2 post lift decision

[mrfrost05]

I have been researching 2 post lifts diligently for the last 2 months (basically an obsession). I ordered my lift today, but though i would pass along some of the information i found to someone else who may be considering their first lift. i had a very hard time finding good reviews in forums and i thought i would share.

I have a 2 bay 32'x48' pole barn with 14' eves, so i knew that i wanted a clear floor style 2 post lift because real estate was not a problem. i was trying to keep costs to a minimum within reason, meaning that Mohawk, Rotary and Bendpak were out of the question.

My requirements were:
1) 2 post lift capable of lifting my extended cab long box f250 diesel
2) clear floor design
3) symmetric/asymmetric is still up for debate
4) needed to be 220v
5) budget was $2000 (....was when i started anyway....)

First Consideration: Atlas 9KOA
$1500.00 + Freigt
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-9KOH

i started my search with Atlas lifts from gregsmithequipment.com. i was planning on getting their run of the mill 9k 2 post lift for $1500 plus freight. this lift would have met my needs but there were a few things that talked me out of it

1) It uses a 2 point disengagement system (you have to disengage the locks on both posts). this was not a deal breaker, but rather an inconvenience
2) most everything you read about greg smith customer service is sub par to say the least.
3) it is not safety certified by any 3rd party

Second Consideration: Atlas 90HSC
$1700.00 + Freight
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-9OHSC-SS-Overhead-Two-Post-Car-Lift

At one point i decided that i would rather have the 90HSC because of its "Super symmetric" capabilities and single point latch release. this lift was a little taller than the 9KOA which i like. at one point i was dead set on this lift, but with further research i had discovered that the "Super Symetric" lifts were very noisy while lifting, almost as if the carriages are binding in the columns when lifting.

While researching again, i finally found the lift i was going to purchase......

Danmar Brigadier 10ACX
$2400 SHIPPED from equiptool.com
http://www.dannmar.com/dannmar-products/two-post-lifts/brigadier-10ACX.asp

i decided on this lift because it was certified, rated for 10k, weighs 300 pounds more than the atlas lifts and its an older Bendpak design. Bendpak sold their old design to Dannmar when they came out with their new one. This lift is a direct drive with much larger.. EVERYTHING.. I got the lift, shipping and a free 8 gallon oil drain for $2400 out the door. I post some pictures after i get it and start working on installation.

this post sounded much better in my head, but it sure was harder to get my thoughts across on paper.

 

[cyamaha2007]

Good call you will love that lift. My buddy jokes that if you scratched a danmar it would be blue underneath. I have a bendpak xpr10a my 4 door 07 cummins feels safe on the lift. Thats what i wanted.

 

[46Nash]

Good info, I am in the same boat as you and didnt think to look at that Dannmar.

 

[mrfrost05]

i was really considering the chinese lifts, let it be an Atlas, Eagle or what not. I wont use a lift to make a living, but i will have cars on it at least once a week... i hope.

i do tend to over research things, as you can see, i was planning on a $1500 lift and ended up with a $2400 one... kind of got out of control quickly..

I read a lot of specs, watched a lot of youtube and read a ton of forums. Im sure that the Atlas is a fine lift, i just hated taking the chance of being disappointed with it. and the fact that i was going to stand under a NON-APPROVED lift with a 7k truck over my head didnt give me a warm and fuzzy either.

I will post a good install and review when i get it . I just couldnt find any good information on lift comparisons so i will be the guinea pig i guess.

Check out this link, it compares Bendpak to some others, take it with a grain of salt though because its on Benpaks site.

http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/

 

[mrfrost05]

i was really considering the chinese lifts, let it be an Atlas, Eagle or what not. I wont use a lift to make a living, but i will have cars on it at least once a week... i hope.

i do tend to over research things, as you can see, i was planning on a $1500 lift and ended up with a $2400 one... kind of got out of control quickly..

I read a lot of specs, watched a lot of youtube and read a ton of forums. Im sure that the Atlas is a fine lift, i just hated taking the chance of being disappointed with it. and the fact that i was going to stand under a NON-APPROVED lift with a 7k truck over my head didnt give me a warm and fuzzy either.

I will post a good install and review when i get it . I just couldnt find any good information on lift comparisons so i will be the guinea pig i guess.

Check out this link, it compares Bendpak to some others, take it with a grain of salt though because its on Benpaks site.

http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/

 

[boosteddsm92]

I have the exact lift you bought. Love it, have had it about a year and a half and gets used almost once a week. No complaints, highly recommended, you'll love the wide width.

 

[IndyGarage]

I didn't realize Greg Smith had a bad reputation for service. However they are selling stuff cheap, so you're not paying for a lot of service time.

I live a few miles from his store, so I just go over there and they've been very helpful to me. Actually every time I've been there, Greg himself has been there and helped me, and I thought he was a nice guy.

I bought something from a competitor, and he didn't have anything at all nice to say about Greg, but I couldn't tell if it was sour grapes or not.

 

[62rat]

mrfrost - I purchased the symmetrical version, the 10CX, earlier this year after having a bad experience with a no-name Chinese lift purchased from America's Pride a few years ago.

I believe that you will be happy with your decision. I also have a diesel pickup and wanted a lift that would be solid with that weight (7500 lbs). The Dannmar is a well built unit and I am quite satisfied with it.

I had a hard time deciding between the symmetrical vs asymmetrical but finally decided on the symmetrical because of the truck. I'm glad I got what I did and I believe that the symmetrical was simpler to install because of the equal length cables and squared columns.

 

[mrfrost05]

62Rat, what kind of issues did you have with the chinese lifts?

The asymmetrical / symmetrical choice is still up for debate in my instance. im not sure what one i should have went with but i decided on the asymmetrical version. I figured that i will be lifting cars 9 times out of 10, so in theory, i will only have an "inconvenient" lift the 1 out of 10 times i have to lift my truck.

Either way, asymmetrical / symmetrical , beats a floor jack any day

 

[62rat]

62Rat, what kind of issues did you have with the chinese lifts?

The carriages rode on plastic wheels and the wheels fell apart. The Dannmar has polyethylene blocks which are much better.

 

[sberry]

I started at 4K and ended up at 6. If I was to do it again I might look for the 2500 special, it would pay back all that much faster and for home, small fleet, occasional truck work, like you said, once a week, anything short of oil change bay would be fine and 2500$ isnt all that much of a stretch anymore.

I ended up with a Mohawk, there were a couple of reasons. I actually have a couple issues, do we have resident expert visits this forum? Maybe most people wouldnt notice but they could have been solved with some installer training. They were not bad guys but some learning was hand to mouth and quick installer stuff not great installer stuff.

 

[mrfrost05]

what are the kind of things will i need to watch out for while installing the lift? Any opinions for placement or anything?

 

[jlckmj]

Subscribed

Please let us know when you get your lift. The Danmar is on the top of my list, but I have a fear that it would take too long to get it delivered, once I get the shop ready for it and get it ordered, I am going to want it up like right now. I was thinking of the Atlas 10K because Greg Smith says he stocks them.

Good luck, Jim

 

[jerkyboy]

Excellent choice...I have a BendPak xpr10a and love it, and it lifts my '02 2500HD diesel extended cab effortlessly. The lift you chose is very similar to mine. I just purchased a Danmar four poster too and it is also a nice lift. Also, their customer service is EXCELLENT!! I had a couple issues with both lifts and their techs were great about answering all my questions; the VP even fielded one of my phone calls. BTW, your garage size is perfect, I went with 32'x36' and wish it was bigger.

 

[pattenp]

Make sure the anchor bolts are installed correctly. Such as don't set them using an impact wrench. Use a hand torque wrench. And leave plenty of working room around the lift.

Oh.. and use a nice new sharp bit to drill holes in concrete.

 

[mrfrost05]

I ordered the lift from Equiptool on monday, and they said that i should have it by wednesday the following week.

Does anyone have any experience with the Atlas lifts that would like to chime in? Would like to get some information on the lifts as well as Greg Smith Equipement on the thread for other people to reference when deciding on a lift.

 

[SteveU]

what are the kind of things will i need to watch out for while installing the lift? Any opinions for placement or anything?

Stay a minimum of 6" & 12" is better from any cracks or expansion joints in the floor. Make sure the longest vehicle you ever plan on lifting will fit inside your shop with the door open & closed without hitting anything & I would place it where you have enough room on the sides to pull a half shaft without hitting something.

 

[fiveohpatrol]

Danmar Brigadier 10ACX
$2400 SHIPPED from equiptool.com
http://www.dannmar.com/dannmar-products/two-post-lifts/brigadier-10ACX.asp

i decided on this lift because it was certified, rated for 10k, weighs 300 pounds more than the atlas lifts

I think you're comparing 2 different grades of lifts here though. If you look at the PV-10P, it has the same load rating as your Danmar, weighs more than 300lbs more than the other atlas lifts in your links, and is about the same price as the Danmar.

 

[aka Larry]

62Rat, what kind of issues did you have with the chinese lifts?

The carriages rode on plastic wheels and the wheels fell apart. The Dannmar has polyethylene blocks which are much better.

My Atlas 9KOH has Polyethlene blocks, not plastic wheels. I'm very happy with mine so far.

 

[mrfrost05]

I realize that I was not comparing apples to apples when comparing the atlas to the dannmar. I understand that all oft choices were going up in price, amenities and quality. How does the dannmar compare to the atlas you mention? Price wise (including shipping) and rating wise? I understand that the certification on the dannmar is nothing more than a sticker, but I be completely honest, that sticker will make me feel much better about having a 7-10k vehicle over my head.

Long story short, I am just sharing the information that I have learned while researching with others. I am also hoping that other members will share their lift experiences as well.

There is beginning to be a lot of good information here that someone will appreciate when shopping for a new lift.

 

[gnxtc2]

I would have bought the symetrical lift especially with the truck. With the asymetrical lift, the vehicle can face only one direction. Good luck with the lift.

I would get two high tripod jack stands when you lift the truck. Also order the frame adapters.

I also made 14" frame extensions out of 2.5" round stock.

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[soj]

I ordered the lift from Equiptool on monday, and they said that i should have it by wednesday the following week.

Does anyone have any experience with the Atlas lifts that would like to chime in? Would like to get some information on the lifts as well as Greg Smith Equipement on the thread for other people to reference when deciding on a lift.

mrfrost, this is a great thread you started, but I am getting red-faced holding my breath waiting for the install pics and info.
jp

 

[Pluribus]

Always good to see the thought process someone else goes through in comparing products...thanks!

 

[JMartens]

I've got two of the Atlas 9KOH and am very pleased with them. The carriages ride on poly blocks not wheels. I thought the two point lock release was going to be a bother, but it isn't even noticeable at all. Raise it off the locks, take a step or two to reach the side opposite the pump, release the lock, release the other lock and lower the car.

If the 9KOH fits your needs, I wouldn't be bothered by the two point lock release. Even on the day were I swapped out my front suspension and moved the car up and down depending what I was working on, it wasn't a bother.

 

[Disturbed Sledneck]

i was really considering the chinese lifts, let it be an Atlas, Eagle or what not. I wont use a lift to make a living, but i will have cars on it at least once a week... i hope.

i do tend to over research things, as you can see, i was planning on a $1500 lift and ended up with a $2400 one... kind of got out of control quickly..

I read a lot of specs, watched a lot of youtube and read a ton of forums. Im sure that the Atlas is a fine lift, i just hated taking the chance of being disappointed with it. and the fact that i was going to stand under a NON-APPROVED lift with a 7k truck over my head didnt give me a warm and fuzzy either.

I will post a good install and review when i get it . I just couldnt find any good information on lift comparisons so i will be the guinea pig i guess.

Check out this link, it compares Bendpak to some others, take it with a grain of salt though because its on Benpaks site.

http://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-lift-design/

How'd the lift install go? Are you happy with the Danmar? It is one of the lifts I am seriously considering.

 

[sberry]

That kind of price puts it within diy range for a good unit.

 

[tncumminsguy]

I'm looking at a titan lift, problem is the shop I rent only has 12ft or 14ft ( believe its 12ft with a pretty good slope So it would have to go dead center on floor to work. Titan has a 9k 2post with 111" overall height which would work fine except i'm nervous about that lift holding up my Dodge ram 2500 4x4 mega cab diesel. This lift needs to be able to hold vehicles from a BMW m5, 240sx, jeep rock crawler and my diesel.


for reference the door is 8ft tall

Inside

 

[Postsedan]

I too am looking at the Titans.....seems very high quality......I spoke with them today.
The steel is from over seas. But manufactured in Greenwood, IN.
Looking at the 9000lb. Asymmetric

http://titanlifts.com/2-post/titan-hd2p-9000ac-2-post-lift.html

Dan