The Time Has Come: Need 2 Post Lift Recommendations (Houston, Tx)

[texag09]

Well the time has come and I am ready to jump and purchase a 2 post lift. I have plenty of headroom in the shop (12'+), and plenty of thick concrete below (6"-8").

A few questions I hoped y'all could help with.

1. Pay for install or DIY?
2. Any contacts for a Houston, Tx area sales or installation company?
3. Is there any draw back to the asymmetric lifts?
4. I think I want the Danmar 10-AC? Anyone see anything wrong with that lift, or have a better suggestion? Trying to stick to about $2,500
- It is certified
- 10k lbs
- Overhead

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[ct03911]

I have a Forward I10.
It's more money than you mentioned but for 10k lifts it is a decent price for a solid piece.

I would strongly recommend a pro install. I watched and to me it would not be worth the hassle.

 

[ZipSnafu]

My friend and I installed my BendPak. It took all day but that included beer breaks and what not. I would totally do it again when the time arises. Have fun.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I installed my 10k asymetrical Bendpak with two friends. Measure twice, drill once...and have a good rotary hammer drill. Never understood people who are comfortable working on things that require a lift, but uncomfortable installing them. It's really not that bad and you will then have a working knowledge of how the thing is put together.
I guess the piece of mind MIGHT be worth it, but I trust myself doing things more than others, hence the DIY nature of this board.

I am quite happy with my asymmetrical, if you do mainly trucks though I'd go symetrical.

 

[ascott172]

I installed my 10k asymetrical Bendpak with two friends. Measure twice, drill once...and have a good rotary hammer drill. Never understood people who are comfortable working on things that require a lift, but uncomfortable installing them. It's really not that bad and you will then have a working knowledge of how the thing is put together.
I guess the piece of mind MIGHT be worth it, but I trust myself doing things more than others, hence the DIY nature of this board.

I am quite happy with my asymmetrical, if you do mainly try is though I'd go symetrical.

I have a bendpak 10k asymmetrical lift. My friend that helped me installed it just got an Atlas 10k asymetric 2 post. I helped him install it. He spent about $2500 on it and I spent about $3000. I'm not sure that mine is $500 better that his. I was impressed with his atlas lift. If $2500 is your budget then get the Atlas. Its a nice lift.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[SVE Performance]

You might want to look at a Worth Lift they are manufactured in Texas you might save on shipping. Bill

 

[cthulu]

I have a revolution two post certified RTP9, really really happy with it. With 12ft ceilings though spend the extra to get a clear floor model.

 

[CraigStu]

Definitely go for asymmetric. With the way the arms will swing you can make it near symetric if you ever feel the need. I worked on asymmetrics for 20+ years and wouldn't have anything else.

 

[lakeroadster]

We have a Rotary SPOA10, assymetric. Rotary makes a great product, We've had it since 2007 and moved it to our place in the mountains in 2016. I installed the lift myself at both locations.

If your not lifting really heavy vehicles like crew cab diesel dually trucks, an assymetric lift is a good choice. It addresses the width issues and remember, unless you're working on a vehicle you can always park it back a few feet so the door is away from the posts... as long as you account for that with the size of the building.. and the location of the lift in the building.

Click on this link and the local distributor will contact you: Rotary Lift, Since 1925

 

[Tinkerman66]

I trust myself doing things more than others, hence the DIY nature of this board.

I have noticed, for a DIY forum a lot of people don't seem to want to do things themselves.

A neighbor helped me set the uprights for my lift. Did the rest myself.

 

[Falcon67]

Part of DIY is thinking through "how much time is this going to cost me and how long will "it" be in pieces (bathroom. kitchen cabinets, etc) vs just paying somebody to get it over with." Can I re-do the master bath? Sure. Can we stand to be without it for 6 months or longer because I have race cars to keep up, baseball games and practice to attend, 8-5 work days, yard work, etc, etc, etc, etc. Or wreck out the tile, put in a new valve and pay some guy $3000 to fix a new base, water proof the cubby and tile it in three days.

Back to the OP - I bought a Derek Weaver floor plate unit. Pulled our flat bed trailer from Abilene to Fort Worth to pick it up. Nice afternoon dinner at Mecardo Juarez then back home, no shipping. Also Greg Smith has a place in Austin.

 

[pattenp]

I have noticed, for a DIY forum a lot of people don't seem to want to do things themselves.

A neighbor helped me set the uprights for my lift. Did the rest myself.

I don't see how TGJ can be taken as being just a DIY forum.

 

[rburke65]

Agree with the above post....I never thought this to be a DIY forum.

 

[87GN]

I'd only buy a Rotary lift.

 

[Garett]

Rotary is good but out of the $2500 budget. I'd have a look at the Revolution rtp10, the design is a forward lift. The same parent company owns these and also Rotary. Parts are easy to come by and there will always be an auth dealer in any major metro area.

I went with Revolutuion over Bendpak because I only read good things about the Revolution, not true for Bendpak. So ya, had it around 2 years, works great and no leaks.

 

[87GN]

I look at it this way: I am the one standing under a 3000+ pound car. Rotary's quality is unmatched.

 

[Krzewinskibe]

I'm in the same boat....looking really hard at a Revolution RTP10. Its ALI certified...means its been tested with a 1.5 safety factor (had to prove it could hold 15K without deformation). I just can't justify a $4500 rotary lift for a hobby garage

 

[John Deere 5425]

I have a Bend Pack asymmetrical lift. I’ve had it for a year and a half. I installed it all by myself. I love it, it works great. But it was more than $2500. If you have any mechanical skills at all you should be able to install it yourself.

 

[Garett]

I look at it this way: I am the one standing under a 3000+ pound car. Rotary's quality is unmatched.

Agreed, but it's not in his budget

I'm in the same boat....looking really hard at a Revolution RTP10. Its ALI certified...means its been tested with a 1.5 safety factor (had to prove it could hold 15K without deformation). I just can't justify a $4500 rotary lift for a hobby garage

I'm glad I got mine, we use nothing but asymmetrical Rotary at work. 15 lifts, all are 8-10K. For what I'm doing I really don't see the rotary being any better, esp considering the price difference.

 

[Xander]

I had my 2 post installed, but I did my 4 post with some friends. If I had to do it all over again, I would install the 4 post myself too. Like others mentioned, it’s not that complicated, and it gives you a good working knowledge of the machine.

X...

 

[Diesel Dan]

Second the Worth lift, made in Mansfield, TX.
Have bought 2 over the years from them and planning on a third for this build. The 12K rotary we had at work looked like a toy compared to my 10K worth, both clear floor models.

Edit:
Symetric for me as I do lift CC/LB/DRW Diesels at times.
And I have set them up by myself with the help of an engine hoist.

 

[sberry]

I installed my 10k asymetrical Bendpak with two friends. Measure twice, drill once...and have a good rotary hammer drill. Never understood people who are comfortable working on things that require a lift, but uncomfortable installing them. It's really not that bad and you will then have a working knowledge of how the thing is put together.
I guess the piece of mind MIGHT be worth it, but I trust myself doing things more than others, hence the DIY nature of this board.

I am quite happy with my asymmetrical, if you do mainly trucks though I'd go symetrical.

I stopped reading when I saw this one. I agree with this wholeheartedly. I aint even going to elaborate.

 

[sberry]

I got a Mohawk but if I was going to do it again and for more of a hobby type shop would certainly be willing to entertain something 1/2 the cost.

 

[lakeroadster]

I got a Mohawk but if I was going to do it again and for more of a hobby type shop would certainly be willing to entertain something 1/2 the cost.

Being frugal is great, but there are times in life where one should choose the best that's available.

• Airplanes,
• Doctor's,
• and lifting devices which you will be working under

....a partial list of of "those times".

 

[Shadowdog500]

I got a Mohawk but if I was going to do it again and for more of a hobby type shop would certainly be willing to entertain something 1/2 the cost.

I also got a Mohawk, and if I had to do it over again, I would get a Mohawk!

When Im standing under a 8,000 lb. dually I like my Mohawk even more!

Chris

 

[Krzewinskibe]

Being frugal is great, but there are times in life where one should choose the best that's available.

• Airplanes,
• Doctor's,
• and lifting devices which you will be working under

....a partial list of of "those times".

I wouldn't go as far as saying best available...independently certified most definately...

Just remember...every bridge you've ever driven over was likely built by the LOWEST BIDDER

 

[gearheadzgarage]

Well the time has come and I am ready to jump and purchase a 2 post lift. I have plenty of headroom in the shop (12'+), and plenty of thick concrete below (6"-8").

A few questions I hoped y'all could help with.

1. Pay for install or DIY?
2. Any contacts for a Houston, Tx area sales or installation company?
3. Is there any draw back to the asymmetric lifts?
4. I think I want the Danmar 10-AC? Anyone see anything wrong with that lift, or have a better suggestion? Trying to stick to about $2,500
- It is certified
- 10k lbs
- Overhead

Thanks in advance for all your help.

I'm buying a Dannmar D-10ACX. AC model is discontinued. Did lots of research. All vendors sell for $2,499. 10k, asymmetric, direct drive, single shutoff, single piece columns, and huge base plates. ALI and ETP certified. Looks identical to Bendpak XPR-10AS and has same specs ... coincidentally multiple vendors have told me that it is made by same manufacturer as Bendpak. Installation manual and color is even the same. 3 year structural, parts, AND labor. For hobbyist can't beat it!

 

[Krzewinskibe]

I just installed my Revolution RTP10 over the weekend with the help from two friends.

 

[foolio]

Revolution RPT10 here. Had it about 4 months. Use it almost weekly. So far so good. Paid to have it installed by the reseller and glad I did.

 

[Diesel Dan]

I wouldn't go as far as saying best available...independently certified most definately...

Just curious, where does one get one "independently certified"?

 

[Krzewinskibe]

Just curious, where does one get one "independently certified"?

That's what ALI certified buys you

 

[FANTM58]

Another vote for FORWARD I10 same as REVOLUTION RPT10,, ROTORYS economical siblings..
I installed mine myself, a few small issues due to me not fully
Reading and understanding the install manual .
It went good and works great,,
Delivered for $2750.00

 

[Calr80]

Take a look at the Twin Busch 242E. 9200 lbs and CE certified. I installed it myself and the process was pretty straightforward. Works great and it is well within your budget, even with delivery. Distributor is in Las Vegas.

https://www.twinbusch.com/product_info.php?products_id=20

 

[RNN14Wolfe]

I second Twin Busch. CE certification is even more stringent than ALI and these lifts are wildy popular all over Europe. When I lived in Germany, nearly all of the BMW dealerships had them. We have one where I'm currently working in Africa as well, great quality, they are made in Germany.

Only thing that ***** about the 242 is the baseplate, I can't stand having my floor unclear.

And without a top post tying them together, I suspect the side loading and concrete anchors will be pulled on a tiny bit more, but I never had any issues with mine.

We dealt with the baseplate issue by running the hydraulic lines up and over the top, instead of at the bottom. Works just fine, but we did have to make some line extensions.

 

[JSK]

I second Twin Busch. CE certification is even more stringent than ALI and these lifts are wildy popular all over Europe. When I lived in Germany, nearly all of the BMW dealerships had them. We have one where I'm currently working in Africa as well, great quality, they are made in Germany.

Only thing that ***** about the 242 is the baseplate, I can't stand having my floor unclear.

And without a top post tying them together, I suspect the side loading and concrete anchors will be pulled on a tiny bit more, but I never had any issues with mine.

We dealt with the baseplate issue by running the hydraulic lines up and over the top, instead of at the bottom. Works just fine, but we did have to make some line extensions.

Although I admire your admiration for all things German (I’m 70% German), I do have to point out that the odds of any Twin-Busch USA-sold lift being made anywhere in Europe (including Bulgaria or Belarus) are about one-gazillion to one. The saying, “if it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t” certainly fits. A $1500.00 German-made two post lift…I think not.

Looks curiously like this Alibaba model.
https://sinostargarage.en.alibaba.com/product/60519746264-804530950/Two_post_car_lift_taida_lift_mrl_lift_SS_6254E_.html

The Twin Busch "factory"..

Not that China-made lifts are all poorly made, but when you see two post lifts like this sold for half what other legitimate ALI certified lifts are being sold for, (made in China or not) you can bet that there is half the steel and half the safety. And a China endorsed “CE” certificate is not worth the paper it’s printed on. Especially when being imported into North America. There are no EU police sitting at US Customs policing the use of CE marks.

 

[ole442]

I got a Mohawk but if I was going to do it again and for more of a hobby type shop would certainly be willing to entertain something 1/2 the cost.

Yea, I really want a Mohawk but can't justify the cost. I'm looking at a Challenger LE10 versymmetric 2 post lift. Still trying to decide whether to install my self. One of the concerns is most deliveries require a forklift. How many residential customers have access to a forklift?? Looking at Automotive Equipment Warehouse, Inc. but can't see any reviews of them?

 

[930dreamer]

I helped the guy in the next building install a used Rotary 9K, he was a bit rushed lifting the columns but no one was injured and the forklift helped a lot.

 

[cory58]

I'm DIYing the lighting, fans, electrical and many other things in my garage build, but $400 for the local Rotary dealer to install the lift is a no-brainer for me. I do understand budget constraints, but thankfully that will not bust my budget.


Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[killahog]

I installed a BendpakXPR10A myself and the only part that made it difficult was I deliberately reversed the columns in order to facilitate installing the pump and motor on the drivers side of the lift. I pulled the wires and had an electrician come over and make the connections as I was not comfortable doing that part. I will admit I enjoy being able to answer with (I did) when asked who put that lift in here.

 

[RNN14Wolfe]

Although I admire your admiration for all things German (I’m 70% German), I do have to point out that the odds of any Twin-Busch USA-sold lift being made anywhere in Europe (including Bulgaria or Belarus) are about one-gazillion to one. The saying, “if it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t” certainly fits. A $1500.00 German-made two post lift…I think not.

Looks curiously like this Alibaba model.
https://sinostargarage.en.alibaba.com/product/60519746264-804530950/Two_post_car_lift_taida_lift_mrl_lift_SS_6254E_.html

The Twin Busch "factory"..

Not that China-made lifts are all poorly made, but when you see two post lifts like this sold for half what other legitimate ALI certified lifts are being sold for, (made in China or not) you can bet that there is half the steel and half the safety. And a China endorsed “CE” certificate is not worth the paper it’s printed on. Especially when being imported into North America. There are no EU police sitting at US Customs policing the use of CE marks.

I would agree with you for the most part, if I were using it for commercial purposes, I would (and Osha says you must) use an ALI certified lift.

For your average hobbiyst though, a china lift will do. I'd be more worried about problems related to shoddy install than I would be about the quality of the lift itself. You do realize that Bend Pak, Challenger and Rotary all make lifts in China as well?