Two post lift. So confused?

[Turbo1002]

Was sold on the idea of a Atlas Apex 10. Went down to the nearest Greg Smiths to check it out. Really loved many of the features of this lift. Double s shaped columns made it compact and sturdy, came with screw in adapters and truck extensions, single point lock release, 2 and 3 stage arms and mainly certified. I did find a concern which bothered me. I was looking at a showroom model which never had a vehicle on it. The teeth on the arm locking mechanism were broken off in many places. It takes a good amount of strength to overcome the spring which is a good thing but when you go to swing the arm if you don't hold that pin very firmly the teeth will rub against each other causing them to break off. You also have to make sure the arm comes to a full stop before letting the pin go or that will damage the teeth as well. Not sure if this is a deal breaker or not?
So many 2 post lifts on the market and many owned by the same parent company. Want to make the right decision. Features I do want are symmetric columns with extending arms. Low profile arms because it will be lifting low cars as well as full size suv's like suburbans and 1/2 ton (possibly 3/4 ton) pickups. Just looking for a good quality lift to serve me well for many years in a hobbyist garage. Money is always a concern but if a few hundred bucks more gets better quality so be it. Which brands would you say are good quality and made well? Which 10k lift do you use and have you had any problems with it?
Thank you

 

[Partsguy57]

Was sold on the idea of a Atlas Apex 10. Went down to the nearest Greg Smiths to check it out. Really loved many of the features of this lift. Double s shaped columns made it compact and sturdy, came with screw in adapters and truck extensions, single point lock release, 2 and 3 stage arms and mainly certified. I did find a concern which bothered me. I was looking at a showroom model which never had a vehicle on it. The teeth on the arm locking mechanism were broken off in many places. It takes a good amount of strength to overcome the spring which is a good thing but when you go to swing the arm if you don't hold that pin very firmly the teeth will rub against each other causing them to break off. You also have to make sure the arm comes to a full stop before letting the pin go or that will damage the teeth as well. Not sure if this is a deal breaker or not?
So many 2 post lifts on the market and many owned by the same parent company. Want to make the right decision. Features I do want are symmetric columns with extending arms. Low profile arms because it will be lifting low cars as well as full size suv's like suburbans and 1/2 ton (possibly 3/4 ton) pickups. Just looking for a good quality lift to serve me well for many years in a hobbyist garage. Money is always a concern but if a few hundred bucks more gets better quality so be it. Which brands would you say are good quality and made well? Which 10k lift do you use and have you had any problems with it?
Thank you

Bendpak xpr10a. My favorite... I have three lifts, 4 post bendpak, two post atlas, two post bendpak... If I had to choose one... Two post by far... I prefer my bendpak over my atlas.... When you get a lift I can assure you will be thinking why did I not do this earlier... Cheers

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[ManOnTheCouch]

I like my Dannmar D10-CX. It’s a clone of one of the bendpak lifts and is a quality, certified lift that’s on the low price end for 10k lifts.

 

[dave_dj1]

Here's my take on the teeth retaining the legs, they (arms) should never be moved unless they are on the ground and free to move, once the vehicle is in the air the arms shouldn't be moved for any reason. My guess is people playing with the arms in the show room and letting go of the pin while the arm is in motion.
I'm leaning towards the Atlas lift myself.

 

[pbon]

My guess is someone drove into the arm. I had a BP8000 for 6 years and no issues, but DIY use only. Can’t see how the teeth could break in use. Probably an accident.

I am not a pro like the poster with a bunch of lifts so I don’t have the experience of using many. On paper the Bendpak XPR-10AS looked great to me. My complaint about the Atlas was the difficulty getting in and out of the car when driving on and off the lift. Angled posts would help a lot while not taking up more floor space. Obviously widely spaced posts would do the same.

 

[koditten]

I agree. Those arms were in the air and some one swung the arms and let go of the pin while they were in motion. When doing fine tuning of those arms, you will only be moving them a Max of 2 teeth.

My atlas is wonderful.

 

[Turbo1002]

Yes, the arms were in the air when being moved. Stupid question now. When the lift is lowered all the way will the pins need to manually pulled up to adjust for different loading? Or will they swing freely and lock when it goes up? They did not have any electric hooked up when I went to look.

 

[ManOnTheCouch]

The pins stick out of the bottom of the arms a few inches. So, as the arms reach the ground, the pins are automatically pushed upwards disengaging them. They are therefore automatically engaged when the arms are raised.

 

[Turbo1002]

Partsguy which atlas lift are you using to prefer the xpr10a? Is there a reason why you prefer it over the atlas 2 post?
Thank you for explaining how the pins work. I feel much more confident now. Those teeth shown never break if used properly.

 

[Partsguy57]

Not around home today... I can't remember what model of atlas I have... I perfer the bendpak I have because of the turned columns.. Easier to get in and out of a vehicle.. But both are great and you will enjoy either..

Partsguy which atlas lift are you using to prefer the xpr10a? Is there a reason why you prefer it over the atlas 2 post?
Thank you for explaining how the pins work. I feel much more confident now. Those teeth shown never break if used properly.

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[zkdiesel]

They are decent as a hobbiest use lift, wouldn’t hesitate to much if it’s low use
For my bussiness I use too if the line rotarys at 2.5 times the price. All of matter of how versatile, long lasting and strong you want to own
Will put my spo12’s up against any other lift to 12k capacity at doing anything better than mine, Not oversized Collins to get in the way, but strong enough to lift dump trucks daily without deflection, 3 stage arms front and rear with most reach and least reach if any out there, collumn set wide enough you can back a dually through, can lift trucks symmetrically and cars asymmetrically. Stackable lads with screw up frame pads or the round car style for infinite height adjustment. Only thing some of the smaller lifts do better is they have a slightly lower pad height for getting under lowered or low cars, but what do you expect out of a lift designed for dump trucks

For the record mine go up loaded to capacity many many times a day in diesel shop use

 

[ole442]

Well, after changing my mind many times, I have decided on and ordered an Atlas BP 10000 lift from Greg Smith Equipment. This should take care of all the specifics of mine.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-BP10000

Since my largest vehicle doesn't weigh over 6000lbs., this should do!

Can't wait to get it installed!

 

[Partsguy57]

O boy... You are going to miss working on your back......

Well, after changing my mind many times, I have decided on and ordered an Atlas BP 10000 lift from Greg Smith Equipment. This should take care of all the specifics of mine.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-BP10000

Since my largest vehicle doesn't weigh over 6000lbs., this should do!

Can't wait to get it installed!

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[Diesel Dan]

I've bought a 9K floor plate and 10K clear floor extra wide from Worth lift. They are made in Texas. Planning on buying a 3rd Worth for new shop but just started looking at Challenger versymmetric lift, I believe they are made in the usa too.

 

[ct03911]

I have a Forward I10. It lifts my 350 as well as all the cars.
For my lowest car, a lowered Vette, I have to drive that car on some small wood blocks I shaped up to get clearance.
I never saw a lift that did it all so I went 10k and deal with the blocks for the low car.
Very happy with the quality of the Forward.

 

[tpearsall]

Love my Mohawk A7, sad to see it go due to a move.

 

[Jazzman442]

Been through this and the only lifts worth being under are Challenger there home line and Rotary there Direct home line all certified great customer service. All of the car shops and dealers have these.

 

[Mr. D]

Mohawk A7 would be my go to lift.

 

[ole442]

Well, after changing my mind many times, I have decided on and ordered an Atlas BP 10000 lift from Greg Smith Equipment. This should take care of all the specifics of mine.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-BP10000

Since my largest vehicle doesn't weigh over 6000lbs., this should do!

Can't wait to get it installed!

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-PV-10P

Well, after talking with the installer, he thought my best choice would have been the Atlas PV-10P so I called Grant Smith at the Indianapolis Greg Smith Equipment store and he made the switch very easy for me. I'm set to have it installed next Wednesday!