What kinda lift do you have?
- Thread starter Roothawg
- Start date
saabman
Well-known member
Here are some shots of my Bendpak XPR-9F
(camera aberation makes the columns look bent. My Sonett only weighs 1800 lbs)
(My Saab 9-5 weighs 3400 lbs)
Other cars I lift are a Miata, Mini Cooper S, and Saab 900 SPG. I of course lift the occasional friends car too.
I have the truck frame adapters and a telescoping frame jack to allow me to safely lift my Chevy 1500 too. Low slung cars with side skirts are a pain to lift. You can see the need for pad elevators in the 9-5 shot. (these came with the lift)
(camera aberation makes the columns look bent. My Sonett only weighs 1800 lbs)
(My Saab 9-5 weighs 3400 lbs)
Other cars I lift are a Miata, Mini Cooper S, and Saab 900 SPG. I of course lift the occasional friends car too.
I have the truck frame adapters and a telescoping frame jack to allow me to safely lift my Chevy 1500 too. Low slung cars with side skirts are a pain to lift. You can see the need for pad elevators in the 9-5 shot. (these came with the lift)
hilld
Well-known member
You might want to think about some drop in anchors so you can put a couple of bolts at 2 of the corners so this doesn't happen again. The nice thing with drop in anchors is that they don't stick out above the concrete like normal concrete anchors.
http://www.us.hilti.com/holus/page/module/product/prca_catnavigation.jsf;jsessionid=409101A71F987A675A4BFCA919038764.node1?lang=en&nodeId=-60259
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
Oh yes! it will.. I don't remeber why I left it up.. maybe I was greasing the fittings or something
Yep, those are totally on my to-do list, Before I got it I said bah, no need to bolt it down, its 2200lbs.. ****, that thing moved so quick I almost **** myself
You definately know your lifts. I dare anyone to disagree with your choise.
I went with a Mohawk HR6 mid rise lift and the same holds true for comparisons to other mid rise lifts less the Snap on, which is Canadian made but I think we can see where this is going.
You get what you pay for and if working safe with American steel and jobs is important the we have made our statements. Mohawk is manufactured some what local to me and in this economy the way we get each other out is Buying AMERICAN . Period.
I went with a Mohawk HR6 mid rise lift and the same holds true for comparisons to other mid rise lifts less the Snap on, which is Canadian made but I think we can see where this is going.
You get what you pay for and if working safe with American steel and jobs is important the we have made our statements. Mohawk is manufactured some what local to me and in this economy the way we get each other out is Buying AMERICAN . Period.
pattenp
Well-known member
I have a 2 post 9,000lb asymmetrical unit that came with the house, forget the brand, it's made in Texas. Looking at adding a 4 post unit for another corner of the garage, so i can stack 2 of my cars and free up the 2 post bay for parking my truck.
Either I'm looking at this wrong but is your car loaded on this lift backwards? Being assymetrical and with the direction of rotation of the columns your car would need to be backed into the lift.
gloveman132
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2009
- Messages
- 72
The most interesting thing to me is that everyone who has installed a lift is pleased with it.
Doesn't seem to matter what kind it is or who manufactured it, everyone loves his lift.
I am getting ready to purchase a lift for my new shop and this thread helped a great deal.
Thanks to all who posted.
Doesn't seem to matter what kind it is or who manufactured it, everyone loves his lift.
I am getting ready to purchase a lift for my new shop and this thread helped a great deal.
Thanks to all who posted.
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e-tek
Well-known member
I LOVE that this thread has been going on for FOUR years now!!!! 
Some of the lifts first posted probably look like **** now
Sad to see at least one member (Autoist) is no longer with us.....
Some of the lifts first posted probably look like **** now
Sad to see at least one member (Autoist) is no longer with us.....
c39er
Well-known member
Lkdelta
Well-known member
Just went to New hampshire and brought home the Atlas quik bay 7,000lb midrise scissor-lift. Got a tandem axle trailer so I can take it to dad's driveway or where ever. The HF engine lift picks it up so I can pull the trailer under it or out from under it. Can't move the engine lift when it has the car lift tied on
ixlr8
Well-known member
Where did you pick up a lift in NH? Or was it a private sale?
Chris Adams
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- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,117
Hope you have your lift by now.
I've had two lifts, down to just the black Rotary now, and while I didn't care for some things about the Blue Bendpak I have to say any lift is way better than no lift.
And while my wife didn't research it like one of the previous posters, she did help me locate and bring home both of them and SHE was more adamant that I get one than I was.
She hates jack stands and me being under anything that ain't sturdy.
RAYJAY
Well-known member
Hope you have your lift by now.
I've had two lifts, down to just the black Rotary now, and while I didn't care for some things about the Blue Bendpak I have to say any lift is way better than no lift.
And while my wife didn't research it like one of the previous posters, she did help me locate and bring home both of them and SHE was more adamant that I get one than I was.
She hates jack stands and me being under anything that ain't sturdy.
what model is the black rotary ??
Jeff
mx757
Well-known member
Mohawk USL-6000
nice lift.
nice lift.
Lkdelta
Well-known member
The Greg Smith warehouse over by Nashua
Lkdelta
Well-known member
^^^Photos when you set it up...Here is mine.
I don't know how to post pictures except attachments in e-mail....
jethro29
Well-known member
challenger ,versametric,12,000 lbs.love it.two post.the four posts,even with jacks are very limiting.
Chris Adams
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- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,117
VLB6-3, older unit. I love it.
Read every word in this thread, thank you all for great advice. Like it so much I just joined the forum as I am considering a lift inside my four car pole barn. I am curious that after four years and eight pages of posting, nobody has mentioned EBay. Are the eBay auction lifts something to avoid? Are there better deals elsewhere? Finally, somebody mentioned Craig's list... would you buy a used lift and what would you look for if you did?
yellowgt1vert
Member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2010
- Messages
- 20
It's all in what you are using them for. I've got two of the American Automotive Equipment ss 8000 xlt lifts. They are chinese manufactured and you'll see them on Ebay sometimes-I'd suggest their email list price then a call to see if you can negotiate a little more off. The owner of the company is a great guy and the service folks usually call back within 24 hours (my experience was 3 hours on one call and approx. 20 hours on the second). Both of my calls to service were procedural on set-up not problems with the equipment.
These lifts aren't commercial quality, but for the home user that isn't running them up and down all day everyday...they should last quite awhile. They've got a decent lock system and seem to be put together pretty good. I had some paint rubs, but other than that and one bolt that got some threads flattened, I've been very happy.
There are some of what many would term the "quality" dealers on Ebay also...so just treat Ebay like Ebay and you'll do fine. There are plenty of chances to be had regardless of where you conduct business.
These lifts aren't commercial quality, but for the home user that isn't running them up and down all day everyday...they should last quite awhile. They've got a decent lock system and seem to be put together pretty good. I had some paint rubs, but other than that and one bolt that got some threads flattened, I've been very happy.
There are some of what many would term the "quality" dealers on Ebay also...so just treat Ebay like Ebay and you'll do fine. There are plenty of chances to be had regardless of where you conduct business.
Chris Adams
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- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,117
I looked at about ten used lifts, mostly on CL, one through a friend who had a friend...
Considered buying a HF lift, went down to buy it, and they had just stopped selling that model in the store. I saw a couple of those and they would have worked for me, but I'm glad I got the Rotary because of the way I use it. I expected to seldom have a vehicle in the air for a long time, but it didn't turn out that way. I use the low rise lifts for cleaning the vehicles as well as working on them, and sometimes I will have the rat rod in the air for days.
Buying a CL lift, there are some things to consider.
Everyone lies about the use the lift has had, well, almost everyone. Everyone who's lift I saw lied about the usage.
Some lifts do not like being left out in the weather. That does not stop people from leaving their lift out in the weather...
Now the good news for a lift buyer... Most are totally modular, so you are not risking disaster if you buy one and something is not right.
My Bendpak (which had more use than they claimed) needed a capacitor cover (five bucks at a local electrical shop) a switch cover (two bucks) and a good oil change. That one used Hydraulic oil, not ATF got the stuff at Walmart for 12 bucks a gallon.
You can replace, exchange, the ram on most lifts, the pump on any lift, the hose, which is something to be very careful off, at any hydraulic shop 40-60 bucks, and even parts of the lift.
I needed four medium steps and four pins for my Rotary, guy lost the medium steps. Didn't cost very much, you can buy parts on line.
Watch out for bent metal, especially on the ones where the parts can't be easily and cheaply replaced. I saw several bent lifts.
Getting one home, if you buy a low-mid rise, is fun.
The Bendpak is over 72 inches wide. Most trailers it almost fits... Four big guys lifted it in my trailer. My buddies and me had fun getting it out.
The Rotary and Mohawk can be disassembled and carried in a small trailer or even pickup bed.
Oh, and lifts depreciate pretty fast from new. Not that many people buying used lifts, and willing to take the trouble to move and set them up.
I know two poster lifts are often scrapped locally. Then they sell the pump on CL.
Considered buying a HF lift, went down to buy it, and they had just stopped selling that model in the store. I saw a couple of those and they would have worked for me, but I'm glad I got the Rotary because of the way I use it. I expected to seldom have a vehicle in the air for a long time, but it didn't turn out that way. I use the low rise lifts for cleaning the vehicles as well as working on them, and sometimes I will have the rat rod in the air for days.
Buying a CL lift, there are some things to consider.
Everyone lies about the use the lift has had, well, almost everyone. Everyone who's lift I saw lied about the usage.
Some lifts do not like being left out in the weather. That does not stop people from leaving their lift out in the weather...
Now the good news for a lift buyer... Most are totally modular, so you are not risking disaster if you buy one and something is not right.
My Bendpak (which had more use than they claimed) needed a capacitor cover (five bucks at a local electrical shop) a switch cover (two bucks) and a good oil change. That one used Hydraulic oil, not ATF got the stuff at Walmart for 12 bucks a gallon.
You can replace, exchange, the ram on most lifts, the pump on any lift, the hose, which is something to be very careful off, at any hydraulic shop 40-60 bucks, and even parts of the lift.
I needed four medium steps and four pins for my Rotary, guy lost the medium steps. Didn't cost very much, you can buy parts on line.
Watch out for bent metal, especially on the ones where the parts can't be easily and cheaply replaced. I saw several bent lifts.
Getting one home, if you buy a low-mid rise, is fun.
The Bendpak is over 72 inches wide. Most trailers it almost fits... Four big guys lifted it in my trailer. My buddies and me had fun getting it out.
The Rotary and Mohawk can be disassembled and carried in a small trailer or even pickup bed.
Oh, and lifts depreciate pretty fast from new. Not that many people buying used lifts, and willing to take the trouble to move and set them up.
I know two poster lifts are often scrapped locally. Then they sell the pump on CL.
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CARS
Well-known member
I have a Snap On mid-rise lift (the solid top model, not like the "open top" one in a previous post) and an in-floor lift. The in-floor is a 2 post, fore/aft model called a Weaver Twin. The front column is adjustable for different wheel base vehicles. It's old.... it doesn't even have safetys on it!
The Snap On is electric over hydraulic and the Weaver is air over hydraulic.
The Snap On is electric over hydraulic and the Weaver is air over hydraulic.
Goobzilla
Well-known member
Direct Lift OH8000 2 post. This is my 2nd Direct Lift, I had one of their Pro Park 4 posts in my shop in Washington.
greenbank
Active member
Chris, unfortunately up here in the NW any and all "big" tools on CL sell fairly quickly and for a premium price unless they're total junk. I called on a used rotary for $2700 and it was sold in 4 hours. Most used lifts on CL look like piles of scrap metal roughly heaped outside for storage, they are usually at least $1500 anyway. It's pretty insane.
I look at stuff available in industrial areas of the country on CL and weep sometimes.
I look at stuff available in industrial areas of the country on CL and weep sometimes.
e-tek
Well-known member
Here's a comparison sheet I got from my lift distributor (Babco.ca) It compares BP and Rotary in just about every manner. I also posted this in my Lift POLL thread - as guys may miss one or the other when researching lifts and I think it's good info (especially since I own a BP!).
There was a third page showing BP's bigger metal sheaths vs. Rotary's smaller PLASTIC ones, BP's 3/8" cables vs. 5/16" for Rotary and BP's 5/16" hydraulic cylinder rods with integrated throttle valves vs Rotary's 3/16" rod w/ no throttle valves....
There was a third page showing BP's bigger metal sheaths vs. Rotary's smaller PLASTIC ones, BP's 3/8" cables vs. 5/16" for Rotary and BP's 5/16" hydraulic cylinder rods with integrated throttle valves vs Rotary's 3/16" rod w/ no throttle valves....
Chris Adams
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,117
I feel for you. Here there are lots of items, but sometimes lots of competition. I drove 110 miles for my first lift, 102 miles for my second lift. That's each way.
Here in Southern California 50 miles is local...
There are some decent vendors on line, but most the stuff is imported.
I think you may be forced to buy an e-bay or someplace like
http://www.americanautomotiveequipment.com/2-Post-Lifts-p/tp9a-d.htm
never bought from them, but they sure send a lot of specials to my e-mail.
Best of luck.
MScott
Well-known member
When searching for a used lift on CL or Kijiji, it may be a good idea to do a general search rather than looking only in the tool section. I found my 4 year old two post Rotary in a general search when the poster put it in the wrong section and got it for $1400. It had been posted for several weeks.
I found a 1970`s vintage Benwil TPO-55 on Craigs list for $500, talked the guy down to $400, not a whole lot more than the scrap value. I restored it to good working order once again, a challenge as it had laid on the ground in a field uncovered for a couple of years.
I`m very happy with it and find it to be a safe and very well made lift.
I`m very happy with it and find it to be a safe and very well made lift.
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I have 2 in my home garage
A new BendPak HD9 4 post with the rolling jack
And a Kwiklift
Had a 2 post at my other garage. Never trusted leaving anything up there for long.
After owning all 3 of these- I'll take a 4 post w/ rolling jack anyday.
A new BendPak HD9 4 post with the rolling jack
And a Kwiklift
Had a 2 post at my other garage. Never trusted leaving anything up there for long.
After owning all 3 of these- I'll take a 4 post w/ rolling jack anyday.
jethro29
Well-known member
challenger 12,000 lb versametric.
rburke65
Well-known member
Found a Mohawk, 9000# sys-1 on Craig list yesterday for $1500. It was mfg. in 1984 but the thing is built like a tank. Haven't got it yet....next week. I called the main office in Amsterdam, NY and ordered paint and a set of decals for it. I'm excited...hell, I don't even have my pole barn up yet!!
Strouty
Well-known member
Great price, I bought TP15 Mohawk a few months back, I paid $1,250 and it was made in 1999. Deals are definitely out there, especially in this economy. I am going to be picking up my used bridge crane in a few weeks. The bridge crane is why I wanted/needed the mohawk lift. I am going to do the under floor hydraulic lines, but my ceilings are a little low so I need to make pockets for my rams. The one you got the rams stay within the column, mine will extend up to like 14' I found a few sys-1 but they were way more money than what I paid for the 15,000# one. Congrats on a great deal!