Which car lift should I get? Recommendations Requested

[Brad777]

I'm considering a lift for my garage. I have several cars that this would support. 2008 F350 4x4, 1980 Corvette, an Acura TL, Honda Accord, 1967 Camaro, and a Ford Escape. I need a lift that would support any of them securely and safely. The available garage space is 35' x 40' and 14' ceilings.

Please provide your recommendations and experience.

Thanks,

Brad

 

[wedge40]

How many and how big are the garage door(s).
2 or 4 post?

Wedge

 

[mauls]

my .02 cents. I don't own a left yet, I'm currently building a house, but I'm going with BendPak. So far their customer service has been great, I've called several times to make sure I build my garage around their lift and they've been very helpful.

And they are made in the USA

 

[dmeadow]

What will be the main purpose? Storage or to work on cars? What's the budget?

 

[wedge40]

my .02 cents. I don't own a left yet, I'm currently building a house, but I'm going with BendPak. So far their customer service has been great, I've called several times to make sure I build my garage around their lift and they've been very helpful.

And they are made in the USA

I'm in the same boat. It'll be at least a year, but I'm looking at the Bendpak 2 post XPR-10a

Wedge

 

[Ray916MN]

I'm considering a lift for my garage. I have several cars that this would support. 2008 F350 4x4, 1980 Corvette, an Acura TL, Honda Accord, 1967 Camaro, and a Ford Escape. I need a lift that would support any of them securely and safely. The available garage space is 35' x 40' and 14' ceilings.

Please provide your recommendations and experience.

Thanks,

Brad

Is the F350 a diesel or gasser? Is it SRW or DRW? Crew, super, or single cab? Long or short bed? Do you intend to park in under the lift? Is it lifted or does it sit on stock height suspension and tires? This vehicle is going to drive the minimum size and weight requirements for the lift.

 

[buzz4041]

I have a 4 post Direct lift. It is used for working on cars and storage. I have had it for 4 years and not a problem.

 

[ixlr8]

my .02 cents. I don't own a left yet, I'm currently building a house, but I'm going with BendPak.

And they are made in the USA

I think if you do some research I believe you will find they are made in China and packaged in California. I am looking at getting a 4 post lift and I think it is hard to beat the value of a BP lift and I think that is what I am going with.

 

[Andybull]

I have a Mohawk system 1 Lift. It's a two post lift rated at 10,000 pounds, it's built like a tank.

 

[KPSquared]

No budget? Mohawk. . .no question.

After that there's only a billion and one threads about the exact same topic.

I'm going with the Atlas PV10-P. Like the symmetric/asymmetric combo. Got the F350 CCSB diesel, Jeep JKU, Ford Explorer, and every car under the sun from friends and family. . .

 

[kvom]

I also have a Mohawk asymmetric, and also an F350. I have used the arms for lifting lots of heavy stuff on and off pallet jacks and in/out of the truck bed, and think a 2 post is more flexible in this regard.

 

[Crusty Nut]

BendPak is made in China. I have one and love it. My 4 post HD9XW has had everything from a 2000's Ford 1 ton to this

down to this

and even a go cart (only on one runway)

all with the runways set on wide.

 

[Corvette Joe]

I'm considering a lift for my garage. I have several cars that this would support. 2008 F350 4x4, 1980 Corvette, an Acura TL, Honda Accord, 1967 Camaro, and a Ford Escape. I need a lift that would support any of them securely and safely. The available garage space is 35' x 40' and 14' ceilings.

Please provide your recommendations and experience.

Thanks,

Brad

I just bought a four post lift off Ebay $1995. free freight . Casters, jacking tray and three drip pans. Bought three days ago and already have shipping tracking number. The brand is Triumph. Researched the brand and was unable to find any bad reviews. Good Shopping.

 

[c39er]

I just bought a four post lift off Ebay $1995. free freight . Casters, jacking tray and three drip pans. Bought three days ago and already have shipping tracking number. The brand is Triumph. Researched the brand and was unable to find any bad reviews. Good Shopping.

I looked at the Ebay Triumph ad. This picture off the Ebay ad shows the underside of the runway and cylinder. The cylinder is leaking oil! My OH My! You had better check the lift carefully after the assembly and install for safety's sake. They must not proof read there promo ads.

 

[Brad777]

My garage doors are 12' tall. My plans for the lift is to make it easier to work under my cars/truck...the Corvette is especially cumbersome. However, storage would be great also. 4 post is preferred. Budget is ~$4-$5K.

Thanks

 

[Corvette Joe]

Leak no biggie. Thats why they have position locks on each post. Good eye.

 

[ket-tek]

The ebay triumph (propark, atlas, titan, direct lift) or what ever sticker is on the same lift at $2000 and it has crazy linkages, external cables, no double backup safety locks, and no powered lift jack option..

You can get a BP for only a few hundred more and gain backup locks, no ridiculous linkage, internal cables, larger legs, great tech support, easy to get replacement parts, and also have the option of a real powered lift jack should you want to do some work on the car while it's on the lift.. (oh and ALI certification, although it's 50/50 here on GJ of people who care or not)

 

[ket-tek]

 

[ket-tek]

Less locking positions for adjusting height.

And farther to fall before the next lock would catch it, oh wait, the other brands aren't going to catch anything because they don't have backup safety locks. Nevermind on that one then..

 

[darkk]

ANNNND! so far as I know, Bend Pak has the best customer service in the business......

 

[ket-tek]

ANNNND! so far as I know, Bend Pak has the best customer service in the business......

So as a bendpak fan myself, I agree, but Mohawk, Hunter, and Rotary do also have great service networks as well, they provide excellent sales and service, but you pay for it.

But they are not nearly as homeowner friendly as bendpak is to the little guy, even though bendpak also supports huge dealer networks and commercial installations as well.

 

[ryno]

as a 2 bend pak owner, id say nothing but great things about the company or the product.

customer service is top notch.

 

[dirty30]

Bend pak assymtrical XPR10 is on the short list,
used Rotary in the past they are also a quality product
we had a OLD mohawk with no arm locks and lost a truck off the backside
but this was a freak accident,wet snow,old hoist etc..
i'm sure Mohawk is a quality product now
Make sure they have drop locks AND arm locks for safety reasons!!JMHO

 

[volaredon]

those arm locks have been more of a PITA than anything.... once you have weight on them they cant go anywhere.
I just bought an old Weaver AFH 90 2 post above ground symmetrical.... bought out by Rotary in 89 but Rotary hasnt incorporated anything gained from Weaver in their above ground hoists I think that Rotary was more in it at the time for the in ground stuff Weaver was more known for..
My Weaver is built like a brick #$#!thouse the only thing current that comes close in design and in heft is a Mohawk. Yes mine has a floor plate and no top bar but for what I paid for it-- and being for personal home use, it will be great! very heavily built commercial piece of equip getting a 2nd life in my home garage... should last my lifetime and my son's too, under these conditions
Dont be afraid of a used unit most parts are still available, many are common standard replacement parts that are not manufacturer specific anyway. Bearings, rollers, chains power units and even many of the lift cylinders interchange among companies. Just the main columns and arms etc are "company specific" and those never wear out

1 recent walk around the last auto repair shop I made a living at, and another around the local HS career center auto shop looking at their lifts and mental comparison between theirs and mine make me wonder how these newer ones can be rated at the same capacity as this one I have because they sure don't measure up!

another benefit of buying used; the chances of getting a Chinamade product are greatly diminished, vs buying new! and I hate Chinamade as much or more than about anyone I know

 

[e-tek]

I don't work for BP (but I would!), but I spent a LOT of time researching lifts before and after my purchase and the BP's are so much better than the others it's rediculous! They have a comparison between them and Rotary and it's shocking how much more $$ in quality and materials goes into the BP.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CEoQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bendpak.com%2Fa-study-in-lift-design%2FCheap-Lift-vs-BendPak%2F&ei=iqWWUJzgL8LY2AWiwoGIAg&usg=AFQjCNFfF_rqcuhyBzhh4LZJa7kju_pUiw&sig2=lt4xH1Uu3gru8ruLn-jSSA

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&ved=0CG8QFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuyautoequipment.com%2FArticles.asp%3FID%3D146&ei=iqWWUJzgL8LY2AWiwoGIAg&usg=AFQjCNENJpoeYJ4ZCy4UzPW6_RI_FXQKzA&sig2=91rGTAzfNGem0KFrIH_Tog

Add-in exceptional Customer Service and that being a GJ member gives you a direct line to a VP and you can't make a better choice.

Like anything, but well once and don't regret it.

 

[Wadd2]

Rotary myself and absolutely love it. Local company here sells and installs them and their customer service is awesome. Haven't had any problems with it so can't comment on customer service other that installation.

 

[c39er]

The commercial Rotary lifts are much better designed and better than any BP. The Rotary Revolution HO Chinese lift is what BP is comparing with.

 

[Wadd2]

Yeah, you're right, I guess I forgot that Rotary now has the Revolution. That's not what I have. Mine is the commercial line but I got it used. The local company sells Rotary and my unit was a unit out of a local dealership that went to a bigger one. Mines the 9000 lb. and I love it.

 

[c39er]

I have a "Real" Rotary 12,000 4 post and a BP HD14 4 post. The Rotary is much heavier in design and does not have specific WB locations on the runways like the BP does so as not to over load the runways.

 

[Re-Volv]

The ebay triumph (propark, atlas, titan, direct lift) or what ever sticker is on the same lift at $2000 and it has crazy linkages, external cables, no double backup safety locks, and no powered lift jack option..

You can get a BP for only a few hundred more and gain backup locks, no ridiculous linkage, internal cables, larger legs, great tech support, easy to get replacement parts, and also have the option of a real powered lift jack should you want to do some work on the car while it's on the lift.. (oh and ALI certification, although it's 50/50 here on GJ of people who care or not)

The Atlas ProPark 8 certainly does have backup locks, I own one, I know. It also has a flow restrictor on the hydraulics so if a line were to fail, it wouldn't just crash down onto the locks, it lowers at a controlled rate.

Furthermore, as a HOBBYIST LIFT (which it is) it features mechanical locks as opposed to the air-powered lock release of the Bend-pak. This was an important factor in my decision because it allows the lift to be lowered WITHOUT the need for an air compressor.

Lastly, the ProPark is designed for storage more than service, which it does flawlessly, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

 

[Re-Volv]

I have a "Real" Rotary 12,000 4 post and a BP HD14 4 post. The Rotary is much heavier in design and does not have specific WB locations on the runways like the BP does so as not to over load the runways.

Absolutely! There's a reason Rotary has been around as long as it has.

 

[ptschram]

ANNNND! so far as I know, Bend Pak has the best customer service in the business......

And my obligatory response "Greg Smith has the WORST customer service".

 

[brownbagg]

i got a bendpak two post and it has not had anything out of the normal. a burned up motor, a broken hose. nothing abnormal. as far as service, I didnt see anything exciting about their service that nobody else had. I did talk to some lady that was as dumb as a bag of rocks. I dont see any different from bendpak and anybody else.

so my recommendation is ' a four post over a two.

 

[fflintstone]

If you work for a living, I would go with a BendPak. They have the absolute best bang for the buck. Jeff and the crew there give great customer service.

If your butler has to run around following you with a wheelbarrow to catch the money falling out of your ***, then by all means look at a high end rotary. They are great lifts.

I would love to tell you firsthand about my BendPak lift but it is still laying on the shop floor.

 

[Wadd2]

I paid $1200 for my Rotary used but refurbished with new hoses and fully serviced Thought I did good but I sure wish I could catch the butler that ran off with that wheel barrow

 

[Busa10]

Looks like Mohawks got it pretty well figured out...

... although probably many more greenbacks

 

[ket-tek]

The commercial Rotary lifts are much better designed and better than any BP. The Rotary Revolution HO Chinese lift is what BP is comparing with.

Yeah, in all fairness the Revolution should not be compared as a Rotary. It was just a contracted/branded piece for them to have a four post to break into the fast growing hobby market.

It has nothing similar to the construction of any commercial Rotary I've seen in service.

The Atlas ProPark 8 certainly does have backup locks, I own one, I know. It also has a flow restrictor on the hydraulics so if a line were to fail, it wouldn't just crash down onto the locks, it lowers at a controlled rate.

Furthermore, as a HOBBYIST LIFT (which it is) it features mechanical locks as opposed to the air-powered lock release of the Bend-pak. This was an important factor in my decision because it allows the lift to be lowered WITHOUT the need for an air compressor.

Lastly, the ProPark is designed for storage more than service, which it does flawlessly, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

I stand corrected, I just read up on it and the NEW version of the pro-park finally caught on to adding double safety locks. I guess they added that when they also copied bendpaks ladder design. It's all good at least there is some additional safety added now. They should have ditched the exposed column cable design while they were at it.

And I find this kinda amusing "All Atlas and Direct (black) portable four post lifts (8,000 lb. capacity) are designed and built for use by Mr. Homeowner or restoration shop. These lifts are not designed to work in commercial repair shops that raise and lower a lift several times per day. "

Bendpak makes no such out, and fully supports the HD-9 in a commercial installation.

I purchased and installed two bendpaks on the same order, and one I installed permanent air to because there is already drops overhead. But the other in a different garage I installed the air-bottle option, and it works just fine, no air compressor needed.

The comment about working with it or parking on is dead on. The BP has the Powered hydro jack, so if the four post will be used for maintenance or building cars then the RJ series jacks are a pleasure to work with. And any hand pump or manual jack solution is zero-percent as efficient.

 

[buzz4041]

The comment about working with it or parking on is dead on. The BP has the Powered hydro jack, so if the four post will be used for maintenance or building cars then the RJ series jacks are a pleasure to work with. And any hand pump or manual jack solution is zero-percent as efficient.[/QUOTE]

I have 2 rolling jacks on my direct lift and they do a fine job. Yes they are manual but who really gives a rats *** in a home shop. It allows me to do whatever I need to at about $1500 bucks less with no other downside in respect to safety and operation. That is more goodies on the next build the way I see it.

 

[gnxtc2]

Bend Pak XPR10.

I like the symetrical lifts better because you can position the vehicle in any direction you want.

Here is what I had on my lift already

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[KPSquared]

I keep reading threads like this over and over. I'm now torn between the Atlas PV10-P, and the Bendpak XPR-10A or 10. Not sure if I want Asymmetric or not.

Based on all the research I've done, the PV10-P from Atlas is a solid, well built lift. It is lacking the ALI certification but it's hefty as hell. BendPak doesn't look all that different.


Similar warranty, very similar construction. Made in America means nothing to me considering I'm not American. . .