Yet Another Storage Lift Thread

[logan2z]

I'm sure these threads come up relatively often but it seems to be harder to find a quality 4-post lift than it is to find the cars to store on them - at least in my experience.

I've been doing research on these things for months and I still seem to be no closer to making a decision. My original must-have was that it be American Made but these seem to be far and few between. A local high-end car storage facility has loads of Rotary Revolution lifts that seem decent but they are MIC. Same with BendPak. There is a company called American Custom Lifts that designs/manufacturers some of their own lifts in the USA and also re-brands lifts from other manufacturers like Quality Lift and Challenger Lifts. But my research tells me that it may be best to stick with a name brand rather than a small company that may or may not be around when it comes time to service the lift. So the criteria is: a high-quality ALI-certified storage lift that is safe, reliable and will be well supported post-sale. If it's made in the USA then great, but if it's certified/safe/reliable then I suppose that is sufficient.

I found some older threads on this subject but was hoping that anyone with recent experience with the lifts I'm considering might care to weigh in.

 

[dakkon]

I'm going to get one of the little ones from this company. One of the performance shops in town has several of their storage lifts and also uses their 2 post lifts for the shop. Also they run off on 115.. So, no 220 needed...

http://www.directlift.com/Four-Post-Lifts-C9.aspx

Hope this helps.

 

[logan2z]

I'm going to get one of the little ones from this company. One of the performance shops in town has several of their storage lifts and also uses their 2 post lifts for the shop. Also they run off on 115.. So, no 220 needed...

http://www.directlift.com/Four-Post-Lifts-C9.aspx

Hope this helps.

Thanks. Direct Lift was the first company I considered, but then I went off on an American Made tangent and discounted them.

 

[slidehammer]

Thanks. Direct Lift was the first company I considered, but then I went off on an American Made tangent and discounted them.

That's a good tangent. If it doesn't pan out, consider products manufactured by our democratic allies. There are lots of European lift brands, though they will cost more.

 

[tdkkart]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=228567&showall=1

My Direct Lift is over 2 years old, used the **** out of it have not been disappointed once.
The only thing I would do different would be to buy another manual or air powered bridge jack so I could have one front and rear.

 

[R6 Racer]

For what its worth, I like Bendpak. Looking at the build quality/beefieness of the lifts. I like them better than all others in a similar price range.
In any case I would really like to know which way you end up going, and your reasons for the choice.

tdkkart

Love your "disclaimer"!
Mind if I quote you/it?

Steve

 

[logan2z]

Thanks for the replies. Someone on one of the car forums I frequent posted about his Park-King lift from American Custom Lifts. That's one of the lifts I have been considering. It's fully American Made which is nice. The drawback is that they don't ALI certify it. Apparently they only certify their 2-post 'service' lifts and not their storage lifts. Their Voyager lift is ALI certified and assembled in the US, uses an American made power unit, but uses imported steel. It's made by Quality Lifts. Decisions...

 

[Kail]

I have used a direct lift and have no complaints. I believe it is owned by Rotary as well.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Recently bought a Challenger Q4P09X (9,000 lb capacity), and I am very happy with it. I have 16' ceiling above the lift, so I can get trucks with ladder racks up there all the way. Plus, this lift goes extra high (80" underneath), so its wonderful for winter storage. I can put the lift all the way up with my Vette on it, and still have plenty of room to park my Chevy Silverado underneath. And I don't have to worry about hitting my head.

At first, I thought this lift would be too big, but it is just the right size. Be careful about getting a smaller lift, as you may not be able to fit large cars and/or trucks on it or under it....you wanna be able to walk under it without cracking head all the time....this Q4P09X is just the perfect size for average user, IMHO.....

I bought one rolling jack, but might buy another at some point. I have a 'jacking tray', which will hold bottle jack(s), so I can get all four wheels up if needed.

Good luck!

 

[tdkkart]

tdkkart

Love your "disclaimer"!
Mind if I quote you/it?

Steve

Go ahead, I'm honored.........

 

[tgj7]

Look into Backyard buddy. Made in the USA.

 

[firemanast]

I have a Direct Lift 9000 plus and have not had any problems. The lift works great, I just need to get another bridge jack to have one on each end.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

I have a Direct-Lift also and have had zero issues. Do your home work. Certification is important. Check reviews, there everywhere on this forum and using google searches. Check with BBB for reviews and complaints. Unfortunately many of US made companies have had numerious quality issues, bankruptcy, delivery issues. Direct-lift, Benkpak, Rotary and there is more that are high quality certified lifts with little complaints. Do your homework, one great review does not make it great!

 

[logan2z]

Look into Backyard buddy. Made in the USA.

Thanks for the suggestion. For some reason BYB doesn't certify their lifts.

 

[logan2z]

Bendpak, Direct Lift, Challenger, Rotary, Quality Lift, American Custom,...

I don't know how anyone can actually make a decision on one of these things. My head is spinning

 

[SILVERPLATE]

Thanks for the suggestion. For some reason BYB doesn't certify their lifts.

It's probably more of question there lifts cannot be certified.

 

[logan2z]

It's probably more of question there lifts cannot be certified.

Highly likely.

 

[tdkkart]

I came down to Direct Lift or Bendpak for me, one was cheaper, but I paid shipping, one was more money but free shipping. By the time they hit my door it would have been a wash. In the end the choice came down to the Direct Lift offering more width between the posts than the Bendpak. The wider width would allow me to drive my truck onto the lift without folding the mirrors in, plus after laying it out on the shop floor, the wider width actually fits better in my shop.

 

[logan2z]

The Q4P09X is the same as the American Custom Lifts Voyager that I've been considering. Sounds like a great unit. Made from imported 'bio' steel but uses an American power unit, is ALI certified and is assembled in the US. Good to hear you're happy with yours.

 

[Rx7 Vinnie]

I have the direct lift with the bracket to move the pump/reservoir in front of the post....

 

[logan2z]

I have the direct lift with the bracket to move the pump/reservoir in front of the post....

Can I ask how high is your ceiling? I've been told I need to raise my garage door tracks and move the opener to the side but it looks like you didn't do those things and don't have a particularly high ceiling.

 

[Rx7 Vinnie]

10.3 feet..... I have low cars and it's not at the top lock because the garage door will clip the hood.

 

[ovilla]

This is my Bendpak HD-9B, set up with a rolling air jack and also a jacking tray, so I can lift my cars off the ramps for suspension work. It's a standard length but extra wide. I keep it up against a wall on my single bay door and the columns are actually wider than the standard single bay door opening. Hence no need to fold in mirrors.

Anyway, what I really like about it (and what really sold me in getting it) was the adjustable track width. The one track that doesn't have the hydraulic cylinder under it, can actually be bolted down at a typical narrow width (to accommodate most cars) or you can bolt it at its widest setting - like if you own really wide track vehicles like a big 4X4 truck or a military Hummer. Its just nice having that flexibility. I also like the extra wide lift overall since the columns are never in the way. I can even walk around the car parked under the lift (or on top - when the lift is on the floor) and not worry about hitting the columns.

I highly recommend Bendpak. I also have their QuickJack BL-3500. Their customer service and quick response to make things right is first class. Just google them and you'll see that they always quickly address any issues and truly take care of their customers.

 

[Mystic195]

If you need any information or questions on the Bendpak line let us know. Also, check out the Group Buy thread in the Hot Deals section!! There are quite a few forum members that have purchased them and can give your their feedback on the lifts and experience.

 

[pop pop]

I'm sure these threads come up relatively often but it seems to be harder to find a quality 4-post lift than it is to find the cars to store on them - at least in my experience.

I've been doing research on these things for months and I still seem to be no closer to making a decision. My original must-have was that it be American Made but these seem to be far and few between. A local high-end car storage facility has loads of Rotary Revolution lifts that seem decent but they are MIC. Same with BendPak. There is a company called American Custom Lifts that designs/manufacturers some of their own lifts in the USA and also re-brands lifts from other manufacturers like Quality Lift and Challenger Lifts. But my research tells me that it may be best to stick with a name brand rather than a small company that may or may not be around when it comes time to service the lift. So the criteria is: a high-quality ALI-certified storage lift that is safe, reliable and will be well supported post-sale. If it's made in the USA then great, but if it's certified/safe/reliable then I suppose that is sufficient.

I found some older threads on this subject but was hoping that anyone with recent experience with the lifts I'm considering might care to weigh in.

That's the same place I found myself last year. I narrowed it down on perceived quality to Challenger (#1) and Rotary (#2). Price made the difference in the decision. Both offer long term after sale support. I would not consider less than 9K capacity or certification. Others see it differently.

 

[montac]

I love my Bendpak.

 

[R6 Racer]

Custom red paint? Or were they once sold in red?

And welcome to the GJ

Steve

 

[tgj7]

Thanks for the suggestion. For some reason BYB doesn't certify their lifts.

The ones made in the USA, other than the commercial ones, don't certify them. Why do you need/want them certified? Insurance requirements? (Because having looked at a Chinese one that was certified, I would not pay $1 for the certification. JMO)

My GUESS is that the US brands don't want to pay for it, it's hard to compete with China.

 

[logan2z]

The ones made in the USA, other than the commercial ones, don't certify them. Why do you need/want them certified? Insurance requirements? (Because having looked at a Chinese one that was certified, I would not pay $1 for the certification. JMO)

My GUESS is that the US brands don't want to pay for it, it's hard to compete with China.

Not because of insurance requirements. It would just be nice to know that the lift has been independently tested against a set of (presumably) stringent safety guidelines when it's lifting a 3000lb car over my head.

 

[montac]

Custom red paint? Or were they once sold in red?

And welcome to the GJ

Steve

No they are sold in red, black, and blue I believe. It is normally an extra charge to get something other than blue. I got one while they had a few extra in red for no cost.

Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[jfitz]

I also looked at lifts for a long time. They all began to look the same! I finally broke down and bought a Bendpak HD9-XW in June 2015. I bought this because

1. It is a 9000lbs lift and is about 1ft narrower than most lifts in its class, which enabled me to get a car into my garage between the garage door frame and the right rear post of the lift

2. It would also lift my 08 Dodge MegaCab (2500)with only having to fold 1 mirror in, and I like the adjustable runway

3. Air locks instead of rods. Didn't at first think this would be a deal breaker but they do work fantastic. My neighbour who has an Atlas lift is envious!!

4. Out of all the overseas lifts, I think Bendpak has one of the better built lifts, and is certified. Going USA made is nice, but you will never find an inexpensive one !!

 

[rwilner]

I also looked at lifts for a long time. They all began to look the same! I finally broke down and bought a Bendpak HD9-XW in June 2015. I bought this because

1. It is a 9000lbs lift and is about 1ft narrower than most lifts in its class, which enabled me to get a car into my garage between the garage door frame and the right rear post of the lift

2. It would also lift my 08 Dodge MegaCab (2500)with only having to fold 1 mirror in, and I like the adjustable runway

3. Air locks instead of rods. Didn't at first think this would be a deal breaker but they do work fantastic. My neighbour who has an Atlas lift is envious!!

4. Out of all the overseas lifts, I think Bendpak has one of the better built lifts, and is certified. Going USA made is nice, but you will never find an inexpensive one !!

I'm considering the same lift. Any thoughts a month later?

 

[nuc1]

I'm considering the same lift. Any thoughts a month later?

I have the same lift. No issues to report after 2 months (wouldn't expect any).

I fits all my vehicles and the movable runway helps. Smooth operation.

Mike

 

[nuc1]

No they are sold in red, black, and blue I believe. It is normally an extra charge to get something other than blue. I got one while they had a few extra in red for no cost.

Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

It was about $100 to have mine painted black. I would point out that black was not the original color of the hydraulic unit; you can see blue paint under the panels if you take them off. The runways, cross tubes and posts were only painted black. Not a big deal to me as you can't see it. Plus I used to be in the Navy: paint will hold things together.

Mike

 

[jfitz]

On lift certification, since I live close to upstate NY I was looking to get a lift from one of the resellers there. It seems that the resellers in NY are not allowed to sell a non-certified lift. Don't know if other states follow the same policy.

 

[jcthorne]

I also have a Bendpak HD9-XW. Been a great lift. Will say that not one but two hydraulic power units have failed but most of the brands use the same unit. BendPak never once hesitated to fedex the new units and paid both times to have the local service rep out to replace it. The second time they sent an upgraded made in USA unit from US Motor. Looks much different and lifts faster (2HP vs 1HP) and works very smooth.

Im a happy user. Love the lift, the air cross jacks and the air locks. My F250 fits on it easily as well as under it with the lift all the way up. Vette gets on it easily as do our Spyders. (CanAm Trikes). Has made a great difference in easy of working on the vehicles.

 

[rwilner]

I also have a Bendpak HD9-XW. Been a great lift. Will say that not one but two hydraulic power units have failed but most of the brands use the same unit. BendPak never once hesitated to fedex the new units and paid both times to have the local service rep out to replace it. The second time they sent an upgraded made in USA unit from US Motor. Looks much different and lifts faster (2HP vs 1HP) and works very smooth.

Im a happy user. Love the lift, the air cross jacks and the air locks. My F250 fits on it easily as well as under it with the lift all the way up. Vette gets on it easily as do our Spyders. (CanAm Trikes). Has made a great difference in easy of working on the vehicles.

Does anyone with a vw or 911 or 912 or other German air cooled thing have experience dropping a motor with the 4 post? Does it fit between the rails?