I'm looking at four post hoists for my shop. The sooner I get one, the sooner I can quit trying to say "four post hoist", which somehow always seems to trip me up. I'd like to hear from any of you that have either of these hoists: BendPak HD9, or Danmar D7 There's about a $900 difference between the two. The HD9 is more expensive, is rated for 9,000 pounds. The D7 is cheaper, rated for 7,000. Seems to me 7,000 is more than enough--but I don't want to cut corners and find myself with a hoist I can't trust. On the other hand, I also don't want to spend $900 more if the D7 is a decent hoist!!
Why a 4 post ? They're real limited . Two post are much more friendly and just as safe . You can't do a frame-off's , drop axles,exhaust work is also a PITA etc with a 4 post , and they're even a PITA to do wheel work etc. without the axle jacks that slide from front to rear . Then you're reaching over the ramps . The only plus is ceiling clearance , The 2 post need 145"(+-) . You can do so much more with the 2 post and they're $2500-3500 . That's my .02 worth. Steve
:gp: Get an a-symetrical twin post...Rotary makes the best...Bend-pak sucks...who would by a lift with the name 'bend' in it anyway? There was one at the shop I bought a while back and it is gone now!!! It was a two post lift, BTW. Huge 1/2" 4x4 arms that would barely fit under a pick-up, never mind a regular car, safetys that had to be adjusted daily, a motor that strained to put a 3500 lb car up(never mind a pick-up that was the only thing you could fit the arms under). A badly engineered POS is what my experience has shown me(have worked with others, too). 4 posts also take up TONS of space that an a-sym won't, plus you get the advantage of unloading your suspension and being able to access 100% of the suspension and underneath of the car. Replace a ball joint on a 4 post and then change one with a twin post and you will never turn back(never mind exhaust work, body work, any type of work involving removing the wheels). Used ones can be found for about 500-1000 bucks, then have an equipment installer set it up for you(about 500 bucks). I prefer to have a certified installer set it up...that way you know its done right...they have checked the slab for structural integrity and have decided what size hold-down anchors will be correct for the application, how many and how far apart they should be spaced. Do it once and you'll be set forever!
We had the 4 post in the military 25 years ago . They were great for our 1 1/2 + trucks and large buses . Cars and regular vans,trucks etc . for the most part were "scrapers" (grind the undersides ) and awkward . Is the A-symetrical 2 post the ones with the shorter arms to the front and longer arms in the rear ? In that case I've worked with both . If I remember correctly you had a hard time squeezing out the door of the car on the Symetrical ones which would locate the doors at the columns .The A-symetrical ones load the car to where the doors are clear to get out . Steve
Thanks for the input. I really like the stability in a 4 post design. The vast majority of the work I need to do under the car can be easily done on a 4 post...and the ability to relocate it to other areas of the shop from time-to-time is also appealing.
I am looking for a 4 post lift now. What did you decide on and are you happy? Would do anything different? Thanks
Mine arrives in 2 days. I'll let you know what I think once I assemble it. It is a Bendpak 9000lb lift. I had my garage door replaced and reconfigured to a high lift track.
That would be great. I have the bend pak as one of the choices for me . I would be curious why you chose it above the others, and after you install it, if it met all your expectations. And what you would do different? Thanks.
good luck your hoist. I have been installing automotive hoist for 20 years in dealership I have not installed the bendpak home version four post. I'm a service center for bendpak not a bad hoist for the money. as for rotary hoist I was a service center for 12 years the older lifts were better than the ones they make to day to much flex for me. read the manual before you start it will save you a lot of time.
The BendPak is a bit more money than some of the others but from the comparisons I have read and the photos I have seen it seems more solid and constructed similarly to the commercial lifts I have at work. I will post photos once its up and running. You may want to check out www.garagejournal.com Here is a link to a discussion about lifts. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=227127#post227127
The BackYard Buddy, aside from having a truely pathetic name, is quite expensive and when compared side by side to the bendpak it looks like an amature piece of equipment. The BendPak construction is very similar to the 12k lifts we use at my professional shop. I am setting it up right now and I am not dissapointed with what I have seen so far. Also the salesman at BackYard Buddy came accross like a real jerk, that turned me off as well. I have no knowledge of the Revoltion lift but we do use the rotary lifts at work.
My experience with a Back Yard Buddy has been nothing but positive. I have had it for 6 years with no problems. When putting it together, I had one minor problem with a part. Called the helpline and they overnighted a replacement. I bought mine because a co-worker also had one and after looking at other brands, felt it was the best made and safest, although they are a little more expensive. Once I had mine in my garage, I had any number of people stop by to look at it. I know of at least 2 people in my neighborhood that bought a BYB after looking at mine.
Im sure the Backyard Buddy is a fine lift and safe. All of my experience with automotive lifts has been with professional grade lifts in commercial environments. I feel that the BendPak is equal to or superior and shares design features with professional grade lifts. On top of that its about half the price of the BYB. But you should do the research yourself before buying. Heres a link to a side by side comparison of the 2 lifts. Its biased towards the BendPak but I feel it is an honest asessment. http://www.metro-lifts.com/backyardbuddy_BendPak_compare.pdf
Steve, I called BYB several times a year or two ago and was told the salesman was at a car show and wouldn't be back until the following week. When I called back to ask about their product that jerk quickly sent me to the receptionist to get my address to send the product info. I wasn't impressed either. I was wondering what model you purchased and if you don't mind me asking about how much was that model? And is that model more of the storage lifts for home use?
I bought this lift to work on cars. It is a BendPak HD9-STX. It is extra long and is extra hight lift. I wanted to be able to walk comfortably under the lift without hitting my head. It cost me $3090 delivered to my house. They do have storage lifts available but they are not bendpak. They are about $1000 cheaper but I dont have any knowledge on those. I wasnt interested in buying one only suited for storage. If you google BendPak, you will find many retailers, I bought mine from ASE, Automotive Service Equipment. http://www.asedeals.com/ but most retailers will give you about the same deal.
Steve, How is the lift now that you have had it for awhile? Any luck with the photos and how was it to assemble? Thanks, Tom
I love it........ I installed engines and transmissions in 2 cars the first 2 weeks I had it. Its a joy now working under a car while standing up. Even my wife appreciates it. Assembly wasnt bad at all. I have pictures of the lift in my garage but the place was a disaster at the time. Im embarrased to post it. In my defense, I was rushing to make room to bring my wifes datsun home from the paint shop
:beer steve, a little off topic here:beer , but i see on your signature you own a 2004 350z. i did a brake job on a 2004 350-z a couple days ago. i test drove it, nice car but not that fast. i think nissan missed the boat by not giving it more horses? it looks like it has the maxima motor. your thoughts?
The 350z is fast enough for me. If you turn the traction control off, you can get in trouble quickly. The traction control limits acceleration severly when its on. I initially considered installing a turbo on it but its just so nice right now, plus my wife has had enough speeding tickets for both of us. The 71 240Z in stock trim seems just as quick or quicker below 55-65 mph and around corners, and is way more fun to drive. I have never even come close to seeing what the top speed in the 350z is, I hear that they are speed limited to 160, I have little doubt it would do every bit of it.
