4 Post Lifts

[409T]

I didn't want to hijack @Spanky 's thread so I figured I would start a new one. I just sold my house and one of the terms was I had to leave my Revolution 4 post lift. It saddens me because I have had that one for about 20 years, and it was one of the last US made ones. So now I have to buy a new lift, who has a recommendation? Forward, Atlas, Bend-Pak, Challenger, something else? I'm thinking 8,000 lb. - 9,000 lb. capacity will also give me the length and width I need. Probably 220 V. motor also. The 110 V. ones take almost 3 times as long to rise.

 

[Bill Pedersen]

I used to own a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealership and I always bought Challenger lifts. We mainly used 2-post lifts but also had one of the 14,000 lbs 4-post extended length lifts. It was equipped with 2 air/hydraulic roller jacks which allowed you to take off the tires. I never had any issues with it and if I was looking to buy a lift, that’s where I would start. I mounted a small video camera and a cheap flat screen monitor on the wall in front of the lift which made it easier to center the front wheels when driving up the ramps.
Bill

 

[rbsWELDER]

I just purchased a Backyard Buddy Lift, made in the USA. I went for the "Big Buddy", so I could put my Tundra up on it!

 

[409T]

I used to own a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep dealership and I always bought Challenger lifts. We mainly used 2-post lifts but also had one of the 14,000 lbs 4-post extended length lifts. It was equipped with 2 air/hydraulic roller jacks which allowed you to take off the tires. I never had any issues with it and if I was looking to buy a lift, that’s where I would start. I mounted a small video camera and a cheap flat screen monitor on the wall in front of the lift which made it easier to center the front wheels when driving up the ramps.
Bill

The challenger lifts looked good, but the minimum capacity is 14,000 lbs. I probably only need half that, but to get the distance between posts I want I will probably need a 9,000 lb. lift. The 14,000 lb. Challenger would be nice, but I'm afraid slightly out of the budget. Thanks for the info though.

 

[409T]

I did a little more research, and it looks like Challenger does sell 7,000 and 9,000 lb. lifts, thanks @Bill Pedersen. These look to be the closest to the one I am leaving behind, and they do offer 220 volt pumps. I have been spoiled by my old lift and just don't have the patience for the slow rise of the 110 volt units.

 

[RPM]

I just installed a Challenger 10,000 lbs lift. A 2 post it works great. 220 volt motor on it so it is pretty quick.

 

[Neshkoro]

I’d love to have a lift in my garage. Not enough head room.
Yesterday I pulled my Midel A up on my ramps to add oil to the manual transmission. This morning my 75 year old body is quite sore from all the contortions required to do that simple task, but it’s done! We all have to make do with what we have (or, don’t have). A couple of Tylenol and a beer or two helps the sore muscles.

 

[409T]

Now I am looking for a 7000 lb 4 post lift. Does anyone have any experience with Bendpak?

 

[GaryD]

409T I have a Bendpak lift for about 6 months now and it has been working fine so far. I went with the HD-9EWT. I can tell you they are not fun to put together

 

[409T]

Thanks for the reply @GaryD . I ordered a Bendpak HD 7W. I had a 9000 lb. capacity lift, it just took up more room than I wanted give away and the heaviest thing I lift is my 3000 lb. Model A. I had been looking at the prices and saw that last Saturday (I think) Bendpak had raised lift prices by about $2,000 from the day before. I checked the Lowes website and they still had the lower price so I ordered one. On Wednesday even Lowes was up by $2000 so I guess I got lucky. The lift comes this coming Monday. I put the last 2 together by myself, so I'm going to hopefully do this one as well.

 

[409T]

I can tell you they are not fun to put together

My lift is all set up, I like it but putting it together took much longer than I expected. it wasn't hard to do, and a lot of the time was me just being careful. So far I would buy another one and do it again.

 

[Martin72]

I too took a while putting my lift together, but there was only myself and one other old man working together. We had to improvise when moving the larger, heavier pieces in place, but it all worked out.

When I ordered my 4-post lift, I made sure it had the ability to be moved. It has 4 casters that attach to the legs in a way so that when you lower the lift, the casters pick up the 4 posts. You can then roll it around to move from one side of the shop to the other.

 

[409T]

I had casters on my first lift but i actually only used them once. I bolted this new lift to the floor. I put the whole thing together by myself but I did have a small Bobcat with forks to lift the two runways.