4 Post Lifts

[key_on]

Anyone out there using the Direct Lift Pro Park 4 post lift? I'm in the market and am looking for opinions, good or bad, on this lift.

[flyin ryan]

that's what i have. they seem good, no issues. an uncle of mine has a double park, i think that's what it's called, has had it for must be five or six years now & his as well as a couple others i've seen are ssooo similar there isn't much too choose. i picked mine up in early December & the guy was saying something about the locks? he wasn't real clear but once i got it up i realized the locks are internal on the post's where most i've ever seen of this style are just welded lugs on the outside of the post's. cleaner looking for sure. i am led to believe this is the way most industrial lift's are set-up. you can see some pictures under the members rides WARNING thread. not the greatest pics but o.k.

[flyin ryan]

also if you have the option get aluminum ramps, it's the only way to go:worship:

[key_on]

also if you have the option get aluminum ramps, it's the only way to go:worship:

Thanks for the feedback. I've heard good things about these lifts. There are so many to choose from, it gets confusing trying to determine what is important. I'm going to contact a distributor tomorrow to get some more detailed info about the manufacturer.

How was the set-up. Can two people do it?

[flyin ryan]

Thanks for the feedback. I've heard good things about these lifts. There are so many to choose from, it gets confusing trying to determine what is important. I'm going to contact a distributor tomorrow to get some more detailed info about the manufacturer.

How was the set-up. Can two people do it?ya, the lift's are good. pretty straight forward, no fluff. two people can do it but the guy(s), i had one help with one lift & another guy on the second lift, felt it the next day LOL. it's not to bad except for the one ramp/platform that has the cylinder/ram under it, f***-me that things heavy:redface: . i can take a couple better pictures if you want to look at something specifically or if you have any other questions it's realitivly fresh in my mind so feel free to ask:hello: .

[key_on]

ya, the lift's are good. pretty straight forward, no fluff. two people can do it but the guy(s), i had one help with one lift & another guy on the second lift, felt it the next day LOL. it's not to bad except for the one ramp/platform that has the cylinder/ram under it, f***-me that things heavy:redface: . i can take a couple better pictures if you want to look at something specifically or if you have any other questions it's realitivly fresh in my mind so feel free to ask:hello: .

Thanks for the offer for pictures. I think I have found someone locally who has one of these lifts that I can look at. If that falls through, I may take you up on the offer for some pictures.

Do you know where the lift is made? The website is not specific. Sounds like some are made in the US and some in China. From what I can see on the website, the quality looks good.

[flyin ryan]

i would love to think they were made in the U.S. but i know mine made a boat ride to get to Canada. i have to say they are the best quality item i've ever seen from over there. my main thing was having a distributor only three hours away so i drove down & picked them up myself.

[Nick]

I spent a lot of time researching lifts before I bought one in 2005. Personally, for safety sake, I like the "collar over post" design. Also, I preferred to source out an American made lift, using American, not Chinese steel, again, for quality/safety sake. I ended up with a 4 post lift that I ordered from America's Pride. It is made by Gemini lifts in Texas. Here are a couple of shots:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/skedadl/e016cd31.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/skedadl/5ecbcb1f.jpg
Good luck. :cheers:

[key_on]

Nick,
Thanks for the info on the American Pride lift. I too would prefer to buy a lift made from American steel with American hardware. I've found it a bit difficult to determine the origin of materials used in some lifts. Several companies advertise that their manufacturing facility is ISO 9001 certified, but are rather elusive as to the source of their materials.

How high is the ceiling in your garage? Looks comparable to mine (9.5 feet).

[Nick]

How high is the ceiling in your garage? Looks comparable to mine (9.5 feet).
10 feet.
You also might take a look at the Backyard Buddy. If I were looking for another four post lift, I'd buy one of those. They're spendy, but well worth the money in terms of quality and safety.

[QB93Z]

I just installed a BendPak 4-post lift in my new garage. (model HSD9). I am very pleased with the quality of this American-made lift. It cost a little less than a Backyard Buddy, but was not the cheapest lift I looked at. It has the most secure locks of any of the lifts I researched.

BTW: Any ZR-1 owners that are convenient to central Maryland and want to look at the bottom of their car, get in touch with me. :)


http://gizmosart.com/webimages/corvette/4plift.jpg

[DMark]

I just installed a BendPak 4-post lift in my new garage....
QB93Z - - - I have GOT to get me one of these.

What is the height from the floor to the roof and the floor to the hood with the CE at its raised position?

I have a low ceiling in my garage. :neutral:

Thanks,

[QB93Z]

QB93Z - - - I have GOT to get me one of these.

What is the height from the floor to the roof and the floor to the hood with the CE at its raised position?

I have a low ceiling in my garage. :neutral:

Thanks,

This garage is 10 feet, floor to lowest rafter. (NICE). I unstacked the vettes right after I took the picture (gotta drive em) so I don't have any exact measurements yet.

With the lift as low as possible above a C-4, the top surface of the deck is 55 inches above the floor. The roof top of the top C-4 should be 101.5 inches above the floor. In order to raise the deck off the locks, about 3 inches of clearance is needed. So, the minimum ceiling height would be about 104.5 inches. In my garage, the door opener mechanism extends 12.5 inches below the ceiling (rafters), so I have to park the top C-4 nose out to allow the opener mechanism to fit above the windshield and hood.

If you need me to measure anything else, let me know.

Jim

[DMark]

Jim,

THANKS!

That is level of detail that I needed.

[Jagdpanzer]

I just installed a BendPak 4-post lift in my new garage. (model HSD9). I am very pleased with the quality of this American-made lift. It cost a little less than a Backyard Buddy, but was not the cheapest lift I looked at. It has the most secure locks of any of the lifts I researched.

BTW: Any ZR-1 owners that are convenient to central Maryland and want to look at the bottom of their car, get in touch with me. :)


http://gizmosart.com/webimages/corvette/4plift.jpg

Jim,
I really like your lift (actually I'm green with envy)
Which store did you buy it from and what extras did you get?
And was delivery and set-up much of a hassle?
I can't stand you guys bragging any longer about how you can get your Zs up so I went cut a hole in the ceiling of my garage and found I can raise up it up to 115" with no problems.

[QB93Z]

Jim,
I really like your lift (actually I'm green with envy)
Which store did you buy it from and what extras did you get?
And was delivery and set-up much of a hassle?
I can't stand you guys bragging any longer about how you can get your Zs up so I went cut a hole in the ceiling of my garage and found I can raise up it up to 115" with no problems.

I am interested in how you modified the garage ceiling to gain extra height. What was the ceiling height when you started?

I bought the lift from an eBay dealer, The Body Shop Resource.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bend-Pak-Four-Post-Auto-Lift-Car-Lifts-Truck-Hoists-2-4_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ63697QQihZ013QQitemZ2 30217753152QQtcZphoto

1-800-336-2776 ext 130 ask for the Internet price.

I got the Bend-Pak HD-9 model.

$2695 including shipping and three drip trays.

I added a sliding jack tray, $220.

I did not get the wheels. Right now I plan to keep the lift in one place, but I didn't bolt it to the floor yet. It is very stable as it is.

The lift was delivered to a freight terminal in Baltimore. They will not deliver to your home unless you have a way to get the package off a semi at your home. The package is 17 feet long and weighs about 1700 pounds so I rented a truck to get the lift. My son and I took apart the shipping configuration in the truck and unloaded it one piece at a time. It took about an hour. The left runway (with the hydraulic cylinder installed) is heavier than two normal guys could carry, but by using a dolly, we were able to unload it safely.


There is a narrow version of the same lift, but I liked the fact that on the HD-9, the posts are as far apart as the width of my standard garage door (about 9 feet). So with the deck raised, there is no access restriction to park a car in the garage. Also, since all of the operating mechanism is under one runway, the other runway can be installed in a wider configuration to accommodate a wide track vehicle if needed. (The ZR-1 fits in the standard position).

The Bend-Pak lift uses compressed air (you have to have an air compressor) to operate the locks that the deck rests on when the lift is stationary. On the other lifts that I researched, the locks were operated with a system of levers and rods. I was worried that those mechanisms could jam and fail to properly engage or disengage when lowering.

The lock mechanism on the Bend-Pak lifts is the best designed in my opinion. In some other lifts, if there is play between the post and the cross-piece (which there has to be to allow it to slide up and down), then there is the possibility of play between the pawl and the surface it rests on. On the Bend-Pak locks, the "ladder" that the pawl rests on is not part of the post, but is suspended from the top of the post and is held in alignment with the cross-piece end by heavy duty slots in the sliding mechanism. Much safer in my opinion.

Assembly was straight forward, although it took a little ingenuity to get the heavy runway in position with just two people.

NOTE: Make sure you specify STRONGLY if you need the 110 AC motor. I ordered 110 AC but received a 220 AC model. I had already wired my garage with 220 so I kept it, but you may not have that option.

Contact me if you would like to see the lift or have any other questions. I can take more pictures if it would help.

Jim

[Jagdpanzer]

Jim,
Thanks for the info.
Turns out on my side of the garage I have a 24'' void space between the non structural ceiling beams and the floor beams above . It was built this way to allow for a sunken bath tub installation in the master bath which is located above my wife's side of the garage. This is got to be the best thing this damn tub has ever done for me since I bought this house ten years ago.

[QB93Z]

Jim,
Thanks for the info.
Turns out on my side of the garage I have a 24'' void space between the non structural ceiling beams and the floor beams above . It was built this way to allow for a sunken bath tub installation in the master bath which is located above my wife's side of the garage. This is got to be the best thing this damn tub has ever done for me since I bought this house ten years ago.

You are welcome. It sounds like you have the opportunity to build some nice vertical storage there. Let me know if I can help.
Jim

[key_on]

Jim,

My ceiling height is 9 ft 6 inches (114 inches). My ZR-1 is about 47 inches. Looks like the runway height is 4 1/2 inches, according to their website. The manufacturer says the lift needs to rise 1 inch to release the locks, and the locks are 4 inches apart. I would like at least 2 inches clearance between the roof of the car and the ceiling. According to my calculations, that leaves me about 59 1/2 inches for storage below. I would like to put a Mustang (approx. 55 inches) underneath. So, I'm going to be close, but sounds like it would work. Based on your experience with the lift, have I missed anything in my calculations? I don't have enough wiggle room to make any bad assumptions. I do have the option to raise the ceiling in my garage, but would prefer to not do this.

Thanks,
Pat

[Jagdpanzer]

I just place an order for the Ben-Pak HD-9 with these guys:
http://www.asedeals.com/garage_lift.html (http://www.asedeals.com/garage_lift.html)
Got it for $2,527 delivered to local freight terminal.
They have a garage lift sale going on now.
They claim Bend-Pak HD-9 prices will be going up on Monday next week.

[Nick]

Jim,

My ceiling height is 9 ft 6 inches (114 inches). My ZR-1 is about 47 inches. Looks like the runway height is 4 1/2 inches, according to their website. The manufacturer says the lift needs to rise 1 inch to release the locks, and the locks are 4 inches apart. I would like at least 2 inches clearance between the roof of the car and the ceiling. According to my calculations, that leaves me about 59 1/2 inches for storage below. I would like to put a Mustang (approx. 55 inches) underneath. So, I'm going to be close, but sounds like it would work. Based on your experience with the lift, have I missed anything in my calculations? I don't have enough wiggle room to make any bad assumptions. I do have the option to raise the ceiling in my garage, but would prefer to not do this.

Thanks,
Pat
Pat, I'm not sure you will be able to store a Vette/Mustang combo with 9 feet 6 inches of headroom. I have a full 10 feet of ceiling headroom in my garage, and my '55 Chevy/ZR-1 combo BARELY fits, due to the amount of rise needed to unlatch the lift locks. The key is really where the lock stops on the lift are located. I don't think the '55 Chevy is much taller than the Mustang.

[QB93Z]

I just place an order for the Ben-Pak HD-9 with these guys:
http://www.asedeals.com/garage_lift.html (http://www.asedeals.com/garage_lift.html)
Got it for $2,527 delivered to local freight terminal.
They have a garage lift sale going on now.
They claim Bend-Pak HD-9 prices will be going up on Monday next week.

Excellent buy! I think you will be happy with the lift. Let me know if you need any help.

Jim

[QB93Z]

Jim,

My ceiling height is 9 ft 6 inches (114 inches). My ZR-1 is about 47 inches. Looks like the runway height is 4 1/2 inches, according to their website. The manufacturer says the lift needs to rise 1 inch to release the locks, and the locks are 4 inches apart. I would like at least 2 inches clearance between the roof of the car and the ceiling. According to my calculations, that leaves me about 59 1/2 inches for storage below. I would like to put a Mustang (approx. 55 inches) underneath. So, I'm going to be close, but sounds like it would work. Based on your experience with the lift, have I missed anything in my calculations? I don't have enough wiggle room to make any bad assumptions. I do have the option to raise the ceiling in my garage, but would prefer to not do this.

Thanks,
Pat

Pat,

I just went out to the garage and tried what you are asking.

I raised a 1996 Corvette to the next highest stop above a 55" car. The bottom of the deck is at 58" above the floor. The top of the Corvette is 109.5" above the floor. Allowing for 1" of raise to disengage the locks (which I did test) the lowest ceiling that would work is 110.5".

So, it sounds like this would work for you. =D>

NOTE: These measurements are for a Bend-Pak HD-9 lift. Another brand of 4-Post Lift may have a different level of the stops, and therefore may not work for you.

I will add that it is very scary the first few times you raise your car towards the ceiling. From where you are standing next to the lift, it LOOKS like the car is certainly going to hit the overhead. Even with my son standing back and watching the clearance, I was nervous.

Let me know if you need any other measurements.

Jim

[key_on]

Pat,

I just went out to the garage and tried what you are asking.

I raised a 1996 Corvette to the next highest stop above a 55" car. The bottom of the deck is at 58" above the floor. The top of the Corvette is 109.5" above the floor. Allowing for 1" of raise to disengage the locks (which I did test) the lowest ceiling that would work is 110.5".

So, it sounds like this would work for you. =D>

NOTE: These measurements are for a Bend-Pak HD-9 lift. Another brand of 4-Post Lift may have a different level of the stops, and therefore may not work for you.

I will add that it is very scary the first few times you raise your car towards the ceiling. From where you are standing next to the lift, it LOOKS like the car is certainly going to hit the overhead. Even with my son standing back and watching the clearance, I was nervous.

Let me know if you need any other measurements.

Jim


Jim,

Thanks for taking the time to make those measurements. That information helps immensely. And yes, I am going to purchase the BendPack, so I think I can count on the position of the locks being consistent. From the comparisons I've done on-line, it looks to be one of the best overall lifts. I'm sure the first time my Z goes up, I'm going to be sweating bullets. You can bet I'll make several dry run lifts without the car. You know what they say ... measure twice, cut once.

Thanks again.

Pat