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I will soon have a garage with 12 ft high ceiling and now I need to buy a 4 post lift. It looks like the BendPak HD9 is the most popular, are there better ones out there? Does anybody ever have them on sale?
Last summer I was at the Goodguy's show and they had a guy from BendPak there selling their lifts. I don't remember exact numbers, but it seems like their show pricing was a good 15% or so off what was stated as their regular price. Something to look into maybe if you have a few months to wait. Their show in Nashville is coming up mid-June. https://www.good-guys.com/nvn If that's too long, there's a show in Raleigh, NC at the end of April. https://www.good-guys.com/ncn
I have had a four post hoist for 20 years. You will not regret it. Do a lot of measuring in the area you intend to put it. Go for the long version if you can, you will be glad if you ever buy a long box ext. cab pickup. Make sure you allow plenty of room to work around the vehicle on the lift. If you can't afford the rolling jack, you can make some heavy stands like I did, those along with lighter stands for the axle let you do all sorts of brake and axle work.
Best of luck with your decision.
B
I am a 2 post fan, unless I had room for both! IMHO buy a 4 post if the primary reason is for additional storage. Buy a 2 post if the primary reason is to work on a vehicle. Better access to work on a vehicle with a 2
post, easier on and off with a 4 post. In my case I bought a good used american built Rotary 2 post asymetric lift about 10 years ago. I should have done it when I built my shop/barn 26 years ago.
I agree with Bill. I bought a used Manitowoc lift about the same time as Bill bought his. My knees and back thank me every time I work on a vehicle. It be kind of unnerving the first few times you raise the vehicle up, I have an four door truck with an eight foot box so it's about as long of a vehicle as you can get. I always place a screw jack under the back bumper for stability.
I have the bend pak 900 four post and am very satisfied with it. I don't see an advantage to a two post lift as far as accessibility, I have pulled rear ends, engines, transmissions, not much I have not done with it. I also just drive up and it is done no bending over adjusting the arms to the so many variables of car frames. I do have the air operated jack which makes tire removal a quick process. Get the extended ramps for the lowered cars. I have 78 inches clearance under the rails in the locked position and can get 82 all the way up, so I can walk right under it and also work under it. It was delivered to my door, I did have to guarantee I could get it off the flat bed truck. I bought from the Bend Pak dealer out of Los Angeles and it was about mid range in cost to other brands.
How do you guys with 2 post lifts do with our old trucks and getting around the running boards?
I have truck lift extenders that came with my lift. I remove the rubber pads and the extends fit over the lift pad. With my F-2 there isn't much clearance between the arms and the bottom of the boards.
Each type has it benefits and distractions. For me I like the two post because when I'm not using it the two post have as large of a foot print so I can work on other things. For example I have two projects for my business going on in my shop now. I am able to easily remove the lift arms on my lift and place them against the wall. I move things around with my forklift in the area of my lift, only concern I have is the two posts they don't take up that much room themselves.
Aligning the arms under the frame can be a pain but not too bad. A lot better than lifting with a floor jack and positioning jack stands and then having to crawl around on the floor trying to see what you're working on and having dirt and rust fall in your face. If I had my choice and room I'd go with the four post with the accessory rolling lift trays. As mentioned, you do get extra vehicle storage with a four post, I don't have a lot of clearance under my two post to drive a car under, I don't think I'd really want a car under it for extended periods of time anyways.
Last summer I was at the Goodguy's show and they had a guy from BendPak there selling their lifts. I don't remember exact numbers, but it seems like their show pricing was a good 15% or so off what was stated as their regular price. Something to look into maybe if you have a few months to wait. Their show in Nashville is coming up mid-June. https://www.good-guys.com/nvn If that's too long, there's a show in Raleigh, NC at the end of April. https://www.good-guys.com/ncn
That's a good idea...I will still be here in San Diego April 3-5 when the Del Mar Goodguys show is held, now I have another reason to go. I am sure to be in Nashville in June too.
You have to think about other uses besides automotive , I use my 4 post for a wielding bench , lawn mower service , saw horses , hang paint projects from it ., and with the wheel kit it makes a great scaffold . among other things , I have a TC 29 4x4 tractor with bucket that I put on the 4 post when servicing , try that with a two post
Lots of good ideas here! This spring I plan to put a lift in my shop addition and due to the varied nature of my hobbies and interests, it will likely be a 4 post. Like DR Smith said, it will be used for a lot more than just working under vehicles. I've visited with Bob about the advantages of a 2 post and given his needs I think that's the right way to go for him and his business. It all comes down to what will you use it for and how flexible does your floor space need to be.
You have to think about other uses besides automotive , I use my 4 post for a wielding bench , lawn mower service , saw horses , hang paint projects from it ., and with the wheel kit it makes a great scaffold . among other things , I have a TC 29 4x4 tractor with bucket that I put on the 4 post when servicing , try that with a two post
Good uses. For me I can split almost all between my two post and my forklift. It all depends what you need them for and how you plan to use them. Any one you pick you will not be sorry, I guarantee that especially the first time you use it
I have truck lift extenders that came with my lift. I remove the rubber pads and the extends fit over the lift pad. With my F-2 there isn't much clearance between the arms and the bottom of the boards.
