Auto Lift

[69YENKO162]

I am looking to buy a 4 post 7 or 8k lb lift. What is a good make for the money. Thanks John

[Xplantdad]

I sure like your trio of cars!

Someone who has experience about lifts will chime in soon!

[PxTx]

Any of the lifts out there seem to be fine. There are a lot of copy cat type ones comming from China. None of which seem to be prone to failure. With that said, some are more user freindly.

I would have a hard time justifying a Backyard Buddy, although it is a nice lift and made in the USA. For a reasonable percentage over one form China, sure but the BYB seem to be double the cost. China- $2000 gets you everyting and BYB $4000 just for the lift with everyting extra sold a-la-carte. Caster wheel kit, jack tray, drip pans etc.

Best advice would be to buy from any of the lift companies who are local to you and hopefully who have been in business for more than 5 years.

Greg Smith Equipment and Complete Hydraulic come to mind. I've installed both and would choose either based upon logistics.

[Big Block Bill]

John,

In my opinion Rotary is the best in the business but they are expensive. I have owned them for the past 26 years in all different types with little to no problems. I did have an electric Bend Pearson? and that was junk. How soon do you need one? I might have a line on a used one, but it won't be available until May at the soonist. Pm me with your phone # if you are interested.

Bill

[Charley Lillard]

The 2000.00 lifts work fine if you are not planning on using it a bunch everyday. I have a cheap one and a Backyard buddy. BB is 220 volt and lifts in 45 seconds. Cheap one is 120 Volts and lifts in 2 minutes and it does not seem like much but when you are standing there it is very annoying.

[RAIIIT/A]

I have BendPak lifts at my repair shop. I purchased them from one of the tool supply catalogs. I have a 4 post and a 2 post.... I purchased the 4 post.... which is a heavy duty extra long one on a closeout for around $2,500. The 2 post.... I bought with a tire machine and a balancer for $5,000 for all 3 pieces after a little "hammering".... the lift came out to about $2,000.

[rubbinisracing]

Here's a link to vehicle service group. I have rotary, forward, revolution, and direct lift. In my opinion, Revolution offers the best bang for the buck. Direct lifts are cheaper but I just use them for storage. Like Charley said, take a while to get to the top.

http://www.vsgdover.com/

[PxTx]

Charley brings a good point up. They typically lead with a 110v power unit with the economy 4 post. I have "upgraded" some people to a 2hp 220v power unit that had a larger pump on it (like what is typically used on a 2 post lift). Probably worth requesting a credit for the standard power unit and applying it towards a better pump if you only plan to use it where 22o is available.

Now on the plus to the slower 110v power unit...it sure can be nice to push a lift outside and work in the daylight for washing, detailing or anything else. But I guess you could make up a 220v extension cord too.

[RAIIIT/A]

BTW - Both of my lifts are 220

[MosportGreen66]

Mohawk lifts are excellent. I have one in the shop. I have a friend with a Rotary that lifts from a recess in the floor and he swears by it.

[92646]

I went with Bendpak and I am real happy with it for about $3k installed. Sometimes after you price out the cheaper lifts with the shipping it comes out about the same as a name brand. It cost another $400 to run 220 into the garage so you need to consider that in the price. When you buy be careful who you buy from and use your credit card. I almost got screwed by Super lift who I thought was a good company.
Mark Sheppard

[enio45]

I bought 2 fron Direct Lifts out of the Midwest - they were at Barrett Jackson and did a show special @ 1600 each plus install if u want that. For my use of "storage only" - they are perfect. I have had no issues, i did get the 220 motor at the same price as the 110. Very happy with the operation and cost/usage. All the talk about Chinese welding/steel etc has been unfounded by what i have seen so far.

[olredalert]

----Just make absolutely sure you buy from a local supplier that will service whatever lift you do buy. Check how long they have been in business,,,etc. I have a two post and had them set up and install. Its all on them then. I am on my third two post now. First was a Conneticut company that I stupidly sourced out of Hemmings without doing due diligence and it was a fiasco. I gave it away. Second and third have been terrific!!!.....Bill S

[the427king]

Spent a year doing my homework,and talking to people that used and installed them maybe the info can help you . Bend pak IMO is the way to go. I personaly wouldnt get under a 1500.00- 2000.00 lift every day if you gave it to me. Best lift is a extra wide w the rails set apart[even a corvette fits on it and you have 9 inches extra under the car width [48 inches wide between rails]. 9000lb 9hd xw plus its 6'11 height under runaways matters, at least for me. If you dont need the extended height you can save a foot in length Notice how wide the uprights are compared to the car[dont have to fold in mirrors even on pickups]. Only down side is its a foot longer and wider than the smaller lifts. Couldnt be happier with it. They are only 3,150 on ebay and elsewhere [get the aluminum ramps option !]

[Smokey]

How tall are the ceilings Chuck??


Thanks!

[the427king]

Ceiling height is 12'4 . they dont look it except the fact the double door in the pic is an 8 ft unit Had the flourescent lights recessed into the ceiling to save 4 inches of height[that actually made 4 sheetrockers run away] ..keep in mind every inch was taken into account to the point I measured every car ive had and may ever have in the future. One thing I didnt want to listen too is that with the extended lift at highest setting so I could almost walk under it ,even I wasnt going to be able to reach alot of parts on the vehicles. I have to say they were right about that. I would guess that 11 ft ceilings would be more than adequate in most cases [I believe the website claims around 10 ft or so minimum ,or in belairs case, 8 ft.

[CDNL-78]

I have a lift king. It works excellent. It has the optional 220 if you need a little extra juice. Just google lift king, and see if they have a local supplier in your area.

[Charley Lillard]

Anybody reading this thread that does not have a lift but is thinking about getting one...They are great. You will wonder how you did without one. Unless you are a Hobbit you need a 10' ceiling though. Alot of times you can redo the trusses in your garage to get you 10'

[black69]

I like the 2 backyard buddy lifts I have. Got them in red white and blue color scheme, to further promote 'made in america'. they came and set them up for me for a bargain.
If you ever go to sell the lift, you should get a good part of your purchase price back (part of the reason I bought them too).

[Jim Ferron]

I have a Stinger I bought maybe 12 years ago..$2400 I think. Powder coated and BEAUTIFUL! Still looks like new. I've seen one ton of brands at Carlisle ...and many are of the same basic design [some aren't like backyard buddy] But the finish and quality of the Stinger shows thru...can't say if that has changed though....

[JRSully]

I have had a 4 post Rotary/Revolution for about 5-6 yrs now, has always worked great and Rotary is a very well known commercial lift mfg'r

[P.J.]

Back yard Buddy US made Best in the business in my opinion
cost a littel more but built like a <span style="font-weight: bold">safety</span> brick sh-- house.
Had it for 5 years
PJ

[Charley Lillard]

I think Backyard Buddy also has a made in China cheap one now also.

[ssl78]

I have a perfect Park 7000 that I use to do all my mechanical work with, it must of gone up and down 1000 times in the last 7 years. I know of one locally for sale that only was used for storage and probably only went up 10 times. My is a 220v the one for sale is a 110v

[69YENKO162]

It sounds like they all are good, Nobody has said anything bad about any of them, I think I will get one where I know I can get parts if need be. Thanks for all help, John

[the427king]

Backyard buddy is a great lift . Alot of people were turned off by thier negative campaign on thier website about others that carry lifts made in china. Now the comparisons are removed from thier site and they carry the chinese lifts themselves[I guess the lifts are only inferior when others sell them?]. If they were a little more expensive than thier competitors they would not have had to carry the chinese made alternative , but thier lifts start around 6500.00 and no free shipping/accesories which is 2-3 times what most want/have to pay. At that price level , Rotary and Mohawk are better IMO.