Two post hoist (chassis lift) - looking for opinions

[I Grok NSX]

Looking to purchase a two post chassis type lift. Looking for quality with out spending more than the national budget. Bend Pack? Superlifts? Rotary Lift? What brand do you have? Are you happy with it?

I've done a search for lifts but pretty much found nothing except drive-on lifts.

Help me pick a lift that will give me the most bang for the buck. Looking for not more than 10,000 pounds. I have a 13 foot garage. I do a lot of automotive work including work for friends, so I'll be using the lift often. I need durability.

Help me pick a brand please. Any input is welcome. Thank you.

 

[Daedalus]

How thick is your floor and how strong is the pour? I think you need a min of 5" @ 4000 psi. It also has to be continuous for 10' min in depth, and a little wider than the posts (no expansion joints allowed). I'm not sure you'll find much difference in functionality. Reliability and customer service are probably the biggest differentiators, but I don't have experience with anything but Bend Pak. Bend Pak's customer service is top notch. Probably can't be matched by any foreign brands, especially if they have overlapping distributors. Since you have a 13' ceiling go with a clear-floor model, which are just under 12' high. They used to sell 7,000 lb lifts but I think they start at 9,000 lbs now. Get a 240V model if you can. The posts weigh over 500 lbs each but installation can be done by one motivated person with a cherry picker if he's so inclined. :wink: If you're not in a rush you can get quite a deal searching the classifieds for a used one. If you buy used try to find one still assembled so you can make sure the pump works and the rams don't leak.

 

[zahntech]

I have two lifts and the older of the two is much better for NSXs as the lift pads and arms are much lower profile..it also has only a 5k capacity wich is not an issue when lifting NSXs and other low weight cars...most lifts over 7k have large and bulky lift arms wich prolly won't work well for your needs.

bend pak is a nice brand, but over priced IMO.

Rotory is a much more cost effective choice.

where are you located?...maybe I know someone who can help you?


JZ

 

[Elite]

My two post lifts are both Rotary. I would highly reccomend buying a Rotary. I bought them used from a local tech. school and have no issues to date. My drive on lift(bought new) is a Benwil and also has given no issues to date(just over 5 years).

 

[Hondatech]

I'll add another vote for Rotary. We replaced all our old Steinhoj hosts at work with Rotary hoists a few years back, and they've been flawless. Make sure you get the low profile arms, it'll make like a lot easier on you when it comes to limited ground clearence cars like the NSX

 

[ChopsJazz]

Lots of info here.

And here.

And here.
Good luck!

 

[Shaun Ray]

Recommend John (ANYTIME) as a resource. Nice guy and can work a deal with Bend Pak. I have a Bend Pak lift but it's a drive on (does have removable pannels for access). It's a two post and does not reqiure bolting to the garage floor (a plus for me).

If you want more details on the lift I ended up with just send a PM.

Shaun

 

[NSXSOON]

Take a look at Challenger Lifts (US made)http://www.challengerlifts.com/. These are used in all WalMart and Sam's Club stores and are very reliable and cost effective. You can see pictures of my installation with my NSX here:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1948&highlight=NSXSOON

 

[TomCat]

I got a 4-pole when shopping for a two pole...

Looking to purchase a two post chassis type lift. Looking for quality with out spending more than the national budget. Bend Pack? Superlifts? Rotary Lift? What brand do you have? Are you happy with it?

I've done a search for lifts but pretty much found nothing except drive-on lifts.

Help me pick a lift that will give me the most bang for the buck. Looking for not more than 10,000 pounds. I have a 13 foot garage. I do a lot of automotive work including work for friends, so I'll be using the lift often. I need durability.

Help me pick a brand please. Any input is welcome. Thank you.

Direct lift brand $1800...LOVE IT!!!

 

[latzke]

Take a look at Challenger Lifts (US made)http://www.challengerlifts.com/. These are used in all WalMart and Sam's Club stores and are very reliable and cost effective. You can see pictures of my installation with my NSX here:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1948&highlight=NSXSOON

I don't want to register with yet another BB, please post pictures here.

I personally really like the idea of an in-ground (aka "cassette") lift so you don't have those posts taking up space, getting in the way, and being a potential source of door dings. So far I've discovered that Challenger, Rotary, and Mohawk/Autop make these. Anyone care to add to this list of in-ground lift makers?

I've also thought that it would be nice to recess these lifts an extra 6 inches (or so) into the ground and put covers over them so you could still have a flush floor when not in use.

Editing to make list an actual list w/ additions and other info...

Cassette In-Ground Lifts...
Challenger
Rotary (SL19 = $4630 or SL210 = $6025 here)
Mohawk/Autop (ISGA-9 = $12,780 )
Nussbaum


Scissor Lifts can be in-ground (flush mount) or just above (surface mount) ...
Ever-Eternal (see Gary W's post below)
Nussbaum (stateside $3700 mid-rise, $6600 full-rise here)
Bend-Pak SP-7X ($3100, full-rise)

 

[TomCat]

I got a 4-post when shopping for a two post...

Looking to purchase a two post chassis type lift. Looking for quality with out spending more than the national budget. Bend Pack? Superlifts? Rotary Lift? What brand do you have? Are you happy with it?

I've done a search for lifts but pretty much found nothing except drive-on lifts.

Help me pick a lift that will give me the most bang for the buck. Looking for not more than 10,000 pounds. I have a 13 foot garage. I do a lot of automotive work including work for friends, so I'll be using the lift often. I need durability.

Help me pick a brand please. Any input is welcome. Thank you.

Direct lift

 

[ScienceofSpeed]

The Bend-pak 10ACX wide is the model we use here for our lifts. If you can spare the additional width, the ACX (asymmetrical wide model) allows the NSX doors to open full swing with out striking the posts.

Regards,
-- Chris

 

[Gary W]

Anyone care to add to this list of in-ground lift makers?

Here is a link to the manufacture of the lift.
http://www.ever-eternal.com/products/EE-6501.htm
For me this is a good lift for my garage. It takes up no space when not in use, and works with my 10' 3" ceiling.
I had it flush mounted into the garage floor or you can set it on top of the garage floor.
Here are some more pics of the lift and garage.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2125993411

Gary

 

[latzke]

For me this is a good lift for my garage. It takes up no space when not in use, and works with my 10' 3" ceiling.
I had it flush mounted into the garage floor or you can set it on top of the garage floor.
Here are some more pics of the lift and garage.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2125993411

Nice. Not quite as clean looking when in use as the cassette lifts, but it does the job and fits flush with floor.

Cost (of lift)?

 

[latzke]

Now here is a good service bay layout. I don't think you can get much better than this...looks real classy with all of the grey tones. They have more than 61 bays , but I think 2 bays would be a perfect model for part of a garage in a dream house.

From here.