Finally made the purchase I've needed for several years now, new 4-post lift from BendPak!
I researched the heck out of this purchase: read thru both forums, read the Raptor forums and kept seeing the same couple names pop up: Bendpak, Rotary and Superlifts. Then I went and read all their websites and the Bendpak website had quite the writeup on engineering, Solidworks modeling, FEA analysis, proper certifications to have in the lift industry (some “certs” are made up by other lift mnfg and they mean nothing), safety information, etc and was sold. Got a good price on it out of http://www.workshopdepot.com/ then had Becks Automotive Lifts in Denver install it. I got a Bendpak HD-7W, it’s their tall and wide version. I wanted something wide and tall enough so the minivan (no snickering) could fit without problems.
Had to get a high lift conversion on the garage door too, that was pricey since the new direct mount opener was required and about $500 alone because of my heavy wood doors. New direct drive motor is SO much quieter and smoother than the old chain drive.
Review:
Quality craftsmanship, great welds, solid construction, heavy duty beams, heavy duty pulleys and cables (cables are partially concealed under and in unit, looks clean), massive hydraulic cylinder, great locking points, etc, etc. Got the alum ramps and drip pans, well worth it. Even though these are made in China, they are solid. BendPak has a pretty rigorous inspection and quality control team in California.
Cons:
Didn't realize you need compressed air to release the locks to lower unit. Not a problem, just didn't know that. I'll run a c.a. line over to the unit.
Shaggin' wagon fits just fine under it too.
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