4 post lifts

[1stford]

Anyone have experience with 4 post lifts? I was considering 2 different ones. One made by forward/direct lift or bendpak. The bend pack set up is going to run about 1500-1800 more then the forward.

Really just wondering if the name brand is worth the extra money or if direct lift is a good one?

[JSeery]

I have a 4-post and love it. But, I have had it for many years and the company is no longer around.

[Pat/Ohio]

I have had a Backyard Buddy lift for many years with no problems. Perhaps the safest 4-post lift on the market. They are a bit pricey. I believe I paid around $3,200 fifteen years ago. Purchased the taller one to give me more head room. They are made in Ohio with USA or Canadian steel...no Chinese stuff!

Here is their link: www.advantagelifts.com

Good Luck and Stay Safe!
Pat

[adileo]

I have an Atlas 8k extended height lift. I’ve had it about 4-5 years. It was professionally installed and have had no issues.

[mfagan]

I have both 4 post and two post lifts. The four post is good if you don’t need access to remove wheels. Currently use the 4 post for storing a car in the air to gain floor space, the 2 post is what I use the most. Oil changes, brake jobs, etc.

If I had to choose one it would be the 2 post.

[Bored&Stroked]

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I'm with Marvin, though there is nothing to stop you from storing a car on a 2-post lift . . . that is unless you live in a major "Earthquake" zone. . And if you had a major earthquake with a 4 post lift, you might have issues anyway . . .

[1stford]

I currently have a 2 post. I’m looking to create space.

[flatford8]

I have an Atlas two post in one building and have plans to buy a four post to put in another building for storage. I’ve had no issues with the two post at all...... Mark

[51504bat]

For what its worth, most of the shops in town use Bend Pak lifts. Both 2 and 4 post.

[glennpm]

I have a BendPak 4-post and like it. I wired it 220V.

[Vics Stuff]

I have to agree with Pat/Ohio I have had a Backyard Buddy lift for many years with no problems. Perhaps the safest 4-post lift on the market. They are a bit pricey. I believe I paid around $3,200 fifteen years ago. Purchased the taller one to give me more head room. They are made in Ohio with USA or Canadian steel...no Chinese stuff!

Here is their link: www.advantagelifts.com

I have looked at them all and am staying away from the Chineese / off shore ones. Looking at the steel that the off shore / Chineese use is a bit thinner and are made of sheet stock bent then welded not like the ones made in the US that use extruded thicker material. I am looking at buying at least 4ea lifts and would not even consider anything but US made. Keep my money here in America.
vic

[tubman]

I am planning on buying and installing a 4-post lift next spring. I am more inclined to buy on price. I have to believe that any lift sold by a reputable distributor in the United States has to meet certain minimum safety standards. It seems the minimum capacity lift generally available is 8000 lbs. Since the lift I install will have minimal use and be called upon to be used with cars of less than half that weight, I should be on solid ground. I don't have a 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive truck, a large SUV or anything similar and will not use it for anything approaching commercial use. I am not automatically scared off by the "C" word either.

[adileo]

I replaced the front axle on my F1 using the Atlas 4 post lift. You can do almost anything a 2 post can do. A 4 post is not just a storage lift.

I do agree a 2 post makes it easier (for some jobs) however, I also like the advantage of the ability to store a car under option.

[Krylon32]

I have a BendPak 7000lb tall 4 post. Mines wired for 110 and works fine. I needed it for shop work but most of the time my 32 Ford pickup is stored on top. I have a 12ft 6inch ceiling so I can walk underneath with no problems. Also I bolted mine to the floor for more stability. I looked for quite a while before purchasing and thought BendPak looked like the best choice for me. I bought it from a company in Omaha who brought it down (125 miles) and installed it in a short day.

[rich b]

Originally Posted by tubman

I am planning on buying and installing a 4-post lift next spring. I am more inclined to buy on price. I have to believe that any lift sold by a reputable distributor in the United States has to meet certain minimum safety standards. It seems the minimum capacity lift generally available is 8000 lbs. Since the lift I install will have minimal use and be called upon to be used with cars of less than half that weight, I should be on solid ground. I don't have a 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive truck, a large SUV or anything similar and will not use it for anything approaching commercial use. I am not automatically scared off by the "C" word either.

Ended up discussing lifts with a truck driver at my old job. Said he got a bargain; but burning the paint off to repair skipped and shoddy welds was not something he planned on. Guy said the unit he was showed must have been a "show model" vs the "production" model that was delivered. Sales rep disappeared right away, too. A future failure of the non-repairable imported hyd power unit negated a bunch of his initial savings.

[waldo]

I have a Bend-Pak scissors lift , my latest one. Very disappointed it was made in China. The instructions were a jumble of English and misleading. It called for a 1 1/4 masonry bit which was expensive and only required a 1" which I already had. A big hammer and a lot of grinding to assemble. The console was so bad I finally drilled new holes and used the big hammer to make the cover fit. Way overpriced at $5000. I got little help as I am not versed in broken Chinese/English.

[waldo]

I also have 2 4-post lifts and a 2 post. I use the 4 posts mostly to store 2 cars. The 2 post does it all including storing one in the air.

[flatford8]

1stford.....there are a lot of YouTube videos and reviews online of many lifts. I would suggest spending a rainy afternoon researching..... you’ll find one that your comfortable with the price, quality and function.....that’s what I did before purchasing mine.....
Good Luck with your search......Mark

[Mart]

One of the youtube channels I follow is Mustie1. he bought a Wildfire 4 poster. He bought it after seeing one on another youtube channel Vice grip garage. just mentioning as he (Mustie 1) seems very pleased with it.

https://youtu.be/jhwB237I360

No affiliation, just posting in case it proves useful.

Mart.

[JM 35 Sedan]

I also have a 4 post lift, made by Backyard Buddy in Ohio, with increased height and length as compared to their standard lift. I wanted to make sure I could lift a 3/4T, 4WD, extended length truck and most any type passenger car. Although I've had it for 3 years, I just set it up in a new shop last year, and have not used it that much. I will say it assembled relatively easily, works well, and is definitely a well designed, high quality lift. It was a bit more expensive than other lifts I priced but sometimes you get what you pay for. Safety, quality, reliability, and versatility were all carefully considered when making this purchase.

[cajunfirehawk]

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

I also have a 4 post lift, made by Backyard Buddy in Ohio, with increased height and length as compared to their standard lift. I wanted to make sure I could lift a 3/4T, 4WD, extended length truck and most any type passenger car. Although I've had it for 3 years, I just set it up in a new shop last year, and have not used it that much. I will say it assembled relatively easily, works well, and is definitely a well designed, high quality lift. It was a bit more expensive than other lifts I priced but sometimes you get what you pay for. Safety, quality, reliability, and versatility were all carefully considered when making this purchase.

I see backyard buddy and advantage are under the same umbrella now, but it still appears only backyard buddy claims made in USA but says advantage is making them for them AFAIK Advantage like most other lifts; bendpak, wildfire, and MOST other lifts are in fact made overseas. To me the biggest thing down the road will be warranty and who will be around in 5-10 yrs for replacement parts. We know Bendpak isn't going anywhere but I do not like the fact that they are made overseas. I've been down this road several times and buying a lift is no easy choice...YMMV!

[TagMan]

I've had a BackYard Buddy for 27-years and never had a problem. I've used it at least once every two weeks on average and moved it 800 miles to my new shop. If I wanted another 4-poster, BYB would be the one I'd buy.

[fordwife]

I agree on Bend Pak lifts. For what its worth, Jay Leno has several of them.

[1stford]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by fordwife

I agree on Bend Pak lifts. For what its worth, Jay Leno has several of them.

Jay Leno? Okay. Great guy but???

[V8 Bob]

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I bought a Backyard Buddy lift 18 years ago and have had excellent service. I needed a 4 post that could be easily moved from the unheated portion of my shop to the heated winter area, and possibly be capable of movement with a vehicle on it, and BYB was iirc the only 4-post at that time that could safely do that. Most of the cheaper 4-post lifts I've seen require being bolted down, much less being moved with a vehicle, so that's something that should be considered when looking at 4-post lifts. If I needed another 4-post, it would be BYB.

[big job]

My thought is there will always be pros and cons with any tool. 4 post good for oil and
grease jobs and storage underneath. We went with a 15000 # bend pac two post. the
pros brake jobs transmissions removing engines by bye with chain falls. Then many
pickup trucks you have to remove the body for a new fuel tank or replace the fuel pump.
Then how many cabs have we changed two many, thanks to this twin post that acts like
a crane. And yes with a car on it with it up you still can store something under neath.

[Shoebox]

I purchased a Bendpak 4 post lift a couple years ago and I love it. I got one rolling bridge jack with it for removing tires, brake work, etc. FREE shipping was offered at the time. I had it shipped direct to a local installer who did some preassembly, then brought it to my shop and set up. I had the air and 220v ready for them.

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by 1stford

Anyone have experience with 4 post lifts? I was considering 2 different ones. One made by forward/direct lift or bendpak. The bend pack set up is going to run about 1500-1800 more then the forward.

Really just wondering if the name brand is worth the extra money or if direct lift is a good one?

Bendpak is the best by far. I have 2 bendpak 4 post lifts and one parking lift.
I bought two of them used and one new.

I installed all 3 of the lifts by myself with the help of an engine hoist.

Look at the details of the bendpak vs competition. Bendpak has bigger cable pulleys and built in grease fittings. BP requires an air compressor due to pneumatic safety latches.

Bendpak vs Direct Lift, if you care about quality...
https://www.bendpak.com/a-study-in-l...ft-vs-bendpak/

[Bored&Stroked]

I have a BP - I chose this company after looking at the design, thickness of the steel, etc.. I have seen quite a few knock-offs (like Atlas), that even "look" the same (painted the same colors), until you start really going over the thickness of the steel, construction, etc..

I'll stick with BP for everything that I buy - why???? - because my body is underneath them!

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by Mart

One of the youtube channels I follow is Mustie1. he bought a Wildfire 4 poster. He bought it after seeing one on another youtube channel Vice grip garage. just mentioning as he (Mustie 1) seems very pleased with it.

https://youtu.be/jhwB237I360

No affiliation, just posting in case it proves useful.

Mart.

Vice Grip Garage...love that channel.."well I'll be dipped".

GB

[1stford]

Thanks to everyone that responded. I just ordered the bendpak HD-7W.

[glennpm]

Get a rolling bridge jack or two if you can afford it.

[Krylon32]

1stford: You won't be dissapointed

[Shoebox]

X2 on a rolling bridge jack or two when able.

[geoford41]

I have Back Yard Buddy 4 poster that I bought from my neighbor about 4 years ago, its a great lift made in Ohio and the posts are steel tubing with all 4 sides solid steel, I believe a lot of the Chinese steel posts are folded steel with 1 side open. I feel confident in my lift and it sits on a Race Deck floor with no problems. I bought 4 of the optional wheels that attached to the bottom and of each post and allows easy moving of the entire lift. In fact I bought these and moved the lift a couple of blocks to my garage without taking the lift apart.
As JM 35 sedan posted the lifts are a little pricey but the confidence level and safety factor is worth the extra cost, Mine came with 4 PO fabricated drip pans

[Lawrie]

We are still lucky here in Australia ,we can still get Aus made hoists, we fitted a Molnar one to my sons shed ,4 posters NOT cheap but will be there for the duration.
Lawrie

[FL&WVMIKE]

2 post is best for actually working on cars. Most of what you work on is brakes/suspension, etc... which requires wheels to be removed. With a 4 post, the wheels are on the ground. Even if you do lift the wheel up with a jack, the lift is still physically in the way.

For working on a car, 2 post for the win. For storing a car, most people choose the 4 post.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by FL&WVMIKE

2 post is best for actually working on cars. Most of what you work on is brakes/suspension, etc... which requires wheels to be removed. With a 4 post, the wheels are on the ground. Even if you do lift the wheel up with a jack, the lift is still physically in the way.

For working on a car, 2 post for the win. For storing a car, most people choose the 4 post.

I hear this a lot, but I prefer the 4-post, never had the slightest issue doing wheels , brake, axle work. I like having a surface to work on and hold the parts and tools. Guess it is just a personal preference deal.

[adileo]

Originally Posted by JSeery

I hear this a lot, but I prefer the 4-post, never had the slightest issue doing wheels , brake, axle work. I like having a surface to work on and hold the parts and tools. Guess it is just a personal preference deal.

Echo that Jerry.

[flatmotor40]

I have a 4 post but it now seems to leak down when it is raised up it not on stops.bought it at a Goodguys some 10 yrs ago here at Atl motor speedway.It was a demo they had and he didn't want to take it down and move it but he did deliver it to my house.Back to the leaking down what will cause it the cylindr do not have a leak

[corvette8n]

Originally Posted by flatmotor40

I have a 4 post but it now seems to leak down when it is raised up it not on stops.bought it at a Goodguys some 10 yrs ago here at Atl motor speedway.It was a demo they had and he didn't want to take it down and move it but he did deliver it to my house.Back to the leaking down what will cause it the cylindr do not have a leak

It could be leaking past the seal but not out the cylinder, you have two choices rebuild it yourself or take is somewhere.

[flatford8]

Originally Posted by flatmotor40

I have a 4 post but it now seems to leak down when it is raised up it not on stops.bought it at a Goodguys some 10 yrs ago here at Atl motor speedway.It was a demo they had and he didn't want to take it down and move it but he did deliver it to my house.Back to the leaking down what will cause it the cylindr do not have a leak

It could be the valve. It’s leaking by as if the valve is not fully closed and the hyd fluid is returning to the tank. ........Mark

[flatmotor40]

Thanks it is a Danmar lift.Some one bought them out now so I can't call them.It will creep down in between stops.You can hear it.

[flatford8]

Sounds like you’ll need a lift repair guy to check it out..... Mark

[flatmotor40]

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Thanks

[old31]

I have a 2 post Atlas for about 7 years and love it. It is priced right, you don't have to purchase an expensive rolling rack, and it uses less floor space than a 4 post.

Why go with a 4 post when a 2 will do everything, storage, front ends.

Bendpaks and all the others that are mentioned are good products, but do you really have to spend that kind of money?

[tubman]

Originally Posted by old31

I have a 2 post Atlas for about 7 years and love it. It is priced right, you don't have to purchase an expensive rolling rack, and it uses less floor space than a 4 post.

Why go with a 4 post when a 2 will do everything, storage, front ends.

Bendpaks and all the others that are mentioned are good products, but do you really have to spend that kind of money?

Shop floor considerations. The floor in my shop is not thick enough to support a two post lift without a lot of extra preparation. Also, a two post requires a bit of "get down and get under" that I, for one just can't do any more.

[adileo]

Denny as usual your right on.

In addition, a 2 post needs a wider area. My 3 car garage had width limitation due to poles which support my beams and 14’ height. Due to this fact 2
post was not an option. Very happy with the four post.

[Teltruck]

Was wondering if anyone has a Gemini MODEL GM 7000 4 Post Lift? If so any comments on its quality. Stay Safe!
Bob

[flatmotor40]

Left My lift up while working on my Model A and the next day the cables were sagging after I hade lowered it on the stops trying to change the 4 bar bushing.Hit the up button and hey tighten up and next day sag again.So I have a leak somewhere not visible from cylinder

[1stford]

So I’m going to add another question to this and it’s around the power source. I ordered the caster kit that allows me to move the lift around so it made sense to get the 120v so if I moved it to could be easily plugged in VS the 220 being hard wired and less movable.

I’ve read the only difference is the lift time bing about 1 minute 40 seconds VS half that on 220.

Is one much better then the other?

[Teltruck]

Anyone have this 4 Post Lift? Thanks,
Bob

[Krylon32]

I ordered the 120 V pump because there was an outlet right at the left front corner of the lift. I have nothing to compare it to but lift time has not been a problem. I was not concerned as I bolted mine to the floor.

[flatmotor40]

Had to take cylinder out and have the seals replaced hope to get it back today.It was leaking down bad and getting worse.It is about11 years old but I guess it happens from time to time.

[1stford]

I got the lift installed and in service.

[JSeery]

Looks nice!