I'm building a shop and it needs a 2-post lift. There are so many options now it will make your head spin, but I think I narrowed it down.
Both are ALI certified, both made in China (I asked directly), same capacity, similar concrete specs, triple telescoping front arms, single point release, both prices are confirmed correct including freight, and both have shipping terminals near me where I can pick up with a trailer.
$3,799 https://apluslift.com/products/falcon-tr-10c
$5,595 https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/two-post-lifts/10ap-standard/
Is the Bendpak's name and reputation worth almost $2k? There are some other nice features like the really low profile arms, and the restraint mechanism that sets it apart, but otherwise I'm having a hard time justifying the cost. I don't want to spend any more than this, which probably eliminates Rotary and the like. But I also don't want anything less than this.
I just installed the tall version of that Bendpak lift, and love love love love love it. It's seriously nice. The low-profile arms work great, and it went together very easily. I assembled it alone in a few evenings, only needing help to drive me around in the forklift basket because I got the super tall version. It doesn't leak a drop, either, which is nice.
For what it's worth, one reason the Bendpak is a bit more expensive is that they're a customer of GRM and value not just us, but also our niche and our customers.
maschinenbau said:
I'm building a shop and it needs a 2-post lift. There are so many options now it will make your head spin, but I think I narrowed it down.
Both are ALI certified, both made in China (I asked directly), same capacity, similar concrete specs, triple telescoping front arms, single point release, both prices are confirmed correct including freight, and both have shipping terminals near me where I can pick up with a trailer.
$3,799 https://apluslift.com/products/falcon-tr-10c
$5,595 https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/two-post-lifts/10ap-standard/
Is the Bendpak's name and reputation worth almost $2k? There are some other nice features like the really low profile arms, and the restraint mechanism that sets it apart, but otherwise I'm having a hard time justifying the cost. I don't want to spend any more than this, which probably eliminates Rotary and the like. But I also don't want anything less than this.
the word of advice I got from our local lift/shop equipment supply company and installer was a lot of those no name brands are rated to XXXXlbs... but how many thing broke or bent to lift that? or they are rated to lift that heavy rate... once.
I think you got fine choices as a hobby use vs shop, the bendapak is going to have better support and overall fit and finish. My no name one flakes a lot of powdercoat off the arms.
Ideally you are doing what I wish I could have done is have the wires run above, not on the floor. its annoying to clean and it rusts the cables which can also rub against the hydraulic line causing a rupture... ask me how I know
Does it have to be new? I vote for the third option of finding a used Bendpak or Rotary. I have a 4 post Bendpak right now and regret selling my 2 post Rotary just about every week.
They are all pretty simple when you look at them. Parts for any of them available here: https://www.sviinternational.com/
For what I see them sell for used, you can by one, refurbish all the wear items, have it sandblasted and paint it, then buy a new project to hang on it for the price of new.
I only have jealousy to give. That said, you're nearly middled-aged now, so just buy the good E36 M3.
No comment between those brands, but if you have the vertical space I'd go for the taller of the two. I can lift my Benz up high enough to walk under the lift arms and I'm ~6'0"
I bought my 2 post Challenger LE10 almost 10 years ago and have been very happy with it. Updated model is the VLE10.
Challenger Lifts are barely more pesos than the Bendpak and 100% USA Made. We make the equipment that cleans the metal prior to coating. Its a real nice shop run by some real nice folk. 10/10 would recommend based on that alone.
If I had the time I would be very tempted to sit on it for a minute, something tells me we will be seeing some pretty good deals on lightly used automotive dealership equipment soon.
Not all Challengers are made in USA apparently. I asked them directly about a few models. The CL10AV3 is still and seems comparable to the Bendpak 10AP with its low-profile triple-telescoping front and rear arms, but about $1500 more. The VLE10 has double rear arms and looks similar to the older Bendpak 10k model, and the same price as the newer Bendpak, but made "overseas".
Watching with interest. Wife is always after me to get a lift. I've only got a smidge over 9 feet, and I really like the top-beam models. Not sure I have many options.
I have a Triton, I think, which was the cheaper option compared to a very similar looking Bendpak. It has been used nearly every single weekend, over the course of 7 years since install, for things ranging from 2-7k lbs, with plenty of indiscriminate grinding sparks, welding slag, dust, dirt, etc, and had zero issues the entire time. No regrets, would buy the cheaper one again in a heartbeat.
maschinenbau said:
Not all Challengers are made in USA apparently. I asked them directly about a few models. The CL10AV3 is still and seems comparable to the Bendpak 10AP with its low-profile triple-telescoping front and rear arms, but about $1500 more. The VLE10 has double rear arms and looks similar to the older Bendpak 10k model, and the same price as the newer Bendpak, but made "overseas".
I worked in a shop with new American made ones and then in a shop with new "overseas" ones. As in, I was working there when four or five new lifts were installed.
The "overseas" ones chipped their paint very easily, and the threaded lift pads corroded within six months and needed frequent service. The American ones still looked and worked like new in the same timeframe.
I have an Atlas baseplate lift that I've had for about 4 years now and it's been flawless. I set it up myself in a day, only asking a neighbor for a hand to lift the posts vertical off the pallet. Granted, I'm just a hobbiest. I would consider the Bendpack if I was using it day in, day out for work.
Back when I got my BendPak, the difference between it and a china made was the cylinders and motor/pump were higher quality. Emerson motor vs china.
I went with the extra wide and asymmetric, they were about half price of what you are quoting. $1500-1700 for chinese, $2500-2700 for BendPak, probably 15 year ago.
I bought this used Rotary out of a defunct tire shop about 10 years ago. It is ugly but has been flawless.
It was 1k. We had to take it out then install it.
In reply to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ :
What's the distance from your floor to the bottom of the joists?
In reply to 1988RedT2 :
The roof has a small slope to it but, around 11ft. The posts had to be stood up and wiggled into place in order to clear everything.
I also went used from an auto shop that was closing. mine is painted with mac tools but I think it is a rebrand. I found it on marketplace and paid a local shop to move it and install it for me. I got the 10k rating but I don't have "low profile arms". I did get the "wires and lines over the top" style. Lower profile arms would be helpful for sure, I could measure if you like my my pads are maybe 3" off the ground at the lowest.
When the lift maintenance company was done installing, they mentioned that they always have a few used units in stock and they are priced about the same as what I paid the marketplace guy.
i can tell you they were much more pleasant to deal with than the disgruntled guy who's shop was closing, so if I had to do it again I would have just called them and bought a used one.
What do you need for concrete for a consumer grade lift?
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Same as any, IIRC 6" thick under the pads. They will give you instructions on how big a new concrete needs to be if you are cutting out concrete that is too thin to put in the 6" thick required. They also have rules on how close to a seam the fasteners can be.
STM317
PowerDork
3/5/25 6:05 a.m.
I bought a 2 post then learned while drilling I only had 3.75" ended up not risking it. May be worth a few test holes.
In reply to STM317 :
That all looks similar to what Rotary requires. I laugh at the 4.25" as a minimum because the chance of finding a pour that thin that happens to have 3/4" rebar in it is about zero unless the building was built to install lifts in. Even then it would be cheaper to just put in thicker concrete.
Yeah, I did a test drilling in my garage. It's nominally 4", which I suppose is code, but really it's closer to 3.75. I have no idea if it's reinforced. I'd have to have a guy cut a piece out and dig it down to 6". Getting crushed under a car is not how I want to go.
