Shopping for 2-post lift: Any recommendations?

[gsxr]

I need to buy a 2-post lift, and discovered that prices have increased dramatically since COVID hosed supply chains worldwide (oh, plus there's some "inflation" thing I keep hearing about). My previous lift purchased in May 2011 was a Direct Lift Pro-9D, for $2300 plus $200 freight, total of $2500 delivered. They don't seem to make this model anymore, the replacement is the Direct Lift DL9 (link) but the price has increased to around $5000 delivered... ouch. [Edit - down to $4100, Feb-2025, still not cheap.] That's insane for a lift which is not ALI certified. Sure, I'd love a Rotary, but I can't justify $8-$10k for one lift. (!!!)

Anyway: I have been eyeing the Atlas Pro-9D, which sure looks a lot like my old Direct Lift. I almost suspect it's a rebranded, possibly cost-reduced version of the Pro-9D? It's available from several vendors for $3200 delivered:

Atlas® PRO-9D Symmetric / Asymmetric 2 Post Lift 9,000 lbs

Check out the Atlas Automotive Equipment PRO-9D 9,000 lbs direct drive cylinder symmetric and asymmetric 2 post lift with single point lock release! Question? Call our knowledgeable sales team 800-647-7783.

www.bestbuyautoequipment.com

I recently stumbled across the Advantage AL-SC10 which is on "sale" at $3000 delivered to a freight terminal ($3500, less $500 with code "OFF500"):

2-Post lift Advantage Lift AL-SC10 - 10,000 lb. Capacity

The AL-SC10 2-Post Lift features 3 Stage Arms, S-column design, single-point lock release, universal pads, and truck stack adapters - all at a great value!

www.advantagelifts.com

I'm not seeing much else in the ~$3k ballpark. The lift must be clear-floor and I'd prefer asymmetric, although I've never owned a symmetric lift and am not sure if it will be better, worse, or the same for entry/exit on a 124 chassis. I have over 12' clearance so there's no height restrictions. I'd consider moving up to the $4k-$5k max price range if there was a lift with substantially better quality/features. But as mentioned before with the Rotary, I just can't justify shelling out for a commercial-quality lift when I'm not using it daily. 99% of my lifting will be for a 124 chassis, with the remaining 1% being a 6000-lb Land Rover LR4 (or maybe someday a Mercedes X166 chassis).

@ace10? You've been down this road before, no? @LWB250, doncha need something for your new western digs?

If anyone has picked one of these up from a freight terminal with a U-Haul trailer, I'd love to know how that worked out. Home delivery isn't an option so I'll need to figure out a trailer to have it loaded up at the terminal, then I'll take it apart at home and haul it into the shop piece by piece.

UPDATE: See post #34 below with discussion about minimum arm length. My old Direct Lift had 2-stage arms and the arms would not swing underneath some vehicles. I would highly recommend a lift with shorter arm lengths to avoid this nuisance. Details are in post #4.

 

[sheward]

I loaded, transported, and set up my 4 post lift on an 18ft. trailer with one other person. The posts should be generally equivalent. You could likely use a 10ft. for a 2 post. Things can be moved around on a couple of the small moving dollies HF sells.

 

[alabbasi]

I have a 2 post and a 4 post that I bought used locally. The 2 post was an old Rotary that was used by a MB Mechanic friend which he owned since 1981. I had the cylinders rebuilt and a new pump put on. It's been good. The Challenger 4 post is a 12000lbs lift that I needed for a couple of 1 ton pickups that I owned.

I hauled both on a car trailer and just strapped them down. Installing the 2 post was a bit sketchy as the base plate on the Rotary lift weighed a ton. I used an engine hoist to stand them up and a couple of dollies to locate them. 4 post was super sketchy to install so I won't talk about it.

If you're looking to buy new, I've heard positive remarks about Eagle Lifts on other forums. *Call for Availability* 9,000 Lbs. Clear Floor Two-Post Lift. They are Asian made.

I'd give them a call and ask if they can be dropped off to the nearest freight terminal and use a car trailer with a flat floor to go get it. The terminals will have fork lifts that will load it.

 

[AMG5PT4]

I'm going to be buying a used/new 2 post lift in the next couple of months to use for the next year. Jono suggested FB Marketplace as an option and Jono says he has a guy who installed all of his lifts. My goal is $3k installed.

Question - I'm 5'9''. To lift my MB comfortably so I can get under the car to work, what is the general clearance from floor to ceiling needed?

 

[gsxr]

AMG5PT4, you'll find that most new lifts in the ~$3k ballpark all lift to about the same height (~70 inches), and all require about 11.75-12.0 foot clearance from floor to ceiling. If you want a car any higher you'll either need to shop for a lift that will lift a few inches more under a 12' ceiling, or buy a "tall" lift that is 13+ feet high - if you have room in your garage/shop. I'm a bit shorter than you and can work comfortably with the lift all the way up. Note your head will still smack wheels/tires though. If you don't have a 12' ceiling, there are some options for shorter / low-rise lifts, but I haven't looked into those since I have room for a full-height lift.

 

[sheward]

With an 11ft. ceiling you will be able to stand under your cars. I have only 10ft. however one can work sitting in an office chair or rolling stool with less which is what I do. Keep in mind you will need even more height if you have an overhead garage door opener.

 

[AMG5PT4]

This would be installed in a rented commercial space with a roll-up door. I believe the clearance is 12' and I have room into the space past the roll-up door to install the lift.

 

[gsxr]

The Bendpak 10AP (standard height) or 10APX (tall version) are tempting, but are $5300 / $5800 delivered. However, for that price at least they are ALI certified (link).

BendPak 10AP Two-Post Car Lift - 10,000 lbs Capacity

BendPak 10AP two-post lift offers exceptional direct-drive lifting performance. This industrial-strength two-pots lift can safely handle up to 10,000 lbs.

www.bendpak.com

BendPak 10APX 2 Post Car Lift - Increased Height - 5175306

The 10AP Series is built with the future in mind, and has all the features you'll need to service vehicles as effectively as possible. This revolutionary lift can handle Electric Vehicles effortlessly and can adapt to suit your needs.

www.bendpak.com

 

[sheward]

Al. I still have a pair of underhood sealing trims you have paid for. They are here until you need them. Just a reminder. I can leave them at Blue Ridge if that's preferable.

 

[JC220]

I presume you will want a lift with electro magnet locks Dave? That way you don't have to reach under and pull cables to release the lift. Just press a button and lower from the controls.

 

[gsxr]

I presume you will want a lift with electro magnet locks Dave? That way you don't have to reach under and pull cables to release the lift. Just press a button and lower from the controls.

That sounds nifty, Joe! But most of the lifts here in the USA have the manual lever / cable release. I don't mind that setup. I didn't even know electromagic locks were a thing!

 

[gsxr]

I'm close to pulling the trigger on the Advantage AL-SC10. I like the 3-stage arms. And, I liked that a 4-door Ram 2500 didn't visibly deflect the arms, like my LR4 did with my old Direct Lift. Hmmm.

I hope a 124 centered on the lift allows room to get in & out of the driver door, without having to leave the car in neutral and roll it after you exit the car like he did with the Ram in the install video.

Generic customer review - about the only one I could find:

Complete installation video (2+ hours!):

 

[alabbasi]

I presume you will want a lift with electro magnet locks Dave? That way you don't have to reach under and pull cables to release the lift. Just press a button and lower from the controls.

I think I would feel less comfortable under a lift with electro magnetic locks then I would under car with Harbor Freight jack stands.

 

[Alphasud40]

This was my most recent lift acquisition. A certified lift might come in handy if there is ever an insurance claim. Otherwise they sell both 10K and 9K lifts. If you never intend to lift a 3/4 or one ton truck a 9K lift will work. My first lift Is a low clearance 9K lift for low ceiling heights. You really appreciate having a lift because it’s a body saver. Crawling around on cold concrete really beats up the body. For reference I replaced both engine mounts and the transmission mount on the SL last week. Took about a hour and a half.

https://www.derekweaver.com/rodders-garage/2-post-lifts/weaver-w-pro10-red-certified-overhead-2-post-lift/

 

[Alphasud40]

Here is my first lift. Has served me well. You want one point safety release. They are all China lifts but Atlas and Weaver do better quality control checks on their lifts over others.

9KBPX 9,000 lb Baseplate Lift

Light Commercial Grade Baseplate 9,000 lbs. Capacity

www.atlasautoequipment.com

 

[JC220]

I think I would feel less comfortable under a lift with electro magnetic locks then I would under car with Harbor Freight jack stands.

Thats respectfully because you don't understand how they work.

This is a safety critical application do you really think they would be intrinsically unsafe by design?

Indeed to have to go under the car just to release manual pull cord levers is inherently more dangerous IMO. Lifts will rest down on manual heavy duty pawls. Then when you press the down controls they raise the lift for a second or two and at the same time if microswitches are satisfied the magnets operate and hold to release the pawls and the pump starts to lower the lift as intended.

For manual locks they could be released and operator error could let the lift settle on down over time. Auto locks won't do this. They are not only more convenient but safer as they have additional interlocks.

 

[Alphasud40]

Here in the US we typically have a cable release on one lever placed near the lift controls so you don’t have to release the safety catch under the car. Only the DIY lifts have the individual release which I agree are not the safest design and a real pain for the operator. I have seen some of the higher end lifts have air powered lock releases.

 

[alabbasi]

Indeed to have to go under the car just to release manual pull cord levers is inherently more dangerous IMO. Lifts will rest down on manual heavy duty pawls. Then when you press the down controls they raise the lift for a second or two and at the same time if microswitches are satisfied the magnets operate and hold to release the pawls and the pump starts to lower the lift as intended.

For manual locks they could be released and operator error could let the lift settle on down over time. Auto locks won't do this. They are not only more convenient but safer as they have additional interlocks.

No, everybody knows that when you flip the locks on, you lower the lift onto the locks before getting under it so the arms are not resting on the hydraulics. In this position, it's impossible to release the locks without raising it slightly to release the locks.

 

[kegmankipp]

The Bendpak 10AP (standard height) or 10APX (tall version) are tempting, but are $5300 / $5800 delivered.

BendPak 10AP Two-Post Car Lift - 10,000 lbs Capacity

BendPak 10AP two-post lift offers exceptional direct-drive lifting performance. This industrial-strength two-pots lift can safely handle up to 10,000 lbs.

www.bendpak.com

BendPak 10APX 2 Post Car Lift - Increased Height - 5175306

The 10AP Series is built with the future in mind, and has all the features you'll need to service vehicles as effectively as possible. This revolutionary lift can handle Electric Vehicles effortlessly and can adapt to suit your needs.

www.bendpak.com

My retired MB mechanic buddy uses this brand. Loves them. Had them at MB also.

They have been flawless and very stable in the dozens of times I’ve been over there

 

[JC220]

No, everybody knows that when you flip the locks on, you lower the lift onto the locks before getting under it so the arms are not resting on the hydraulics. In this position, it's impossible to release the locks without raising it slightly to release the locks.

I was describing that once those manual locks are released the car is coming down. So operator error is a potential. Aka release, get detracted and it will come down albeit slowly.

Auto / mag lock lifts will only lower when the button is held and if power fails or button let go the pawls automatically latch again. So it's very safe. Safer than manual locks is what I'm simply pointing out which is in response to you comparing them to harbour fart jack stands. I know these systems well as both my lifts have them and they work great. I feel safe operating them and when under the cars.

 

[gsxr]

Of course, for BFCM, Advantage has the lift on sale for $1995 a few weeks after I paid $2995.

Black Friday Deals

Discover Advantage Lifts, your trusted source for high-quality 2 post and 4 post car lifts. Our lifts are designed for low garage ceilings, car collectors, car restoration specialists, and DIY Automotive Enthusiasts.

www.advantagelifts.com

Black Friday Deals:​

2-Post Black Friday Blowout!​

2-Post 10K Lifts $1,995 / 2-Post 12K Lifts $2,995​

*Add products to cart to view discounts.*​

*All deals end Monday 11/27*

 

[TerryA]

Wow! That Sucks. Dave you might want to lodge a complaint with them. Tell them that you’re really pissed off at them for not giving you a heads up. Some Vendors don’t like bad publicity.

They might just give you a refund. It’s worth a try.

lol

 

[Bogeyman]

I had to buy a new gas cooktop. I told the salesperson at Lowe's that I didn't want to see a lower price on Black Friday. She said that their policy is if you see a lower price within 30 days they will refund the difference.
Worth a try?

 

[gsxr]

Terry & Bogeyman, I sent them an email for grins... will let y'all know their response. Purchase date was Oct-27 so just under 30 days.

I'll also check into price protection through my credit card but I'm not expecting anything there either.

 

[AMG5PT4]

@gsxr where do you see that the sale goes through 11/27?

I am seriously wanting to pull the trigger on this lift at $2k.

How did you do your delivery - to the nearest commercial warehouse distribution location? How flexible is the company on shipping the lift? I don’t yet have my commercial space and would prefer to delay delivery until January.

 

[gsxr]

@gsxr where do you see that the sale goes through 11/27?

I am seriously wanting to pull the trigger on this lift at $2k.

It was buried on their website, or in the email, somewhere... I'd expect the price to be gone as of Tuesday AM.

EDIT: The 11/27 end date is at this URL:

Black Friday Deals

Discover Advantage Lifts, your trusted source for high-quality 2 post and 4 post car lifts. Our lifts are designed for low garage ceilings, car collectors, car restoration specialists, and DIY Automotive Enthusiasts.

www.advantagelifts.com

How did you do your delivery - to the nearest commercial warehouse distribution location? How flexible is the company on shipping the lift? I don’t yet have my commercial space and would prefer to delay delivery until January.

Yes, it was delivered to the nearest freight company location (ABF Freight). Mine came out of Washington state and shipped a few business days after placing the order online. I picked it up with a U-Haul trailer within a week or so. The freight company will not want to store it for you, if you want to delay shipping, contact Advantage and see if they can delay shipment for a few weeks.

 

[gsxr]

BTW... at current sale pricing, I probably would have sprung for the 12,000-lb lift for $2995 (previously $3995). Note the 12k lift has a footprint roughly 18 inches wider vs the 10k lift, so you need a bit more floor space for the bigger unit.

 

[gsxr]

Response from Advantage this morning.... exactly what I expected them to say:

"Good morning,​

​

Unfortunately, the promotional price for our Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals is only available for new purchases.​

​

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything or have any additional questions."​

​

I didn't think they'd offer a credit for the difference, but I thought they might offer a token CSAT adjustment of some sort... couple hundred bucks, or a free accessory, $xxx discount on a future purchase, etc. They probably have very few customers who purchased in the last ~30 days and also found the BFCM deal and emailed to ask about the pricing. Not the smartest business move, IMO.

 

[Alphasud40]

Retailers can be very short sighted. In the past when a retailer does something like this or more specifically not done anything for a past customer it usually results in bad advertising. Just think a voucher for future purchase might have netted them several sales from the word of mouth advertising a happy customer might do in a tight knit car club.

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

I happened to see this thread today while browsing around to catch up on things 500E...

I have a friend, now retired, who sold and serviced garage equipment, mostly lifts of all types, for over forty years. According to him, the best lifts out there were Nussbaums. Apparently, lifts that were formerly made in USA, such as Challenger, are now made in China, and are "not worth a pinch of shit".. in his parlance. Nussbaums, I think, are made in Germany, so a Mercedes would feel right at home on one of their lifts.

 

[gsxr]

Updating with some links. The Nussbaum SPL OTTO 9 is a 9000-lb rated lifted, ALI certified, made in USA. It has an articulating rear arm design which is unique. Current price is around $8k plus freight. Photos are few and poor quality. Arm dimensions for minimum length don't jive with the "Rear Double Jointed Arms". They provide no drawing that shows the arc swings to verify. It appears to be ALI certified but it's strange this is not called out specifically.

Nussbaum OTTO 9 9,000 lb (ALI) Asymmetric 2 Post Lift w/ Rear Double Jointed Arms

JMC Equipment has the best prices when it comes to the Nussbaum OTTO 9 9,000 lb (ALI) Asymmetric 2 Post Lift w/ Rear Double Jointed Arms. Call us up at 800-562-4791 for prices and discounts.

jmcautomotiveequipment.com

https://www.machinio.com/listings/53843768-nussbaum-otto-9-9-000-lb-ali-asymmetric-2-post-lift-w-rear-double-jointed-arms-in-dover-de

Nussbaum 2-Post Lift SPL OTTO 9 - First Choice Automotive Equipment

Nussbaum Lifts 2-Post Lift Assymetric Columns 9,000lb Capacity 124" Narrowest Bay Setting, 83" Max Rise Height, Double Jointed Arms

fclift.com

Nussbaum OTTO 9 9,000 lb (ALI) Asymmetric 2 Post Lift w/ Rear Double Jointed Arms​

The OTTO 9 is the reinvention of car lifting and workshop design. Over 75 years of NUSSBAUM innovation and experience has lead us to this revolutionary design. We are proud to name this lift after our founder Otto Nussbaum. The OTTO 9 is named for the benefits it gives to operators, as well as the productivity in terms of space and dollars to the owner. And this lift is 100% manufactured in the USA.

This lift consists of SPL10000M 3S and arms 35DJA08400 and SPL10F02100.

Why is the OTTO 9 so revolutionary?​

• It changes the way you lift your vehicles
• It changes the way your workshop looks
• It prepares your workshop for electric vehicles including battery exchanges
• It will always provide the best access for the job

SAVE UP TO 20 SQUARE FEET PER LIFT!

Installing the OTTO 9 at a width of 118 - 124″ you not only optimize your workshop space, you can also install it 40″ closer to the wall than any other 2-post lift on the market. This all-around space savings gives you more access around the vehicle with much less effort. The 118 - 124″ install is perfect for any shop that works on standard passenger cars, but also pickup trucks. Its narrow installation and long arm reach make it very easy to reach frames on trucks, as well as pick up points that are far apart.

OTTO TWO POST LIFT FEATURES:​

• Double jointed rear arms
• 9,000 lbs lifting capacity
• OTTO is ready for new technologies like electric cars and battery exchanges
• Can be installed as close as 118 - 124″ apart and still reach most passenger vehicles
• Standard install at 124″
• Always open the doors
• Obstruction free access to the areas you need to work on
• OTTO allows for new service opportunities with electric cars. The patent-pending lift offers full service underneath the car which allows all covers to be removed to get to the vehicles batteries
• Lift 100% manufactured in the USA

​

Technical characteristics​

Capacity	9,000 lb
Pick up pad height min	4.5 inch
Front arms extension min-max	27.25 - 43.5 inch
Rear arm extension min-max	39.5 - 59 inch
Inside column width	105 inch
Lifting height	73.5 inch
Overall width min	118 - 124 inch
Drive-through width min	94.75 inch
Total height min	143 inch
Power supply (V/ph)	208/230 / 1 ph
Motor power	3.5 hp

Packaging​

1

Packaging	Wooden crate
Product Dimensions	143in x 42in x 20in
Total weight	1700lb
Stackable	4

 

[gsxr]

On the budget side, A Plus has some non-certified lifts at very attractive prices, as low as $2050 delivered to terminal. The cheap one has 2-stage arms with limited minimum arcs/reach, so beware of that. The $2400 lift has a 3-stage front arm with much better minimum arc/reach, similar to the Advantage with 3-stage front & rear. The catch is the $2050 and $2400 lifts do NOT have single-point release! You have to walk to the opposite column to release before lowering.

It will cost you $2700 to get the lift with single-point release (like most all lifts have). And, the Height Extensions (aka "truck adapters" adapters are an extra cost option at $100-140 per set of 4 in varying heights. The Advantage lift I bought has single-point release and includes six height extensions, making the A Plus comparable at $3k, after adjusting to apples/apples.

2-Post Lifts

apluslift.com

 

[Alphasud40]

I purchased a lift from this company. Here is a 10K lift without the ALSI certification. You don’t need the 10K lift unless you intend to lift a 3/4-1 ton truck.

Weaver® W-10KHD Overhead 2 Post Car Lift

Upgrade your garage with the Weaver® W-10KHD Overhead 2-Post Car Lift. Get peace of mind with this Heavy-duty design for passenger vehicles and trucks.

www.derekweaver.com

 

[gsxr]

The Weaver lift has a similar design to my old Direct Lift Pro-9D. The one complaint I had was the minimum arm length as described above. Weaver has min 29"/39" respectively, front & rear arms - same as my old Direct Lift. My 124 and 210 juuuuust barely cleared the arms, such that the rear (long) arm would swing past the rear tire. In this position, the FRONT arm was still too long, the lift point at the end of the front arm was ahead of the vehicle lift point. I had to use a pad on the "fixed" (non-telescopic) portion of the front arm to hit the lift point. Other vehicles, like our LR4, had to be jockeyed forward/back to get all 4 arms swung underneath.

My new lift has min 26"/33"... the reduction of 3"/6" respectively this doesn't sound like a lot, but it's enough so the vehicle should not have to be rolled forward/back to get all 4 arms underneath. And, I can use the adjustable-level (via threads) end points of all 4 arms to reach all 4 lift points on the 124/210 chassis. Zero issues.

Diagram below from my new Advantage lift with the 3-stage F+R arms (middle number is with only 1 arm fully extended, not both):

 

[alabbasi]

Updating with some links. The Nussbaum SPL OTTO 9 is a 9000-lb rated lifted,

Holy cow are you still shopping? At this rate you can grow one. A guy I know swears up and down by Mohawk.

 

[gsxr]

Holy cow are you still shopping? At this rate you can grow one. A guy I know swears up and down by Mohawk.

No, I bought an Advantage in Oct-2023, just before they dropped the price $1k.

@Jlaa is lift shopping and I wanted to keep all new information in the same thread. He's looking at some nice Bendpak Grands Prix series to fit a 10' ceiling.

 

[alabbasi]

Ahh, hopefully you got a $1000 worth of use out of it.

 

[Jlaa]

No, I bought an Advantage in Oct-2023, just before they dropped the price $1k.

@Jlaa is lift shopping and I wanted to keep all new information in the same thread. He's looking at some nice Bendpak Grands Prix series to fit a 10' ceiling.

I've been looking at a BendPak GrandPrix.
They are meant for residential use - a bit narrower than normal and then come in 3 sizes - for 9', 10' and 13' ceilings.
I'm redoing my garage and hoping to get 10' out of the ceilings to install (maybe) one of these things.
124.x" width (that's a sign) and ALSI certified.

BendPak GrandPrix GP-7 Two-Post Lift - 5175992

Purchase GrandPrix GP-7 fit for garages with 13' ceilings and offers a full 78" max rise. The GP-7 also offers a much slimmer profile than other two-post lifts.

www.bendpak.com

I've also tried looking online at a Mohawk A7, which is probably heavier duty, and more costly (which is all fine) but their website is absolutely awful.

A-7 | Mohawk Lift Pics

mohawkliftpics.com

 

[Harv]

If you have the money, Nussbaum is excellent. Developed and manufactured in Germany.

Automotive lifts » Lifts for car workshops - Made in Germany for over 40 years

 

[alabbasi]

Developed and manufactured in Germany.

That means it's going to be a lot of fun until the warranty runs out and then all the extra parts they have in it will start breaking and it'll cost a fortune to fix.

 

[gsxr]

I've also tried looking online at a Mohawk A7, which is probably heavier duty, and more costly (which is all fine) but their website is absolutely awful.

Mohawk's website is straight out of the 20th century. I dislike that they go out of their way to make pricing top secret. Their design is quite different than most other lifts. I never seriously researched them due to the high cost (estimated ~$10k), however they are supposed to be 100% made in USA. If it's in your budget, I'd at least contact them to get more information.

EDIT: A recent quote from Mohawk for their A7A or System 1A lift came in at ±$14k including freight.

 

[Jlaa]

Guys, for a residential / home application, do "angled posts" matter? I don't know enough about lifts to know.

This is the BendPak GP7 footprint:



This is the Mohawk A7 footprint:



While the overall width is similar (BendPak GP7 = 124.7in, Mohawk A7 = 127 in), the drive through widths seem to be very different.
BP GP7 Drivethrough is 98.3 in whereas the Mohawk A7 Drivethrough is only 83.3 inches? 15 inches narrower? Perhaps Mohwak would say that the angled / asymmetric posts make it so that drivethrough width as it impacts door opening is moot .... I don't know, but 15 in seems like a lot?

 

[gsxr]

I forget the specific reason for angled posts. I believe the advantage is better entry/exit to the vehicle. In general you will only see higher-end lifts with this design. Most all budget lifts (sub-$5k-ish) have non-angled posts.

I thought Mohawk could have the distance between posts adjustable, since there's no top connecting plate? My memory could be off. Wait, note that at the bottom of the drawing, it says "with lift set 10'-7" wide". You should be able to move the posts farther apart.

My Advantage lift is 153" max floor footprint width, 111" inside between (non-angled) posts... wider than BPGP.

 

[Jlaa]

This is a picture of the arms on the BP GP7. Note that the arms can all fold in one direction .... as opposed to front arms going forward and rear arms going rearward. I suspect this makes positioning the arms for shorter wheelbase cars easier .... less chance of the arms crashing into the wheels/tires when positioning the arms.

I'm still learning about lifts so this is a key learning for me. Does anyone in practice have experience with arms not being flexible enough in their folding manner, thus crashing into wheels/tires when positioning them?

 

[gsxr]

My old Direct Lift with "too long", 2-pc arms folded in the same direction (pointed backwards, as the GP7). I believe the GP7 minimum lengths will be ok and not cause problems with swinging into tires.

My new Advantage has the arms opposite (rear to rear, front to front) but the shorter minimum length eliminates tire contact when swinging the arms into place.

AFAICT, it's the arm min length / arc swing that is more important than the folding/storage position. The one-direction style reduces drive-through width slightly but this will be a non-issue with normal passenger cars (124, 210, Venza, Super Beatle).

 

[Jlaa]

My old Direct Lift with "too long", 2-pc arms folded in the same direction (pointed backwards, as the GP7). I believe the GP7 minimum lengths will be ok and not cause problems with swinging into tires.

My new Advantage has the arms opposite (rear to rear, front to front) but the shorter minimum length eliminates tire contact when swinging the arms into place.

AFAICT, it's the arm min length / arc swing that is more important than the folding/storage position. The one-direction style reduces drive-through width slightly but this will be a non-issue with normal passenger cars (124, 210, Venza, Super Beatle).

Curious as to what your Advantage min arm lengths are?
Bendpak Tech Support pointed out the elbows in the front arms to me (along with min lengths) ---- the elbows allowing for asymmetric loading.

 

[duuder]

I wish I was at whatever level this is, im just over here scooting back and forth laying on my back a concrete floor

 

[gsxr]

Curious as to what your Advantage min arm lengths are?

See numbers in the diagram attached in post #34 above. ^^^

Bendpak Tech Support pointed out the elbows in the front arms to me (along with min lengths) ---- the elbows allowing for asymmetric loading.

I thikn they're making a bigger deal of this than it is. My cheapo Direct Lift had the same arm design but without the fancy marketing.

The image belows shows what I think BPGP is trying to say. The 'symmetric' loading was not possible with Direct Lift because the rear arm was way too long to allow what's shown.

I would load the Direct Lift as seen below with 'asymmetric' layout, where the rear arm was near the min position, and the front arm STILL poked too far inward and did not line up with the jack pad.

I think some of the lift designers expect to have lift points at frame rails a foot or more inside the rocker panel, like a domestic truck with body-on-frame construction. Unibody cars with lift points at the outer rails (like our 124's) need shorter lift arms to line up with the lift points.

Again, it looks like the BPGP min lengths should be fine as they are similar to my Advantage which has plenty of range. I should take a photo of my lift arms at min length shown near the 124 lift pads.

 

[R129 UK]

I wish I was at level this is, im just over scooting back and forth laying on my back a concrete floor

Same here, I don't think I have enough headroom (or possibly width too) in my single garage for a lift so I have decided when I downsize a space big enough for 2 or 3 cars inside is essential.

Do these lifts in the US work off your single phase (110V) or 3 phase?

 

[gsxr]

Do these lifts in the US work off your single phase (110V) or 3 phase?

The vast majority of lifts sold in the USA market are designed for single-phase 240VAC, usually a 20A circuit.

3-phase motors may be available as an option on some commercial lifts.