Ok, why Bendpak? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Aurora40 · 06-07-2010

So it seems like the WAZOO is sponsored by Bendpak! I've been looking into lifts, and am just wondering, why theirs? Not to suggest there is anything wrong, but what were the main deciders for you guys?

I was a little surprised to find they are manufactured in China. What is the selling point over something like a Backyard Buddy that is made here?

As an aside, I think my 9' ceiling is going to be a bit of a limiter. Assuming 8-12" for the garage door once I move it up, that means I can move a 48" 'vette about another 48-52" off the ground. That sorta sucks...

ZR1Vette · 06-07-2010

Not downing BendPak... but I decided on DirectLift Pro8 mainly because of (four post) column height due to garage door clearance. As long as the lift has the newer cert stickers then I see no problem

Scrrem · 06-07-2010

Bob,
I'm in the same boat with my ceiling but I figured its a whole lot better that laying on my back like I did pulling my rear axle.

On the lift, I was going to get the same lift the Direct Lift like Michael has but what swayed me was the pneumatic operated safety's. I just didn't like that long bar that goes the length of the lift releasing the safety's. Seemed like you could have a problem if you hit it by mistake and bend something and get the linkage out of wack. Does it justify the cost...probably not...personal perferance I guess.
Rich

QB93Z · 06-08-2010

Bob,

I chose the BendPak because of: High quality construction, pneumatically operated safety latches, safety "stops" are independent (sort of) from the support column, and the ability to add a rolling hydraulic jack.

The safety stops issue was most important to me. The BendPak's safety pawls are each independently engaged by spring action unless they are pulled out by a air piston. So it is very, very unlikely that even one safety would fail to engage on uncontrolled downward motion. On the lifts that have a lever system to hold the safety pawls disengaged, it appeared to me that a single failure (for example binding in the main lever) would keep ALL the pawls from engaging.

In some lifts, the safety pawls engage with a catch tab welded to the support column. It seemed to me that if the column got twisted (for some very unlikey reason), the engagement of the safety pawl could be compromised. In the BendPack the safety pawls engage with a very heavy duty steel plate with openings (a ladder) that is internal to the support columns, but not welded to the column.

By the way, I just buried a good friend who was working on his car on a jack. The jack apparently slipped out and he was crushed. My recommendation is buy a good lift!!!

Jim

Aurora40 · 06-08-2010

Damn Jim, that is terrible! Sorry to hear about your friend.

The backyard buddy seems to have a pretty solid locking mechanism, plus a backup lock if the cables go loose. It also has a hydraulic pressure release limiter in case the line gets cut or something.

http://www.backyard-buddy.com/auto-lift-comparison.html

Thanks guys for the feedback, I don't have much experience with these things, so it's good to hear what went into your decisions.

Rich, how high is your ceiling? How high will you be able to lift your car?

Scrrem · 06-08-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora40

Rich, how high is your ceiling? How high will you be able to lift your car?

I only have a 9' ceiling, so the car will only be abel to get roughly 5 feet off the ground but like I said, it's better that laying on your back.

06-07-2010	#1
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	Ok, why Bendpak? So it seems like the WAZOO is sponsored by Bendpak! I've been looking into lifts, and am just wondering, why theirs? Not to suggest there is anything wrong, but what were the main deciders for you guys? I was a little surprised to find they are manufactured in China. What is the selling point over something like a Backyard Buddy that is made here? As an aside, I think my 9' ceiling is going to be a bit of a limiter. Assuming 8-12" for the garage door once I move it up, that means I can move a 48" 'vette about another 48-52" off the ground. That sorta sucks... __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]

06-07-2010	#2
ZR1Vette Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Reston, Virginia Posts: 939	Re: Ok, why Bendpak? Not downing BendPak... but I decided on DirectLift Pro8 mainly because of (four post) column height due to garage door clearance. As long as the lift has the newer cert stickers then I see no problem __________________ Michael :cheers: [I][SIZE="2"]1990 RED on RED #566[/SIZE][/I] [I][SIZE="2"]WAZOO MEMBER[/I][/SIZE]

06-07-2010	#3
Scrrem Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 1,469	Re: Ok, why Bendpak? Bob, I'm in the same boat with my ceiling but I figured its a whole lot better that laying on my back like I did pulling my rear axle. On the lift, I was going to get the same lift the Direct Lift like Michael has but what swayed me was the pneumatic operated safety's. I just didn't like that long bar that goes the length of the lift releasing the safety's. Seemed like you could have a problem if you hit it by mistake and bend something and get the linkage out of wack. Does it justify the cost...probably not...personal perferance I guess. Rich __________________ 1990 Bright Red Coupe #608 380 Stroker, Ported Heads/Intake/Housings/TB Haibeck Secondary Delete Chip / Pete's Cams George Braml Intake / FIC Injectors Coated SW Headers / Corsa Bill Boudreau B/B ZF6 / Viper 4.10 gears Ron Davis Radiator Pioneer AVIC-Z140BH NAV Fikse FM5's 285 / 335 / C6 Brakes WAZOO Member

06-08-2010	#4
QB93Z Join Date: May 2007 Location: Westminster, Maryland Posts: 3,687	Re: Ok, why Bendpak? Bob, I chose the BendPak because of: High quality construction, pneumatically operated safety latches, safety "stops" are independent (sort of) from the support column, and the ability to add a rolling hydraulic jack. The safety stops issue was most important to me. The BendPak's safety pawls are each independently engaged by spring action unless they are pulled out by a air piston. So it is very, very unlikely that even one safety would fail to engage on uncontrolled downward motion. On the lifts that have a lever system to hold the safety pawls disengaged, it appeared to me that a single failure (for example binding in the main lever) would keep ALL the pawls from engaging. In some lifts, the safety pawls engage with a catch tab welded to the support column. It seemed to me that if the column got twisted (for some very unlikey reason), the engagement of the safety pawl could be compromised. In the BendPack the safety pawls engage with a very heavy duty steel plate with openings (a ladder) that is internal to the support columns, but not welded to the column. By the way, I just buried a good friend who was working on his car on a jack. The jack apparently slipped out and he was crushed. My recommendation is buy a good lift!!! Jim __________________ If it isn't fun, you aren't doing it right! 1990 Black ZR-1 - sold 1993 Quasar Blue ZR-1 1994 Competition Yellow ZR-1 1995 Dark Purple ZR-1 Maryland State Coordinator WAZOO Member

06-08-2010	#5
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	Re: Ok, why Bendpak? Damn Jim, that is terrible! Sorry to hear about your friend. The backyard buddy seems to have a pretty solid locking mechanism, plus a backup lock if the cables go loose. It also has a hydraulic pressure release limiter in case the line gets cut or something. http://www.backyard-buddy.com/auto-lift-comparison.html Thanks guys for the feedback, I don't have much experience with these things, so it's good to hear what went into your decisions. Rich, how high is your ceiling? How high will you be able to lift your car? __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]