Garage car lift

[7T1240]

The lift has mechanical locking tabs on the legs forcing you to lift beyond your resting point and then lower down on the tabs making the 8' ceiling even more problematic.

Steve, hello.

If I'm picturing what BillD is saying in this previous quote, the ramps push by the "mechanical locking tabs" on the way up, the tabs drop down into the support position, then the ramps are lowered onto the tabs, supporting the ramps and eliminating the concern for hydraulic failure. BillD, can you confirm?

Gary S.

[BillD]

Sorry for the poor quality photography, but it was quick and dirty. The silver thing next to my hand is what I am calling a flange. It rests on the supports on the insides of the legs.

The lift is completely off the hydraulics and supported mechanically by the four flanges (or whatever these things are called) when at rest. The flanges and their supports on the insides the legs are made out of 3/4" steel that is about 2 1/2" high. They are spring loaded and click into place as the lift goes up. To get the lift to lower, you have to raise it about two inches to allow them to rotate down and then keep the flanges retracted as as the lift comes down. Believe me, it is a very confidence inspiring design and pretty idiot proof (as long as you don't ask my box fan's opinion).

BillD

[Darrel]

Here's a post on hybridz concerning lifts.

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=106979&highlight=ben+pearson

[rdefabri]

Now in reading that post, there's reference to the FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) factor I talked about - he mentions lift failures, Chinese made, etc.

I am absolutely shocked that there hasn't been a comprehensive test done by some classic car magazine (since many car buffs have or want these).

[Darrel]

That was his opinion about what lifts he was looking at. But he did do some homework.

I have seen a few lifts on craigs list. Not sure of the brand. But the people selling them had a few in stock and was told they bought them from a dealership that gets new ones after the warranty runs out.

Looks like more homework to do.

[xray]

Guys,

Thanks for the clarification...It seems conceptually similar to the ratchet mechanism of winches, particularly those I know of on boat trailers, but I'm sure the concept is ubiquitous in application. So, if we hear about "lift failures" where is the break point? Poor design in the securing mechanism? Hydraulic failure on lift/lower function? What would cause them to fail? If the engineering is like what Bill shows us, I would feel pretty confident in my lift's ability...

What recourse would one have if the lift failed and crushed an expensive item resting underneath it? Homeowner's insurance? Auto property insurance? Sue the lift manufacturer?

Steve

[Carl Beck]

The person on HybridZ was talking about Ben Person lifts...

In 1975 I owned/operated a Muffler Shop - had a new Ben Person Pipe Bender and two 4 Post Lifts. After I actually learned something about the business... I realized that I should have bought a Huth Pipe Bender... and I found that Ben Person was a young company at that point.

One day I was letting a car down, as I watched a fine young girl walk by outside... distracted to say the least... My attention was returned to the car when I heard it sliding sideways and threatening to fall off the lift!! YEA GAD !!!

One of the "stops" had failed to retract on the Left Front Post...so that corner was still at its uppermost position... in the mean time the other three corners were allowed to come down... The car was sliding backward on the ramps, as the Right Side was now about four feet lower than the left front...

As the car slide - it the lift made a horrible noise... twisting posts, drive on ramps sliding across the cross braces... I jumped back away from the lift.... as the Customer exclaimed "Watch My CAR!!"...

Everything was at a "ALL STOP"... and I stood there wondering how I was ever going to get this customers car safely back on the ground...

After I calmed down... I called Ben Person in Arkansas. They put a "technician" on-line... I explained what had happened..... cute little arse and all.... and he said; "no problem, just go out and push the UP button and raise the car back up... then make sure all the STOPS are up and let the car down".

I told him I was not intending to get too close to that mess, because I was afraid that it would either fall on me, or go through the side of the building. He said; "then take a broom handle, stand back and push the UP button... I will give you my word that if anything happens, other than the car returning to the full up position - then coming down properly - Ben Person and Company will pay all damages". He added the fact that he was the lead engineer there - and that lift had 4 times the strength required in every aspect of its design build. He also said he was one of the Principle Owners of the company..

So I took a boom handle - stood back - and pushed the UP button. Among much loud creaking, screeching and poping... the car did in fact return to the lifts full up position... and all four posts returned to their former unbent state. I put the STOPS up and let the lift and car down...

The Customer, now some three hours into this venture... exclaimed "I'll be damned!"... "if I hadn't been here to see that - I wouldn't have believed it." Needless to say, there was no charge for the work on his car... Two days later the man from Ben Person was in the shop to inspect the lift... and find out why one stop had failed to retract. He OK the condition of the lift ... and three months later a service team from Ben Person was in the shop installing a new mechanism for raising all the STOPS....

At that point I found out that I had two of the first twenty 4 Post Lifts they had designed and built for the Muffler Shop industry...

Bottom line - don't buy a lift from anyone that hasn't been in business for at least 20 years. Don't buy a lift from anyone that builds their lifts outside the USA (to avoid product liability suites)... Don't PAY for anything purchased from ANYONE until it is delivered to you (the exception is when you are dealing directly with the factory, that has been in business for at least 20 years). Way too much FRAUD with retailers and resellers or "factory rep.'s".... If they don't have the working capital to order and deliver your lift - prior to payment - RUN...

I'd by a Back Yard Buddy...

FWIW,

Carl

Carl Beck

Mad Hatter Muffler

Clearwater, FL USA

http://ZHome.com

[rdefabri]

Carl,

Would you go with a Ben Pearson lift? Curious if you've had any experience with Backyard Buddy (I am guessing you have!)...

Rich

[Carl Beck]

Hi Rich:

Yes, I'd buy from Ben Person again - they now have about 35 years of experience. It would depend to an extent on them having the type/size lift I wanted and of course a competitive price. (competitive with other high quality lifts).

I've seen several of the other vendor products at the National Street Rod meets in Tampa, as well as having several friends with commercial or private lifts. Having had some longer term personal experience with lifts - I always look them over a little more closely.

The Backyard Buddy is really tailored to the private homeowner or Classic, Collectible and Special Interest hobbyists (although they have now expanded into the commercial market as well). Many of the four post lifts in the commercial market are simply too large for a private garage.

I liked the smooth operation of the BYB as well as the numerous accessories they offer. Mostly I like the quality of the materials and design. They are not the cheapest...

Nonetheless, they do have some good information on their video's on their site. Kind of gives one at least one benchmark to keep in mind.

<ahref=http://www.backyardbuddy.com/ TARGET=NEW> BACKYARD BUDDY</a>

FWIW,

Carl B.

[rdefabri]

Carl,

Good to know - I have a rather large garage, so I am less concerned about the size (of course it DOES have to fit!).

With respect to price, consider the value that's at risk - in my case the combined value of my cars is $40K+, so haggling over a few bucks is not worth it. I need to know that the system WILL NOT fail, that's all I am concerned with.

Thanks for the guidance!!

Rich

[Carl Beck]

Hi Rich:

Backyard Buddy has NEVER had a lift fail. Big as any garage is, you don't want to take up too much unneeded room.

Depending upon where you want to locate the lift - most people have to keep in mind that the typical garage door is only 16' wide. Which means that they would want to be able to center the ramps within an 8' area to the right or left of center of the opening. If the Posts are too far apart - it leave little to no room on the other sides of the opening.

For example, if the Posts are 10' apart - the remaining side of the garage door opening will only have 7' left open.

Just some other things to consider..

regards,

Carl

[rdefabri]

Yes, good point. Interestingly, I have a front spring on one door (as the rails are close to the home entrance) and traditional side mounted springs on the door I wish to put the lift.

I wasn't sure if the lift would fit between the rails - the added width needed for the 4-posts. I'd have to measure, but I thought of using a front spring and curving the rails way up so that the door/rails don't retract close to the car(s).

I suspect some "rigging" is involved, but necessary.

BillD - any pics of the door/rails? I couldn't tell from the picture you posted...