Bought a Bend Pak lift for my Ferrari. Had a question if this is safe. pics inside. | FerrariChat

Bought a Bend Pak lift for my Ferrari. Had a question if this is safe. pics inside.

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by silvergts1998, Jan 12, 2008.

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  1. silvergts1998

    silvergts1998 Formula 3

    Apr 10, 2005
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    #1 silvergts1998, Jan 12, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I recently purchased a Bend Pak lift. I have the ladders that go inside the four posts. I don’t know if I have the wrong ladders in my kit, but I noticed that my ladders do not touch the bottom plate. Is this correct and is this strong and stable? It seems like this design would allow room for wiggle and cause an unstable situation. I bought a bend pak lift because I thought it was reliable abd safe. Any idea on this type of design?
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  2. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    #2 2NA, Jan 12, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have a Bend-Pak 2-post, never had a problem.

    Is it possible that the new design allows for leveling the ramps without shimming the columns?

    I've used some pretty big 4-post lifts that seemed to swing a bit if you lean on them. Always a good idea to bolt it to the floor.
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  3. Clax

    Clax Formula 3

    Oct 3, 2002
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    I bought 2 lifts last year, Direct-Lift 9000 lb capacity (the heavy duty model). I had the exact same fears that you did. The ladder mechanism on your lift is exactly the same as mine, and it is proper. The ladder is suspended from the top, just as yours is. If you don't have a car on the lift, it will sway slightly. However, once a car is on it, it will be solid as a rock. And on the 0.00001% chance that a ladder fails, your cables will hold the weigh anyway. Your lift design looks very safe to me. I was initially a little freaked out when I bought mine, but my Direct-Lifts have worked very well.
     
  4. silvergts1998

    silvergts1998 Formula 3

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    So was your 2 post chain driven with welded tabs? I may be worrying too much...but just want to make sure it's a safe lift.
     
  5. silvergts1998

    silvergts1998 Formula 3

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    One thing I worry about is that the ladder sways a little and will it eventually weaken the bolt that the ladder hangs from? Kind of like a paperclip...you keep bending it, it will eventually break. Again, I may be worry too much. Even if I bolt it down, the ladder can still wiggle. I think I would rather have the welded tabs than the ladder.
     
  6. Clax

    Clax Formula 3

    Oct 3, 2002
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    Actually, the ladder will only sway under the point where the lift locks into place. So, the connection point at the top will not be affected by any swaying of the ladder. The swaying only occurs from the locking point downward. So, from the locking point upward, the ladder is steady, in place, and will not put any torsional motion on the bolt point.
     
  7. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    My 2-post has cables and welded tabs.

    Have you called Bend-Pak for clarification?
     
  8. silvergts1998

    silvergts1998 Formula 3

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    I will call them on Monday. They are closed and I had the lift delivered on Saturday and started to assemble it.
     
  9. ASG 86TR

    ASG 86TR Formula 3

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    That is exactly how it was designed. The are made to float to assist in leveling all four corners. In fact you can also adjust the top max lift. I gained an extra 2" of clearance for the Range Rover under mine, by adjusting the bolts on top, and thus raising the ladders. In addition, as for the swaying, the block prevent the swaying of the ladders at the upper part (threads). Only below the blocks can the ladder move, as when it is in the raise position, just as CLAX stated.
    Adam
     
  10. Gershwin

    Gershwin F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2005
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    Adam I'd take a picture too and send to your insurance guy and make sure that if you are storing on or under a lift your covered.
     
  11. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    Did you take a picture before you started to disassemble the package? It's pretty neat how small the package was (relatively speaking).
     
  12. silvergts1998

    silvergts1998 Formula 3

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    i didn't take a picture, but it was bundled pretty good.

    I know Bend Pak has a good reputation so I am more likely just over reacting.

    Thanks Adam for the insight. I am feeling better about the lift.
     
  13. Air_Cooled_Nut

    Air_Cooled_Nut Formula Junior

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    I don't have a lift but I can see why you are concerned; I would be, too. Once leveled out you could fit a solid metal block under the ladder as a precaution.

    The bolt looks like it would be subject to stretching forces, not torsional, as it's being pulled along its axis and not twisted.
     
  14. Gerry328

    Gerry328 Formula 3
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    We have one or two 4 post lifs in each of our automotive service centers and they all have that adjustment. That is to make sure the safetys latch at the same level as the cable stretches. Our lifts have been in service for over 20 years without a problem.
     
  15. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    The small amount of sway that you are talking about is not enough to stress the bolt past its elastic limit. Steel (and all metals) can be flexed up to a point and still retain all their strength properties (like the coil springs in your suspension). The .5 degree of sway is not enough to make the molecules lose their elastic bonds, so my only concern is that the single bolt that holds the ladder be rated for at least 1/4 of the rated capacity of the lift (i.e. 2,000 pound bolt capacity for a 8,000 pound lift).
    BT
     
  16. silvergts1998

    silvergts1998 Formula 3

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    Well, I talked to bend pak and they rest assured me that the design is strong enough to do my work I need to do on my cars. It appears that many major companies such as Rotatry, Challenger and other companies use the same design with the hanging ladders with success. I will just have to get used to the little play in the lift. What I like about my lift is the rolling air/hydraulic jack accessory I bought for it to work on brakes or whatever I need to take off the wheels. I will purchase another lift eventually and I will get a Back Yard Buddy since I like the overall design and sturdiness of the lift. My Bend Pak lift has a good reputation and just not a big fan of the "wiggle" even though it's suppose to be that way. I spent about $3590.00 total with the jacking system delivered.
     

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