The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest 4 post auto lift

Do any of you have experience (good or bad) specifically with the "Back Yard Buddy" four post auto lifts?

and what kind of price should one expect to pay for a new one?

I was going to go with a 9000 pound Bend-Pak but I couldn't justify the cost. I don't remember the price but they were about the same as the Back Yard Buddy plus they are professional grade instead of hobby grade (and made in the USA).

I bought a DIRECT-LIFT about 5 years ago for around $2000 delivered. Been real happy with it. It came with casters, jack pan, and drip pans. It handles my '03 ext Silverado just fine.

www/directlift.com

Bob

I have a 10,000 # Challenger 2 post hoist and love it!

I recently got a two post 9000. I'm very happy with it.

I'm looking at a 12,00 lb Rotary two post, and considering a used 15,000 Rotary.. one day I'll get one.
I've worked on vehicles on both 4 post and two post lifts, the two post is much better and easier. A 4 post is good for storing a vehicle, or oil changes.

Grigg

I have a backyard budy 4 post lift . I have had it almost 4 years. I paid almost 4000 for it with the wheels included. I don't use it much as my MG sits on it above my "vette in the winter. It is very stable and well built. The posts are solid tube steel and not the bent sheet metal legs of some of the cheaper lifts. The hydraulic power is also easily removed to be used on other hydraulic devices, like a log splitter, if you want to. I am well pleased with the complete deal and would highly recommend it. Thanks, kenny

How much cement support does a two post need as far as extra thickness or grade beam?

When I get my new shop built, I would like one of each (4 post and 2 post). It's not like I will be using it in a production shop and I like the idea of the 4 post being able to roll to a different location without being bolted to the floor. I think the 2 post would be a little more handy for working on vehicles, but I think I will get a 4 post lift first so I can move it around.

Builder,
When we did my Brothers shop BenPak recommended 6" of concrete for his 2 post isometricle lift ..so we just to be safe dug down another 2" an flared it out in bought a 4ft circle where where the the posts were to set so they are setting on 8" of concrete with the regular 4" steel mesh as a reinforcement.
He uses his 2 post lift daily in his buisiness an there are no sighns of cracks or anything round the mount points after 2 yrs of heavy use.
Tim

Tim 's right. I did exactly that this summer when I poured the floor for my new garage. I also have in floor heating so I had to make sure no lines were near the spot where holes had to be drilled.

I have a (1) 10000 lbs Rotary 2 post and (2) Rotary Revolution 4 post lifts. I have 6 inch slab with Radiant Floor heating. As stated, the 4 post is good for storage and oil changes. I am very pleased with my ROTARY products.

John

I built shop in 1995 and put in 2 Rotary 9000# 2-post lifts and a 12,000 ALM 4 post drive on lift. I did extensive research before making the purchase and found lots of differences between the manufacturers. The biggest issue with the 2 post lifts that I had issue with was the type of pad / pod that contacts the vehicle to lift it. The rotary uses a cast design that will stand up or lay flat and you can also get a truck adapter that will make it another 4" taller or so. Some of the lesser quality lifts use a pipe with a pad on it and they are somewhat unstable for working on a vehicle in my opinion and experience. The 4 post drive on style lifts have many different designs for the safety locks. Be cautious when purchasing a lift that you plan on standing under to work and park another car under. Some don't have a very positive locking method nor very strong from what I've seen. You should also look at the cables and pulleys that raise the lift on a 4 post, again lots of design differences and remember your life is going to be underneath it. The last issue to watch out for when buying a used life is to make sure that the cables, latches, guides are all in good order. I got to be good friends with a guy who worked on and installed lifts and he recommends that cables on a 4 post used in a commercial shop be replaced after 10-15 years of service. Bottom line with lifts, be safe.

Don