Four Post Lift Failures????
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Just an Ole Surfer Boy
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'08-'09-'10-'13-'14
Four Post Lift Failures????
I'm looking for PICS and info on any four post lift failures/collapse. I've seen some around over the years but can't find any now. I own a Back Yard Buddy and my friend is now shopping for a four post lift. Every manufacture states that their particular lift has never had a failure. So that peeked my interest in which companies have experienced a failure.
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
Never heard of any failures in structure... Motors and hydrolics go, but the structure is usually rated for three times the capacity of the motor. (not that it can't happen, just haven't heard any)
Look, if my lift can hold this piggy, it just can't fail!
(sorry Kevin... wanna race?)
Look, if my lift can hold this piggy, it just can't fail!
(sorry Kevin... wanna race?)
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Just an Ole Surfer Boy
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'08-'09-'10-'13-'14
I bought a BYB as my research convinced me it was the best. Just my opinion and I'm sure not everyone agrees. If money were no object, what four post lift would you buy?
Last edited by Crusher; Aug 28, 2008 at 11:11 AM.
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09
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Dont these things have a safety latch like the bend-pak lifts have in case of hydraulic failure it will fall on the locks? If not, i wouldnt go under these things! 
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'08-'09-'10-'13-'14
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The picture in the Back Yard Buddy ad appears to be a cable failure. I don't think it was a structural problem. It makes sense to inspect your cables and other operating parts once in a while as good practice. If it was a latch failure I would think it was an operator error rather than a mechanical part failure. Even though the lifts don't require bolting to the floor this would increase the safety margin a lot. My 2 cents.
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Operator knowledge and preventative maintenance is key to keeping your home automotive lift working smoothly and being safe.When I researched lifts I compared specs of every lift out there, but I only wanted to buy a USA manufactured lift. That narrowed the field.
Sorry to say, BACKYARD BUDDY didn't make the finals after speaking to their salesman though. I didn't like his negativity about other companies and he was the only salesman (of eight) with that attitude. I'm not slamming their lift, just their representative.
I currently own a BEND PAK HD9 four post. I chose it because of the dual locking system. I've previously owned a SUPERLIFT four post and a FORWARD MANUFACTURING two post.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Aug 28, 2008 at 01:19 PM.
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'08-'09-'10-'13-'14
Could care less about a salesman attitude if he has the best product out there. I'm not going to buy an inferior product because I didn't like the salesman. Also, if you asked him why his lift is better then others, what would you expect him to say? Of course he is going to point out the good with theirs and the bad with others. I don't consider that slamming. I listen to what he says and then research the validity of it.
Last edited by Crusher; Aug 28, 2008 at 01:45 PM.
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Could care less about a salesman attitude if he has the best product out there. I'm not going to buy an inferior product because I didn't like the salesman. Also, if you asked him why his lift is better then others, what would you expect him to say? Of course he is going to point out the good with theirs and the bad with others. I don't consider that slamming. I listen to what he says and then research the validity of it.
I didn't ask any of the lift manufacturers reps why their lift is better than another. I asked for their specs and certifications to do my own comparisons to "research the validity". That's when the BYB salesman got defensive.
Whatever lift you decide to buy, your research and comparison between different manufacturers products should be eye opening...ALI & ETL certifications, mild steel vs. structural steel, paint vs. powder coat, chain vs. cable, diamond plate vs. steel gauge, minimum height, maximum lifting height, 110v vs. 220v, adjustable width runways, width between columns, warranty, customer service support, etc.
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'08-'09-'10-'13-'14
I was recently at Corvette Carlisle and listening to the sales person's pitch on the SuperLift. When someone asked him about the BYB he stated that the BYB was over built and not necassary for the home owner so no need to spend that extra money. Not a good pitch if you ask me.
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi Crusher -
I have not seen or heard of a systemic rash of failures -
here is a link to one I found (using google)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1419373
best regards -
mqqn
I have not seen or heard of a systemic rash of failures -
here is a link to one I found (using google)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1419373
best regards -
mqqn
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I was recently at Corvette Carlisle and listening to the sales person's pitch on the SuperLift. When someone asked him about the BYB he stated that the BYB was over built and not necassary for the home owner so no need to spend that extra money. Not a good pitch if you ask me.
I guess it's all in the interpretation of what he said. His comment might be taken either way depending on what that consumer is looking for.
When you see the number of people who buy offshore made lifts for under $2,000 it makes me wonder. But, it's their choice if money is the deciding factor vs.engineering and safety...or which country is manufacturing the lift and to what minimal standards, if any.
But, if I'm going to be standing under a lift with my pride and joy on top of it, I want as much engineering as I can afford.
Some might question why BEND PAK designs their lifts with redundant safety features. It was the selling point for me.