Considering a mid rise lift for my shop -- any experience to share?

[jimgerken]

Was thinking about a motorcycle lift, then realized a mid rise lift could do all the smaller vehicles like the motorcycle lift can, and my cars and trucks too. The idea would be to have capabillity to lift and service pretty much everything I own (sled, atv, UTV, lawn mower, car, truck, etc) with this one lift (maybe need to add a platform of sorts for the smaller items). At 6000 lbs capacity, even the tractor could get a lift for whatever reason came up (tires maybe). There is Atlas and Bendpak, other brands. Most everything looks to be imported, designed here of course, but built in china. Most are hydraulic, most also can be moved with the motor/pump unit acting as a dolly. Here is a video in case you are not familiar.
BendPak MD-6XP Mid-Rise Car Lift - Portable Scissor Lift - YouTube
I don't care to attach anything to the floor, since I have RF heat, and I like the versitility of being able to move the lift to different parts of the shop or even take it to the other building for use if I want. Some of these will lift to 52 inches high. Still not standing height, but darn nice for rolling around on a nice shop stool working under the car, instead of ramps and creeper method. The price is about $1500 - $1700, fyi.
Anyone using one, have an opinion, recommendation? thanks

 

[jimgerken]

Hmmm, turns out that Harbor Freight has one too. It looks suspiciously JUST like the Atlas and Bend Pack brands. You don't suppose they are all made in the same factory do you? Automotive Scissor Lift
and here is, incredibly, what I was thinking about doing with the "platform" idea I mentioned earlier, to work on the smaller vehicles !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYSkjK0HOYI

 

[murphy1244]

Hmmm, turns out that Harbor Freight has one too. It looks suspiciously JUST like the Atlas and Bend Pack brands. You don't suppose they are all made in the same factory do you? Automotive Scissor Lift

That thing looks like junk. Not the same to me.

 

[bcp]

That thing looks like junk. Not the same to me.

Someone likes it.

Bruce

 

[murphy1244]

That's not the same either.

 

[jimgerken]

How can you tell by the photos and videos its "junk" ? Really they all look alike to me, with what little you can tell by the online stuff.

 

[murphy1244]

How can you tell by the photos and videos its "junk" ? Really they all look alike to me, with what little you can tell by the online stuff.

Read the specs on # 2

 

[Mendonsy]

A local service station had one of those Bend-Pak lifts for a while. It was OK for some stuff like changing tires, but would not lift anywhere near 6000#. It was downright shaky when it was up more than a couple of feet.

 

[BukitCase]

Jim, I know I'm pretty good at spending YOUR money :laughing: But here's a basic Idea of what I intend to do in my shop addition when it's done, same reasons for wanting portability but only wanting to buy ONCE (my neighbor has one of these and loves it)...Steve