Feeling a little sore today, yesterday I was under a 12000 pound Bendpak four post lift when the rear chain broke under the ramps. One air lock failed and it came crashing down. We had a 14 foot trailer on it that weighed between 4000 and 4500 pounds and were redoing the lights. I really feel luck to be here today.
mr55/56
As with most machines, proper maintenance and procedures go a long way in preventing failures. I have 2, 4 posts lifts and a 2 post and all 3 of them have specific procedures that are similar but different. lowering the lift down to the locks and insuring those locks are fully engaged has been the "bible" in my shop for the exact reason mr 55/56 nearly ended his life. I see so many people raise a lift and just walk under it without confirming the locks are not just locked but fully engaged.
As far as the air locks, that is sort of a misnomer. They are actually air UN-locks. the locks are spring loaded and when the air is off the locks extend. on a four post it is common for the cables to get out of tension parity and you will have the decks not perfectly leveled or "Timed so as you raise it you here the locks clicking hit the last lock and when you lower it only 3 of the 4 engage and of those 3 one might only partially engage. Then if that last dog were to slip off, all heck breaks loose.
So as maintenance goes on the 4 posts it is important to confirm proper cable tension and timing, proper lubrication on the locks and all slides. and of course operation to a ritualistic level so as to never forget proper procedure.
As far as the air locks, that is sort of a misnomer. They are actually air UN-locks. the locks are spring loaded and when the air is off the locks extend. on a four post it is common for the cables to get out of tension parity and you will have the decks not perfectly leveled or "Timed so as you raise it you here the locks clicking hit the last lock and when you lower it only 3 of the 4 engage and of those 3 one might only partially engage. Then if that last dog were to slip off, all heck breaks loose.
So as maintenance goes on the 4 posts it is important to confirm proper cable tension and timing, proper lubrication on the locks and all slides. and of course operation to a ritualistic level so as to never forget proper procedure.
we have a rotary 4 post at work. Its always dropped on the locks before going under it. i feel very safe under it, i think its a 14,000 lb lift, and we put some heavy Ram 5500's on it. I dont really get how a lift like that can fail if its dropped on the locks. If for some reason the shop air quits, you aint getting anything off this lift.
When I raise my Benpak I listen to see if all 4 locks are clicking at the same time when they hit each lock point and adjust them if they aren't. I always drop them back on the stops and check all the cables have tension on them before going under it.
Assumption is right. This why you walk around a lift with air and make sure the pin locks are in.
Yeah cable would be safer vs link chain. Meaning the chain that broke may have not if it was a cable as that one cable if 3/8 for example would hold 12-16k alone. So higher ratings in the end basically
My 2 post has 'dogs' that lock steel to steel, to keep stuff from falling. That is truly scary! I have a 11,000lb lift that my 56 lives on. I hope to use it to change oil on my 1 ton crew cab. Will be super careful.
Glad you are not more seriously injured. I am about to buy three (3) four post lifts for long term stacked storage and one (1) two post lift for working on my vehicles. I have only researched Bendpak so far but am open to others. What advice regarding brands and features can the experienced members suggest. I completely agree with periodic safety inspections. I am an engineer and know how to spec the appropriate model lifts based on weights and the car specs plus design margin for added safety. I am concerned that Brand names aren’t what they used to be regarding quality. I am after top quality not best price. Appreciate comments.
I bought my 8,000 lb 4 post lift about 15 years ago and decided that I would not rely on just the built in safety features to keep me from getting squashed like a bug so I purchased 4 - 4" X 4's from home depot and cut them to fit in the posts at max lift height. I use a bungee on each one to keep them inside the posts and hopefully if all else fails they should be able to support the lift plus a 3 to 4,000 pound car, at least long enough to run out from under the lift. Hopefully I will never have to find out. Glad you survived OK.
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I trust a lift with spring loaded pawls that physically lock in every 8-10 inches and when at height desired, lower lift until it settles completely on the pawls. My lift had a release on the switch side that would unlock them when you got ready to lower it. Pretty fool proof.
That's the way my old Western two post is you can release both sides from the same side that the lift pump is mounted on.The ones you have to go to each side to release are PITA to use.Ive seen guy's remove those locks & also the locks that lock the lift arms in position.Not smart on either one.
Glad you are OK.
Not trying to be an a-- but, If you were at work your boss/company should get those lift(s) inspected by a certified rep IMMEDIATELY!!!
#1. You should never go under the lift unless it is resting on the locks.
#2 It obviously wasn't as the chain broke.
#3 The lock failure was due to the "LOAD" falling before hitting the lock.
#4 The locks are not designed to stop a falling load but rather support a stationary one.
#5 If the chain broke it apparently needed replacing.
Lifts should be inspected regularly especially so in a commercial use environment. Once a year I believe is the ALI recommendation. We do get complacent in doing so especially during hobby use.
A suggestion is to write the date of the last inspection on a bright piece of tape ad place it near the lift motor. You will see it every time you raise or lower the vehicle. DO remember to grease as required on a regular basis. I am hoping others will see this and help avoid an accident.
Again, glad you're OK.
Not trying to be an a-- but, If you were at work your boss/company should get those lift(s) inspected by a certified rep IMMEDIATELY!!!
#1. You should never go under the lift unless it is resting on the locks.
#2 It obviously wasn't as the chain broke.
#3 The lock failure was due to the "LOAD" falling before hitting the lock.
#4 The locks are not designed to stop a falling load but rather support a stationary one.
#5 If the chain broke it apparently needed replacing.
Lifts should be inspected regularly especially so in a commercial use environment. Once a year I believe is the ALI recommendation. We do get complacent in doing so especially during hobby use.
A suggestion is to write the date of the last inspection on a bright piece of tape ad place it near the lift motor. You will see it every time you raise or lower the vehicle. DO remember to grease as required on a regular basis. I am hoping others will see this and help avoid an accident.
Again, glad you're OK.
WOW. Seeing this for the first time. Glad you are ok. Could have been a tragedy. I have a 9000 lb. 2 post lift. Most of the time I put my '55 on it and take it to the maximum height. I'm 6'2" and need it up high. I then bring it down until it locks in which is just a short distance from the top. I then use 2 tall jack stands rated at 2000 lbs each. One under the A frame and the other under the rear end. I snug them up tight then begin my work. I don't trust the lift completely. It's nothing more then electrical, mechanical and hydraulic and it obviously can fail. I wouldn't get under any lift without the tall jack stands in place, Carmine.
There's a few things I've used and respect not fear but respect , motorcycles, and slicing machine . A lift would be on that list if I ever get one .
Congrats on dodging that bullet! I'd stay away from the Lotto tickets though, as you probably used all of your luck right there.
Carmine, I applaud your approach to safety. It's no fun working on these cars unless we have peace of mind. And we need to feel comfortable before we can attain that peace of mind. And this little tirade isn't directed at you. But it did remind me of something I feel very passionate about.
Due to our over-exposure to media influences, we have become conditioned to expect the worst outcome at every turn, every day, all the time.
Rare occurrences (crashes, animal attacks, even lift failures) that would have otherwise faded into memory are now captured on video and repeated ad nauseum, for days, weeks, and months, making them appear to be the rule, rather than the exception.
To that end, I agree with Robert's point of view. At some point we have to roll with the odds, and the overwhelming odds are that with a reasonable amount of care and forethought (and common sense!), our everyday interactions of and with life will occur without incident. To think otherwise, to amplify that minimal risk inherent to every thing we do every day just creates more fear and paralysis.
Yes, I know, fear is the great motivator for safety, and a little fear (remember 'Red Asphalt' in driver training?) can go a long way. But perspective is important, too.
Example... driving. Red means stop, green means go. Simple, right? But we all know that there are people who run red lights with abandon; exception must be taken when driving. So, we are told, when that light turns green, we should wait for a couple of heartbeats before proceeding. But how long should we wait? Two seconds? Five seconds? My aunt would wait around nine seconds at a green light, causing much consternation among the drivers waiting behind her, so much so that she gave up driving altogether, as the stress created by the constant cacophony of angry horns turned her into a quivering bowl of jelly behind the wheel. Now, I know that after a two-second delay, the odds of a red-light runner running into me drop drastically. Is there still risk? Of course, but thinking one can remove all risk from life is a fool's pursuit. So I roll with the (overwhelming) odds and proceed on a green light after one, maybe two seconds.
I'm certainly not saying that folks shouldn't be careful; just that we need to find the proper balance, and not buy into the overwhelming media emphasis on what COULD go wrong, as opposed to what actually DOES go wrong.
I recommend this book:
It's a great take on how we tend to over-emphasize risk in our daily lives.
Due to our over-exposure to media influences, we have become conditioned to expect the worst outcome at every turn, every day, all the time.
Rare occurrences (crashes, animal attacks, even lift failures) that would have otherwise faded into memory are now captured on video and repeated ad nauseum, for days, weeks, and months, making them appear to be the rule, rather than the exception.
To that end, I agree with Robert's point of view. At some point we have to roll with the odds, and the overwhelming odds are that with a reasonable amount of care and forethought (and common sense!), our everyday interactions of and with life will occur without incident. To think otherwise, to amplify that minimal risk inherent to every thing we do every day just creates more fear and paralysis.
Yes, I know, fear is the great motivator for safety, and a little fear (remember 'Red Asphalt' in driver training?) can go a long way. But perspective is important, too.
Example... driving. Red means stop, green means go. Simple, right? But we all know that there are people who run red lights with abandon; exception must be taken when driving. So, we are told, when that light turns green, we should wait for a couple of heartbeats before proceeding. But how long should we wait? Two seconds? Five seconds? My aunt would wait around nine seconds at a green light, causing much consternation among the drivers waiting behind her, so much so that she gave up driving altogether, as the stress created by the constant cacophony of angry horns turned her into a quivering bowl of jelly behind the wheel. Now, I know that after a two-second delay, the odds of a red-light runner running into me drop drastically. Is there still risk? Of course, but thinking one can remove all risk from life is a fool's pursuit. So I roll with the (overwhelming) odds and proceed on a green light after one, maybe two seconds.
I'm certainly not saying that folks shouldn't be careful; just that we need to find the proper balance, and not buy into the overwhelming media emphasis on what COULD go wrong, as opposed to what actually DOES go wrong.
I recommend this book:
It's a great take on how we tend to over-emphasize risk in our daily lives.
K, You bring up some very valid points.
I will say I decided mine had to go when torquing a pinion nut to 250 ft lbs and the front of the car began to lift. No I wasn't using stands but should have been. After weighing the pro's and cons of each I jumped to the 4 post and can't say I've ever regretted it.
I will also mention that this post was started due not properly using a piece of equipment. (No offense meant to the OP). The lift was not on it's locks when the failure occurred the same as I was not using stands.
Sometimes as humans we become indolent with normal day to day things and that is wheen the opportunity for accidents happen
As for you and you r aunt with reed lights, Riding motorcycles for many years taught me to look both ways before proceeding when a light turns green and it has saved my backside more than once. they safety courses also taught other valuable things like, if you can't see a persons face in their mirrors, they can't see you 😲, and to always assume the other driver is not aware of your presence.
now If I could overcome my fear of flying that started 45 years ago 🙄🤫
I will say I decided mine had to go when torquing a pinion nut to 250 ft lbs and the front of the car began to lift. No I wasn't using stands but should have been. After weighing the pro's and cons of each I jumped to the 4 post and can't say I've ever regretted it.
I will also mention that this post was started due not properly using a piece of equipment. (No offense meant to the OP). The lift was not on it's locks when the failure occurred the same as I was not using stands.
Sometimes as humans we become indolent with normal day to day things and that is wheen the opportunity for accidents happen
As for you and you r aunt with reed lights, Riding motorcycles for many years taught me to look both ways before proceeding when a light turns green and it has saved my backside more than once. they safety courses also taught other valuable things like, if you can't see a persons face in their mirrors, they can't see you 😲, and to always assume the other driver is not aware of your presence.
now If I could overcome my fear of flying that started 45 years ago 🙄🤫
Carmine how exactly did I embellish, what you posted
If you will not get under ANY lift with out tall jack stands, you are implying that it is not safe with out them.
Do you carry a rain coat and umbrella on sunny days too.
Not implying that at all. I'll explain that to you in layman's terms, so that you understand. You seem to be struggling. I personally will not work under any two post lift without tall jack stands. Plain and simple. I see with your last sentence, you resorted to your nasty, condescending self. Some things never change, now do they, Carmine.
Don't you have anything better to do on Sunday then pile on?
Why not get back to work on that car. Maybe if it was on the road you might get less lonely.
Why not get back to work on that car. Maybe if it was on the road you might get less lonely.
Glad to hear you are ok- it is always easy for us to have 100% faith in tools, when things can definitely go bad. I remember my uncle (veteran mechanic) telling me about someone he knew who had been killed when a floor jack launched out from under a car and hit him
Always gotta keep safety first.
Always gotta keep safety first.
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