EMan 928

Has anyone heard of Direct Lift? I'm looking at Bend Pak, but came across Direct Lift, which is another ALI certified option.

Eplebnista

I looked at Direct Lift products when I was shopping for my lift. I think this used to be a U.S. brand but the name got purchased by somebody and they are now, like anything other than a Mohawk or a higher end Rotary, made somewhere in Asia.

Go to the Garage Journal website and search their forums. There are several days worth of threads on lifts. My recollection is that the Direct LIfts are decent and certainly good enough for homeowner use. You might want to look and Dannmar, which is Bend Pak's asian product.

I got a Rotary Revolution because She Who Must Be Obeyed works in the tire business and her company will only use Rotary lifts. In the end, keeping her happy over my lift choice mostly drove my decision. Happy Wife, Happy Life. She did not need to know that the Revolution is their asian product.

There's a body of thought out there that ALI certification is not very meaningful. Wasn't an issue for me in the final analysis as stated above. Lifts in shops go up and down more in a week than a homeowner lift probably does in a year.

Adamant1971

I have a direct lift and yes they are ALI certified. I have used mine 100's of times with no issues. Solid as a rock.

polecat702

I've got a Workhorse portable lift. Costs a little more, but the fact that it can be moved to where you need it was the selling point for me. Plus unlike, the stationary lifts it uses 110 volts. Plug it in almost any where you can run an extension cord.

cobalt

They sure are more reasonably priced. I have a bendpak SP-7x scissor lift. Pricey but an excellent unit. I recessed it into my floor and drive over it when not in use although lately it is used all the time.

Don Carter

I have had a Direct Lift 9000lb 2 post overhead model, for about 4 years and it's been perfect. I believe some are certified and some are not. The cheaper models are not because certification has a per unit cost. Mine is not and couldn't care less. I paid about $1600 and got it from a dealer in Ft. Worth, Derek Weaver I think it was called?

I bought mine on the recommendation of Brad in DFW who is also very happy with his unit.

Chalkboss

I am getting a Direct Lift HR8000 and from what I hear they are fine for a shadetree mechanic. No issues with quality from what I can see. Can't beat the price at 1800. The US made one is twice as much and as much as I love supporting US manufacturing I just can't stomach another 1800, especially after building a garage.

Don Carter

Just be careful to get a lift with the right arm length. Some have longer arms that are not well suited for the 928. If you tell the dealer how you are going to use it, they should steer you to the right model.

Chalkboss

Don, are you referring to asymmetric vs symmetric arms? The HR8000 has symmetric arms, I was not aware of a problem with the 928. I see you have the asymmetric 9000.

Doug_B_928

I have the direct lift PP8S (4 post) and it has been great (note: this is also a 110v plug). If you get a 4 post then also plan on getting at least one jack (and preferably two), which increases the price significantly.

Gary Knox

Don T.

There is a potential issue with equal arms on a lift. The post then comes at or nearly at the rear of the door, making it hard to open the door very far when the car is in position. That is an advantage of the asymmetric lift, as the post is just a bit aft of the door mirror, allowing much larger opening of the doors for egress or access to the interior.

Don Carter

Don T.

Gary explains it well. I'm not sure there is a definite problem with the symetric arms, but since the lift points are closer together on the 928 then some other cars, you may have more trouble getting the car and the arms in the right place. I really like the asymmetric arms as my door will open widely while on the lift. It looks kindof out of balance from the side, like 3/4 of the car is on one side of the lift, but it all works well.

Chalkboss

Thanks. I might have to reconsider the HR8000 lift, I would like to be able to get in and out without a hassle or having to roll the car around. Time to go home and measure, I think I have enough vertical clearance for the 9000.

dr bob

My only possible consideration for a permanently-mounted lift is an assymetric. I use the space to park the car even when it isn't being worked on, and theability to open the doors to get in and out is critical. I chose the MaxJax for its abilaity to be unbolted and moved out of the way when not needed as the best compromise. I built the garage bay, added the 220V connection at the top where a column would sit, all with a 9k assymetric two-post lift in mind. But I use the garage for other things, and the columns would be in the way more than they would be used. Using the MaxJax, the columns are set pretty wide at 132" outside-of-column. The car sits with mirrors at column centers, doors open part way, enough to squeeze in and out OK.

17prospective buyer

See if there's any old Rotary 2-posts for sale from an old shop. They're bulletproof.