There appears to be only a couple of options in light duty 4 Post Lifts. The Backyard Buddy and the other cheaper alternative from China. Does anyone have any experience, and opinions on eiither. I would be using it for under car work and storage of the Hot Rod. The old back is telling me I can't keep crawling under cars for much longer.
I bought a show special Backyard Buddy at Goodguys in Scottsdale five years ago. Know what you mean about laying on your back under a car when you get to be an old phart. I talked to the BYB rep at Scottsdale last fall and he was getting hammered by customers who were looking at Chinese lifts that sold for $1000-$1200 less than the BYB. If you compare them side by side (or booth by booth at a car show), the BYB is far superior and worth the price they're asking. Look at the posts and the slots to catch the safety cogs on both types and you will pop for the BYB!
I purchased a Direct Lift a little better than a year ago and love it. I have used it extensivly and have no complaints. It cost me 2 grand and came with a caster kit (I have yet to use) three drip trays and a jack trey. My only warning make sure you know where your toes are when the lift is being lowered. Five broken bones later I won't do that again. It will handel the load too. I have had everything from a Cavalier to a F-150 Super Crew on it with no worries.
Check the yellow pages for an outfit that sells auto equipment & see if they have a used one. I bought a rotary 4 post lube rack ( has a cat walk around three sides & a ladder) very reasonable, less than 2000. You might also check out Nothern Tool & Equipment. B-O-B
http://www.targetlifts.com/ Says they're made in America http://www.asedeals.com/four_post_lifts.html these guys too. Did you do a Google? Look in Hemmings - there's usually a half dozen ads. I looked at BYB at a show and bought a Perfect Park 7000. A few weeks later I found out my buddy did the same thing. I've had the Perfect Park for 5 years with no problems (other than wearing the paint off the drive on service (winter salt)). Here's their site http://www.liftsunlimited.com/ BTW, I was talking to a lift salesman at a show remarking how his lift (I think it was an Eagle) was so simular to the one I had. He "came clean" and said most of the American lifts (other than BYB) came from a single source in Fort Worth. Take it for what it's worth - remember I heard it from a salesman (but one that knew I wasn't in the market for a lift.) Dennis
Like Dennis above, I have had a Perfect Park 7000 for four years now and am completely satisfied. Only mistake I made was to not get the aluminum on ramps. Bill
I've had my BYB for about 12 years and have never had a problem with it. I use it about 4-5 times a week for everything from wrenching to oil changes to waxing. I decided to buy the BYB based on their safety catches. I don't want a 3000 lb. car over my head with the Chinese-welded on safety catches. Due to my own stupidity, I once, about 8 years ago, nearly dropped a car off the BYB. The rear quarter of the car was hanging off the lift and hung there for 2 hours, while I changed my shorts and called some friends to come over to help me get it back on the lift. We got it back on the ramps and the BYB and the BYB never wavered. Yeah, it's a lot of money, but you get what you pay for. BTW, when I called BYB to order it, I hemmed & hawed enough about the shipping costs, that they wound up not charging me for shipping. That was, like I said, about 12 years ago, but maybe it'll still work.
Thank's everybody for you input. I now have a lot more options, and information. This is what makes the HAMB so great.
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