Testimony for the Pro Park 9000 Plus...
Guys,
For what it’s worth I researched lifts for two years—every single brand including Rotary. I was all set to go with Backyard Buddy sleeve design until the Direct Lift Pro Park 9 Plus 9000 Pound Lift came out. I checked this lift out and it is built better than anything out there today (just my opinion, of course!) and very, very well-priced.
Heavy stock, adjustable lock plates so you can fine-tune for perfect leveling (as opposed to fixed notches on the sleeve design of BB), beautiful welds and everything overbuilt—every single piece thick, properly welded, perfectly finished. And the hydraulic cylinder shaft was thicker than every other I had compared (yes, I made a spreadsheet). Other engineering items I can get into as well, such as cables running inside the columns into the top plates, so top plates are subject to only vertical downward compressive force on the full strength of the column, instead of cables that run outside parallel to the columns, and therefore create upward "pivot" force on the top plate bolts only, etc. etc. Anyhow, just the lift itself checked in at over 2,400 pounds as I recall.
I also liked that the 9000 has full-width steel trim panels that go OVER THE LOCK ROD ASSEMBLIES on either end to cap them off with smooth finish—no exposed rods or moving parts to get dirty or snag. Totally smooth, finished appearance inside, outside, underneath. They did not have to add all that onto an already great lift— it was just “gravy” and an indication of quality and attention to detail. They use the SPX Stone motor which is the best in the business, and they didn’t even “crow” about it.
I bought mine through Greg Smith in nearby Delaware—they had just opened a new operation there (lucky me). I had them deliver it to a lift service company, and the installer hauled it out on their own time and put it together in a few hours in my garage. Kept the drinks coming, talked cars, helped in some of the heavy parts because the head installer had thrown his back out the night before (I swear!). Since I have a cathedral ceiling I was able to boost the height so it remains on the top notch and I never have any clearance problems. Cost me about a grand over purchase price for acceptance, delivery, and setup. Delaware is tax-free as well.
If you can’t already tell, I’m still ecstatic about what I considered to be a high-risk decision. Way more than pleased. The only thing I did after they left was fine adjust, double check the bolt tightnesses, and (laugh now) drag a hose into the garage with some simple green and a bucket, turned on the TV (to Speed, of course), and washed it down to clean off the dirt and grease before rolling my baby on to it.
This lift, including the accessories, was LESS THAN HALF the cost of the usuriously-priced Backyard Buddy, plus it came with drip trays (I bought 3 extra so the entire length of the lower car is protected), and the most robust polyurethane casters I’ve ever seen so it can be moved around if necessary. Again, these were all included! Considering the quality, the easiest decision I ever made on something this important.
No affiliation with Direct Lift or Greg Smith—just a “measure four times, cut once” type of guy who’d tell you to at least seriously consider the Direct Lift Pro Park 9 Plus based on awesome personal experience. Plus, coming in black, it matches the X's! :biggrin:
Hope this perspective helps somebody...
Good Luck!