BendPak HDS-27X Four-Post Heavy-Duty Lift, Extended Runways

The HDS-27X is the one lift in this series whose runways can be set at two different spacings, and that is worth knowing before you pour concrete. BendPak publishes it as a choice: 40" (1,016 mm) or 45.25" (1,149 mm) between the runways, which moves the runway centreline from 67.25" (1,708 mm) to 72.5" (1,842 mm) and the outside edge of the runways from 89.25" (2,267 mm) to 94.5" (2,400 mm). Narrow suits passenger-width track and gives more room either side of the runways for a technician to stand; wide suits dual-wheel commercial track. Choose it against the fleet you actually service, because it changes the working footprint of the lift by more than five inches.

Capacity is 27,000 lbs (12,247 kg), split as 13,500 lbs (6,123 kg) maximum on each axle. This is the class of lift that takes stretch limousines, semi-tractors, city buses and municipal vehicles.

Will it fit?

Overall width is 153.5" (3,899 mm), with 133.5" (3,391 mm) between the columns and columns standing 91.25" (2,318 mm) tall. Outside length is 317" (8,051 mm) and overall length 372.75" (9,468 mm). Drive-through clearance between the carriages is 109" (2,769 mm). Runways are 22" (559 mm) wide and sit 9.5" (241 mm) off the floor at rest. The power unit runs on 220V, 60 Hz single phase and is rated at 45 dB.

Capacity also derates with wheelbase: the full rating needs a 230" (5,842 mm) wheelbase, falling to 195" (4,953 mm) at 75%, 165" (4,191 mm) at 50% and 130" (3,302 mm) at 25%. Short and heavy is the combination that catches people out.

Confirm the runway length before you plan the bay. Published figures differ: the opening copy on this page gives 323" runways; the feature section a few paragraphs later gives 317.5" runways, described as nearly 27 feet long; BendPak's own specification sheet gives a length of runways of 315.5" (8,014 mm). All three are set out here with the source each comes from. If you are fitting this lift into a measured bay, ask us to confirm the runway length in writing before you order — we will get it straight from BendPak.

Confirm the rise figure as well. The page's feature copy says the runways rise 58.25" in the air; the specification sheet gives a maximum rise of 60" (1,524 mm) and a maximum lifting height of 69.5" (1,765 mm). If working height under the vehicle is your deciding factor, ask us to confirm the current figure in writing before you order.

Concrete thickness and strength, anchoring, ceiling height and the electrical supply are the buyer's responsibility to verify. BendPak's installation and operation manual, linked in the downloads on this page, is the governing document.

The lock system, and the one behind it

Multiple lock positions engage as the lift rises and release on descent from the operator's position — thirteen positions, spaced every 4" (102 mm) — so nobody has to walk around the lift working manual releases, which is how other designs handle it. Runway level is held by a built-in flow divider rather than by an operator watching and correcting.

The second system is the one that matters on a bad day. If excess cable slack ever develops, the runways are caught by a secondary lock, the vehicle stays level, and the fault can be dealt with safely rather than urgently. Two independent systems is the design intent; neither is a substitute for maintenance.

Sheaves, axles and where a four-post lift actually wears

Each sheave is 12" in diameter, running on 4" sheave axles. Both figures are deliberately generous: a bigger sheave body means a gentler bend radius for the cable on every cycle, and a bigger axle spreads the load over more bearing area. Between them they reduce wear on the three components that determine how long a four-post lift stays in service — cables, sheaves and axles. The lifting cables are galvanized and fully enclosed, a single hydraulic under-runway cylinder does the work with an integrated flow restrictor built in, and grease nipples are provided for routine maintenance. Base plates are 12" x 12".

Wheel service and bridge jacks

Bridge jacks raise the wheels clear of the runways so wheel, brake and hub work can be done with the vehicle still up. BendPak's heavy-duty options include the RJ15000, a 15,000 lbs jack suited to super-duty vehicles; a pair will lift all four wheels off the runways for full access. For vehicles of this size a four-post lift with rolling jacks is generally a safer and more efficient way to do wheel service than a two-post lift, and it saves the floor space a separate machine would take. Jacks are ordered separately.

Perfect For

• Commercial fleet shops servicing semi-tractors, box trucks and municipal vehicles
• Bus, coach and stretch-limousine maintenance operations
• Shops moving into heavy-duty work who want length as well as capacity
• Facilities needing a lift that also serves as heavy vehicle storage

What's in the Box

The HDS-27X four-post structure with extended runways, galvanized fully enclosed lifting cables, 12" cable sheaves on 4" axles, the single under-runway hydraulic cylinder with integrated flow restrictor, spring-loaded safety locks plus the secondary cable-slack lock system, 12" x 12" base plates, grease nipples and the electric-hydraulic power unit with operator controls. Rolling bridge jacks, anchors, concrete work and electrical installation are separate.

Specifications

Certification, honestly

This lift carries a CE marking, and BendPak states that it meets or exceeds the standards prescribed by European Standard EN-1493. Understand exactly what that is before you rely on it. A CE marking is a manufacturer's own declaration of conformity against European directives. It is a real and meaningful statement, but it is a declaration made by the manufacturer, not a certificate issued by an independent North American testing body against the North American automotive lift standard — different document, different issuer, different directory to check it in.

For most buyers this changes nothing. For some it changes everything: commercial insurers, corporate fleet safety policies and certain local jurisdictions specifically require the North American third-party listing and will not accept a European conformity declaration in its place. We have not verified any such listing for this model. If your insurer, your customer contract or your local code sets that requirement, confirm it before you buy and we will put in writing what documentation BendPak provides.

Shipping and delivery

Freight only, to the lower 48 states. The runways alone make this an awkward shipment, so plan the unload first: a forklift or equivalent equipment with the capacity and reach, or terminal pickup from the carrier collected with suitable equipment. Residential delivery is available and carries a residential fee. This item ships free, so there is nothing to add at checkout.

Check the shipment against the delivery receipt and write any damage onto the paperwork before you sign. Warehouse pickup for BendPak equipment can be arranged at the locations shown in the Pick Up and Delivery section of this page — call us to set it up.

Warranty

BendPak's written warranty document covers this lift and is linked from this page. It is the governing text and its terms are not restated here. Whatever it says, one rule applies to every hydraulic lift: open the claim before you open the equipment. A cylinder or power unit taken apart before inspection is very often a claim refused. Photograph the fault, take the lift out of service, and contact us.