BendPak Lifts is one of the most recognized names in automotive lifting equipment. Based in Santa Paula, California, BendPak manufactures a wide range of lifts for both commercial and residential applications. In Iowa, BendPak is best known for their HD-9 series home storage lifts — the premium option for homeowners who want the best build quality, the most size options, and air-lock safety convenience. automotive lift types
Auto Lift Services sells and supports BendPak Lifts across Iowa. We help homeowners choose the right model for their garage and provide guidance on installation and setup.
BendPak Lifts HD-9 Series — The Premium Home Storage Platform
The HD-9 series is BendPak’s flagship home storage product line. At 9,000 pounds of capacity with air-lock safety, aircraft-grade cables, and five different configurations, the HD-9 covers every Iowa home storage scenario from standard 2-car garages to custom-built collector spaces.
What Sets BendPak Lifts Apart
Air-lock safety release. Press a button to release the locks — no manual lever pulling. This requires a small air supply (30 PSI minimum, 3 CFM), but the convenience and safety of hands-free lock release is worth it. A small portable compressor or even a dedicated air tank can maintain the required pressure.
Aircraft-grade cables. Each BendPak HD-9 uses 3/8-inch aircraft cables rated at 14,400 pounds each. Combined cable strength exceeds 640 percent of the lift’s rated capacity. This is substantial over-engineering — the cables will never be the failure point.
12 locking positions. Every 4 inches of travel has a secure locking position. This gives you flexibility to set the stored vehicle at exactly the right height for the vehicle underneath — maximizing clearance without wasting vertical space.
ETL and CE certification. BendPak Lifts products are independently tested and certified to North American and European safety standards.
BendPak HD-9 Model Comparison
BendPak Lifts offers five HD-9 configurations. Choosing the right one depends on your Iowa garage dimensions and the vehicles you plan to store:
HD-9 — Standard. 70-inch rise, 88-inch columns, 110-inch overall width, 200-inch length with ramps. This is the baseline BendPak Lifts model. It fits most standard 2-car Iowa garages (20 feet wide minimum) and stores sedans, coupes, and compact SUVs effectively.
HD-9XL — Extended Length. Same as the HD-9 but with 224-inch length (24 inches longer). Choose this BendPak Lifts model when your stored vehicle has a long wheelbase — crew-cab trucks, full-size SUVs, or extended-body sedans. The extra runway length prevents rear wheel overhang.
HD-9ST — Narrow. 100-inch overall width instead of 110 inches. This BendPak Lifts model fits Iowa garages that are tight on width — older homes, single-car garages converted for storage, or garages where wall-mounted cabinets reduce available width. The 10-inch width reduction can be the difference between fitting and not fitting.
HD-9STX — Narrow + Extra Height. Combines the narrow width (100 inches) with extra height (82-inch rise, 100-inch columns). For Iowa homeowners with narrow garages but tall ceilings — this BendPak Lifts configuration maximizes clearance underneath while fitting in tight spaces.
HD-9XW — Standard Width + Extra Height. Standard width with 82-inch rise and 100-inch columns. The BendPak Lifts model for Iowa homeowners with standard-width garages and tall ceilings who want maximum clearance underneath for trucks and SUVs.
Shared HD-9 Specifications
All BendPak Lifts HD-9 models share these specs:
- Capacity: 9,000 lbs
- Runway width: 19 inches with 37.5 inches between runways
- Electrical: 220V, single-phase, 60Hz
- Air: 30 PSI minimum, 3 CFM for lock release
- Rise time: approximately 50 seconds
- Cable: 3/8-inch aircraft grade, 14,400 lbs rated per cable
BendPak HD-9SW — Double-Wide for Large Garages
Iowa homeowners with 3-car garages or custom-built oversized garages should look at the BendPak Lifts HD-9SW. At 202 inches wide (nearly 17 feet), this double-wide model stores two vehicles side by side on the upper platform. Park two cars on top, two underneath — four vehicles in the space that normally holds two.
The SWX variant adds extra height (82-inch rise, 102-inch columns) for taller vehicles underneath. Rise time is 55 to 65 seconds depending on the variant.
The HD-9SW requires a garage width of at least 20 feet (ideally 22 feet for comfortable access). Many newer Iowa homes with 3-car garages exceed this easily.
BendPak HD-973PX — Tri-Level Parking
For the Iowa car collector who needs maximum density, BendPak Lifts makes the HD-973PX — a three-level parking lift that stores three vehicles in a single footprint. The bottom platform holds 9,000 pounds, the top holds 7,000 pounds, and they operate independently.
The catch: 173-inch column height (14 feet 5 inches). This requires a purpose-built garage with exceptional ceiling height. Standard residential construction does not provide this clearance. But for collectors building custom garage structures — and Iowa has a number of serious car collectors — the HD-973PX is the ultimate storage solution.
BendPak HD-7500 — Boat Storage
Iowa’s boating community — centered around the Mississippi River, Iowa Great Lakes, and Saylorville and Red Rock reservoirs — creates steady demand for boat storage lifts. BendPak Lifts addresses this with three HD-7500 models:
HD-7500BLX — Extended length for boats up to approximately 20 feet. 82-inch rise, 100-inch columns, 224-inch total length with ramps.
HD-75BXT — Extended height for taller boats or taller vehicles underneath. 82-inch rise, 100-inch columns, 248-inch length (longest BendPak Lifts model).
HD-7500PBX — Pedestal model for boats on trailers. 144-inch rise (12 feet), 157-inch columns (over 13 feet). This BendPak Lifts model raises a boat-on-trailer overhead so you can park a car underneath. Requires a very tall garage.
All boat storage models handle 7,500 pounds, which covers most recreational boats Iowa owners would store in a garage. Power: 208-230V single-phase. Air: 3-25 CFM at 50-150 PSI.
BendPak Lifts Installation in Iowa
BendPak Lifts home storage units ship partially assembled. Assembly typically takes 6 to 10 hours and requires:
- A helper (minimum two people for column and runway handling)
- Standard hand tools
- A floor jack or engine hoist for lifting runways into position
- 220V electrical connection (may require an electrician)
- Air supply for lock operation (compressor or air tank)
Iowa homeowners should verify their garage dimensions and ceiling height before ordering. BendPak Lifts provides detailed dimension drawings for each model — compare every measurement to your garage before committing. Pay special attention to ceiling height with a vehicle on top and to the garage door track clearance.
Auto Lift Services provides installation guidance and can arrange professional installation for Iowa homeowners who prefer it.
Buying BendPak Lifts in Iowa
BendPak Lifts products are available through Auto Lift Services for Iowa delivery. We provide product selection guidance based on your garage dimensions, vehicle collection, and budget.
Josiah Ragsdale
Founder, Automotive Lift Services
Josiah has been installing, repairing, and inspecting automotive lifts since he was 18 years old. He founded Automotive Lift Services in 2019 after years of seeing lifts installed wrong, never inspected, and putting technicians at risk. His team now services all 50 states from their Iowa headquarters. Read more
Our Clients Include: