The patent-pending Octa-Flex concept, a new two-post lift design that features two sets of arms (triple-telescoping swing arms plus all-new integrated lift-assist arms), from BendPak will make its global premiere at NADA Expo in Las Vegas.
Octa-Flex offers all the functionality of a traditional two-post lift while enabling technicians to do things like tackle cab-off repairs without the help of additional component-handling equipment or a second technician. The primary lift arms hold the vehicle while the Octa-Flex lift-assist arms can be used to help safely and ergonomically lift and maneuver heavy vehicle components like EV battery packs, drivetrains, tires, and wheel assemblies with precision, ensuring seamless workflow while reducing the risk of workplace injuries. When not in use, the powered lift-assist arms can be moved up out of the way, so the lift can be used as a standard two-post model.
In addition to the assist arms, the Octa-Flex's primary lifting arms offer a number of benefits as well. The three-stage arms extend and retract further than any other, according to Bendpak, due to their patent-pending design that enables the inner arm tubes to retract fully through the back of the arm assembly and even beyond the arm pin itself, providing unfettered access to a wide range of vehicle lifting points. Their lower profile and dropped-end pad receiver lets them access hard-to-reach lifting points with less chance of damage to vehicle side skirts, running boards or ground effects, even on low-slung sportscars or EVs.
"Octa-Flex lift-assist arms act like that second set of hands you wish you had when you need to remove a 1,200-lb EV battery or wrestle 100-lb wheels and tires off a truck, said Jeff Kritzer, Bendpak president and CEO. "Now you don't have to 'put your back into it' or grab a buddy. Our Octa-Flex lifts will help technicians get more work done with less physical effort and strain."
The concept for the Octa-Flex features BendPak's patent-pending Automatic Swing Arm Restraint System (ASARS) to keep the primary lift arms in place. ASARS offers twice as much holding grip as traditional systems, according to BendPak. Its 360-degree forged steel teeth secure the arms in place to withstand more than 2,000 lbs of side force that can be generated during vehicle service.
Anticipated for the fall of 2024, the global launch will encompass models with rated capacities of both 10,000 lbs and 12,000 lbs.
