Garage Equipment Supply and Automotive Lifts
Vehicle lifts are found in most urban cities. You see them being used by mechanics to raise vehicles for bottom access. In the past, most car lifts were of the in-ground type. These days, the majority of garages use surface-mounted lifts, which are bolted to the ground and utilize a hydraulic pump or a screw-type drive powered by an electric motor.
Here are the different types, available from garage equipment supply dealers:
In-Ground Auto Lifts
This type of vehicle lift is assembled below the floor of the garage. It consists of one or more pistons, depending on the maximum weight capacity. Lifts with one or two pistons are used to lift compact, mid-sized and full-sized cars. Lifts with three or more pistons are used for larger vehicles, such as buses and RV’s.
Two-Post Surface Mounted Vehicle Lifts
The most common car lift utilized today is called the “Two Post Surface-Mounted Lift.” On each column, there are lift arms. These are controlled mechanically, electronically or hydraulically.
Multi-Post Runway
The most common type of Multi-Post Runway lift is the four-post mounted lift, which is extensively used by oil change, transmission, and muffler service shops. You’ll find this type of vehicle lift in wheel alignment service stations as well. The car is driven onto the two runways and is then raised, exposing its underside.
Low/Mid Rise Frame Engaging Vehicle Lift
This type of automotive lift engages the vehicle’s frame while lifting. There are two ways this type may operate. One way is scissor-style, moving straight up. Another is parallelogram-style, moving forward or backward, while raising or lowering. This type is commonly used for brake, wheel, and tire services, as well as auto body repair.
Drive-On Parallelogram Vehicle Lift
The Drive-On Parallelogram Lift is a surface-mounted lift. It has two runways where the wheels of the car should be placed. It has a lifting mechanism that moves the vehicle a short distance forward or backward while raising or lowering. The direction depends upon which way the lift is mounted.
Scissor Auto Lifts
The Scissors Lift can either be of a fixed-pad type or a roll-on frame/underbody engaging type. It has a lifting mechanism that’s similar to the parallelogram lift. The main difference is that the scissor lift goes up and down, on a straight vertical path.
Movable-Type Wheel Engaging Automotive Lift
This type of lift is used for vehicles that are longer than conventional cars, such as trucks and buses. It consists of several lifting columns in sets of two, four, six, or more. Columns can be moved and connected with other columns so that their movements are synchronized.
To shop for Vehicle Lifts and other garage tools and equipment, and to find out more about automotive equipment, visit Garage Equipment Supply.
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