One of the most crucial purchases you can make for your car repair company or garage is an automotive lift.
But choosing the best automotive car lift might be challenging for newcomers in the automotive industry given the market’s abundance of brands and types. You can repair anything with wheels thanks to the numerous variations of car lifts, truck lifts, portable lifts, alignment lifts, floor vehicle lifts, garage lifts, bus lifts, hydraulic car lifts, service lifts, mobile column lifts, duty car lifts, platform lifts, and motorcycle lifts, but you’ll need to make an informed decision.
This is the reason we’ve compiled a list of our top mechanical car lifts. We have you covered for 2-post lifts, 4-post lifts, and even scissor lifts.
So take a seat back, unwind, and let us walk you through the straightforward process of choosing a car lift for your auto repair shop.
What is A Vehicle Lift?
One of the most significant objects on exhibit in the majority of service and repair bays is a car lift. They are crucial to the upkeep and repairs of vehicles. Lifts are necessary pieces of equipment in any business or auto commercial shop since they are used more frequently than any other equipment in your store.
The market’s need for lift manufacturing has resulted in a wide variety of lifts that all serve a variety of clients and types of auto shops. Here are the many elevator kinds and their functions so that you can make an informed decision about which brand to choose for your auto repair shop:
Two Post Lift
It is frequently mentioned as the most prevalent kind of accessible vehicle lift. The two strong posts and dependable stabilizing arms of two-post auto lifts are well-known for their strength, safety features, good weight rating, accessory adapters, and design features.
For small companies or amateurs just starting out in the repair business, 2-post car lifts are a more affordable alternative than a huge investment. They are fantastic since they take up little room in your garage, saving you space. These lifts have single piece column construction. Its advanced models are one of the amazing garage tools.
Additionally, there are several kinds of two-post lifts; therefore, it’s critical to understand their distinctions. The first two options for two-post lifts are symmetrical and asymmetrical.
Because their posts are oriented squarely at one another, symmetrical lifts are simpler to spot. Additionally, the support arm assemblies support around 50% of the weight individually.
Asymmetrical lifts, on the other hand, feature swing arms that differ in length from front to rear and even have a rotational post design.
Overhead lifts, base-plate two-post lifts, and floorplate lifts are other varieties of two-post lifts. Hydraulic hoses and equalization cables are routed through the tops of overhead lifts. In floorplate lifts, these wires run on the bottom.
Four Post Lifts
Four-post lifts are simple to use and cater to larger customers. However, residential garages and any size shop are particularly popular among hobbyists. This is so that floor anchors are not required for this series of lifts.
Four post lifts offer both variation and a high lifting capacity. Your search is effectively narrowed down to a more focused weight capacity as a result.
The open front lift, which lacks a front crossbar, is the earliest variety of four-post lifts. It enables simple entry and departure for operators from the vehicle’s bottom. As a result, front-end modification is quick and simple.
The second choice is the closed front four post lift, which features the bar stated before in the front of the lift. The sort of work you’ll be performing on your automobiles will determine everything.
Lifts with four posts could cost a little more. However, if you’re searching for mobility, maximum lifting, capacity, and storage, a four-post lift is the best option.
Portable Car Lifts
When limited room is an issue, a portable lift is a must-consider option. Some of us have small garages and minimal space, in which case portable elevators might be useful. Since most companies provide a portable version of their lifts, there are many distinct types of portable lifts. But keep in mind that with portable car lifts, limited space is sacrificed for utility. This implies that you will eventually purchase a portable four-post lift due to the space issue.
Scissor Car Lifts
As a mid-lift-type hoist, scissor lifts are frequently employed. In situations where raising your car to significant ceiling heights is not necessary, they may also be utilized for wheel service.
Scissor lifts, like four-post lifts, are available in a variety of heights and lift capacities to meet the demands of both professional businesses and enthusiasts.
6,000 Lb Low-rise scissor lifts are renowned for reaching heights of up to 36 inches.
6,000 Lb Mid-rise scissor lifts are built to withstand the stresses of working in a busy business setting.
Full-rise scissor lifts may travel any place above that, whereas mid-rise lifts can reach up to 48 inches in height.
Additionally, these lifts are renowned for maintaining a low profile, which makes mounting essentially hassle-free. Apart from situating your car over the scissor lift, not much else is needed.
Parking Lifts
Parking lifts are subject to the widespread misperception that you may use them to operate your automobiles just like any other lift. That is untrue. Parking elevators have a reduced environmental impact, but they cannot be used for automobile servicing, maintenance, or repair. The only use for these elevators is parking.
A whole drive-on deck is present in parking lifts, as opposed to two runways. The raising platform is made to allow you to park another car below it and is supported by either a single post or two posts. It helps in providing additional parking space with various weight ratings, like a 6,000-pound weight capacity car lift, an 8,000-pound weight capacity car lift, and even a 10,000-pound weight capacity car lift.
Final Words
The advantages of buying a car lift are numerous. Before going out to get one, the first thing you need to do is make sure you know how much room you want and need it to take up. Your demands as a business owner, as well as your budget, your power requirements and need for lift capacity, your maximum lift height will determine which of the types of lifts we listed in this post is the ideal lift for you.
