What Are The Various Types of Car & Truck Lifts?
Vehicle lifts are divided into a few categories, two are popular, and the third is unusual and specialized.
1st – Frame contact, aka: swing arm lifts, commonly used in car dealership shops and tires stores.
These lifts have two posts or columns (one per side, left or right) and they pick up the load by
meeting a designated spot on the frame of the vehicle. There are some variety but 99% are built
this way.
2nd – Runway lifts, these usually have a column or post at each of four corners. Some of these use a scissors mechanism to raise or lower vehicles. The car or truck sits on two steel runways, 16 to 21 feet long. Normally the runways have a provision for mounting a jack to further free the wheels to allow wheel removal or services. Often, for repair work, two jacks may be fitted for fast access to suspension or brakes. Very popular are smaller runway lifts, known as Parking & Storage lifts. Another popular name for Parking & Storage lifts is Hobbyist lift, These are smaller plus they cost
less the large commercial lifts.
**** Beware some people tell you that these lifts need not be bolted down to the floor. That is a foolhardy and dangerous thing for you to do, because these can become unstable. When untrained family members, friends, children and animals are present there is immanent danger. The risk of accidents, damage to humans, expensive cars and furnishings is not justifiable. Also, you cannot move the lift with a vehicle on it. An assembled lift will rarely fit thru a doorway or around structures. So, what would you gain by risking disaster encountered by not bolting
your lift into the floor? Too much at risk! ****
3rd – Platform, parking, scissors and in-ground lifts, Highly specialized, these types are built for everyday use, they are fast, easy to work. For example: stacked parking lifts in vacation resorts where anydriver might operate the lift. Some operations need a clear floor when not lifting cars, a lift built
flush with the floor is great for this. Imagine an airplane hanger with some street rods stored there.
Perhaps farm implements and truck service in the same areas of a building.
Second Question: How do I choose what is best for my use?
Choosing a lift need not be a puzzle, average reasoning will work.
1st – If you are a professional repair shop. Do your homework. As a professional you must know your
tools. Read, find a knowledgeable sales person. See what your competitors and neighbors use.
Investigate commercial finance programs. When you lease tool equipment you DO NOT go into
debt, you get someone to provide lifts that you need and you pay for each month that you use
them. A lift can be worth $50,00.00 per month to your shop, get one and start making money.
2nd – Do not buy one that is cheap Cheap is cheap, not usually good. You get what you pay for in anything. Buy what will work. Buy where you have recourse when it needs service or parts. I have sold and serviced lifts since 1960! I recall hundreds of cases where an auto repair shop called me for parts or service, they paid thousands of dollars for a lift, stood under a car that weighs 4,000 pounds, working, for thousands of hours. They rock it, pry it, bang on it. To my shock, often they know nothing about who made it, where or when. Can’t tell it’s capacity, how it works – none of that – amazing! Know your tools! (I hope they do not buy guns!)
3rd – If you are a hobbyist, it is easy. #1 rule: DO NOT BUY THE CHEAPEST! Likely you have or will build, a costly machine. First, look around, see what a professional shop has. What type of lift do they use to lift your car? Ask other folks in your particular hobby if they have a lift.
From this homework you can decide what suits your need. Find a vendor who knows the technical answers. Such as will it fit in my shop? What do I need for a floor? What electrical service do I need? How will it get to me? Do I take off work so that it gets unloaded?
Just as the case with professionals, Do not buy one because it is cheap! In the auto lift industry cheap is JUNK. The industry is unregulated. It carries no responsibility to buyer as far as truth, quality or performance. Car lifts are made in Asia, a few made in Italy and Germany. Truly, there are some fine, first class companies selling lifts but there are 50 or more who a hooligans that would sell their mother spoiled meat and tell her it is barbecue! Beware.
One important reminder: Hobbyist often work alone, at night. Disaster happen when no one is around. No one to help you in an emergency, no one on the scene to call a rescue squad. A vehicle and a lift are much like “pet snakes” treat them with a high degree of respect! In the Automotive Lift Industry cheap usually means unsafe junk. The last thing you will remember is the price you paid for that lift.
