| Lifts are used to raise a vehicle on a stable platform, | | | | including Honda, Volkswagen and Audi. |
| allowing automotive mechanics unrestricted access to | | | | Despite changes in the design of lifts over the years, |
| inspect and repair the underbelly, transmission and | | | | many injuries and accidents occur annually. This is |
| wheels of the vehicle. Multiple vehicle lifts are standard | | | | usually due to human error rather than any flaw in the |
| equipment in most auto repair shops. In addition, some | | | | lift design. The most simple things often lead to |
| automobile enthusiasts install lifts in their homes for | | | | disaster. Auto mechanics sometimes fail to keep the |
| vehicle storage. | | | | lift area free of debris, grease/oil and obstructions. Not |
| Prior to 1920, only service pits were available for | | | | paying close attention when working around the lifts or |
| repairing and doing preventive maintenance on the | | | | allowing untrained individuals to use them are two more |
| undersides of vehicles. The hydraulic auto lift was | | | | potential problems. Some forget to wear the right |
| invented in the 1920's to reduce the time and | | | | safety gear, including goggles, a hard hat, and steel |
| equipment needed to hoist vehicles off the ground. | | | | toed boots. |
| Depending on the design used, .today's vehicle lifts can | | | | Proper use and maintenance of the equipment is |
| raise up to 50,000 pounds and can cost between | | | | essential. Blocking or overriding the controls is |
| $9,000 and $45,000. Installation not included. | | | | dangerous. The manufacturer's rated capacity is |
| In the beginning, there were no industry standards and | | | | shown on the nameplate affixed to lift. Despite this, |
| vehicle lifts varied in design and construction. After | | | | some mechanics use the lift to hoist vehicles that |
| World War II, there were only fifteen auto lift | | | | exceed the weight limit. |
| manufacturers in the United States. They recognized | | | | An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. |
| the need to develop standards to guide the industry. In | | | | Mistakes made before the vehicle is lifted are |
| 1947, the U.S. government issued its first set of | | | | accidents waiting to happen. The lift arms must be |
| standards. The Occupational Safety and Health | | | | properly positioned before the vehicle is raised. If the |
| Administration developed its own regulations in 1974. | | | | center of gravity of the car is not on the center of the |
| Today, there are three major manufacturers of heavy | | | | lift, cars may tip off. With some vehicles, removing or |
| lifts: Mohawk Resources Ltd. of Amsterdam, NY; | | | | installing items may cause a critical shift in the vehicle's |
| Advantage Lift Systems based in San Diego, CA; and | | | | center of gravity and result in instability. Mechanics |
| Rotary Lift in Madison, IN. Electric controls for lifts are | | | | should always refer to the lift manufacturer's |
| standard, and lift features vary according to price and | | | | recommendations. If there is not ample overhead |
| model. They vary depending on where they make | | | | clearance space, the vehicle may be crushed. |
| contact with the vehicle, usually the axles, frame or | | | | Mistakes also occur when the transmission is not in |
| wheels. They include single-, two-, four-post, and | | | | neutral, doors are not securely closed or the ignition is |
| scissors lifts. The single- and two-post lifts are ideal for | | | | not turned off. Some repairmen fail to lock the lift into |
| small trucks and cars. The four-post auto lift is used | | | | place before going under it. Others raise the car while |
| for most commercial and transit vehicles. The scissors | | | | someone is inside the vehicle. |
| lift saves space by having the posts in the middle of | | | | Numerous accidents occur during the lifting process. |
| the lift, operating like an open pair of scissors. | | | | The vehicle should be loaded on a lift carefully. |
| Over the years, the structure of the automobile body | | | | Mechanics should ensure that the lift supports are in |
| has changed. Vehicles previously built onto underbody | | | | contact with the manufacturer's recommended lifting |
| frames are now being constructed into frameless or | | | | points. When a secure contact is made, the lift can be |
| unibody styles. Lifts have evolved to better handle the | | | | raised to the desired working height. If work will be |
| structure of newer vehicles. Rotary, for example, has | | | | done under the vehicle, the lift should be raised high |
| developed the three stage lift. It has three telescoping | | | | enough for its locking device to be engaged. |
| sections, giving it a greater range of extension and | | | | Before lowering a lift, the mechanic should ensure that |
| retraction than other lifts. As a result, it can reach a | | | | everything is removed from under the vehicle. Locking |
| broader range of vehicle pick-up points. It has become | | | | devices should be disengaged before the lift is |
| the preferred lift of many vehicle manufacturers, | | | | lowered. |