NGE GARAGE EQUIPMENT SERVICES LTD
62 Mansfield Lane, Calverton, Nottingham, East Midlands, NG14 6HL
Which lift is right for me?
Some of the factors to consider when choosing which lift is right for your business.
Lifting Capacity
One of the primary considerations when choosing a lift is the type of vehicle that you will be using it for. While most cars and SUVs will weigh between 1000kg (1-ton) and 2000kg (2-tons), you have to ask yourself, "what is the heaviest vehicle we are likely to encounter?"
The Safe Working Load (SWL) of a lift is a hard-and-fast limit and must be observed at all times. Exceeding this limit will render any warranty invalid - and possibly endanger the safety of your employees.
Power Supply
Does your garage/workshop have a three-phase or a single-phase electricity supply? Make sure any wiring is carried out by a certified tradesperson.
Mobility
Do you have a dedicated area for vehicle lifting or do you want the flexibility of a mobile lift? While larger two or four post lifts will most likely be bolted to the floor, lighter scissor lifts are highly mobile and can even be wheeled outside or to a different workshop.
Space
How much space do you have to work in? Of course, there is no point installing a lift into a space if you can't open the doors of the vehicle on it - or if there is no room to work alongside it. Consider how much space you reasonably need to work in, and bear in mind any other tools or diagnostic machinery that also has to fit alongside.
Also, consider your ceiling-height. A mid-rise lift may be more suitable if the ceilings are lower.
Access
Which part of the vehicle do you need to access? If the core of your business is wheels and tyres, then a mid-rise scissor lift may be ideal. However, if you spend all your time fitting exhaust systems, something with a higher lift would be more suitable.
Storage
Some people use lifts to store cars on (storing one car above the other effectively doubles your floor space). Clearly a two-post or four post lift will be more useful than a scissor lift in this case. Make sure the lift has sufficient capacity and that it is designed to stay in the raised position for extended periods of time.
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