Automotive Lifts and Their Use

Automotive lifts are necessary for mechanics, as they need to be able to work underneath a vehicle in order to repair it. There are many types of lifts available, from regular to heavy duty lifts of all sizes. Smaller, regular strength lifts are used for your everyday car and truck lifts, but there are also heavy duty truck lifts for big rigs and car carriers as well as other larger vehicles. There are also automotive lifts used for storage purposes, put into use by larger retailers or mechanics with limited space. Automotive lifts allow mechanics to shed some light on the work space and not be confined to the six inches between a car’s undercarriage and the ground.

As with any large piece of machinery, automotive lifts require consistent maintenance and vigilant safety training. If car and truck lifts are improperly installed, used, or maintained, a vehicle may fall and cause grave injury and monetary problems for the repair shop. To ensure proper training of employees, the owner should have an annual review of safety procedures and verify that technicians know the limitations of the automotive lift. Another precaution when using lifts is to not allow laypeople into the repair area, as they do not necessarily know all the risks associated with the operation of car and truck lifts. Proper installation necessitates concrete foundations to sustain the weight of the lift itself and the cars that it will hold.

Lifts should be certified by a governing body, such as the Automotive Lift Institute. A lift can only be certified if the owner has the proper paperwork, including schematic drawings, stress calculations, and evidence of user safety. It is prudent for someone looking to purchase a car and truck lift to verify that it uses quality materials and can be certified by the industry.