Lifting Equipment

Harkness Career Center

Lift Types

– Frame-contact lift –Wheel-contact (drive-on) lift

Frame-Contact Lifts “Two post lift”

• Uses air or hydraulic pressure to raise vehicle

• Mechanical locks protect against hydraulic failure

• Adapters at the end of adjustable lift arms

•Lift adapters contact vehicle frame at specified lift points

•Unitized body-pads contact the pinch welds and the torque boxes

•Straight frame -Pads contact the frame directly

•Some adapters adjust to several positions

•Lift Pads should Be apposing each other

Frame-Contact Lifts

• Symmetrical Lift – the arms on the lift are the same length.

• Asymmetrical Lift - the arms on the lift are two different lengths.

Wheel-contact LiftsTypes four postscissor types

Wheel-contact Lifts• All four wheels

supported

• Also has mechanical locks

• Works well for hard to lift vehicles

• Are located in the middle of the drive on lift

• Are used to raise vehicles off there wheels

• Have mechanicalsafety locks

• Operate on air and/or Hydraulic pressure

Wheel-Free Jacks

Wheel-Free Jacks

• Picks up one end or both ends of the vehicle

• Advantages of wheel contact lifts– Picks up off balanced

vehicles safely– Center of underside is

accessible– Adjusts to pick up different

undercarriage designs– Can be rolled along drive-

on ramps

In-Ground Lifts

• In-ground, frame-contact lifts are either single post or two post– Two-posts provide better

vehicle access

• Has safety locks

• Are getting more popular – Do not pollute like they

used to (hydraulic fluid leakage)

• No posts in the way – Easier to get in and out of

the car

Lift Safety

• When a vehicle falls off a lift, usually due to carelessness, misuse, neglected maintenance

Lift Safety cont.

• Pinch Points– Between the lift and the

vehicle

– Inside the lift posts

– Hands must be on the operating handles when operating

– NO ONE should be touching the lift when in use

Lift safety cont.

• Rear-wheel-drive cars center of gravity is below the drivers seat

• Front-wheel-drive cars center of gravity beneath the steering wheel

• One- or two-post lifts, position vehicle’s center of gravity over the posts

• Four-post models, position car between front and rear

Lift safety cont.

• Rear-wheel-drive cars center of gravity is below the drivers seat

• Front-wheel-drive cars center of gravity beneath the steering wheel

• One- or two-post lifts, position vehicle’s center of gravity over the posts

• Four-post models, position car between front and rear

Lift safety cont.

Never exceed the manufacturers “Maximum Capacity” posted on the lift.