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While ATVs are often used for both recreational and industrial endeavors, it is crucial to regularly service ATVs for optimal use.

As you consider buying a lift for your equipment, such as an ATV, we don’t recommend buying on impulse. Alternatively, we recommend exploring your lifting options and learning about their benefits of before deciding on a particular make or model. In the content below, we discuss four benefits of an ATV lift for maintaining and repairing your small equipment machinery.

What is an ATV Lift?

An ATV lift is a type of small equipment shop maintenance (SESM) lift. Smaller in frame than a traditional auto lift, these lifts perfectly accommodate smaller equipment or vehicles such as ATVs, motorcycles, lawnmowers, golf carts, and more.

While it is important to properly utilize the lift machinery to effectively service your ATV, you must also consider protecting your auto lift investment. By doing so, your SESM lift will properly perform the following functions for an extended lifetime:

• Height adjustability
• Prevent tip overs during service via strategic tie down slots included in the platform
• Full access for front and rear wheel service
• Operates off shop-air compressor
• Load capacity extends from 1,000 to over 25,000 pounds, depending on the requirements of your specific application
• Designed to last a lifetime
• Improves productivity within the shop or garage
• The ability for 360-degree rotation allows for use between the work and the workbench
• When lowered, no obstruction exists, ideal for parking directly over the lift
• Superior operation and safety compared to above-ground scissor lifts
• Optimal for a beautiful platform and ideal for showroom displays

4 ATV Lift Benefits

This lift type offers countless applications from cleaning to showcasing. However, in terms of servicing your ATV and other small machinery, equipment, or vehicles, there are four main benefits to utilizing an ATV lift.

#1. Ease of Service and Visibility

Like servicing any portion of a vehicle, auto lifts help the mechanic view every component with ease. Similarly, whoever makes the repairs to your ATV must be able to clearly detect and identify every gear and leak. With the installation of an ATV lift, both routine maintenance and emergency repairs will take a fraction of the time.

#2. Comfortable Work Environment

Servicing and maintaining ATVs demands priority before returning them to their original rotation. However, as vehicles and small motored equipment are serviced, repair technicians often need to bend down or work on their knees to repair a specific motor or other components. As repairs are continually made, mechanics can experience chronic pain, fatigue, or even lasting injury.

Therefore, effectively prevent injury and inconvenience by using ATV lifts to make repairs simpler and more time-effective. With the option of adjustment, it can be brought to any desired height and increase the technician’s comfort level and safety. Furthermore, certain hydraulic SESM lifts collapse into the floor. This feature allows a safe process of parking the ATV directly on top of the lift.

#3. Storage

Like four-post automotive lifts, ATV lifts can provide convenient storage during time in which you leave your ATV idle. For example, if you do not ride during the winter, your ATV can be stored on the lift itself to create more available floor space below. Limited obstruction is an essential feature for shops and home garages alike.

Lift storage prevents air pressure loss in the tires and any unwanted de-conditioning while not in use. Therefore, by storing your ATV on the lift, you increase the likelihood of it remaining in the same condition later in the year.

#4. Load Capacity

Hydraulic SESM lifts are manufactured to sustain and effectively lift a load capacity of nearly 2,000 pounds. However, to ensure lift safety, be sure to select an ATV lift that can withstand double the weight of your heaviest ATV. By doing so, you will ensure a safe and secure maintenance process while utilizing the lift.

Discover ATV Lift Benefits at SVI International

Finding a reliable auto lift supplier with high-quality products doesn’t have to be difficult. At SVI International, we are the industry’s leading supplier of repair parts for all types of automotive lifts.

Besides traditional, everyday parts, SVI is known in the industry as the problem solver – tackling specialty lift concerns with innovative products. Our supply of high-quality products can play a significant role in protecting your auto lift investment.

We’re just a phone call away. If you have questions, concerns, or need help placing an order, please reach out at (800) 321-8173 or via our online contact form.

Regardless of the services you provide, your auto shop is only as effective and reliable as your team of technicians. Finding quality auto technicians with the necessary background and knowledge can feel difficult at times. However, maintaining top talent as part of your team may be additionally challenging.

Are you looking for new strategies to prevent valuable employees from leaving? In the content below, we discuss the top five tips to retain quality auto technicians.

Retain Quality Auto Technicians with These 5 Tips

#1. Make Your Shop a Desirable Company to Work For

Although income drives applicants to certain jobs, that’s not the only considerable factor. Regardless of the industry, every employee wants to be valued and respected in a company.

Some automotive service shops do not offer a desirable level of treatment to their employees. As a result, a shop’s employee retention rate plummets. Instead, make your shop a place where technicians want to work. Give praise, reward their hard work, and create a welcoming culture.

Below are two ways in which you can make your shop more desirable to current staff and future applicants.

Encourage a Welcoming and Efficient Work Environment

We understand that auto shops aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing facilities. However, you can certainly keep a clean and welcoming shop for your employees and customers.

Not everyone can leave the shop while waiting for their car’s servicing to be completed. Therefore, keep the reception area clean and comfortable. Have multiple seating options, create a snack and coffee area, and maintain a temperature-controlled environment. As a result, your clients will remain satisfied while waiting, and your auto mechanics can grab refreshments between servicing projects.

Regarding the service bay, make the environment welcoming for productivity. Provide as much lighting and organizational storage possible to allow your employees a safe and efficient workspace. Ensure your shop has proper exhaust removal products in place. Additionally, install air conditioning elements so your auto technicians are not inundated by seasonal weather and temperatures.

If your shop currently lacks these essential workspace components, you may see unsatisfied technicians.

Provide Training and Continued Learning Opportunities

Your dealership should embrace training programs and employee education to attract quality employees and applicants. Entry level auto technicians value career training and continued education while on the job. As a result, technicians are more inclined to work for companies that offer both.

Therefore, offer initial job training to help them launch their career and create a budget dedicated to continued education. Not only will supporting continued learning make auto technicians feel valued, but it will also help your dealership offer improved service. Additionally, you can better retain technicians who received certification through your company.

#2. Provide Fair Pay

Auto shops may provide hard-working auto technicians with unfair salaries. As a result, shop owners may notice lower efficiency or a decrease in workplace morale.

Quality auto technicians earned their worth with experience, efficiency, and dedication to the job. Therefore, compensate your employees fairly, according to their value.

Has a mechanic completed their certification through your continued education program? Does your automotive technician prioritize efficiency and productivity over completing a job quickly? If you noticed reliable performance and dedication to furthering their career path, reward your mechanic with pay raises and bonuses. Furthermore, assess your current shop’s budget and see how you can show value to your auto technicians.

#3. Adjust Compensation Rates

Before inspecting under a vehicle’s hood, a job may appear like a simple fix. However, sometimes technicians encounter additional auto repair issues. As a result, a simple, two-hour service could take half a day. Unfortunately, the mechanic only receives two hours’ payment.

Auto technicians often face an unequal ratio of time spent in the shop and compensation received. For example, when mechanics stay all day without any clients or vehicles to service, they do not receive compensation.

Retaining quality auto technicians may be as simple as adjusting how you reimburse their time. Therefore, consider offering your technicians a fair pay rate system where their compensation accrues from time spent at the shop. 

#4. Network Effectively

Waiting for auto technicians to approach your shop is not the most effective way to find true automotive talent. To find quality technicians, put considerable effort into how you network and advertise open positions.

As a shop owner or manager, actively seek new hires by attending job fairs in addition to posting online ads. Distribute fliers at high schools and automotive technician schools, offering free incentives such as paid training or a sign-on bonus.

Support a Simple Hiring Process

Attract potential applicants and keep them excited about the possibility of working for your dealership. Since most job-related research is conducted online, your dealership should support simple online applications directly on your website’s career page.

Once an applicant becomes a candidate, quickly move them through each step of the hiring process. Distribute skills assessments, schedule and conduct interviews, and complete background and reference checks in a timely fashion. If you delay a candidate’s hiring, you risk losing them to a competitor.

When you decide on a candidate, continue with digital onboarding and other HR-related tasks. Both simpler and faster, implement a paperless onboarding process for your auto technicians. For example, digitally send the company’s HR handbook and required tax documents. Help today’s auto technicians confidently navigate digital onboarding to better prepare for a productive first day on the job.

#5. Provide Efficient and Updated Equipment

Most auto shops require their automotive technicians to provide their own hand tools. To offset their investment, proactively seek how you can update your current repair and servicing equipment. Ensure that your shop has reliable auto lifts, tire changer parts, and anything pertinent to your services. Additionally, supply necessary resources such as disposable latex gloves and effective shop towels. As a result, you will keep your mechanics happy and productive, feeling valued.

Retain Quality Auto Technicians with Quality Auto Equipment and Repair Parts

Valuable employees know that repairing an auto with poor-quality parts and equipment is unfair to the customer. That’s why at SVI International, we manufacture reliable and effective auto equipment repair parts, lifting equipment, and complete new lifts. Our team of experts are dedicated to our clients. Therefore, we provide on-time delivery on in-stock parts, from any of our three, “ready ship” warehouses nationwide.

Our team is ready to assist you in your search for the proper repair parts! If you are ready to partner with SVI International, please do not hesitate to contact us at 800-321-8173.

Due to the alternative vehicle dimensions, mechanics cannot effectively or safely utilize traditional auto lifts to service heavy-duty vehicles, including buses, semi-trucks, or trailers. Fortunately, multiple manufacturers designed a solution fit for larger vehicles and introduced the auto bus lift.

Are you wondering why or when one should use a bus lift? In the content below, we discuss the purpose of a heavy-duty bus lift, address when an auto bus lift is required, and explore three common types of auto bus lifts.

What Is the Purpose of a Heavy-Duty Bus Lift?

When dealing with any automotive vehicle, it is paramount to ensure proper use of vehicle lifts. Furthermore, it is unsafe to hoist a vehicle too large or too heavy for a standard auto lift.

Therefore, heavy-duty truck and bus lifts possess extraordinary quality and enhanced durability, complete with secure locking system. As a standard to heavy-duty regulations, most bus and truck lifts can hoist nearly 70,000 lbs.

When Is an Auto Bus Lift Required?

Essentially, your operation must utilize an auto bus lift when any heavy-duty vehicle needs servicing, maintenance, or cleaning tasks completed. To adhere to safety regulations within your auto shop, any non-standard vehicle (sedan, sports car, pickup truck, SUV, or minivan) requires a special auto lift that ensures a safe environment for you and your staff.

Therefore, whether you occasionally service a bus or complete maintenance on an entire fleet of trucks and buses, you must work with a heavy-duty auto lift.

Types of Bus Lifts

Before purchasing any type of car lift, it is imperative that you consider every aspect of both your current shop’s condition and what vehicles you intend to service. Assess your lift needs by answering the following questions:

• What is your required load capacity? To safely operate any lift, we recommend purchasing a lift that exceeds your load capacity.
• Do you have a specific lift height needed? Whether you need to raise a vehicle high for your mechanics or your shop has low ceilings, take the lift height into serious consideration.
• How quickly would you like the lift to raise and lower the vehicle? While seemingly unimportant, consider how many times your mechanics raise and lower vehicles each day. Any opportunities to save time could generate a more productive workday.
• How much power is required to hoist a vehicle? Determine how much psi your hydraulic system would need to supply to operate your lift effectively and safely.

Once you determine the need for a bus lift, you can then refine your selections based on your preferred model. Below, we discuss three common heavy-duty lift types that support multiple truck and bus vehicles.

#1. In Ground – Front and Rear Bus Lifts

In-ground auto bus lifts, also known as power post lifting systems, prove extremely durable. With countless applications spanning from fire departments and municipal garages to airports and utility companies, these in-ground front and rear bus lifts range in heavy-duty lifting capacities. Below are two great models that cater to different weight classes.

2P-105-M

• Lifting capacity: 24,000 lbs., 12,000lbs front and 12,000lbs rear
• Single moveable front and single stationary rear
• Axle engaging with modified narrow range rear saddle
• Adjustable front cylinder for various wheelbase lengths
• Air/hydraulic oil or Citgo “Aquamarine” oil operated
• Post diameters: 10-5/8” front and rear
• Displacement: 50 gallons
• Lift height: 67” front and 69-3/4” rear based on standard adapters
• Multiple lip seal design for increased performance

4P-106-IB

• Lifting capacity at 250psi: 72,000lbs., 36,000 front and 36,000 rear
• Lifting capacity at 350psi: 100,000lbs., 50,000 front and 50,000 rear
• Axle engaging front saddle and adapters. I-Beam style rear superstructure equipped with adjustable saddles and adapters to engage vehicle axles, suspension, or cross frame member
• Adjustable front cylinder for various wheelbase lengths
• Electric/hydraulic oil or Citgo “Aquamarine” oil operated
• Post diameters: (2) 10-5/8” front and (2) 10-5/8” rear
• Lift height: 67” front and 69-3/4” rear based on standard adapters
• Multiple lip seal design for increased performance

#2. In Ground – Single Post Bus Lifts

Single Post bus lifts are “multi-duty” free wheel lifts that offer an extra lifting capacity for passenger cars and light trucks. Therefore, your shop can efficiently operate on smaller buses and trucks in compliance with the below lift models and weight capacities.

LR-10

• Cylinder Diameter: 10-5/8”
• Center Load Capacity at 175psi: 12,000lbs., 6,000 front and 6,000 rear

• Superstructure: 6” rails and 216” long
• Lifting Height: 65”
• Rail Length: 17’

LR-12

• Cylinder Diameter: 10-5/8”
• Center Load Capacity at 175psi: 15,000lbs., 7,500 front and 7,500 rear

• Superstructure: 6” rails and 216” long
• Lifting Height: 65”
• Rail Length: 20’

#3. In Ground – Two-Post Bus Lifts

As another free wheel, recessed rail style lift, two post bus lifts offer twin connecting rails that accommodate all cars and trucks. As a result, your shop can utilize this lift type to service any vehicle type. Below are two popular two-post bus lift models that effectively cater to multiple bus, truck, and heavy-duty vehicle dimensions.

CR-210

• Cylinder Diameter: (2) 10-5/8”
• Center Load Capacity at 175psi: 24,000lbs., 12,000 front and 12,000 rear

• Superstructure: 6” rails and 288” long
• Lifting Height: 65”
• Rail Length: 24’

CR-212

• Cylinder Diameter: (2) 12-5/8”
• Center Load Capacity at 175psi: 30,000lbs., 15,000 front and 15,000 rear

• Superstructure: 8” rails and 360” long
• Lifting Height: 65”
• Rail Length: 30’

Find the Right Lifting Application at SVI International

Whether you are searching for a specific replacement part or are looking to find the best lifting solution for your auto shop, we are here to help. SVI International is the industry leader in automotive lifts and lift repair parts.

We provide over 40,000 repair parts for a plethora of lifts and brand-new auto lifts of extraordinary quality. SVI provides innovative solutions to solve industry challenges. If in need of a discontinued part, our expert mechanical engineers will design a cost-effective alternative solution for you.

Are you interested in learning more about our products or ready to request a quote? Contact us today at (800) 321-8173 or by submitting our online contact form.