Numerous types of car lifts coexist with a common purpose: hoisting cars. While floor jacks raise a portion of a vehicle for small repairs, car lifts raise the entire vehicle into the air for a plethora of repairs, from simple fixes to challenging projects.
Despite a singular purpose, individual lifts feature unique lifting mechanisms, bringing strength to various applications. In the content below, we explore the ins-and-outs of a wide variety of car lift types, guiding automotive shops and car enthusiasts into an informed purchasing decision for their specific function.
Things to Consider when Choosing a Car Lift
While examining different types of auto lifts, load capacity, lift height, and lift speed must be kept in consideration.
- Load capacity is the maximum weight a lift is capable of withstanding. Of course, load capacity differs depending on the strength of the lift, including size and number of columns or cylinders.
- Lift height is the maximum height a lift can hoist a vehicle. Height is important to consider if undercar repair will be completed. For example, a lift with a maximum height of four feet should be utilized for wheel or body work, not underbody maintenance.
- Lift speed is the amount of time needed to completely raise or lower the lift. Slower lift times are acceptable for a home garage when maintenance, repair, or body work are a hobby. Quick lift speed is exceptionally important for high volume repair shops, but lift speed and descent is also regulated for safety in high volume shops.
It is crucial to take into account these factors when evaluating various auto lifts to ensure optimal performance and safety in automotive maintenance and repair settings.
The Three Main Car Lift Types
There are three main car lift types. Two-post lifts allow easy access and can be used for most auto maintenance and repair jobs. Four-post car and truck lifts are ideal if your shop works on large vehicles and/or needs extra parking space. Scissor lifts are designed for small shops and lightweight vehicles. Some of these lifts are even portable to make it easy for you to move the lift to any part of your work area.
Types of Car Lifts
In the car repair industry, choosing the right car lift is a big deal for getting the job done efficiently and safely. Let’s explore the different types of car lifts examining the different types and their unique features.
Two-Post Surface Mounted Lifts
Two-post surface-mounted lifts, commonly used in “drive-through” maintenance shops, are prized for their versatility and robust weight capacity ranging from 7,000 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. These lifts, featuring two columns, provide full access to a vehicle’s underside, making them ideal for diverse repair tasks, from routine inspections to complex exhaust or fuel system repairs. While the lifts require secure floor bolting for stability, their adaptability across various vehicle types and efficient design makes them a vital asset in mechanic shops, streamlining maintenance operations.
Symmetrical vs Asymmetrical
Symmetrical and asymmetrical lifts are both two-post lifts, but there are important differences between the two. Symmetrical lifts have four arms of equal lengths. They provide a stable base for large vehicles such as pick-up trucks and vans. Asymmetrical lifts, on the other hand, have shorter front arms and longer back arms. Most of the vehicle’s weight sits on the back arms rather than in the middle. These lifts are ideal for cars, as a mechanic can not only fix underneath the vehicle but also access the inside of the vehicle as needed.
Four-Post Lifts
The four-post lift is commonly considered the most popular and versatile car lifts that a shop can utilize.
Due to extra support, four-posts lifts are extremely sturdy, with greater load capacity than their two-post counterparts. Four-post runway lifts are wheel-engaging, allowing vehicles to drive directly onto the lift. The lift can adjust to the work being done. For example, the car’s wheels rest on the lift for undercarriage work but with the use of rolling jacks can be removed for wheel and brake work.
With a four-post lift, you can reach heights of up to 14 feet to work on a vehicle. Their load capacity makes four-post lifts a common solution in the automotive repair industry. Certain four-post lifts don’t require anchorage to the floor, allowing them to be moved with ease when needed. Though common in a professional setting, four-post lifts can also be found in the hands of homeowners and automotive enthusiasts – largely due to their mobility and use as a way to store more cars in small space one right over the other.
Four-post lifts can double as storage, allowing for two cars stacked in the same location.
Four-Post Alignment Lift
The four-post lift, commonly configured as a surface-mounted lift, is a standard choice for many automotive shops. Apart from facilitating wheel alignment, it allows mechanics to work on various components such as mufflers or perform oil changes. This type of alignment lift enables vehicles to be easily driven onto two runways and lifted by their tires, providing access to the vehicle’s underside. The visibility of the underside makes the four-post lift a popular option in automotive shops, often referred to as “drive-on lifts” due to this convenient feature. While the four-post lift requires more space, it stands out for its ease of vehicle loading and is considered the safest among lifts.
Drive-On Parallelogram Lifts
The parallelogram lift resembles both the four-post lift and scissor lift. In functionality, the parallelogram lift is drive-on, like the four-post. Aesthetically, it resembles a scissor lift with accordion-like hoisting mechanisms beneath runways. The parallelogram differentiates itself in mobility; it moves slightly forward or backward while in motion.
FRAME ENGAGING LIFTS
Excellent for use in home garages, low-rise frame engaging lifts – often scissor or parallelogram style – are the most basic model available. These lifts often have a load capacity of under 3 tons.
Electric-hydraulic or compressed air often drive frame engaging lift movement. It is important to note that frame engaging lifts do not provide access to the entire underside of the vehicle. Therefore, low-rise frame engaging lifts are most often employed for wheel work or body projects.
SCISSOR LIFTS
Looking in to a scissor lift can be particularly advantageous for auto shops or garages with low ceilings. Scissor lifts offer precise control over lift height, making them ideal for spaces with height constraints. This type of lift optimizes space utilization, requiring only the necessary area to efficiently service a car without the need for external posts. Upon returning to its original position, the scissor lift minimizes concerns about ceiling height or additional space by shrinking close to ground level. Beyond these benefits, scissor lifts come in various types, each catering to specific needs. Factors such as versatility and weight capacity should be considered when making a decision about which scissor lift is most suitable for your requirements.
Parallelogram Lift
A parallelogram lift is similar to a four-post lift. However, it doesn’t lift a vehicle straight into the air. Rather, the vehicle is lifted at a slight angle to be either a bit ahead of or behind a vehicle on the ground.
In-Ground Lifts
In-ground lifts have been a widespread component of automotive shops for years, an industry standard. Their key characteristic is in the name; these lifts descend into the floor when not in use. In-ground lifts are also popular for flexibility of design. They can either be frame or wheel engaging.
In-ground auto lifts are often equal in cost to other lifts and do require more installation steps and time. However, their unique functionality, low cost of ownership and durability have proved extraordinary in automotive repair shops and home garages for decades.
Power Post in-ground lifting systems have proven more reliable and economical than any other. Power Post lifts are durable; many shops utilize lifts installed over 50 years prior, operating just as excellently as the day they were installed.
Power Post lifts are low-pressure hydraulic lifting systems from SVI International, Inc. These lifts are not illegal, banned, or even under consideration for regulation. The EPA has permanently exempted in-ground low-pressure lifts from regulation.
In-ground lifts generally fit into three categories: front and rear lifts, side by side lift, and single post lifts. Below, we explore a small sample of each kind with significant differences.
In-Ground Front and Rear Car Lifts:
Each front and rear car lift listed below has similar stats, excluding lifting capacity. Our goal is to provide a starting place for identifying the best lift for your situation.
- 2P-102:
- Lifting capacity: 11,000 lbs., evenly distributed on front and rear columns
- Single moveable front and single stationary rear
- Axle engaging
- Adjustable front cylinder
- Air/hydraulic oil operated
- Post diameters: 7 ½ inches front and rear
- Lift height: 69 inches front and 73 inches rear, based on standard adapters
- Multiple lip seal design for increased performance
- 2P-103:
- Lifting capacity: 16,000 lbs., evenly distributed on front and rear columns
- 2P-202:
- Lifting capacity: 11,000 lbs., evenly distributed on both columns
- 2P-203:
- Lifting capacity: 16,000 lbs., evenly distributed on both columns
In-Ground Side by Side Car Lifts:
- FSDT-28BS
- Lifting capacity: 12,000 lbs., evenly distributed on front and rear columns
- Operation: Full-hydraulic
- Lift height: 72 inches from the floor to the top of the adapter pad without extension
- Plunger centers: 57 ½ inches; mechanical, heavy-duty racks equalize plunger movement
- Cylinders: 8 ½ inches in diameter
- Solid steel bolster-style and low-profile swing arms
- 360-degree adapters nesting style, swivel adjustable on sliding sleeves
- Automatic locking: a spring-loaded latch automatically engage into notches as the lift is raised. Release lock while lowering; the lock will automatically reset for the next job.
In-Ground Single Post Car Lifts:
- FS-10AS
- Environmentally friendly
- Safe to operate
- Handles most domestic and imported models
- 4-position adapters provide undercar accessibility
- 4-inch road clearance
- Ideal for any shop or home garage
- Excellent for front-end and suspension work
- Lift capacity: 8,000 lbs.
- Operation: Semi hydraulic or full hydraulic
- Lift height: 72 inches
- SC-363
- Perfect for lifting sports cars, specifically Porsche 911 models
- Associated with wealthy enthusiasts, racing and high-performance markets
- Unequivocally safer than any old-fashioned lift
- Lifts at specifically intended pick-up points
- Optional 360-degree rotation keeps mechanics between the work and workbench
- Low maintenance
- Simple design
Low-Rise Lifts
Low-rise lifts are ideal for any auto repair shop with a low ceiling. These two-post lifts can typically hold up to 20,000 lbs. in weight and are perfect for fast auto repair and maintenance jobs.
Mid-Rise Lifts
Mid-rise lifts are ideal if your shop does a lot of brake and suspension work. They can also be used to do repairs under a vehicle, but it may be hard to access certain areas, especially the vehicle’s center.
Small Equipment / Motorcycle Lifts
Small equipment lifts can be used to repair golf carts, landscape equipment, lawnmowers, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, and more. Motorcycle lifts can be used to repair or even store a motorbike. If you work with small vehicles, investing in one or both lift types may be a good idea, as they increase safety while helping you get maintenance/repair jobs done faster than would otherwise be possible.
Specialty Lifts
Specialty lifts such as single-acting hydraulic cylinders are ideal for specialized auto repair and maintenance jobs. They can be used by industrial and small auto shops alike.
SVI has durable, dependable car and truck lift models and lift replacement parts that you can count on for years to come. We offer access to multiple brands, fast shipping, and customer service tailored to meet your exact needs. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our different types of car lifts or to get a price quote on the model of your choice.
Explore Different Types of Lifts with SVI International, Inc.
SVI International, Inc is the industry leader in automotive lifts and lift repair parts, providing over 40,000 repair parts for a plethora of lifts and brand-new auto lifts of extraordinary quality. SVI is dedicated to providing innovative solutions to solve industry challenges. If a required part has been previously discontinued by its original maker, our team of fully degreed mechanical engineers design an alternative solution that others won’t be bothered to help with.
Our three “Ready-Ship” warehouses ensure that our solutions are delivered quickly, without affecting a business’ bottom line. To inquire about our products or request a quote, contact our team today at (800) 321-8173 or via our online contact form.
