Mobile Rotary Lift suspending a large white box truck

Buyer’s Guide to Mobile Column Lifts

You already know how important it is to select the right equipment for your shop. It can mean the difference between improving productivity or falling behind your competitors, or satisfied and unsatisfied customers. No piece of equipment should be overlooked, from the most simple component to the biggest one. One essential piece of equipment for any automotive shop is the mobile column lift.

Used to lift wheels, and thereby vehicles, several feet completely off the ground, mobile lifts enhance productivity and help facilitate safer working conditions. Read on to learn more about mobile lifts, their benefits, and what to consider before you purchase one.

The Benefits of Mobile Lifts

Mobile lifts will make your technician’s job easier and your shop more productive. But there are plenty of other benefits worth noting as well. Let’s take a look at some of them:

  • Flexibility: One nice feature of mobile column lifts is that they’re, well…mobile. Certain models can be moved out and stored away, and then transported back into the shop when they need to be used. Some models are even okay to use outdoors. As you already know, most shops need adequate space. So, mobile lifts can really help make the space that you have more functional and flexible.
  • Ease of Use: One of the reasons technicians like using mobile lifts is because they’re extremely easy to use. Plus, they can be used with nearly any type of vehicle.
  • Safety: Techs can stand under suspended vehicles when utilizing a mobile lift, which can make their job both safer and easier to do. Working while standing also helps reduce the risk of injury.

What to Consider When Purchasing Mobile Column Lifts

Now that we’ve covered some of the reasons why many shops prefer using mobile column lifts to alternative technologies, you might be wondering what factors to consider when selecting them for your facility. Here’s an overview of some of the features to look for:

  • Power: While some mobile lifts are battery-powered, others run on corded electricity. If your lift does run on battery, make sure you understand your day-to-day needs and assess whether a certain model’s battery will be able to perform accordingly on a single charge.
  • Control: Mobile lifts can be controlled in a variety of different ways. They can be raised and lowered via wireless remote, while others have to be raised and lowered one column at a time.
  • Lift Capacity: Make sure the lift that you’re considering will be adequate with the vehicles that you’re working with. For instance, if you’re working with heavy vehicles, light-duty mobile column lifts might not cut it.

Other considerations that you’ll want to keep in mind include tire size allowance and how fast you can raise and lower the lift.

Types of Mobile Lifts

At Allied Incorporated, we carry three types of mobile lifts. They are:

  • Flex Max MCHM14: This lift accommodates everything from light-duty vehicles to heavy-duty ones.
  • Flex Max MCHM19: This is a step up from our Flex Max MCHM14. It offers a wireless remote control system and enables the cycling of lifts from any column.
  • Mach Wireless MCHW18: This battery-operated lift is best for heavy-duty vehicles, offering intuitive control to optimize each column.
FLEX MAX MCHM14 mobile column lift
FLEX MAX MCHM19 mobile column lift
MACH WIRELESS MCHW18 mobile column lift

Get Help From Allied

As a leading provider of mobile lifts throughout Michigan, Allied can help you find a solution for your shop. In addition to selling mobile column lifts, we also offer installation services, repairs, and inspections. If you want to learn more about our mobile lifts, or need help selecting the right one, please contact us today.