Before You Buy: What Your Facility Needs to Be Lift-Ready

An automotive lift is a significant investment for any repair shop or fleet maintenance facility. It’s a tool you can’t do without. However, choosing the most suitable model from the many available options requires extensive research.

When buying an automotive lift, you think about the types of vehicles you’ll be lifting. You check the specs of what’s available and resign yourself to making trade-offs between essential features and nice-to-have ones. While these are all important, there’s another aspect to lift purchase you probably haven’t considered: is your shop, garage, or barn ready for the lift you want?

What Are Your Power Requirements?

Some lifts, mainly the low-rise, lower-capacity models, run on 110V. Others, especially those for lifting commercial vehicles, need 440V. And for those in between, most want 220V.

When considering a lift, check what voltage you have available and where it is in your shop. If you’ll have to run a 220V line across the building, that’s another expense to budget for. If you find you need 440V, but it’s not available where your lift is going, that could mean a lot of additional costs.

Power can be a particular concern for the private buyer. You may have 220V in your garage or barn, but you will need to verify that the distribution panel can handle the additional demand of your new lift.

How Much Floor Space Do You Actually Have?

Depending on the type of lift you want, you might be surprised by just how much space you actually need. Obviously, the lift will be wider than the vehicle, but in some cases, a lot wider. Plus, you will need plenty of room for longer vehicles and enough access space to work safely. In general, a four-post lift needs more room than a two-post.

Additionally, you need space for the technician to get the vehicle on and off without spending too much time on precision maneuvers. This isn’t an issue if you can place the lift opposite an entrance door, but if it will be at the end of the shop, size and placement need to be considered. You may even want to mock up the layout and test access before committing to the new lift.

What Clearance Do You Have?

This is a very important consideration if you’re investing in a two-post or four-post lift, especially if it’s for larger vehicles. There must always be enough room above the lift to take the biggest vehicle, raised to the lift’s maximum height. And don’t overlook the impact of adding rolling jacks to a four-post lift!

In a building with a lower ceiling, we know there’s a temptation to say technicians will stop raising the lift before there’s an impact. Trust us, people make mistakes, and those mistakes can be expensive and even dangerous.

Different lift models rise to different heights. Always check clearances before making the purchase decision.

Will You Need Reinforcement?

A two-post lift holding a 9,000-pound vehicle is putting a lot of load on a relatively small area of concrete floor. Many general-purpose facilities were built with a 4” thickness of 3,000 psi concrete. This should be enough for an 11,000-pound lift, but it is not suitable for higher loads.

As a guide, a 15,000-pound capacity lift should go on a floor of 6” thick 3,000 psi concrete. If you expect to be working on heavier vehicles, floor strength needs to increase accordingly.

The risk with a floor that’s not strong enough is that it might move or sink. This would cause distortion in the lift itself, accelerating wear and creating unnecessary risks. To properly assess floor loading and the potential need for reinforcement, research lift installation requirements thoroughly and consider consulting a factory-trained installer or an ALI-certified inspector.

Other Non-Facility Factors to Consider

Most seasoned shop owners are already aware of the next two factors, but this article would be incomplete without them. The next two factors will provide more insight for those who are starting their first automotive repair shop. In addition to ensuring your facility is ready for the installation of your preferred lift, you also need to know if the lift can efficiently handle the types of vehicles you plan to service and what type of work you expect to perform, not just know, but in the future, too. After all, a lift is an investment, so you’d better get the most out of it.

What Types of Cars Will You Service?

Most passenger vehicles can be serviced on a two-post lift with a 9,000- to 11,000-pound capacity. However, diesel vehicles and some pickups can present some problems because their center of gravity is often set towards the front. There’s also the issue of ensuring technicians have access to vehicle interiors while on the lift.

Four-post lifts provide better interior access and, in general, have a higher load capacity. Models do vary widely, though, so check and don’t assume! For larger trucks and commercial vehicles, a four-post is almost essential, though in-ground lifts capable of 100,000 pounds or more can be an alternative.

The type of vehicle you will be servicing influences lift size and the floor space needed. It also has an impact on floor loading and lift installation.

What Type of Work Will You Perform?

Two-post lifts, which leave the wheels free, are generally preferred for wheel bearing, brake, and suspension work. They’re also ideal for transmission and exhaust work because they don’t restrict under-vehicle access. Four-post lifts are always preferred for alignment work, and low- and mid-rise lifts are sometimes selected for wheel and brake work.

Get Lift-Ready With Help From Allied, Inc.

Allied, Inc. provides automotive service equipment, including lifts, to dealerships, repair shops, and fleet maintenance centers across the United States, along with facility design assistance. We also offer ALI-certified inspections, lift installations, and lift repair services to our local customers in Michigan and northern Ohio.

Visit our website to browse our available lifts, or contact us today for product recommendations.