Single-column - compact models for garages and small workshops
Mobile and stationary lifts. They are expensive, but among rack-mounted models, they save space better than others both in the repair area and in your own garage. Suitable for vehicle maintenance. Due to the fact that the foot of the single-column model covers the bottom, access to the exhaust system and some suspension elements is difficult.
Sorokin 17.25 – from 232,299 rubles
A mobile electro-hydraulic lift based on a hand trolley of the “Roklya” type, equipped with one lifting beam with adjustable legs.
The declared 2.5 tons provide more than 30% of the carrying capacity when hanging 1.5-ton small cars. Screw supports on adjustable legs pick up a car from 120 mm, and a 15-liter hydraulic circuit lifts it up to 2.2 meters. The area of equilateral placement of supports – 3.15 m2 – is sufficient to evenly distribute the weight of a lifted vehicle up to 4.4 m long.
Due to the fact that the lift beam overlaps the bottom crosswise, it is not always possible to remove, and sometimes even simply turn and pull out the exhaust pipe removed from the mounts. Forceful methods of breaking nuts are also not always acceptable - absolutely all suspended machines sway.
Keep in mind: by unscrewing the adjustable supports, it is quite possible to rest your paws on the side members - convenient when the sills are rusty. But it will not be possible to remove the muffler, for example, from a golf-class car, even resting the fully raised supports against the sills.
Video review of the capabilities of a single-post mobile lift:
TST35UX TROMMELBERG – from 352,797 rubles
A stationary plunger-type lift is equipped with 4 swivel legs on the central platform.
The room is not cluttered, because apart from the paws with supports, nothing protrudes above the floor. The height of the visible elements when folded is 125mm, the length is slightly more than one and a half meters. They do not interfere because they are located in the direction of the car. The plunger lifts the car to a height of 1.85 m, under pressure which is pumped through 6-meter hoses by an external hydraulic station.
The advantages described above pale in comparison to the fact that the lift is expensive to maintain and is more demanding than others when it comes to the cleanliness of the room. Convenient only in the spray booth. In the repair area - only for work that does not require force. In addition, splayed feet may interfere with operation of the external fuel filter and exhaust system.
A thorough study of several cases of loss of tightness of TST35UX, in different service stations, showed that the cause of the malfunction was unqualified installation. Those in the know know: a structure weighing 960 kg, buried almost 2.5 m and bolted to a cemented body, is designed to lift a car with a front/rear weight ratio of 3:2. Everyone else was confused by the same length of telescopic legs. The lift must be installed by the seller’s specialist, because the diagram from the attached documentation package is only recommendations for preparing the foundation.
Video about the potential of a homemade analogue of TST35UX TROMMELBERG:
Two-post - the best option for small businesses
Affordable, reliable, repairable, and low maintenance. Therefore, they are popular and permanently installed in repair areas of many service stations. Electromechanical models that expired their declared service life more than 10 years ago are still working properly. But the majority prefer hydraulic equipment: even in second-rate versions, it is faster than mechanical systems, consumes less electricity, allows you to quickly lower the car if the electricity is lost and, in addition, is constantly upgraded by the manufacturer.
PGN 2 4.0 – from 75,500 rubles
A classic version of a four-ton lift with a three-phase, 2.2-kilowatt motor.
Confirmed advantages include the thickness of the metal on the racks and base elements, and full-size hydraulic cylinders. But this is only for models produced before 2015-2016. More than that, nothing unambiguous can be said about the models that Stankoimport sells. Because complaints about leaking hydraulics and extraneous knocks when the carriages are raised and fixed appear unsystematically. As a rule, replacing the internal seals of a hydraulic cylinder relieves the user of problems with the tightness of the hydraulic system for several years.
Please note: advertising promises from 3 years ago contain references to how much the metal thickness of PGN 2 4.0 differs from competing samples. Today, the official resource does not provide such information. And the difference of 50 kg between the old and new weight clearly explains why this happens.
Video review of the installation and launch processes of PGN 2 4.0:
PULI PL4.0-2B T4 – from 89,856 rubles
Electro-hydraulic lift with bottom synchronization and asymmetrical arms.
Here are the cables that align the position of both beams and the hydraulic circuit hose - between the racks, at the bottom. Covered with a metal casing-threshold.
The paws are different:
- shape – front with an angle, rear straight;
- maximum length – front 1045mm, rear 1228mm;
- minimum turning radii - front 705mm, rear 828mm.
The advantage of this variation is the five-millimeter walls of the stand and 16-millimeter platforms at the base, which is indirectly confirmed by the 680 kilograms of weight. There is automatic locking of the paws - the locking elements snap into place as soon as the car begins to rise.
The issues are the same as for all two-post hydraulic lifts assembled under contract manufacturing in the Middle Kingdom - oil seals are leaking, there are no seals where the rod passes through the lifting beam, “original” limit switches break haphazardly.
Problems with rubber bands are immediately visible and can be solved with the help of a repair kit. With some experience in carrying out the work, it takes no more than 3 hours. But the knocks of the beam are quite quiet and attract attention only when the suspension is diagnosed by ear. It is often more profitable to simply know about such a source of extraneous knocking than to try to get rid of it now, once and for all.
Video review of the PULI PL4.0-2B T4 lift:
AE&T 4t 220V T4 – from 91,983 rubles
Four-ton lift with two hydraulic cylinders, a cable system for synchronizing the position of carriages and a single-phase motor.
The advantages of single-phase equipment are obvious where it is not possible to connect a three-phase network, and the main traffic flow is made up of small cars. Under these conditions, the 2.2-kilowatt motor does not overload the network, and the design retains its original geometry longer.
Only manual unlocking of security locks is provided. That is, in order to lower the car, the mechanic must go around it. Even with a little workload, this moment is very annoying. In addition, owners of new lifts are often faced with shortages - when there are no spacers for the foot stops and traditional leaks.
Please note: once repaired, a hydraulic cylinder takes longer to maintain than with “original” rubber bands. Therefore, during a performance test, a clean rod determines the good condition of the used equipment. And visible violations of the geometry of the posts, beams, and feet indicate that such a lift will not work correctly.
Video review of AE&T 4t 220V T4 in operation:
Nordberg n4120a 4t – from 102,839 rubles
A typical 4-ton lift with an electro-hydraulic drive based on a 3-phase motor. The paws are asymmetrical, the unlocking of the locks on each rack is different.
Robust design, reliable hydraulic cylinders and insignificant problems with the electrical part allow sellers to offer not only service, but also warranty obligations - everyone only has a one-year warranty, and problems with hydraulics begin, on average, after 3-4 years. The equipment is common, so there are no difficulties with repairs or repair kits.
Keep in mind that it is best to choose a used version of the n4120a from the existing models. When disassembled, it is extremely difficult to identify signs of fatigue in moving parts and elements of a metal structure. With regard to repainted equipment, it is even more difficult - if it was painted, then there was deep damage to the “original” coating. That is, it will be necessary to periodically fight corrosion.
Video with installation details and operation of the Nordberg n4120a 4t lift:
Four-post - universal lifts
From the standpoint of existing capabilities, this is universal equipment. Because it allows for general maintenance and full diagnostics, it is acceptable for repairs of any scale and for adjusting wheel alignment angles.
AE&T F4D-4 – from 195,900 rubles
Option of a 4-post electro-hydraulic lift for repair and diagnostics of vehicles weighing up to 4 tons.
For a workshop workshop, this is the best equipment in terms of safety: 4 combs on the racks and a lock in each carriage. All locks are controlled by one handle. If there is a traverse, such a lift is more convenient than a 2-post lift. It is possible to adjust the gap between the platforms in the range of 820 – 1020 mm. Using original turntables, you can adjust the wheel alignment angles. The manufacturer suggests choosing a pneumatic or hydraulic traverse.
The downside is that initially, the device is not equipped with circles and sliding plates, so setting up an angle adjustment station will require additional costs. The traverse is included in the kit only if ordered by an intermediary.
When choosing the AE&T F4D-4, pay attention to the cost ratio of different configurations. The manufacturer, in the accompanying documentation, reserves the right to change the contents. And some suppliers take advantage of this fact to their advantage - they remove the yoke from the wheel alignment kit, and only slightly reduce the cost of the resulting plumbing equipment.
Video review of the capabilities of the AE&T F4D-4 model:
Flying TS5.5D-4L - from 235,500 rubles
5.5 ton four post lift with 2.5 ton cross beam. Universal equipment.
6-meter platforms are enough to accommodate basic versions of commercial beads. The platforms can be moved under the Yaris and extended under the Splinter. Managed from one place. Circles, sliding platforms and traverse included. The hydraulics are reliable, and thanks to convenient access to the hydraulic cylinder, which is located under the platform, repair and replacement does not take much time.
Among the shortcomings: there were worn out pulleys and a collapsed key - on a six-year-old lift; non-functional limit switch on the new one.
Keep in mind that the most problematic component of old equipment is the hydraulic adapter. Shafts and pulleys are the most loaded elements. It is good when it is possible to remove the outer elements of the platforms and the covers that cover the adapter body at an angle to the platform. To personally verify that the lift is running and that there are no distortions or jamming of the pulleys.
Video review of the operation of a similar lift with a traverse:
Trommelberg tst440a – from 310,887 rubles
Four-post lift with a lifting capacity of 4.1 tons. Kit for a control station for wheel alignment angles.
The advantage of this simple equipment is reliability. From the structure to the moving parts and hydraulics, including the paintwork. For the recommended load, the power of the retracting hydraulic cylinder is sufficient with a reserve. Removal from the security lock by pressing a key - this has its own pneumatic circuit. One of the negative aspects is the lack of a traverse, despite the stated high cost. Not everyone will like the slowness - it will take 70 seconds to continuously move to the limit in each direction.
Please note before purchasing - hydraulic circuit components are expensive. A hydraulic cylinder today costs almost 40,000 rubles. And suppliers don’t always have it. Today no one can say how much it will cost when it breaks, because they take care of the workload for at least 3-5 years, and it is difficult to overload it even with commercial vehicles with a suitable wheelbase length.
Video description of a 4-post wheel alignment lift, using an analog example:
Best Single Post Lift
Devices of this type are installed in services or garages with limited space. They consist of a stand located on a base securely fixed to the floor, a carriage with lifting forks, and an electromechanical drive. The load capacity of this equipment is 1500 kg. Let's name the most popular models of the group.
WERTHER SprintJack
A small lifting device from a company from Italy. The car is lifted by grabbing the wheel. Its power: 730 W, model load capacity: 1000 kg. The lift has compact dimensions for this class: 8050x6600x136 mm and a relatively low weight: 80 kg.
The rise time to maximum height is 35 seconds. The device is powered from a single-phase power supply with a voltage of 220 V. The quality of the product is confirmed by a 12-month manufacturer's warranty.
Pros of the lift:
- Simple and reliable control.
- Possibility of moving around the service or garage.
- Sufficient lifting height for minor repairs: 850 mm.
- Attractive appearance.
Cons of the lift:
- Not detected.
Freight lifts
Freight lifts: fork and platform, rack, parallelogram and scissor; rolling and stationary; floor-mounted and mounted flush with the floor. All of them are electro-hydraulic, with 3-phase motors, and equipped with a multi-circuit security system. Therefore, they are able to lift and hold a vehicle weighing more than 8 tons.
Garo 24G272M – from 1,147,450 rubles
Stationary electro-hydraulic platform lift with a parallelogram support structure.
The following are responsible for the safe operation of equipment with a lifting capacity of up to 24 tons: a hydraulic lock on the cylinder - a valve that blocks the inlet channel of the cylinder in the event of a sharp drop in pressure in the supply circuit; and a persistent stand that prevents the platform from falling. The hydraulic circuit contains 120 liters of fluid, which a 7.5-kilowatt electric motor pumps into the cylinder in 4 minutes, raising the truck 1.5 meters. For vehicles with a wheelbase length of up to 7.3 m, this is potential with a good load capacity.
There are no disadvantages to such equipment, because maintenance and repairs are carried out by the enterprise. There is a peculiarity - when folded, the height of the structure is 500 mm. Therefore, the manufacturer offers a “clean floor” design option - installing the lift below floor level.
Video review from the manufacturer Garo 24G272M:
PG 50 ASO – from 1,157,400 rubles
Mobile lifting complex consisting of 4 mobile stands with their own electro-hydraulic systems. Lifts by wheels Ø 800-1800mm.
The complex includes 1 rack with hydraulics and a hardware cabinet that controls all equipment; 3 racks with separate hydraulic stations, which are synchronized via cable with the main rack; 2 mechanical stands and a trolley for moving the stands.
Each rack has a safety system - an electromagnetic carriage catcher and a hydraulic lock. They are triggered when, for any reason, the supply of fluid to the cylinder is stopped.
Please note: despite the complexity of the system, the likelihood of emergency situations occurring is minimal. Because according to safety regulations, the owner is obliged to determine the circle of persons responsible for the technical condition and documenting the results of this activity. And the manufacturer indicated the frequency and sequence of all necessary procedures in the accompanying documentation.
Video about preparation for work and the capabilities of a mobile cargo lift:
Which car lift to buy
Before purchasing this equipment, the future owner should decide on such factors.
Model type
This could be an inexpensive single-post lift, a scissor lift, or a more substantial two- or four-post lift. It all depends on the amount of work of the future owner. Stationary or mobile view. The first is installed for permanent operation, the second can be moved as needed to different corners of the service or to the street.
type of drive
There are hydraulic, electromechanical and pneumatic devices. Hydraulic lifts are the most popular. They are economical, safe, and provide a smooth and fast lift. Their minus is high cost. Products with an electromechanical drive are less functional, but have an affordable price. Pneumatic devices have lower technical characteristics.
Specifications
The maximum load capacity of the model, the type of power supply, and the presence of vehicle safety systems should be taken into account. The choice depends on the financial capabilities of the owner and the rank of the service station.
Manufacturer
Before purchasing, you should also carefully study the information about the manufacturer, read reviews from equipment owners and car service workers. This will help you make the right choice.
Conclusion
I am sure that out of all the variety of car lifts, in your garage, for servicing a passenger car, if you have a 3-phase input, the capabilities of the Sorokin 17.25 . And after work it can be moved to the side.
For two-post, new ones with hydraulics, the Nordberg n4120a 4t with lower synchronization stands out. At a service station with a constant traffic flow of 3 cars per lift per day, Nordberg will pay for itself in 5 months, and will work in plus for 3 years.
The four-post Flying TS5.5D-4L is a universal lift with a lifting capacity of up to 5.5 tons, applicable both in the repair area and in the wheel alignment area.
Having the PG 50 ASO , you can deploy a full-fledged service station for two- and three-axle trucks that weigh up to 50 tons in any hangar.
How to install a lift in a car service center
They start by choosing the location and location of the device. This takes into account:
- lift dimensions;
- dimensions of vehicles serviced on it;
- the need for free space around for the car mechanic to move;
- possibility of free access;
- required distance from car washing and painting areas.
Sufficient room height is required to place the device. At the same time, it must ensure free placement of not only the lift, but also the car at maximum lift. With low ceilings, you can save on height by installing a lift and making a service area in a recess.
Installation of the mechanism requires a high-quality foundation. The strength and evenness of the foundation determines the correct placement of racks, support frames, operational safety, and the service life of components and the entire structure.
When installing a lift with 4 racks, the thickness of the foundation is taken to be at least 15 cm; concrete M300 and higher is used for pouring. The same is done for two-column units, which have lower synchronization, and with upper or no synchronization, the minimum grade of concrete is M400, the layer thickness increases to 30 cm.
To save room height, scissor lifts are mounted in a recess placed in the floor.
