The auto hoist or lift as it is known in some countries has come a long way in the last few years when it comes to safety devices, but the cheaper lifts even if fully compliant are rubbish and to be avoided.
I make this statement as a hydraulic expert who has rebuilt many hydraulic rams for hoists, bulldozers, front end loaders and more.
The problem with cheap hoists is seal quality, machining and metallurgy all of which are sub standard in cheaper hoists.
I would feel safer working under a well made American or Australian hoist or lift that was 20 years old (providing it had received its proper servicing) than stand under a cheap imported lift for 5 minutes.
Having established that you need to buy quality, what type of hoist should you buy?
- Clear span 2 post asymmetric.
This is a very popular hoist as it is easy to walk around and provides access to the vehicle through the doors when the car is on the hoist.
The symmetric clear span hoist is best for lifting long wheelbase vehicles as the weight distribution is kept within the limitations of the hoist mounting bolts, and so the vehicle is loaded with the same weight on all four points.
- Floor plate 2 post asymmetric.
- Floor plate 2 post symmetric.
The same rule applies as for clear span, do not load long wheelbase vehicles asymmetrically
- Single post lift. These can be mounted along a wall to save space and can lift up to 4 ton commonly..
- scissors lift. Ideal for fast floor work such as brakes and tyre changes. 3 ton is the average size for a scissors lift.
- 4 post hoist. Suitable for major suspension repairs when used with a sliding jacking stand or a bottle jack on the hoist rails.
- 4 post wheel alignment hoist. This option with 2 jacking stands is very versatile and can save time on suspension replacement and complete the job by using an aligner with the hoist turntables and slide plates. (built-in.)
When you mount your hoist, make sure your floor has 6" of reinforced concrete.
- Some 4 posters will be OK mounted on a 4 inch floor, but certainly not an asymmetric clear span.
The roof height is another consideration.
You will need close to 15' height for the clear span to allow for the switch off safety bar that controls the height limit.
This is the bar that runs across the top of a clear span hoist, and switches the hoist off before it damages the roof of vans and tall vehicles.
