Wrenchers Helps With Your Heavy Lifting
What is Lifting Capacity?
Looking for plenty of lifting capacity in a new two-post auto lift? But what is auto lift capacity and how does it relate to choosing the right lift. True, lift capacity generally means the amount of vehicle weight that a lift is engineered to raise. However there are contributing details that should be considered so that the appropriate auto lift capacity is chosen. Items to consider begin with the types of and weights of vehicles you repair, your garage floor, how you use your lift, and more. Think of the right two-post auto lift and its lift capacity as a team member that helps you work on cars.
Once you have determined the details you need, Wrenchers’ two-post auto lifts are available to lift everything from regular passenger cars to very heavy utility work trucks. In more technical terms, this means two-post lifting capacity ratings from 6,000 lbs. all the way up to 18,000 lbs.
Get in on the Ground Floor
To begin, you will want to inspect the floor below. Most two-post auto lifts require concrete slab thicknesses from 4.25” (6,000 lb.) to 8.00” (18,000 lb.) of strong concrete in good condition so that the lifting capacity is properly supported. To see what the actual spec is, refer to the respective lift’s owner’s manual download. It should state the required thickness and other important concrete criteria.
Best way to check the thickness of an existing slab is to find an inconspicuous corner and check the depth with a concrete drill bit. Drill the hole in a safe area, take a decent sized screw driver and put it down to the dirt. Then measure the length on the screwdriver. The appropriate thickness is needed because a two-post lift is bolted to the concrete slab to secure the lift properly while holding a vehicle up in the air.
Weight Watchers
Consider the weights of the range of vehicles that you typically work on. If you are unsure simply google to check the vehicle’s weight. Most vehicles, even those that are many decades old, should be listed. If not, google another similar sized, more popular vehicle for a weight estimate. Since most everyday passenger vehicles weigh less than 5,000 lbs. there should be several good auto lift choices with plenty of certified lifting capacity. For larger and heavier vehicles, be sure to evaluate your garage’s setting, and anticipated vehicle weight range, and choose from one of the higher lift capacity two-posts available from Wrenchers.
Wrenchers offers many brands to choose from when looking for two-post auto lifts that range from 6,000 lbs. to 18,000 lbs.
It Weighs How Much?
Determining the weight of newer cars? Have you noticed? Cars are really packing it on. For example, a Nissan Altima can weigh close to 3,500 lbs. A late-model Toyota Sequoia can easily tip the scales near 6,000 lbs. Many late-model Dodge Challengers weigh close to 5,000 lbs. Compare these to a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria which is only 3,900 lbs. See the trend? Outward size can be very deceiving. Reasons are many. More safety equipment, drivetrains have way more technology and the list goes on. Remember, most late-model vehicles weigh far more than they did years ago. Don’t guess, be sure.
Choosing for a Busy Shop? - Expect the Unexpected
If your shop stays busy with customer’s cars all day long, you know to expect the unexpected vehicle. Sometimes this means you need to raise a plumbing van loaded with tools and pipes late on a Friday and of course a vehicle like this is heavier than the norm. Therefore, the appropriate lifting capacity is needed to safely raise these larger vehicles.
When choosing a lift capacity for these uses, make the smart choice and choose a lift one or two capacity levels above what you normally need. Especially in a retail automotive repair shop. This way you will be well-equipped to deal with the unexpected heavyweight, on that rainy Friday afternoon.
General Repair Garage or Quick Service Shops
Keep in mind that every day bread-and-butter commuter cars can come with additional weight too. Large items stored in the trunk, overhead sport equipment racks, trailer hitches, and two cases of bottled waters from Costco. Consider potential extra weight loaded in the vehicle when it arrives at your shop.
Home Garage or Smaller Work Shop
Conversely, if your lift is to be used in a home garage to work on your vintage Porsche, Camaro, or other lighter to medium sized vehicles, choosing a lift capacity is fairly straightforward. Smaller shop settings and home garages often have a predictable list of car sizes. One of Wrenchers 6,000 lb. or 7,000 lb. lifts can work very well in these settings; depending on how much lift rise you need.
Stay in Balance
Since each two-post lift will include four telescoping lift arms, each arm will share a portion of the total lift capacity. The distribution of a vehicle’s weight can affect the stability and loaded capacity of the lift too. Bottom line is when positioning the lift arms, be sure the vehicle is balanced properly to evenly distribute the load.
Buying A Two Post Lift?
Wrenchers is here to help you choose the perfect two post car lift for your shop or garage
Choosing A Two Post LiftWorth the Weight
What contributes to a two-post auto lift that safely offers the right lift capacity for you? Superior engineering as found in all of the two-post lifts that Wrenchers offers. When selecting the best weight capacity to meet your needs, remember that the right lift also includes versatile capability and quality features that exceed your requirements.
Here is a list of some of the features found in many of the lifts that Wrenchers offers.
- Heavy duty lifting cables
- Oversize cable sheave diameter
- Equalization cables
- Friction-reducing sheaves
- Direct-drive systems
- Single point release locks
- Certification
- Strong Column design
- Telescoping arms
- Safety Locks
Weight Distribution Per Arm
It is also important to always load the vehicle properly on the lift, this means in proper balance. Rated lift capacities account for a vehicle’s weight to be uniformly distributed at each of the four lift points on the arm assemblies, and while raising the vehicle from the appropriate chassis lift points. If a vehicle is placed with a large imbalance on a lift, the vehicle’s weight can be tremendously offset. Besides the issue of an imbalanced vehicle not resting securely on all four lift pads, the lifting weight will largely be placed on only two lift arms. Check all four telescoping lift arm pads before lifting and while lifting. Again, lifting capacity accounts for the vehicle placing the weight distribution on each arm, in balance.
Wrenchers Helps With Your Heavy Lifting
What is Lifting Capacity?
Looking for plenty of lifting capacity in a new two-post auto lift? But what is auto lift capacity and how does it relate to choosing the right lift. True, lift capacity generally means the amount of vehicle weight that a lift is engineered to raise. However there are contributing details that should be considered so that the appropriate auto lift capacity is chosen. Items to consider begin with the types of and weights of vehicles you repair, your garage floor, how you use your lift, and more. Think of the right two-post auto lift and its lift capacity as a team member that helps you work on cars.
Once you have determined the details you need, Wrenchers’ two-post auto lifts are available to lift everything from regular passenger cars to very heavy utility work trucks. In more technical terms, this means two-post lifting capacity ratings from 6,000 lbs. all the way up to 18,000 lbs.
Get in on the Ground Floor
To begin, you will want to inspect the floor below. Most two-post auto lifts require concrete slab thicknesses from 4.25” (6,000 lb.) to 8.00” (18,000 lb.) of strong concrete in good condition so that the lifting capacity is properly supported. To see what the actual spec is, refer to the respective lift’s owner’s manual download. It should state the required thickness and other important concrete criteria.
Best way to check the thickness of an existing slab is to find an inconspicuous corner and check the depth with a concrete drill bit. Drill the hole in a safe area, take a decent sized screw driver and put it down to the dirt. Then measure the length on the screwdriver. The appropriate thickness is needed because a two-post lift is bolted to the concrete slab to secure the lift properly while holding a vehicle up in the air.
Weight Watchers
Consider the weights of the range of vehicles that you typically work on. If you are unsure simply google to check the vehicle’s weight. Most vehicles, even those that are many decades old, should be listed. If not, google another similar sized, more popular vehicle for a weight estimate. Since most everyday passenger vehicles weigh less than 5,000 lbs. there should be several good auto lift choices with plenty of certified lifting capacity. For larger and heavier vehicles, be sure to evaluate your garage’s setting, and anticipated vehicle weight range, and choose from one of the higher lift capacity two-posts available from Wrenchers.
Wrenchers offers many brands to choose from when looking for two-post auto lifts that range from 6,000 lbs. to 18,000 lbs.
It Weighs How Much?
Determining the weight of newer cars? Have you noticed? Cars are really packing it on. For example, a Nissan Altima can weigh close to 3,500 lbs. A late-model Toyota Sequoia can easily tip the scales near 6,000 lbs. Many late-model Dodge Challengers weigh close to 5,000 lbs. Compare these to a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria which is only 3,900 lbs. See the trend? Outward size can be very deceiving. Reasons are many. More safety equipment, drivetrains have way more technology and the list goes on. Remember, most late-model vehicles weigh far more than they did years ago. Don’t guess, be sure.
Choosing for a Busy Shop? - Expect the Unexpected
If your shop stays busy with customer’s cars all day long, you know to expect the unexpected vehicle. Sometimes this means you need to raise a plumbing van loaded with tools and pipes late on a Friday and of course a vehicle like this is heavier than the norm. Therefore, the appropriate lifting capacity is needed to safely raise these larger vehicles.
When choosing a lift capacity for these uses, make the smart choice and choose a lift one or two capacity levels above what you normally need. Especially in a retail automotive repair shop. This way you will be well-equipped to deal with the unexpected heavyweight, on that rainy Friday afternoon.
General Repair Garage or Quick Service Shops
Keep in mind that every day bread-and-butter commuter cars can come with additional weight too. Large items stored in the trunk, overhead sport equipment racks, trailer hitches, and two cases of bottled waters from Costco. Consider potential extra weight loaded in the vehicle when it arrives at your shop.
Home Garage or Smaller Work Shop
Conversely, if your lift is to be used in a home garage to work on your vintage Porsche, Camaro, or other lighter to medium sized vehicles, choosing a lift capacity is fairly straightforward. Smaller shop settings and home garages often have a predictable list of car sizes. One of Wrenchers 6,000 lb. or 7,000 lb. lifts can work very well in these settings; depending on how much lift rise you need.
Stay in Balance
Since each two-post lift will include four telescoping lift arms, each arm will share a portion of the total lift capacity. The distribution of a vehicle’s weight can affect the stability and loaded capacity of the lift too. Bottom line is when positioning the lift arms, be sure the vehicle is balanced properly to evenly distribute the load.
Buying A Two Post Lift?
Wrenchers is here to help you choose the perfect two post car lift for your shop or garage
Choosing A Two Post LiftWorth the Weight
What contributes to a two-post auto lift that safely offers the right lift capacity for you? Superior engineering as found in all of the two-post lifts that Wrenchers offers. When selecting the best weight capacity to meet your needs, remember that the right lift also includes versatile capability and quality features that exceed your requirements.
Here is a list of some of the features found in many of the lifts that Wrenchers offers.
- Heavy duty lifting cables
- Oversize cable sheave diameter
- Equalization cables
- Friction-reducing sheaves
- Direct-drive systems
- Single point release locks
- Certification
- Strong Column design
- Telescoping arms
- Safety Locks
Weight Distribution Per Arm
It is also important to always load the vehicle properly on the lift, this means in proper balance. Rated lift capacities account for a vehicle’s weight to be uniformly distributed at each of the four lift points on the arm assemblies, and while raising the vehicle from the appropriate chassis lift points. If a vehicle is placed with a large imbalance on a lift, the vehicle’s weight can be tremendously offset. Besides the issue of an imbalanced vehicle not resting securely on all four lift pads, the lifting weight will largely be placed on only two lift arms. Check all four telescoping lift arm pads before lifting and while lifting. Again, lifting capacity accounts for the vehicle placing the weight distribution on each arm, in balance.