5 tips to ensure your car hoists increase your workshop’s efficiency

How to choose the right auto lift for your workshop

Much the same way as any long-term investment for your business, purchasing a car lift or hoist calls for careful planning and consideration, to give you the maximum ROI from your equipment.

As a helpful guide to Levanta’s huge range of two-post and four-post auto lifts and scissor lifts, we’ve put together the following pointers on picking the right model of car lift for your garage.

1) Consider your available floor and ceiling space

Of course, adding a car lift to your workshop will not only require sufficient floor space, but also enough overhead clearance to let you raise a vehicle off the ground. So before you begin browsing our range of car lifts, make sure you take the time to measure your available space both horizontally and vertically to ensure the lift will fit in your garage and be able to go through the full range of motion even with a vehicle on board.

2) Keep in mind the size of vehicles you’ll be lifting

Your new vehicle lift should have the power and capacity to safely accommodate the size and type of vehicles your workshop most often services. If you service only certain makes, this might mean choosing between only a few specific car lift models. On the other hand if you’re a generalist workshop (and if your budget allows), you’ll be able to service a much bigger variety of vehicles by investing in the biggest four-post lift you can afford.

3) Do you need both storage and parking from your new car lift?

If you need to make the most of your available floor space, you could be better off investing in an “all-rounder” lift that can handle parked vehicles. Some lifts, such as the HD-9 Series, are designed to offer you a storage or parking area as well as a means of providing easy access to the underside of a vehicle.

4) Should you choose a portable car lift?

If you’re working within a smaller space, there are still car lift options available to you. If you don’t have space to permanently install a car lift, you may be able to choose from our range of specialty car lifts and scissor lifts. They don’t require installation, and can be moved into your workspace only when needed.

5) Check the manufacturer’s warranty on your car lift

Before you commit to buying any car lift, it’s worthwhile taking the time to check the warranty offered by the manufacturer. Your car lift will soon be central to the way you work, so it’s important to understand what’s covered in the event of a breakdown.

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Some car hoist manufacturers offer more comprehensive coverage and better service than others, so do your research and choose a brand with a great reputation. For example, the XPR Series of 2 post hoists come with a 5-2-1 warranty (five years on the lift structure; two years on the hydraulic cylinder(s) and power unit; and one year on labour).

Need advice on vehicle lifts? Talk to Levanta

Having the right car or truck lift in your workshop can help improve your business’s productivity and safety – and help you offer a better service to your customers.

To find out more about our range of car lifts and how they can help make your workshop safer and more efficient, call Levanta on 1300 577 541 or use the contact forms for your local office here. 

4 ways car hoists offer you improved efficiency (and profits!)

What’s the benefit to your workshop business?

Efficiency is a common goal for most Australian businesses. And in a car or truck workshop, efficiency most often means getting cars in and out as quickly as possible (otherwise known as high vehicle throughput).

One of the major decisions you can make to increase the efficiency of your workshop business is having the right car hoists or lifts. In this news post, we take you through the top four ways vehicle hoists can improve your business’s efficiency – and your bottom line.

1) Reducing the required prep time per vehicle

With a more versatile heavy-duty lift, your workshop will be able to service commercial trucks as well as small passenger vehicles, without the need for downtime while you perform a special setup.

Thanks to your versatile high-capacity lift, no matter what type of vehicle comes into your workshop, your technicians will be able to get it up on the lift and ready for servicing in a matter of minutes.

2) Offering easier access for vehicle servicing

By raising a vehicle on a lift such as a Levanta’s 4-post hoists, your technicians will have much better access to “trouble spots” such as the suspension, diff, and other areas compared to when the vehicle is simply raised on a jack.

Your technicians will also be able to work on a lifted vehicle while standing up, rather than having to lay flat on a creeper. This also makes it much easier for them to access hand tools and other necessary auto service equipment more quickly and efficiently.

3) Allowing you to offer a wider range of workshop services

By installing large-capacity hoists that can safely service many types of vehicles, your business can expand into new markets and offer a wider range of services. In turn, this will bring more customers through the doors – leading to increased revenue and profits.

4) Helping you attract quality employees

One thing we’ve noticed over the years is that auto technicians will actively seek employment in a workshop that’s fitted out with the best equipment. This is because they know that by working with the most modern, up-to-date vehicle servicing gear, they’ll not only add to their skills, but also have the best chance of career success.

This means that when you equip your workshop with high quality auto hoists, you’ll not only give yourself the best chance of attracting more talented employees, but also of retaining them for longer. This can save your auto service business some of the costs of finding and training new employees.

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Talk to Levanta for the right car lift for your workshop

At Levanta, we understand that as a workshop business owner, you always have an eye on efficiency and the bottom line. So to make sure your car or truck workshop is performing at its best in both areas, choose quality auto lifts from Levanta and help your technicians do more in less time.

To find out more about our range of car lifts and how they can help make your workshop safer and more efficient, call Levanta on 1300 577 541 or use the contact form for your local office here. 

Safety and Maintenance Checklist for Car Hoists and Auto Lifts

Levanta’s guide to ensuring safety in your workshop

Now that you’ve invested in one or more two post or four post auto hoists for your vehicle workshop, you’ll no doubt want to keep them in top working order for the long term.

The good news is that there are a number of maintenance tasks you can (and should) perform yourself every day, every week, and each month.

By adhering to this simple car lift service plan, you can keep your lifts working safely and effectively, and potentially save money on repairs with some preventive maintenance.

To keep your car hoist in the best condition, remember to carry out the following regular maintenance tasks.

Daily car hoist maintenance

  • Each morning, you should carefully inspect all your vehicle hoist’s moving parts, cables, and hoses for obvious defects or any signs of unusual wear and tear.
  • Wipe off any excess dirt or grease, both to keep your car lift clean and to make the visual inspection more accurate and easier to perform.
  • Check that all locking mechanisms and safety features are working properly before attempting to lift any vehicle.
  • Repair or replace any damaged parts immediately as required.

Weekly car hoist maintenance

  • Thoroughly lubricate all pulleys, rollers, chains, and safety lock pivot points to ensure the smooth operation of your lift, as well as preventing rust.
  • Carefully inspect all nuts, bolts, cables, and pins to ensure they’re intact and properly mounted. Tighten any loose components as necessary.
  • Repair or replace any damaged parts immediately as required.

Monthly car hoist maintenance

  • Check the hoist columns to ensure they are still squarely and securely anchored to the workshop floor. Tighten any anchor bolts that have worked loose – and if you notice a more serious problem, call a licensed service technician
  • Give your entire car lift a thorough cleaning, both to keep it looking good and to expose any potential problem areas.
  • Check the tension of all cables and hoses, and tighten or slacken as needed.

Flexible service plans make hoist maintenance simple

By carrying out these daily, weekly, and monthly car hoist maintenance tasks, you can ensure the safe operation of your car lifts, and prolong the life of your auto repair equipment.

As well as the above “DIY” car lift maintenance tasks, it’s important to schedule an annual service from a professional auto lift technician with specialist knowledge of your particular brand of hoist. Not only will it give you added peace of mind, it’s also a requirement under Australian law. Talk to Levanta about a flexible service plan today.

Want to know more about maintenance plans for your workshop’s car hoists? Talk to the vehicle hoist experts Levanta on 1300 577 541 or with your local branch’s contact forms here.