Whether it is for vehicle repairs, car maintenance or storage, car lifts are a staple repertoire for any car enthusiast or professional. These hoists dramatically improve your ability to service or repair auto motives with relative ease.
Using a lift also decrease chances of injury that come with having to crawl under a grounded vehicle, strenuously twisting and turning while groping for tools that might have rolled beyond reach. With a car lift, you are saved from leaving your garage feeling like an abused punching bag.
Below we look at 5 safety tips while working with a heavy truck lift.
1. Choose the right hoist
In this case, ‘right’ means certified. Even though different manufacturers test their vehicle hoists differently, you can look out for those certified by a third party. This includes the Automotive Lift Institute or ISO certification.
A faulty lift can make the difference between life and death. Uncertified equipment also leaves you vulnerable and liable in case there is an accident. To be on the safe side, it is advisable that you buy a certified vehicle lift.
2. Define the purpose of your lift
Understanding how you will use your lift will guide you into buying the best fit for your needs. Different lifts work best for certain task. 2 post and in-ground lifts are great for saving space, but it means the undercarriage is not as accessible for maintenance as it would be with 4 post or mobile lifts.
Other than type, you should also be aware of the weights that you will be lifting. That way, you can either get a light car lift or a heavy duty truck lift.
3. Train your team
Chances are that you will not be the only one working with the lift. It is advisable that anyone who might at one point be in contact with the hoist is trained on use. This can range from lift operations according to specifications of the products, to testing and evaluation. The latter two helps you gauge whether everybody understands how to safely work with and around a vehicle hoist.
4. Inspect Regularly
Just like the vehicle lift will be used for vehicle maintenance and repairs, it also needs regular inspections. This is to ensure that all the parts are working as they should. That way, the risk of injuries due to malfunction are cut down. It is also essential to ensure that your lift is installed properly. When installing, you need to consider preparing concrete for a car lift. This is one of the most crucial steps in ensuring the safety of your operations with the car lift.
5. Awareness
Lastly, like in numerous other situations, anyone working with a vehicle hoist should remain alert and aware. These are machines and something could go wrong unexpectedly. Awareness and looking around you helps you spot potentially hazardous mishaps. It is also important to clearly alert your colleagues every time you are moving the lift up or down.
