Purchasing a new vehicle lift is a significant investment. To ensure a quality piece of equipment, you’ve likely spent a considerable amount of money—and once it’s in your shop, you want to keep it in mint condition.
After all, a broken lift can’t generate revenue. Beyond the financial impact, maintaining your lift is about protecting your technicians and the vehicles they service. By following manufacturer-recommended maintenance and staying compliant with national standards, you ensure your shop stays productive, safe, and profitable.
Daily and Routine Maintenance: Your First Line of Defense
A lift is a powerful machine, and like any machine, maintenance is mandatory. While modern lifts are built tough, they still require regular attention to stay “as-new.”
- The Daily Glance: Take a moment every day to look over your lifts. Small issues caught early prevent expensive repairs later.
- Cable Health: Wipe cables with a rag to feel for small broken strands, corrosion, or stretching. If you feel any deformities, shut the lift down and replace the cables immediately.
- Anchor Bolts: Check the bolts securing the lift to the concrete. Ensure they are tightened to the manufacturer’s specific torque guidelines.
- Lubrication and Fluids: Follow the manufacturer’s schedule religiously. For hydraulic lifts, check fluid levels and quality regularly—if it’s dirty or low, flush or refill it.
- Cleanliness: Solvents and de-icing chemicals are corrosive. If your lift is exposed to these, rinse them off with water and dry with a clean rag immediately.
- Accessories: Inspect your rolling jacks, adapters, and warning decals. If a decal is peeling, replace it to ensure safety information remains visible.
Professional Inspections: Protect Your Investment
While daily checks are vital, they don’t replace the need for a professional eye. All shops should have their vehicle lifts inspected by qualified lift inspectors at least once a year, or more.
Why schedule an inspection?
- Compliance: ANSI national standards and a growing number of state codes require annual inspections. Documented inspections help you avoid costly OSHA citations and fines.
- Longevity: Inspections ensure that all safety and performance mechanisms are working exactly as intended, extending the life of your equipment.
- Peace of Mind: Our technicians bring many years of experience and we maintain proper insurance coverage.
5 Red Flags: When to Call for Repairs
Daily maintenance can prevent many issues, but wear and tear is inevitable. If you notice any of the following five signs, stop using the lift and call a qualified repair company like us immediately:
- Fluid Leaks: Any sign of hydraulic fluid leaking from the system.
- Lock Failure: Locks or restraints that do not engage or disengage properly.
- Physical Flaws: Excessive wear, cracks, or deformities on any part of the lift structure.
- Damaged Contact Points: Worn or damaged adapters and contact pads.
- Foundation Issues: Cracked or loose concrete around the floor anchors.
The Importance of OE Replacement Parts
When a repair is necessary, insist on Original Equipment (OE) replacement parts. While aftermarket “imitation” parts might seem like a way to save money, they often lead to bigger problems:
- Certification: If you have a certified lift (look for the gold label), using aftermarket parts can invalidate the lift’s certification.
- Fit and Function: OE parts are guaranteed to fit your specific lift brand, ensuring it operates within its original safety specifications.
- Availability: Imitation parts are often out of stock when you need them most, leading to more downtime.
Partner With the Experts
Don’t leave your shop’s safety to chance. Whether you need a routine annual inspection, a complex repair, or genuine OE parts, we’re here to help.