Scissor lifts – choice and maintenance How to choose tyre service and car repair tools
Scissor lifts – basic facts
On the lookout for a scissor lift? Not sure which one you should choose? we got a few tips on how to pick the best tool for your needs. Learn more about which parameters you should take into consideration. See what is the perfect lifting height and when you should get a scissor lift.
Scissor lift’s capacity
This is the basic thing you have to remember about. This parameter shows the weight of cars that you can work on. For passenger cars you can consider a lift with the capacity of 3000 kg (3 tons). It will probably handle some car-derived vans – after all ,they can also come to your garage, particularly during the tyre changing season.
Lifting height
Be sure to remember about the lifting height. This is important for your working comfort. The larger the setting scope, the easier it is to adjust the height at which the car is, according to your real needs. It means easier access to the threshold, parts of the underbody or even brakes.
What are the lifting heights in products like these? Let’s take a look at REDATS scissor lifts. They have the following ranges:
- 620 mm (REDATS L-520)
- 960 mm (REDATS L-550)
- 1850 mm (REDATS L-600)
How do they work?
They can have either one or two platforms that allow to lift the car to a chosen height. The structure of this lift makes it a perfect choice for tyre service jobs. And how about mechanical works? Well, these lifts can be useful in these cases too. After all, the two runways are independent, which means easy access to:
- brake system
- exhaust system
- various parts of underbody
Scissor lift or two-post lift?
The answer is – it depends. The scissor lifts take very little space. They can fit even small spaces. Some of them can be moved around – you can simply put them at a random place at your garage.
So – if you are looking for a solution that takes little space, scissor lifts are a great choice. They provide great working conditions if you deal with tyre changing. And when you want to do some mechanical jobs, you can consider them too.
However, don’t forget that a scissor lift would always replace two-post one. After all, if you want to take the engine out or a gearbox, you will have much more space.
Scissor lifts are perfect for some car body jobs. There are no posts that would prevent access to the various parts of the body. You also don’t need to lay or kneel under the car.
Which of our scissor lifts are portable? Take our REDATS L-520 or REDATS L-550. They come with casters, so you can easily move them from one place to another. It won’t take too much force !
How to install the scissor lift?
See what is essential for installing the scissor lift at your place:
- class B20/B25 concrete
- space around the lift: 1 m (not less)
- power source: 400V
- concrete: at least 15 cm thickness (always ask the seller)
Working safety
Is a scissor lift safe and durable to use? Well, unless you exceed the recommended capacity, it should work trouble-free for years. There are lifts with special warning systems that warn against sudden drops of the platforms. So, it might be a good idea to check if the chosen scissor lift comes with solutions like this one.
For instance, our premium scissor lifts (like the L-550 or L-600) have special sound alerts that warn against sudden dropping of the runways.
How does that work? The sound appears when the lift goes down lower than 10 cm. This protects the user against feet crushing.
Already got a scissor lift? Now you can learn how to take proper care of it if you want it to work hassle-free at your garage. The basic maintenance work are relatively easy. And it will save you tons of money that you may lose in case of the tool’s damage. So, it might be a good idea to do some basic maintenance jobs.
What should you consider when it comes to scissor lift maintenance? There are a few things.
- Everyday maintenance
When done with work be sure to check the runways for potential damage. If you notice any deformation, better stop working and contact the service. And we’re not talking about any color changes or anything. It’s rather about visible shape changes.
The lifting parts are also important. They should have no damages at all. Plus to that, they need to be perfectly clean – any dirt could impair the work of the lift.
You should also remember about the hydraulic system. If you notice any leaks, be sure to remove them as soon as possible. If you don’t do that, the lift can get damaged. Also, be sure to check how certain safety elements work.
2. Weekly maintenance
Be sure to check the hydraulic actuators at least once a week. They should work without any problems and there should not be any leaks. If you notice these, better replace the actuator.
3. Monthly maintenance
Be sure to check the anchors that keep the lift in place at least once a month. If you need – retighten them. Before you do so, make sure to check the recommended torque for the anchors.
4. Every three months
This is an interval for checking the various gaskets in actuators. It might be a good idea to check if they did not get deformed or worn out.
5. Every half a year
Check the oil level at least once a year – unless the manufacturer recommendes otherwise. Top it up if needed. Also, check fuses – if they all work. Cables should be tight – there should not be any cracks or other damage in their structure.
