A Garage Lift Provides Remarkable Mechanical Felicity
Mechanics can choose from various models of lifts for home garages. Called by many names such as car hoist, garage lift, truck or automotive lift, or vertical platform lift, this four-post stabilizing technology provides access to the undersides of cars, trucks, snowmobiles, and other equipment to facilitate repair, increase storage capacity, or provide additional parking options. Lifts are the perfect way to store ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles and other equipment out of the way, leaving behind usable space beneath for a regular vehicle that gets daily use.
This advanced technology has become quite affordable for home garages and shops, allowing mechanics enhanced access to the working parts of suspensions systems, exhaust and environmental equipment, transmissions, wheels, chassis detailing, and much more. Mechanics could enjoy easy access to change oil or raise a car for a home brake job. The equipment facilitates car restorations, which is a very popular hobby among car enthusiasts. Lifts can be used to raise boats, canoes, roof racks, bikes or other bulky equipment and store it in the underutilized vertical space in the garage.
Car hoists eliminate the need to contort the body in order to access key mechanical systems underneath a vehicle, and they operate efficiently with a wireless remote control at the touch of a button whenever needed. The physical labor of maintenance jobs is minimized, making automotive work more enjoyable for vehicle owners and restoration hobbyists. A day or two working on a car while lying flat can be damaging to the spine and musculature, causing an aching back. Prices of home car lifts have never been cheaper, ranging from $1000 to $10,000. Models vary from a simple scissors-style jack to an in-ground hydraulic assembly that rivals the capabilities of a full-service automotive garage. Many people dread the prospect of wriggling beneath a car to perform needed maintenance, and often postpone essential repairs. This equipment facilitates all sorts of repairs and storage solutions in the home garage.
Consumers should research the equipment and choose carefully. The weight of the assembly and vehicles must be supported by the garage foundation. Lifts, though affordable, are still expensive, and improperly installed systems are dangerous and can cause damage to vehicles and property. The lifting equipment weighs from 1500-2000 pounds, and most standard concrete foundations can support the additional weight, but concrete should be at least 4.5-inches thick. Homeowners who do no know how thick the flooring is can buy a concrete drill bit and drill a test hole to determine depth.
Other considerations are critical for successful garage lift installation. Most equipment needs at least 22 feet of depth and 11-12 feet of height. Overhead hazards such as lighting fixtures or garage door assemblies might also limit the workable area. If the clearances are very tight, then additional space could be obtained by backing in the vehicle. The lower profile of the hood might provide the extra inches needed to operate overhead garage doors. When the hoist is properly installed and operated in the correct manner, it should last for many years to provide trouble-free storage, access, and lifting of heavy equipment.