Lifts provide comfortable access to every serviceable part of a vehicle, enabling technicians to get more work done in less time, for maximum productivity and profitability. Proper maintenance practices will ensure a long lifetime of service.
“There’s more riding on your vehicle lifts than cars, trucks and vans,” said Bob Ford, Rotary Lift national accounts service manager. “Vehicle lifts support your business. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) estimates that the average service bay generates about $800 in revenue per day. If a lift is down for repair, productivity in that bay can be cut in half. Losing $400 a day while waiting for a lift to be repaired or replaced can have a serious impact on your bottom line.”
To keep your vehicle lifts operating properly, good maintenance and inspection practices are crucial. Rotary Lift offers the following lift maintenance and inspection tips.
- Read and follow the guidelines in your lift owner’s manual. Maintenance and inspection requirements vary for different styles and brands of vehicle lift. The owner’s manual will cover the specific maintenance needed for each lift.
- Schedule annual lift inspections for all of your vehicle lifts. This inspection should be performed by a factory-authorized technician. Your lift manufacturer can recommend authorized service companies in your area.
- Keep your lift well-lubricated, according to manufacturer guidelines. Rotary Lift offers a full line of lubricants formulated specifically for vehicle lifts. The Rotary Lubrication Products line includes grease, hydraulic lift fluid, oil fortifier and penetrating oil.
- Whether maintenance is performed in-house or by an outside service company, be sure to insist on genuine OE replacement parts. OE parts were designed by the lift manufacturer to original design specifications. Aftermarket parts are reverse-engineered and may not use the same materials or incorporate the latest design changes. The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) recommends using OE parts to ensure proper fit and function. Using aftermarket parts on an ALI-certified lift also may void that lift’s certification.
ALI offers general lift maintenance and inspection guidelines in a variety of materials, including a new training manual and DVD. These materials are available directly from ALI or through its members. Visit the organization’s website at www.autolift.org for details.
For more information about any Rotary Lift products or services, contact your local Rotary distributor, call Rotary at (800) 640-5438 or visit www.rotarylift.com.