Scissor car lifts are able to be used for cars, light trucks, and SUVs. These systems are designed to help with car maintenance and repair. They are built with a ramp pad that is used to drive the car onto the lift. Beneath the car are two extending posts that push out vertically from one side the other. When they are extended or the lift is raised the posts will form a scissor or ‘X’.
It is not practical for people to use the lift as a way to store the vehicle. This is because of the lifting arms that are situated directly beneath it. It is only able to handle one vehicle at a time with no room underneath to drive and hold another one. The scissor car lift are quite large but they are simple enough to operate. They function through an electric motor or hydraulics. However, you might be able to find some that work using the mechanical or pneumatic method to lift the car.
There are three main types of car lifts available, the low rise, moderate rise, and high rise. The low rise is able to lift the vehicle only thirty six inches from the floor. The moderate rise is able to life the vehicle forty eight inches off the floor. This is ideal for homeowners that have a low overhead ceiling. Even if your ceiling is eight feet you will still be able to safely lift your car into the air and perform routine maintenance. The high rise scissor car lift is able to lift the car more then forty eight inches off the floor.
The majority of car lifts come preassembled and can cost anywhere between $800 to $3,000. The starting weight capacity is around 6,000 pounds and is able to reach as high as tens of thousands of pounds to handle the larger SUVs. The industrial scissor car lifts are used mainly for large automotive companies and repair shops.
Standard Scissor Car Lift Features
- Ideal for tire service and other types of repairs
- Platform length adjustable to hold a variety of cars
- Safety features that will hold the car firmly in place
- In ground installation