Aspects to Consider When Purchasing an Alignment Lift
If you’re employed in wheel alignment, the most important piece of shop equipment is the alignment lift. By using an alignment lift, you are able to raise cars and trucks so you can examine the suspension and steering mechanisms, in addition to looking at the alignment.
An alignment lift maximizes productivity for wheel alignment jobs since it has features that make tasks less time-consuming, such as slip plates and turn plates. Slip plates are necessary for work on independent rear suspensions, making it possible for these to come to rest at their normal ride height. Turn plates are used to examine caster and toe-out when the wheels are turned to either side.
The turn plates must be even with the ramps of the alignment lift, so that there are no bumps when the car rolls over them. Alignment systems equipped with a three dimensional camera and wheel-mounted targets require the vehicle to roll back and forth to check for wheel run-out. This process is difficult to do if turn plates are raised, causing bumps in the ramps.
When inactive, both slip plates and turn plates must be locked to prevent them from turning. Manual locking mechanisms are hard to use, but on alignment-type lifts, the locking mechanisms are pneumatic. This means plates can be locked and released by the push of a button.
Turn plates made of stainless steel are the best kind, since they cannot corrode. You will also want to check to make sure the bearings are made of plastic, because plastic bearings will not rust.
Unlike other types of lifts, the alignment lift includes a drive-on ramp, which means the wheels will be firmly on the ramp at all times. This is a good thing when it comes to aligning wheels, because the full weight of the auto rests on its suspension system. The wheels must not be left dangling in mid-air!
Depending on what types of vehicles you will work on, there are various lengths of drive-on ramps available. Drive-on ramps can have enough length and width that they can hold light trucks and larger passenger cars or vans. If you purchase an above-ground alignment lift, the ramps must be long enough that the end of any vehicle doesn’t scrape when going on and off the ramp. Pickups with extended cabs require super long ramps, unless you also purchase a ramp extension.
These are all factors you must take under advisement when buying an alignment lift for your shop. Since an alignment lift is a necessity in order to do alignment work, you should decide wisely.
Visit Garage Equipment Supply for automotive lifts and a wide variety of automobile garage equipment.