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TECHNOLOGY & FEATURES

Advances in lift technology
In recent years, a variety of adaptations have been made to vehicle lifting equipment
to keep up with changes in vehicle design and industry demand.
by Emily Markham, Assistant Editor
Photo from Advantage Lifts.

I

n the automotive world, change is
constant. Vehicles are continuously
adapting to become safer, more
environmentally friendly, and to
meet the needs of whatever is
happening in the world around
them. The same can be said of the
tools and equipment automotive
repair shops are using to fix the
vehicles, especially when it comes
to lift equipment and accessories.
This essential shop equipment has
adapted along with vehicles over
the years to meet the needs of the
technicians performing the repairs.

BACK TO THE BEGINNING
Lift equipment has been around for many
years - adapting and expanding in various forms to fit the needs of the industry.
" One of the great advances was in
mobile column lifts, which first entered
the market in the 1980s, " says Peter Bowers, technical sales support manager
for Stertil-Koni. " They were unknown
technology before that time. They were
all from European manufacturers. The
transition of mobile columns has been
from three-phase VAC cabled mobiles to
battery wireless mobiles. "
Additionally, Bowers notes that
mobile columns are now available with
accessories to provide frame engaging
lifting in the front and rear.
Looking at another type of lift system,
Bowers explains that platform lifts have
been around since the 1970s, but " were
mostly large four-post lifts. "
" In the mid-1980s, OMER invented
the hidden lifting mechanism VEGA
heavy duty platform, " Bowers says. " This

14 I Vehicle Lift Guide I March 2021

lift was emulated by Advantage Lifts, and
that was subsequently purchased by
Rotary [Lift]. "
In response to that, come 2008,
Stertil-Koni introduced a vertical rise
platform called the SKYLIFT. Most lift
manufacturers now offer a vertical rise
platform lift, as it not only delivers vertical lifting, but also helps maximize floor
space in the shop, Bowers notes. Many

A technician well-trained in using their shop's
lift equipment is a safe technician.

platform lifts now also include jacking
beams, runway lifts, washing-bay options,
and auto-pit covers as accessories.
Moving on to inground lifts, which
gained popularity in the 1950s, Bowers
explains that by the 1980s, these lifts were
largely single stage pistons that operated



PTEN_0321

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PTEN_0321

Editor's Note
Featured New Products
Tool Briefing
Tool Reviews
Diagnostic Tech
Category Spotlight
Marketplace
Big-Time Boxes
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PTEN_0321 - 2
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PTEN_0321 - Editor's Note
PTEN_0321 - Featured New Products
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PTEN_0321 - RSC1
PTEN_0321 - RSC2
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PTEN_0321 - Tool Briefing
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PTEN_0321 - Tool Reviews
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PTEN_0321 - Diagnostic Tech
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PTEN_0321 - Category Spotlight
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PTEN_0321 - 41
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PTEN_0321 - Marketplace
PTEN_0321 - Big-Time Boxes
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