Different Types Of Alignment Lifts

Different Types Of Alignment Lifts

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With more then a few different types of alignment lifts available, you might be wondering whats best for your shop. This critique will try to answer questions that you might have. Hopefully, once you have read the information contained here, you will have a better comprehension as to what is best for your own needs.

To start, there are two fundamental types of alignment lifts; the post lift and the scissor lift. Post lifts use posts to raise or lower the vehicle, while scissor lifts feature a pair of X-shaped beams under the ramps to raise or lower the automobile. The latter type is more expensive due to needing more steel in its construction, but it has the advantage of occupying less space. Also, scissor lifts do not have crossbeams, which would hinder access to most of a vehicles undercarriage.

There is a third type of alignment lift, one that utilizes a parallelogram structure to raise the vehicle. This type of lift is most commonly used for heavier cars, such as trucks or vans. Unlike the post and the scissor types, which lift on a straight vertical path, the parallelogram lifts the vehicle with a minor forward movement.

Once you have chosen a type of alignment lift, based on the lifting mechanism, you next have to make your mind up on whether you want a flush-mount or a surface-mount lift. A flush-mounted alignment lift is installed into a recess in the shop or garage floor. A surface-mounted lift is placed on the surface of the floor. One of the advantages of a flush-mounted alignment lift is that you dont need any drive-on ramp extensions. This will make available any alignment bay to be at least four feet shorter than it would have to be with a surface-mounted lift.

Last, but definitely not least, you should make sure the alignment lift is companionable with your other alignment equipment. If youre using mechanical gauges or laser alignment equipment, you can opt for any type of alignment lift. For use with a 3D camera system, the alignment lift must provide ample spacing so that the cameras can see the wheel targets. Older camera-based alignment systems need to be placed a few feet away from the lift so they can see the wheel target better, while any of the new generation of cameras can be located closer to the alignment lift.

These are some of the principal things you need to know when it comes to choosing an alignment lift. This major piece of automotive shop gear is essential for alignment tasks, and it is also a major purchase on your part, so be sure to pick the one best suited to your shop or garage.

About the Author:
For more information on automotive lifts, as well as other garage tools
and auto repair equipment, visit Garage Equipment Supply.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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