Debunking the Myths Around Mobile Column Lifts & Comparing Wash Bay Options - 21 December
5 Common Myths About Mobile Column Lifts
We’ve sold a lot of mobile column lifts over the decades. And in that time, we’ve spoken to thousands of workshops and fleet owners all over the country.
But no matter where we go, we hear the same misconceptions about mobile column lifts popping up — about how they work, what they’re good for, and what their limits are.
Here are 5 of the most common myths about our lifts — and why they’re just not true:
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1.??“They are not as strong as other lifts.”
We can see the logic behind this myth:
Mobile things are smaller, and smaller things aren’t as powerful. Right?
But when it comes to mobile column lifts, that logic doesn’t hold true.
Our?Totalkare Mobile Column Lifts?are capable of lifting some of the heaviest vehicles around — easily on par with a traditional fixed-installation lift, and often even more.
So where does this misconception come from?
Part of it comes from the idea that smaller things aren’t as strong. But a big part of it comes from the difference in how their capacity is measured.
Each column comes with a lifting capacity of 7,500kg. It’s not as impressive as the numbers you see on some other heavy-duty vehicle lifts. But because a mobile column lift works in sets of columns, that capacity gets multiplied by the number of columns in use.
So even with the smallest configuration of 4 lifting columns, you’re looking at a total lifting capacity of 30,000kg.
And with the largest configuration of 8 columns?
We’re talking about a vehicle lift that can handle 60,000kg — which is far higher than many other traditional fixed lifts out there.
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2.??“They are not as safe as other lifts."
At first glance, you might think this makes sense.
There’s something reassuring about a piece of kit that’s bolted into concrete: something that’s permanently attached and never gets moved around.
But in reality, a mobile column lift has been carefully engineered to perform its job safely without the need for a fixed installation.
Our mobile column lifts have been in action for over 40 years, helping thousands of workshops and fleet owners to complete hundreds of thousands of lifting jobs safely and efficiently.
And during all that time, we’ve been continually refining and improving the design and functionality, adding new technology and modern safety features to every new iteration we develop.
So we can say this with confidence:
When it’s used correctly by a trained individual, our mobile column lifts are some of the safest pieces of workshop gear around.
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3.??“They are not meant for other vehicles.”
Fixed-installation lifts often come with platforms and rails with a definite length. It’s easy to picture the type of vehicle it can handle — and one quick look at the platform length will tell you exactly how long your vehicles can be.
But until you’ve seen a mobile column lift in action, it’s not as easy to imagine the kind of vehicles it can lift.
We’ve already talked about how mobile column lifts work in sets of up to 8. That’s one column per wheel — which means they’re designed to lift vehicles that can have up to 8 wheels.
That includes some of the longest lorries, coaches, buses, and tippers out there.
And in fact, a set of mobile column lifts can actually give you more options for longer vehicles than a standard fixed lift.
Because a mobile column lift works with separate columns for each wheel, you’re not constrained by the length of the platforms and rails you find on fixed lifts. As long as you’re using enough columns to safely support the axles, the overall length of the vehicle has hardly any impact on whether you’re able to lift it.
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4.??“They're difficult to set up.”
Again, we can see why some people might think this.
With a fixed lift, you’re driving the vehicle onto a platform or rails. That sounds like the simpler option, with an easy visual target to aim for as you drive.
But with a set of mobile column lifts, it’s actually even easier.
You’re not bringing a heavy vehicle to a lift. You’re bringing the lift to the vehicle, wheeling each column into position around the wheels of a static vehicle.
There’s no careful manoeuvring of a heavy-duty vehicle, and no added risk of a vehicle in motion. It’s as simple as moving a lift that’s designed to be mobile — and following your?mobile column lift training?to ensure you’re attaching and lifting in the correct way.
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5.??“You can't access the wheels.”
This myth has the most truth to it — but it’s still not completely true.
Just like any other vehicle lift that lifts from the vehicle’s wheels (whether that’s a mobile column lift or the platforms of a fixed lift), you’ll have limited access to the wheelbase while the vehicle is raised.
But with a mobile column lift, there’s a solution that a fixed lift can’t offer you:
With the use of a?Totalkare Axle Stand, you’ll be able to keep the vehicle supported while you remove a single column lift — giving you full access to a single wheel of the vehicle while it’s raised up.
By removing and replacing each column lift one at a time (and using an Axle Stand in each new position to keep the vehicle supported), you can gain access to each wheel in sequence, without needing to lower the vehicle or use a different type of lift.
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Ready to learn more?
We’ve been supplying our Mobile Column Lifts for over 40 years — with a team of vehicle lift experts that knows all the ins and outs of how the technology really works.
So if you’re looking to learn more about mobile column lifts (and debunk the myths that surround them), check out?our full range of lifts?in our online shop — or?talk to one of our team?to get the full details.
Wash-bay Vehicle Lifts: Mobile Column or Y-MECH?
We’ve got?a huge range of vehicle lifts?on offer here at Totalkare. And for some workshops and fleet owners, the options can be intimidating.
So to help narrow things down and keep the comparison simple, we’ll be taking a deep dive into two of our most popular vehicle lifts for wash bay use:
The?G8AC Mobile Column Lift, and the galvanised version of the?Y-MECH.
But before we dig into the differences, let’s start by looking at how they’re the same:
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What do the Y-MECH and G8AC have in common?
Let’s get the easy part out of the way:
Whether you choose the galvanised Y-MECH or the G8AC, you’re getting a lift that’s perfectly suited to the wet conditions of a wash bay. That’s what they’re designed for, and that’s what you’re looking for.
But there are plenty of other similar features between them. Here’s what you get with both types of lift:
Now we’ve covered the common ground, let’s get into the differences between them. Here are the questions you need to ask:
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Do you need a flexible workshop layout?
This is one of the biggest differences between the two lifts — and that makes it one of the most important factors to consider for your premises.
The G8AC is a Mobile Column Lift. You can set up a group of columns and start lifting anywhere (as long as you’ve got a safe space and vertical height).
If you’ve got a day in the workshop where you don’t need any lifting, you can pack up the columns and put them in storage — freeing up space for different jobs as your needs change.
(And if you later invest in new equipment that leads to a reshuffle of your workshop layout, you can move your lifting station to a new part of your premises.)
In comparison, the Y-MECH is a fixed-installation lift. It’s permanently attached to the floor of your workshop, and that means you’ll always be using it in the same location.
But that doesn’t mean you won’t have flexibility in your workshop:
The Y-MECH comes with options for a recessed installation, giving it a flush fit to the floor when it’s lowered. So when you don’t need any lifting, you can roll out some mobile equipment or?workshop furniture, and set up a new work station on top of the ‘hidden’ lift.
G8AC Mobile Column Lift
Y-MECH
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How much weight do you need to lift?
Both the Y-MECH and the G8AC are specifically designed for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, which means they’re suitable for most heavy loads.
But there are some differences — especially when it comes to the way mobile column lifts are grouped together.
Each column has a lifting capacity of 7,500kg, and they can be arranged in sets of 4, 6, or 8. That means the lifting capacity is different for different types of vehicles (depending on how many wheels the vehicle has).
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G8AC Mobile Column Lift
Y-MECH
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How long are the vehicles you're lifting?
Both types of lift are built for long wheelbase vehicles — the typical heavy-duty commercial vehicles you’d expect to see in a workshop or a fleet depot.
But again, there are some differences:
The Y-MECH has a platform that you drive onto. It’s a fixed length?that depends on which version of the Y-MECH you get — and that means there’s a specific maximum to the length of the vehicles you can lift.
With the G8AC, you’re working in columns that attach to the wheels of the vehicle. There’s no platform, and no maximum vehicle length — you only have to think about the number of wheels on the vehicle, and the number of columns you have available.
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G8AC Mobile Column Lift
Y-MECH
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How much protection do you need?
Whichever wash bay lift you choose, you’re getting a piece of kit that’s been specifically designed for wet work and outdoor lifting — with the protection you need to keep your lifts running safely and reliably in a wash bay environment.
But when it comes down to the specific IP ratings (the protection against ingress of water and particles), there are some slight differences to think about.
For the Y-MECH and G8AC, there are two IP ratings you need to know:
Here’s how the two lifts measure up:
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G8AC Mobile Column Lift
Y-MECH
Still not sure which lift is right for you?
Choosing a vehicle lift is a serious investment. And that means you need to be sure you’re making the best choice for your business.
So if you’re still undecided on your next wash bay lift,?get in touch with one of our Totalkare experts?— and we’ll help you find exactly what you need.