4 Post Lifts

Four Post Vehicle Lifts are often used in car dealerships, workshops, garages, and MOT stations to raise the vehicle from ground level and enable the car technician to access the underside of the vehicle being worked on with ease.

A 4 Post Lift is a lifting system that consists of four legs that support two platforms. The vehicle drives onto the platforms whilst at ground level. Then the platforms of the vehicle lift can be raised up allowing access to the underside of the vehicle. The 4 metal posts or sometimes called legs contain cables or metal screws that provide stability for the platform and are hydraulically or electronically controlled to raise and lower the platform. The four posts come with in-built safety locks to ensure no harm will come to the technician working under the vehicle in the event of a power outage. 4 post vehicle lifts can be installed into a recess or be surface mounted. This means that if the lift is recessed then the platforms are level with the ground. If the lift is surface mounted, then you have run-up ramps to allow for the vehicle to be driven up onto the platform.

Vehicle lifts are used to provide access to the underside of a vehicle in order to perform vehicle maintenance or repair. The most common type of car lift is the 2-post lift, which can be used to lift a vehicle from the ground making removing all 4 wheels an easy task. 4-post car lifts are similar to 2-post car lifts but provide greater access to the underside of a vehicle, allowing you to lift a vehicle from the ground on the fully supported platform held at 4 corners.

The benefit of a 4-post vehicle lift over a 2-post vehicle lift is the stability gained by virtue of the 4 metal posts holding the platforms in place distributing the weight over all 4 corners as opposed to just the two posts.

However, the four-post lift is much larger, as the 4 posts and platform must be large enough to support the size of the vehicle you plan to work on, whether a car, van or commercial vehicle. A 4-post car lift has four supports, which allows for extra room to work and is often better suited for larger vehicles.

A 2-post car lift has two supports or posts, and adjustable arms that can be moved to the support area of vehicles of many sizes.

Two-post vehicle lifts are the best option for businesses with a smaller workshop, home garage, or a location where multiple MOT bays, lifts or other workshop equipment is required within a limited space as they don't take up as much room as a 4-post lift.

Vehicle lifts are an excellent tool for lifting vehicles. They are designed to make working on a vehicle as easy as possible but be sure to be clear on your lifting requirements, space limitations and vehicle sizes you plan to be working on before selecting or making a 4-post lift purchase.

The terms 4 post lift and 4 post ramp are often used interchangeably to mean the same thing, however, the 4-post ramp is a type of automotive lift that is indeed similar to a 4-post lift, but instead of being raised off the ground, the vehicle is driven up onto a ramp that is supported by four posts.

Any time you need to work around or particularly under a vehicle a 4 post lift can help to make the job both easier and quicker without having to slide under a car that is raised on ramps, jacks or axle stands.

Some common uses for a 4-post lift include working on the exhaust system, changing the oil, changing tyres, checking and replacing brake pads and rotors, and performing general inspections of the vehicle’s undercarriage.

Bear in mind that any time you are working on the car wheels, tyres, suspension or any other work that would involve removing one or more of the wheels, you will need a jacking beam to lift that side of the vehicle from the vehicle lift platform. You can read more on our jacking beams page of the website
https://concept-ge.co.uk/product-category/jacking-beams/

To install a standard 4 post car lift you need a ceiling height of at least 11 feet (or 3400mm) to allow for the maximum height of the lift and a car that is parked on the platforms of the lift.
However, do check with your supplier for the particular lift dimensions and based on the types of vehicles you plan to be lifting before committing to your 4 post lift purchase and to avoid any costly mistakes.

If you have any purchase or installation questions regarding your 4-post lift, we can offer you advice over the phone at 0113 469 0572.

The minimal concrete depth that we recommend for a 4 post lift installation is between 150mm (6 inches) and 250mm (10 inches).

The thickness of the concrete floor in your garage will depend on the weight of the 4-post lift and the vehicles that will be placed on it, as well as any other factors, such as the type of soil or subgrade beneath the concrete.

All four post car lifts must be thoroughly examined by a competent person before they are first used (as per HSE803/69). This could be by the installing garage equipment company for example.

And also a thorough examination of the 4 post car lift is also required following ‘exceptional circumstances’, for example, if a lift is damaged following improper use, failing parts that needed to be repaired or replaced, following a lift failure or fall, and following long periods of use.

Checks on your 4 post lift should be done at least monthly, but often should be done daily depending on the amount of use the lift is getting in your garage and these should include the following checks:

• Check for leaks in the air system, and for any reduced air pressure leading to slow operation of the lift
• Check for hydraulic fluid leaks and ensure the level is being maintained and topped up with the correct specified lubricant
• Check that all moving parts are properly lubricated and are not seized
• Ensure steel ropes are not corroded and are correctly adjusted
• Check that all floor anchor bolts are correctly tightened
• Check that electrical connections are working with no exposed wires
• Test the lift locking mechanism and that all locks are engaging correctly
• Check for obstacles, blockages or foreign material near or within any of the moving parts that hinder the correct operation of the 4 post lift

For a more thorough explanation of 4 post lifts, and the inspections needed, please read our blog article here
https://concept-ge.co.uk/spotlight-on-4-post-car-lifts/

Or give the friendly staff at Concept Garage Equipment a call today at 0113 469 0572.