2 Post Car Lifts

What is a 2 Post Car Lift?

A 2 Post Car Lift is a vehicle lift that allows a car to be raised from the ground so that I can be worked on for repair or maintenance. It works by supporting the vehicle on the jacking points. It has two columns that sit at each side of the car. These columns are sometime joined by a crossbeam, baseplate or conduit that enables them to work together to lift and lower the vehicle. A 2 Post Lift is one of the most popular and used types of vehicle lifts and they are used in . The lift is typically used in automotive garages, repair shops, service centres.

Benefits of a 2 Post Car Lift

The benefits of using a 2 Post Lift are that it can easily and safely handle most types of vehicles, from cars to SUVs, as well as trucks and vans. Both the Mechanical and hydraulic versions of 2 Post Lifts are very easy to use, making it a great choice for mechanics and garages that want to save time and energy when getting a good look underneath a vehicle.

They also take up relatively little space, allowing you to make the most of your garage.

Perfect for those that have never used a Car Lift before, or just want a simple solution for their garage.

How Much Does a 2 Post Car Lift Cost?

Lifts for cars can generally be fairly expensive pieces of equipment. However, they are vital to all good garages and workshops, so it’s important that you invest in one that’s right for you. One of the reasons that 2 Posts are so popular is that they are relatively cheap in comparison to other types of vehicle lifts. They are also less hassle to install and take up less space than many other Lifts.

What are the Different Types of 2 Post Car Lifts?

There are two main types of 2 Post Car Lifts:

• Mechanical
• Hydraulic

Each variation comes with their own set of pros and cons so it is essential that you research and spend some time to find the one that best suits your needs, experience, and space.

2 Post Car Lift Mechanical

OMCN’s electrotechnical 2 Post Lifts are driven by two oversized electric motors with thermic overload protection, these motors turn a high resistance steel screw with a fine trapezoidal thread to lift the carriages. The fine pitch on the thread means the carriages can become self-braking, the carriages are inside the monocoque columns structure and therefore completely protected. Each carriage has 4 sliding rollers and 4 adjustable guide shoes which guarantees smooth movement with little friction.

The load bearing nuts are manufactured from a special polymer to minimise the need for lubrication, any wear on these nuts can be checked easily without the need to remove any covers. The safety nuts are self-protected and have a lubrication point.

All buttons and switches are in the closed course low voltage electrical system, this includes the ‘man standing by’ operation system. The carriages are synchronised electronically and they re-align after a difference of 15mm. The lift is completely pre-assembled and epoxy powder painted, it will come delivered and installed by Automotive Tools.

2 Post Car Lift Hydraulic

At first glance hydraulic 2 post lifts can look exactly like their mechanical counterparts, however the mechanism for lifting is completely different. The electric motor on these lifts powers a pump which in turn moves hydraulic oil through the hydraulic system allowing hydraulic rams to raise the vehicle.

OMCN has a range of hydraulic vehicle lifts from 3.2T to 8T, the larger capacity lifts are unusual in that they use pull rams rather than push rams. This means that when the vehicle is in its most vulnerable position i.e. raised, the piston of the ram is fully protected inside the cylinder. Creating a much more stable platform for when the vehicle is being worked on.

Any maintenance is also kept to a minimum with OMCN’s hydraulic 2 post lifts due to the complete absence of cables, chains, pulleys, bearings, screws and load bearing nuts. The alignment of the carriages is carried out independently of the load distribution, and the mechanical safety locks are completely automatic. The lifts come with an overload valve and safety valves mounted directly on the hydraulic cylinders, there is also a safety device in case of lower the lift onto an obstruction. Lifts are fitted with anti-collision safety stop on the upper cross beam, particularly important when lifting high top vans.

Which 2 Post Car Lift is Best?

The Hydraulic 2 Post Lift is the type of Lift most typically used in garages and workshops today.

As the name suggests, it uses a hydraulic cylinder and pump system on either side in order to raise the vehicle and keep it safely it in place allowing you to work on the underneath of a vehicle.

The Hydraulic 2 Post Car Lift allows you to lift and lower the vehicle off the ground in seconds with a simple push of a button.

When looking to purchase a Hydraulic 2 Post Car Lift, always consider factors such as weight capacity, lifting height and space requirement.

How Safe are 2 Post Car Lifts?

There are some great safety features built into 2 Post Car Lifts, for example, automatic shut should carriages become misaligned, arm lock mechanisms, hydraulic overload valves. We would always recommend that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using the Lift and you should also ensure that the initial installation process is performed correctly. Here at Automotive Tools our experts are happy to walk you through any issues and provide full installation too.

Purchasing a 2 Post Car Lift

A 2 Post Car Lift is a versatile and economical (in terms of both cost and size) solution for any garage, repair shop or workspace. They are available in a variety of types and sizes to suit every need, and they can be used with a large variety of vehicles.

If you are considering purchasing a 2 Post Car Lift, or if you already have one but need maintenance or advice, contact us to see how we can help with all your Car Lift and automotive tools needs.