Myth- busting facts

Mobile Column Lifts

They’re not as strong as other lifts

Mobile things tend to be smaller and less powerful. However, Totalkare mobile column lifts are capable of lifting some of the heaviest vehicles, easily on par with traditional fixed-installation lifts. Each column has a lifting capacity of 7.5 tonnes. It is not as impressive as the numbers you see on some other heavy-duty lifts, but mobile column lifts work in sets of columns, so capacity gets multiplied by the number of columns in use. Even with the smallest configuration of four columns, this has a total lifting capacity of 30 tonnes. Eight columns can lift up to 60 tonnes — which is far higher than many fixed lifts.

They’re not as safe as other lifts

There’s something reassuring about a piece of kit that is bolted into concrete. But in reality, a mobile column lift has been carefully engineered to perform its job safely without the need for fixed installation. When used correctly by trained individuals, Totalkare’s mobile column lifts are some of the safest pieces of workshop equipment available.

They’re not meant for longer vehicles

Fixed-installation lifts come with platforms and rails with a finite length. One quick look at the platform length will tell you exactly how long a vehicle can be. Until you have seen a mobile column lift in action, it is not easy to imagine the kind of vehicles it can lift.

Mobile column lifts work in pairs, with one column per wheel, which means they can lift HGVs, coaches, buses, and tippers. A set of mobile column lifts can give more options for longer vehicles because operations are not constrained by platform length. If the axles are safely supported with the correct number of columns, the overall length of the vehicle has little impact on what can be lifted.

They’re difficult to set up

With a set of mobile column lifts, you are bringing the lift to the vehicle. It is as simple as moving a column — and following training to ensure operators are attaching and lifting correctly. There is no added risk of a vehicle in motion, and it takes very little time.

You can’t access the wheels

This myth has the most truth to it — but is still not completely true. Just like any other lift that operates from the vehicle’s wheels, operators have limited access to the wheelbase while the vehicle is raised.

Mobile column lifts offer a solution that a fixed lift can’t. With the use of a Totalkare axle stand, you can keep the vehicle supported while you remove a single column lift — giving full access to the wheel while it is raised. By removing and replacing each column lift as needed, access can be gained to each wheel in sequence, without needing to lower the vehicle or change lift.

For details, go to: totalkare.co.uk; or call 0121 585 2724