Learn about 2 Post Car Lifts
If you want a vehicle lift that doesn’t take up too much space but has a high lifting capacity, consider the 2-post lift — one of the most popular types of vehicle lifts. Below we detail the history of 2-post car lifts, the different types of 2-post lifts and how these should be correctly used.
3 types of car lifts
When it comes to car lifts, there are three primary types that are commonly used
History of 2-post car lifts
The hydraulic jack was first conceived by Blaise Pascal in the 17th century, but it was not until 1851 that the first hydraulic jack was invented by Richard Dudgeon and patented under the name “portable hydraulic press”.
Inventor Peter Lunati patented the first hydraulic car lift in 1925, more than 70 years after Blaise Pascal first conceived the hydraulic jack in the 17th century. The inspiration for the lift came from watching how a barber’s chair operates, and Lunati took this inspiration and applied it to the first vehicle lift. He named his invention the Rotary Lift, and it is still a popular brand of car lift sold today.
What is a 2-post car lift?
A 2-post car lift is a convenient and reliable way to lift your car for maintenance or repairs. Made from strong steel columns, each with two arms, this type of lift is perfect for accessing the wheels, side, and underside of your vehicle. With a 2-post car lift, you can easily work on your car without worrying about it falling or tipping.
Every individual post has its own motor. These motors turn the large screws that are located inside the columns. Each of the columns is equipped with a lifting nut and a safety nut on both sides. The lifting nut is responsible for supporting the arms of the 2-post lift. Additionally, there are rollers on either side that aid in the smooth lifting process.
The two posts of the car lift are connected through a series of cables or chains, sometimes called equilibrium cables, which run either above or below between the posts to guarantee that each of the 2 post lifting screws is synchronised and that they raise and lower at the same rate, in order to maintain the car being lifted stable, despite any weight differences on the 2 sides of the vehicle.
Symmetrical and Asymmetrical 2 Post Car Lifts
The 2 variants of 2-post car lifts are symmetrical and asymmetrical and are easily identified by examining the length of the 2 arms on each side of the lift.
The symmetrical two-post car lift has arms of equal length, and the vehicle sits at the centre equidistant between the 2 arms on each side, and the weight is distributed evenly across the 2 lifting arms.
Whereas the asymmetric 2 post car lift has one arm on each side of the lift slightly longer than the other, and this allows you to position the vehicle slightly further back on the lift, meaning that most of the vehicle weight is taken on the rear arm on each side of the car lift, making it easier to open the doors to access the interior, without hitting the lift post.
Where should a car be placed on a 2-post lift?
The position of a car on a 2-post lift varies depending on the type of lift being used. As already discussed, there are Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Lifts, and you need to know which type of two-post lift you are operating before attempting to position or lift a vehicle.
On an asymmetric 2-post car lift you must position the car such that the lift posts are in line with the “A” pillar — this is the upright pillar at the front of the windscreen which connects the bodywork and the roof to support the windscreen, such that about 30% of the car is in front of the 2 post car lift, and about 70% behind the lift posts.
On a symmetrical two-post lift the vehicle will sit at the centre point between the 2 arms on each side, and you must position the car so that both lift posts are in-line with the centre of the vehicle.
Is it OK to store a car on a 2-post lift?
There is no legislative requirement in the UK or clear manufacturer recommendation on how long a car can stay on a 2-post lift, however, we would recommend that the vehicle only remains on the lift for the duration of the work needed to repair it, and then ideally the car should be removed from the lift to reduce or remove any strain on the lift components.
Help with your 2-post car lift
If you are considering or even in the process of purchasing or setting up a two post car lift, or indeed any other type of vehicle lift, either as a stand-alone piece of garage equipment or as part of an MOT Bay build and need some information, helpful free advice or additional garage or MOT equipment give Concept Garage Equipment a call, we would love to help you get your garage equipment set up and paying for itself as soon as possible.
We can offer you advice over the phone at 0113 469 0572, we sell 2 post car lifts online and over the phone, including delivery, installation and staff training in the correct use of the two post car lift or any other garage equipment up to a full MOT Bay.
Call us on 0113 469 0572 or visit our website today, we are here to help.
