Mobile Columns vs Fixed Lifts – Which Is Best Suited to Your Workshop?

If you’re in the market for new workshop equipment, the options for vehicle lifts can seem overwhelming. To help narrow down your search, we’ve split it into two main categories: fixed-installation lifts and mobile column lifts.

Below, we’ve outlined a series of questions to help you decide which type of equipment is best suited to your workshop before making a commitment.

 

Does Your Workshop Layout Require Flexibility?

One of the main considerations when choosing between mobile column lifts and fixed lifts is flexibility. The answer is simple – if flexibility is your main concern, mobile column lifts are most likely the best option for you.

Provided safety guidelines are followed, mobile column lifts can be used in a wide range of places, allowing you to adjust your workshop layout to suit our operational needs.

They are also ideal for smaller premises, allowing you to bring out equipment when required for the job and then to put back out of the way. The extra flexibility can open your work options without sacrificing your productivity.

 

Do You Need More Floor Space?

If you’re in a situation where you can afford to dedicate some floor space to lifting equipment but may need to utilise it for other workshop activities, Totalkare has equipment which can help assist with vehicle lifting and provide flexibility in day-to-day workings.

We know from above mobile column lifts will always be an option as they can be moved easily to provide help on working on a vehicle and then moved back out of the way, but what about our fixed lift options?

Most of our fixed lifts are available with a recessed installation option – from the LCV Four Post Lift to our heavy-duty Y-MECH and In-Ground Lift.

Recessed installation allows the lift to sit flush with the floor when not in use, eliminating trip hazards to help maintain a safe working environment.

The only exception is our Light Two Post Lift, which is available only as a surface-mounted option and our Heavy Duty Four Post Lifts, which the posts remain above floor level even when the lift is lowered, which would still take up partial floor space.

The recessed functionality of these lifts provides more flexibility within the workshop. It allows you to utilise mobile equipment like A/C Service Units or Emissions Analyser more easily, while also creating new walk routes to help assist with productivity and improve safety.

 

Do You Need Access to the Vehicle’s Wheels?

Most vehicle lifts raise vehicles via the wheels, either using a fixed platform or wheel forks, which means the wheels themselves can’t be accessed while the vehicle is lifted.

However, both our fixed and mobile lift ranges offer solutions to get around this.

The first option is to choose a lift which does not require the wheels to be attached – such as our In-Ground Lift for heavier vehicles or the Two Post Lifts for lightweight vehicles.

These fixed lifts raise vehicles by attaching to the underside of the vehicles, leaving the wheels accessible to be worked on to an extent – a part of the underside will become inaccessible by attaching to the chassis.

The other option would be to choose a lift that is usually attached to the wheels and use supporting equipment to make the wheels accessible.

With mobile column lifts you can utilise the axle stands which allows you to work on one wheel at a time as the axle stand will stand in for the column lift.

For fixed lifts, you can use heavy duty jacking beams or lightweight jacking beams depending on the vehicle. These jacking beams are easy to attach which allows you to raise a vehicle which allows access to the wheels this way.

 

Conclusion: Mobile or Fixed Lifts?

For every business, there is many differences that need to be assessed before choosing, including needs now and any future plans of expansion.

For a quick overview to help make the decision, here is what you should keep in mind:

• Flexible layout is essential = go for a Mobile column Lift
• Looking to keep some floor space accessible = recommend a Recessed Fixed Lift
• Is wheel access your main concern = check out our available Supporting Equipment to go along with your chosen lift.

 

Still have more questions? Get in touch with one of our vehicle lift experts and we’ll help you find the perfect solution for your workshop.