‘Ask the Experts’ for all heavy duty vehicles lift health & safety and training questions.

Adjustable support stands allow the operator to position the support stands underneath the vehicle whilst raised on the mobile vehicle lifts with out the need to further operate the Mobile vehicle lifts. This gives the safety advantage that the vehicle lifted remains level taking away the possibility of positioning the vehicle on the stand or stands at different heights. The other major benefits are that when positioning the support stands the operator does not need to be underneath the vehicle whilst operating the Mobile vehicle lifts and ensures the operator positions the Support stands away from pipe, cables or bolts

Support stands can be used when the vehicle is lifted on the Mobile vehicle lifts if the risk assessment carried out for the operation they are being used for calls for extra support. The important thing is to remember that Mobile vehicle lifts are a tool that is used within a specific task i.e. removing an axle, the task is to remove an axle and the mobile vehicle lifts will be used as a tool to lift the vehicle from the ground in order to assist with the removal, the same as a impact wrench will be used as a tool within the specific task. The important thing is that each specific task within the workshop has a risk assessment and a safe system of work to identify the risks and recommendations when support stands should or should not be used.

It is not recommended to start the engine of the vehicle whilst supported in the carriage of the mobile vehicle. There is a high risk that if the engine is started whilst supported in the Mobile vehicle lifts carriage there is a possibility that if the drive gear is engaged the vehicle could dislodge itself and fall from the supported position, there is also a safety risk to the operator from moving parts and exhaust emissions from the vehicle.

Mobile vehicle Lifts are designed to lift a vehicle for the purpose of maintaining the vehicle whilst in the raised position. Mobile vehicle lifts should only be used as per their design for any application in the workshop that requires the Vehicle to be raised from the floor ensuring the lifts are only used for the purpose they are designed for as per the manufactures instructions and the British standard they are designed to (BS1493). Only trained operators should use the Mobile vehicle lifts.

The legislations in force that covers Mobile vehicle lifts are the Health and safety act work act , BS7980 (Vehicle lifts installation, maintenance, through examination and safe use code of practice), LOLER (lifting Operations and Lift Equipment regulations 1998), PUWER(Provision and use of Work equipment).

Mobile vehicle lifts do not spread the load as evenly as a fixed post lift so you must consider the load distribution and axle loads of the vehicle being lifted details of which must be obtained from the vehicles axle plate. In order to distribute the load evenly on multi axle vehicles the Foremost and rear most axle must be used when lifting with a set of 4 lifts to ensure that no side load is applied on any column, you must also take into consideration the axle weights to ensure that no axle is overloaded or the safe working capacity of the mobile vehicle lift is not exceeded when lifting.

It is recommended that due to the increased use of multi axle vehicles that,  where possible, a minimum of a set of 6 mobile vehicle lifts are used to lift these types of vehicles and in extreme circumstances set of 8 mobile vehicle lifts.

It is recommended that the advice of the vehicle manufacture is sort to confirm the axle loading before lifting is carried out.

It is the responsibility of the operator to ensure the no axle loading is above the safe working load of the Mobile vehicle lifts being used.

Mobile vehicle lifts should always be isolated from the power when they are not being operated i.e. the raise and lower button is not being operated. This removes the power from the lifts whilst the operator is not using them so if there is any damage occurred to the lifts or cabling there is no risk of uncontrolled operation. This also removes the possibility that another operator can operate the mobile vehicle lift whilst another operator is below the Vehicle lifted.

In line with all the relevant legislations in place Health and safety at work act, LOLER (lifting Operations and Lift Equipment regulations 1998) and PUWER (Provision and use of Work equipment). All operators of Mobile Vehicle lifts must be trained and only competent persons should operate Mobile Vehicle lifts.

In accordance with the following legislation BS7980, LOLER (lifting Operations and Lift Equipment regulations 1998) and PUWER (Provision and use of Work equipment) Mobile vehicle lifts do not require re load testing unless either a load bearing part is replaced or the  competent person carrying out the LOLER examination deems a load is required as part of their inspection regime.

In accordance with the LOLER (lifting Operations and Lift Equipment regulations 1998) a competent person is required with sufficient technical and practical knowledge of Mobile Vehicle lifts and is independent and impartial to allow them to make an objective assessment of the Mobile vehicle lift, for this reason it is not advisable for the same person who performs routine maintenance to carry out the LOLER through examination as they are then responsible for assessing their own work.

It important that whilst a vehicle is lifted on a Mobile vehicle lifts the vehicle being lifted is positioned on the Mobile vehicle lifts with its drive gear in neutral the brakes fully off and the vehicles air system full charged. This allows the vehicle being lifted to be centralised on the Mobile vehicle lifts carriage and allows the wheels to rotate freely around the hub to remove any side loads being exerted on the Mobile Vehicle lifts from the suspension of the vehicle when lifted.

Anything placed across the floor would create a trip hazard to the operator in a workshop environment. This can be reduced by positioning the cables outside the working areas or covering with a proprietary cable marking sleeve. Alternatively you could consider using cable free/battery operated mobile vehicle lifts which would remove the tripping hazard altogether.

The LS6 scissor lift is ideal for washbay applications as they are easier to operate and due to their design suited better to the washbay application.

Yes, but only if they have undergone a STKARE train a trainer course and the trainer has attended a refresher course every twelve months.

Yes, you can use mobile vehicle lifts to steam clean. However it is advised the lifts are fitted with wash bay protection covers and removed away from the vehicle once the vehicle is in a raised position and the vehicle is supported on axle stands prior to commencing of washing the vehicle down.

The cable is not armoured but different models of mobile vehicle lifts are supplied with different types of cable that offer adequate protection to the inner cores. We do not advise driving over any type of cables as this can damage cables and lead to call outs and are costly to replace.

The battery has a two year warranty and can offer 15-20 cycles before requiring a re-charge depending on application.