With parking lifts, you can dramatically increase the number of parking spaces that you have in your lot or garage. They are not fully automatic, though, and do require a person to remove vehicles that sit on the ground when their platforms are in an elevated position. For this reason, if you plan to add them to your property, you should understand how to use a vehicle lift safely. We’ll discuss some details that are pivotal to know each time you raise and lower automobiles on them.
Remember Overarching Guidelines
No matter what type of parking lift you have, there are overarching vehicle lift safety guidelines you should follow. For one, never operate the lift unless you have been properly trained. Make sure that you have reviewed the instruction manual from the parking lift manufacturer. When you operate the parking lift, make sure there are no obstructions near or under the car lift. Also be sure that no persons are near the parking lift.
In addition, it is essential for you to be aware of your lifts’ weight capacities. If you place a vehicle that is too heavy on your lifts and try to raise them up, this could lead to damage to your mechanical parking system and can increase the chance of an accident happening. Once you’re certain that the lift can handle the vehicle, you should also check for extensions or parts on the automobile that could hit the roof. Racks and radio antennas are two common examples to watch out for. The clearance of some larger SUVs may also be too high for your lift. To ensure car lift safety, you should know the weight capacity and the height limit that the parking lift manufacturer provides.
Raise the Vehicle Securely
Knowing how to use a vehicle lift to raise a car is essential. As you prepare to raise a vehicle, position it so that its weight is centered on the platform. You should then park the car and shut down its engine as you would in a normal parking space. Close all of the vehicle’s doors and proceed to raise the platform about a foot off the ground. If everything is balanced, you can proceed to lift the automobile upwards. If not, lower the platform fully to the ground once again and adjust the car’s position. As the platform reaches the top, slow down its speed so that no components become bent or otherwise impaired due to rough handling. Finish by confirming that the mechanical locking mechanism has fully engaged with the mechanism that the parking lift manufacturer has included in the design.
Lower the Vehicle Properly
Lowering vehicles properly is also a central aspect of how to safely use a vehicle lift. To bring a car on a raised lift back down, you must first back the car below it completely out from the space. After this, you should look over the area to spot and remove any other impeding objects, if there are any. Trigger the lift and allow the platform to lower at a slow, controlled pace. Once it is firmly back in its lowest position, you can get into the vehicle and drive it away.
You can integrate vehicle lifts into your parking area today by calling Harding Steel. We are a parking lift manufacturer that provides multiple types of mechanical parking solutions to fit your preferences and requirements.