When it comes to maintaining car lifts, it's important to perform maintenance on a weekly basis available via Mechanic Superstore . In addition to lubrication, a lift should be checked for any obstructions. You can do this by walking around it, running it without a load, and inspecting any loose parts.
Documentation
When it comes to car lift maintenance, it's important to keep records. Documentation is critical to ensuring the safety of both the equipment and the people who use it. A good maintenance plan will have records of training, inspections, and repairs that can be easily accessed. It will also be important for the shop to have a service manager or a foreman who is responsible for overseeing lift maintenance. This type of documentation can be manual or electronic.
Regardless of the type of lift, it's important to maintain proper records. These records will prove essential when it comes time to comply with OSHA's Local Emphasis Program. These inspections focus on automotive lifts and are conducted at specific locations. The records should include the inspection sheet, inspection log, and a certificate stating the lift is ready for use or locked out until a problem is fixed.
Frequency
If you are operating a shop and use a car lift, it is important to follow proper car lift maintenance procedures. Failure to do so can be a risk to the physical safety of the shop and the operation of the business. All automotive lifts require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure that they are safe to use and to avoid damage. If they are not properly maintained, they are likely to break down or malfunction, interrupting workflow and damaging employee trust.
The frequency of maintenance is based on manufacturer recommendations and national standards. OSHA requires a factory-authorized representative to conduct inspections at the appropriate intervals and attach an inspection sticker. The inspection process must follow specific procedures and should be documented by the CTE Director or servicing company.
Cost
A car lift is a vital part of your auto repair shop's operation. When it goes out of commission, you are likely to lose customers and money. Furthermore, repairs can take weeks to arrange. This means that you must carefully consider the cost of lift maintenance. Fortunately, there are some ways to get help quickly and affordably.
One option is to purchase an annual maintenance contract. However, remember that these plans do not include parts replacement, and the cost of hydraulic oil and lubricant. While they do include preventative maintenance, they do not cover the cost of damaged or worn parts. Some lifts also require special trips.
Reliability
Car lift maintenance should be performed on a weekly basis to ensure reliability and safety. Regular lubrication of the car lift is required, preferably white lithium grease. Another regular task is to run the lift without a load to check for any malfunctions or obstructions. Failure to do so will void the manufacturer's warranty.
The reliability of car lifts is crucial to a shop's productivity. Having a lift that is too unstable will delay repair work and increase downtime. Not only can downtime be costly, but it can also damage the customer's trust in your shop's leadership. By following a few basic maintenance practices, you'll be able to improve the reliability of your lifts and increase your business's overall productivity.
The American National Standard for Automotive Lift Maintenance covers safety requirements related to car lifts and the inspection and maintenance of auto lifts. These requirements include proper training and qualifications for car lift operators. The standard also covers documentation and frequency of qualified inspections of car lifts.
Safety
Proper car lift maintenance is crucial to the safety of the lift. For example, technicians should keep the lift slightly raised and should jounce the front and rear bumpers periodically. Additionally, some manufacturers recommend checking cables and grease monthly. When the lifts are properly maintained, they can avoid the possibility of accidents.
Lifts are extremely useful for auto repair shops and should be used carefully and safely. However, if not used properly, they can cause accidents. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including lack of training, operator error, or poor maintenance. Any of these factors can cause serious injury or damage. This is why you should always follow these guidelines for proper lift maintenance.
The OSHA is very serious about lift safety. They are willing to levy significant fines if they discover unsafe lifts. For example, a California tech lost his finger while lowering a lift in 2009. Another service center in Colorado was fined $76,000 for unsafe lifts. In Boston, a lift collapse caused $19,000 in damage. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least one automotive lift accident occurs every ten days.