Auto Lift

About this machine

• Model: LFS-9
• Two-post lift
• Lifting capacity: 9000lbs
• Pads - 3" x 5"

Auto Lift Safety Guide

Do not attempt to use the Auto Lift if you have not been cleared to use it. There is a $20 fee and a specific safety waiver associated with this safety checkout.

The auto lift is a great tool for automotive maintenance. Being able to freely access the underside of a vehicle with the wheels off the ground makes repair much easier. Because of the danger of having a vehicle overhead there are many precautions to take while operating a lift and working on a lifted car.

Safety

The most important thing is to make sure the vehicle is

1. Within the weight limit of the lift. Our lift can handle up to 9000lbs.
2. Safe to lift. Intact lift points, has lift points intact, parts will not fall off of it or interfere with the operation of the lift. If it is rusted out and could collapse, do not lift it.
3. Secure on the lift. If it is not stable and secure it can slide off and kill you.

Policy

1. Pack in, pack out. All shops have a pack-in pack-out policy, which means you need to make the space available for others to use when you are done for the day. This means vehicles must leave with you.
2. Reserve Time: Use the website to reserve time on the Auto Lift every time you use it. If your time runs over, make a new reservation. This is important so other members know whether the lift is occupied or available.
3. If you get stuck: Sometimes a part breaks and you can’t get the vehicle home until the next day. If that happens, first send a message to the Manager informing him of the situation and how long it will be there.
   1. Try to get the vehicle off the lift and outside so the lift is available for other members.
   2. If you can’t take it off the lift, stick a note on the dashboard with your name and when it will be removed.
4. Project Parking: For longer-term projects, you can rent a spot for $10/day for up to 2 weeks. Must be paid up front and planned ahead. Only one space available at a time.
5. Trash: Recycling bins in the Classroom and out by the fence. Metal scrap barrel outside the garage bays. Oily rags can for fire safety. If it doesn’t belong in any of those receptacles, take it with you and dispose of it yourself.
6. Waste oil and fluids: Take your oil and other fluids with you.
   1. Oil can be taken back to the store you bought it from, Precision Auto around the corner, garages, etc
   2. Do not leave “extra” fluids as a courtesy to other members - they will likely not get used before they expire, turning into hazardous waste that the Makerspace then has to dispose of.
7. Leave the shop cleaner than you found it. Sweep up any debris when you’re done, throw trash away, clean off tools that got greasy, clean up oil spills with oil absorber.
8. Notify the manager if the lift key has been left in the panel or if the lift has been left on. It is a huge liability if the lift is not shut off and locked out.

Parts of the Lift

• The posts
• The hydraulic pistons
• The swing arm assembly: swing arms, lifting pads, risers, the locks
• The hydraulic motor, with lift button and lower lever

Steps for Raising the Car

1. Clear surrounding area of any debris, equipment, etc.
2. Drive the car into the bay centered between the posts so lift points are accessible by both arms.
3. Position the lifting pads under lift points on car. Use risers if appropriate. Check that lifting pads are the only part in contact, arms of the lift should not be touching your car.
4. Ensure doors are closed, any excess weight is removed from inside.
5. Get the key to the circuit breaker. Open circuit box and switch lift circuit on.
6. Shout “Lifting!” to warn others before moving the lift.
7. Raise the car slowly by pushing the button until all four wheels are an inch off the ground.
8. Test stability by shaking car to ensure it is firmly on the lift. Test all four corners, shake up and down, left to right, and front to back.
9. Raise car to desired height. Shout “Lifting!” to warn others.
10. Use the lever to slowly lower car until the safety locks on each side engage. Pay attention and ensure they engage at same height. Once the locks are engaged you can commence your work.

Steps for Lowering the Car

1. Clean up the surrounding area and make sure the bay is clear and nothing is underneath the car.
2. Raise the car slightly to take pressure off of safety locks.
3. Manually release the locks on BOTH sides of the lift.
4. Lower the car slowly.
5. Pull back the lift arms. Replace the risers in the rack on the posts if they have been used.
6. Switch off the circuit breaker.
7. Lock the panel and return the key.
8. Drive vehicle out of the bay.
9. Do a final sweep of the area, clean up any spills, throw away any trash.

Additional Notes for Working on the Lift

• If the locks are not even: to equalize the lift, run it with nothing on it. All the way up, all the way down. Repeat until the locks are engaging at the same level.
• Avoid removing things that may shift the center of mass and cause the car to tip.
• Avoid hitting the lift arms or using force that could shift the car off of the lift arms.
• Plan ahead! Research the repair you are doing, ensure you have all the parts, or have a plan to get parts.
• Plan for 2-5 times the amount of time you’ll think you need.
• If you have rusty parts you know need to come off, spray them with PB Blast at least a day in advance to help it come loose easier.

NEVER Do These

• NEVER try to lift a car with rusty rotted lift points or rocker panels.
• NEVER lift a car with someone in it.
• NEVER climb on the lift or go inside your car while it is raised. Lower the vehicle so the tires are touching the ground if you need to access the inside.
• Do not hit or drive over the lift arms.
• Do not intentionally lower a car onto something.
• Do not lift something other than a car.
• Do not use wooden blocks, bricks, or anything else between the lifting pads and the lift points.

Other Safety Information

• Derek Weaver - 2-Post Lifts - A very good run-down on using a 2 post lift
• BendPak - Two-Post Lift Safety: Lifting Points, Adapters and Common Sense
• Atlas Apex 9BP Manual - Manual for a similar lift, includes information about common lifting points