Garages with low ceilings can present premises owners with numerous challenges.
Height restrictions may impact mechanics attempting to carry out automotive servicing work, and certain vehicle lifts may not be appropriate for facilities with a lower roof. This, in turn, can affect potential business, and prevent companies from offering a quick and efficient service.
Fortunately, there are a wide range of innovative solutions that can be put in place to solve this problem. Specifically, car repair pits and 2 post lifts can help garage owners get around logistical issues that may arise due to space limitations.
With that in mind, Crypton have a variety of solutions, such as low ceiling garage lifts and auto pits. See which may be right for your workshop.
Two post car lifts
Crypton’s two post car lift range features a baseless structure that is ideally suited for garages with low ceilings. This lack of a conventional base means it has a low lifting point that amplifies its effectiveness as a low ceiling car hoist.
Crypton’s 2 post car lift also allows workshops to better provide automotive servicing for sports cars. Due to their low chassis, these types of vehicles can present a challenge to some garages. However, Crypton’s two post lift presents no issue as its baseless structure allows the car to be simply driven through and be lifted from a low lifting point.
When combined with Crypton’s 3 tonne 2 post lift’s height-adjustable cable bridge, workshop owners can enjoy a flexible installation that suits even the most challenging of premises.
The best two post car lifts - flexible and adaptable
Yet with plenty of lift options available, it is vital to know the further features available for the best two post car lifts. Crypton’s 3 tonne 2 post car lift, for example, include adjustable, asymmetrical lifting arms on the two post lift that allow it to swivel 180°. Because of this, the vehicle can be positioned off-centre, making for easier door opening and clearance. Consequently, it is easier to access the car’s interior to carry out further work.
Electro-mechanically operated and with a lifting capacity for cars up to three tonnes, Crypton’s 2 post car lift provides market-leading flexibility. It is possible to install this 2 post lift at a height as low as 3,750mm, making it the ideal 2 post lift for 8 foot ceilings.
The car lift’s twin motor set-up also guarantees a safe and synchronised raising across both lifting columns in the MOT bay. Finally, both the columns and arms of the 2 post ramp are powder-coated. This means workshop owners can enjoy peace-of-mind that their low ceiling car lift is protected against the elements and general wear-and-tear, safeguarding it as a long-term investment.
Pit bays
The design of an MOT pit marks it out as an ideal solution for garages of limited height. Following installation, car bays of this design require very little ongoing maintenance, resulting in minimal upkeep costs.
Additionally, when supplemented with good-quality lighting, a car pit set-up allows for easy efficient cleaning and inspection within the MOT bay. However, much like a two-part lift, it is the added features that distinguish the most high quality auto pits as solutions for garages with low ceilings. Pit bays from Crypton are DVSA-approved for a wide range of weight capacities, including Class IV and VII vehicles. They also come with a wide range of innovations to enable easier and safer operation.
Features included within the car pit include wheel play detectors to quickly and accurately check for suspension and steering wear, and a brake pedal depressor that provides secure and constant pressure throughout automotive servicing. Turntables on the pit bay also allow for lock-to-lock tests that can identify overly rough or tight steering systems, with quick lock releases.
OPTL and ATL options
Auto pits from Crypton can be purchased as a one person pit lane (OPTL) or as an automated testing lane (ATL). Inspection pits bought as an ATL allow for greater productivity and profitability, as one mechanic can carry out a full MOT within the car pit, instead of the usual two. This additional mechanic can then be redeployed to another car bay, 2 post lift or MOT pit, lowering the cost per MOT and allowing for better, more efficient service.
By opting for an OPTL package, garage owners can upgrade their existing MOT bay without having to pay for an ATL. As a result, it is a highly attractive option for those looking to replace old equipment in their auto pit and meet DVSA requirements.
Crypton’s OPTL packages for car pits include wheel play detectors, a headlight tester and jacking beam, and two convex mirrors that can be wall-mounted. Replacement wheel play detectors, brake pedal depressors, and turntables are also included.
Mid-rise scissor lifts
A final option for small garage owners is Crypton’s mid-rise scissor lift. A perfect solution for garages struggling to find space for a two-post car lift for servicing, the midrise scissor lift is compact and highly versatile. Unlike other car lifts, the midrise scissor lift is portable and can be moved around the workshop to suit space limitations, and can even be placed outside.
Taking this into account, the mid-rise scissor lift allows mechanics to carry out wheel, tyre and brake changes and servicing without being hampered by low ceilings due to its one metre lifting height. When employed alongside car pits that allow gearbox removal, they can give workshop operators added flexibility regardless of their premises’ height constraints.
In conclusion, workshops with low ceilings present a unique challenge for business owners looking to purchase new MOT bays, or upgrade existing car pits and low ceiling car lifts. For a high quality 2 post car lift or car repair pit solution for your garage, click here and contact Crypton today.
For further information on Crypton’s exhaust emissions tester, click here. To find out more about connected equipment, click this link.
Crypton – A Brand of the Continental Corporation
