INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE
Do not use adapters with
damaged or loose non-metallic
coatings, like these. Damaged
adapters should be replaced.
Photo courtesy of ALI
Continued Page 17
SEPTEMBER 2017 | Vehicle Lift Guide | 13
especially if you’re using a diff erent lift
than usual. Review all lift safety materials,
including the warning labels.
Always follow the lift manufacturer’s
instructions on how to operate the lift , and
use the available safety features.
Th e Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) recently
updated its popular Lift ing It Right
interactive training course for 2017. It’s a
great resource for general vehicle lift safety
training. Other ALI lift training resources
include these publications: the quick reference
guide to Vehicle Lift ing Points for
Frame-Engaging Lift s, Lift ing It Right safety
manual, Safety Tips and the ANSI/ALI
ALOIM (current edition), Standard for
Automotive Lift s Safety Requirements for
Operation, Inspection and Maintenance.
Copies of all ALI training materials are
available from ALI member companies,
ALI Certifi ed Lift Inspectors and at www.
autolift .org/ali-store.
Choose Wisely
Not every lift is suited for every job. Before
you pull a vehicle into a bay, make sure the
lift is appropriate for that vehicle and the
work you need to do. Consider the lift ’s
rated load capacity, clearances and ability
to reach the vehicle manufacturer-recommended
lift ing points.
Never overload a lift . For example, do
not lift a loaded plumber’s truck using a
7,000-lb capacity in-ground lift , and don’t
try to do an alignment using a two-post
lift . As with any project, match the proper
tool or lift to the job.
Choosing the appropriate accessories
is also important for getting the job done
right. When using some lift s, you may
need height adapters to reach the lift ing
points on pickup trucks and vans.
Never make your own adapters or use
wood blocks in their place. Th is is dangerous
and voids your lift ’s certifi cation.
If you’re going to be removing major
vehicle components – like the engine,
transmission or rear axle – use highreach,
supplementary stands to stabilize
and equalize the load.
Th e same high-reach stands can be
used when working with cheater bars or
when dealing with compressed springs or
other forms of stored energy, all of which
can cause the vehicle to shift and fall from
the lift .
Lift adapters, options and accessories
are subject to third-party testing and certifi
cation alongside the lift s themselves.
A list of all items certifi ed for use with
each lift is listed in the ALI Directory
of Certifi ed Lift s at www.autolift .org/
ali-directory-of-certifi ed-lift s.
Get to the Point
When using a frame-engaging lift like a
two-post surface lift , it is crucial to make
sure you know where the manufacturer’s
recommended lift ing points are for the
vehicle you are going to service. Don’t just
guess and kick the swing arms under the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or,
even worse, create an unstable load that
could fall and injure you or someone else
in the service bay.
Th e lift ing points can be found on
the vehicle itself, in your shop service
manual or in the ALI annual quick reference
guide, Vehicle Lift ing Points for
Frame-Engaging Lift s, which is supplied
with every ALI-certifi ed frame-engaging
When using a frame-engaging
lift like a two-post surface lift,
it is crucial to make sure you
know where the manufacturer’s
recommended lifting points are
for the vehicle you are going to
service.
Photo courtesy of ALI