In today's fast-paced vehicle service industry, maintenance shops are facing mounting pressure to boost throughput and service more vehicles daily. This challenge is felt in both private garages focused on profitability and fleet maintenance facilities supporting large vehicle fleets. Garage managers often face the task of doing more with less, driven by the lack of available technicians. This shortage drives the need for greater efficiency, pushing shops to streamline workflows and make the most of their available staff and resources.
Vehicle lifts are essential tools that provide under-vehicle access for inspections and repairs, making them indispensable for many jobs. However, the potential of lifts to drive efficiency is frequently underestimated, especially when taking into consideration the wide range of lift options and accessories available. Many shops overlook how the right lift options can increase workflow and boost productivity. Lift manufacturers offer various options and accessories that save time and make tasks faster for technicians. The right lift with the right options can make technicians' jobs easier, faster, and safer.
Incremental savings add up
When tasked with making a process faster, people often focus on the total time it takes to complete a job. In vehicle repair, techs are often judged by how they perform against standard repair time (SRT) for a total job. Breaking jobs even further down into specific tasks can help identify where time is being lost and where improvements can be made. Efficiency in a maintenance shop is often achieved through the accumulation of incremental time savings across various tasks.
Take two-post swing arm lifts for example. These are the most popular lifts on the market and are known for versatility and efficiency, but they can still be improved upon. Positioning the swing arms can take from two to 10 minutes depending on the vehicle. This can be reduced by using the drive-on ramp option that some lift manufacturers offer. This accessory doesn’t require techs to position the arms, yet still leaves the tires hanging free for tire, brake, and front-end work. If each cycle saves an average of four minutes, and a shop handles five jobs per day, that equates to 20 minutes saved daily. Over a week, this adds up to 100 minutes of additional productive repair time. Over a year, that adds up to over 85 hours.
How many additional jobs could your team complete with essentially two full work weeks of productivity each year?
Another example is the Backsaver, a simple but effective tool that allows technicians to hang tires from lift swing arms instead of constantly bending down to lift them off the ground. By minimizing the physical strain on technicians and minimizing movements, the Backsaver streamlines repair jobs by reducing the need for technicians to repeatedly lift tires, helping to mitigate the risk of back injury. Just as the drive-on accessory adds productivity, the Backsaver prevents lost labor time due to musculoskeletal issues (which may also cost employers in the form of workman’s compensation).
In short, the right tools reduce downtime and improve workflow in busy maintenance shops.
Tailored solutions for specialized repairs
Efficiency improvements often come from optimizing lift setups. Some shops use options to streamline workflows for the types of jobs they handle most frequently. For example, because an estimated 60-70 percent of vehicles on the road today are front-wheel drive, transmission repair specialists can benefit from using a two-post lift with wheel-engaging adapters on the rear arms and traditional lift pads on the front arms.
This option streamlines vehicle setup while still allowing full access to transmission and drivetrain components. Using wheel-engaging adapters saves time by eliminating the need to manually adjust lift swing arms under the vehicle, making setup faster and easier for technicians. Over time, those saved minutes add up.
Prioritizing reliability to minimize downtime
While reducing task times is vital, preventing equipment downtime is even more crucial. An out-of-service lift will disrupt even the most efficient operation. When selecting a lift, it's essential to consider the equipment's reliability. Downtime can lead to significant revenue loss, especially if repairs are delayed due to the unavailability of an operating lift.
Many vehicle lifts utilize components such as plastic slide blocks, overhead cables, and plastic pulleys that require frequent maintenance and replacement. Lift maintenance needs are costly and time-consuming, rendering the lift unusable during repairs. Selecting lifts with durable components and robust construction will reduce both the frequency of maintenance and the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns, saving time and money.
It's important to remember that you get what you pay for. Higher-quality lifts may cost more upfront, but when you factor in long-term ownership costs and the high cost of downtime, they can be a much smarter investment. Some lifts offer a 25-year warranty while others offer only a one- or two-year warranty. Comparing warranties, maintenance needs, and overall reliability is essential. Every hour a lift is down costs the shop money, both in lost productivity and missed revenue opportunities. A lift that requires fewer repairs and lasts longer will save money and reduce costly downtime. Consider the total "cost of ownership" when evaluating lifts. Higher-quality lifts often have a lower total cost of ownership due to their durability, reliability, and reduced maintenance needs.
Heavy-duty lifting
While the previous examples focused on options for two-post lifts, servicing larger vehicles generally involves choosing between a drive-on platform lift with tracks or a set of mobile column lifts. Mobile column lifts require positioning a column at each tire, powering them on, and raising the lift. On average, setting up and raising a vehicle with four mobile columns takes about five to ten minutes. In contrast, a large drive-on lift (such as a four-post, parallelogram, or vertical rise lift) only requires driving the vehicle into the bay and raising it, which typically takes around two minutes. As mentioned previously, a few minutes per job escalates to dozens of hours per year. Additionally, compared to mobile lifts, drive-ons can be equipped with a wheels-free rolling jack for tire and brake work, further enhancing versatility.
When considering mobile column lifts, it’s essential to review lift specifications to ensure they align with your shop's needs and goal of improving efficiency. For example, some hydraulic models can raise and lower vehicles in as little as two minutes per cycle, while some screw-driven lifts can take up to six minutes. As noted previously, these minor time savings may seem insignificant initially, but can accumulate substantially over time when considered over the course of a day, week, year, or the entire lifespan of the lift. Mobile columns are an increasingly popular option because they offer the flexibility to lift different vehicle types in various configurations. While this added capability allows garages to service a wider range of vehicles, it may sacrifice some efficiency due to the time required to set up and lift. Because mobile columns lift vehicles from the wheels, this can limit the types of tasks that technicians can conduct. However, most manufacturers offer versatile options to address these limitations such as a front-to-rear frame-engaging adapter or a side-to-side auto frame adapter, which allows tires to hang free if needed. Also, with the right adapter mobile columns can lift low-riding forklifts, offering significant flexibility for diverse vehicle types and configurations. As a well-informed shopper, take the time to verify the capacity of these options, as some models can barely lift more than an F-350, while others are rated for up to 26,000 lbs.
Lifts, regardless of type, are a long-term investment and play a crucial role in ensuring both safety and efficiency in your garage operations. Taking the time to research your options thoroughly will help you choose the right lift to meet your specific needs. By prioritizing features such as durability, reliability, and compatibility with your workflow, you can maximize productivity and reduce downtime. Remember, a great price on the wrong piece of equipment is still the wrong piece of equipment. Do your research and you will be a happy lift operator.
