Having access to the right vehicle lift for the job is crucial, whether it’s a two-post, four-post, or column lift, or even a skylift. Two Scottish companies explain how their differing needs were catered for by Stertil Koni.
Column inches
Commercial Transmission Services (CTS), a driveline company based in Glasgow, works on a wide range of vehicles with differing axle configurations. So, in order to more efficiently cater for an increasingly diverse range of LCVs, PSVs, HGVs, and construction vehicles, CTS specified a Stertil Koni mobile wireless column lift, type ST1075FWA.
The lift comprises a set of four wireless mobile columns, each providing a lifting capacity of 7.5 tonnes, thereby ensuring an overall safe lifting capacity of 30 tonnes when used as a set of four.
Each column incorporates Stertil Koni’s ebright Smart Control System which allows workshop technicians to operate the columns individually, in pairs, or in any other combination from any column in the set. Positioning of the wireless columns is also totally flexible, enabling them to be used in any configuration around a vehicle.
Featuring full-colour touch screen consoles, the ebright Smart Control System has been designed and developed to simplify operation by providing maximum visual information about every lifting operation – all at the fingertips of the workshop technicians. In fact, technicians can also use the touch screen whilst wearing gloves if enhanced hygiene measures are in place.
For added safety and performance, the ebright Smart Control System also shows how many columns in the set are being used, plus the battery status of each column. Safety is further enhanced by an independent mechanical locking system, incorporated into each column, which allows technicians to securely lock the lift to prevent a vehicle from being inadvertently lowered.
This heavy-duty lift is powered by longlife, deep cycle batteries which provide optimum performance for at least a week, on average, before recharging is necessary. Also, battery life is prolonged due to the fact that, unlike a screw-lift, power is only used to raise the vehicle; therefore, less time is spent recharging the lift (recharging is carried out via a 230v single phase supply).
Importantly, with no cables on the workshop floor, the risk of tripping is removed, providing valuable health and safety benefits. The absence of power and communication cables also means that set-up time is greatly reduced, thereby making the system fully operational much more quickly.
Significantly, the lift’s unique synchronisation system ensures a smooth lifting and lowering cycle, even in the event of extremely uneven load distribution. Supplied complete with adjustable width forks, the Stertil Koni ST1075FWA easily meets the challenge of lifting vehicles with differing tyre widths to ensure maximum versatility.
Also, the ST1075FWA provides a maximum lifting height of 1.85 metres which is reached in just 75 seconds, making it one of the fastest commercial vehicle lifts available. Another important feature of the lift is its suitability for use both inside the workshop and on the adjacent outside area. This flexibility is useful when workshop space is limited during periods of high demand.
Mixed fleets
Following the successful use of a set of Stertil Koni mobile heavy-duty vehicle lifts, Maclean Coaches, a family-run business based in the Northwest of Scotland, required another versatile solution.
So, to boost its workshop capacity, the company installed a seven-tonne capacity four-post lift, type ST4070-LV. This lift features a compact design which, combined with a low drive-on height of 160mm and short drive-on ramps, ensures its suitability for use in workshops where floor space may be limited.
This feature is further enhanced by the slim profile of the lift’s lifting columns, and this ensures maximum accessibility for vehicles of all lengths and widths to meet every user requirement.
Total versatility and flexibility is also maximised by the four-post lift’s 630mm wide platforms, which are easily adjustable to suit a wide range of vehicles, including minibuses, commercial vans, and light freight vehicles fitted with twin rear wheels.
The lift incorporates an adjustable speed lowering valve, which ensures safe and controllable lowering of vehicles down to floor level or onto axle stands and transmission jacks. With a maximum lifting height in excess of two metres, the lift provides a perfect working environment for the tallest workshop technicians.
During development, the Stertil Koni range of four-post lifts was tested under full load throughout 50,000 lifting cycles.
