VCS relies upon a set of Stertil Koni heavy-duty mobile column lifts to increase efficiency and throughput at its modern workshop in Bradford.
Vehicle Conversion Specialists (VCS) operates from state-of-the-art facilities in Bradford and Bolton with a combined size of 70,000 sq ft. From these sites, the company produces a wide range of emergency vehicles including the E-DCA – the UK’s first fully-electric ambulance and the only zero-emissions ambulance to be in active use on the frontline in Europe.
Based on the company’s proven, lightweight dual crewed ambulance (DCA), the E-DCA uses a tried-and-tested heavy-duty electric powertrain. The result is a zero-emissions ambulance that can achieve speeds of up to 75mph, an effective range of 110 miles and a charging time of just 4.25 hours. This proven performance means that the E-DCA offers ambulance services the opportunity to take the important first step in electrifying their ambulance fleets.
In order to boost throughput within its Bradford workshop, VCS decided to purchase a set of four heavy-duty mobile vehicle lifts, type ST1075FSA, from Stertil Koni. Each lifting column provides a safe lifting capacity of 7.5 tonnes so that, when used as a set of four columns, the combined lifting capacity is 30 tonnes.
The ST1075FSA heavy-duty lifts incorporate Stertil Koni’s ebright smart control system which allows workshop staff to operate the lifts from any column in the set. Featuring full-colour touch screen consoles, the system has been designed and developed to simplify operation by providing maximum visual information about every lifting operation. For added safety and performance, it also shows how many columns in the set are being used.
Enhanced safety
All columns incorporate the company’s maintenance-free, synthetic runner wheel system, which is self-lubricating, and the system is covered by a lifetime guarantee. An integral advanced hydraulic lifting system incorporates a microprocessor-controlled synchronisation feature to ensure safe, smooth and precise movement at all times, even in the event of extremely uneven load distribution. 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.
In addition, the ST1075FSA provides a maximum lifting height of 1.85 metres which is reached in just 75 seconds, thereby making it one of the fastest commercial vehicle lifts available. The mobile column lifts are used by VCS to simplify vehicle conversions throughout a daily two-shift pattern totalling 19 hours. Depending on workflow, the lifts are used to raise between four and six vehicles a week which comprise various sizes of commercial vans including Fiat Ducato, Man Modular and Peugeot PTS.
