Fixed Vehicle Service Pits or Mobile Heavy Vehicle Hoists?

Across Australia there are numerous workshops using the traditional method of servicing heavy vehicles: the pit. This hole in the garage or workshop floor at first glance looks like an ideal solution, but a mobile hoist may work out better for you in the long run.

Many automotive workshops with a pit hesitate to upgrade because of the inclination to not change the way things have been working. However, is it a good ROI to upgrade a pit to a mobile hoist set up?

Let’s look at a few factors when comparing a pit with a mobile hoist:

Productivity

An argument always used by the pro-pit mechanics is the ease of driving a vehicle quickly over a pit comparing to the process required to lift a vehicle. While a pit may look like it can be faster, consider the benefits of using mobile heavy vehicle hoists:

1. Flexible setup anywhere in the workshop, not fixed to a location
2. Easy access to tools, outer area of trucks/buses and no fall hazard
3. Adjustable height depending on the work tasks, not fixed pit

 

Health & Safety

A pit requires good ventilation and drainage to prevent the build-up of exhaust gases and water that may collect. Also, electrical connections need to be monitored very frequently from the risk of damage when using power tools in a cramped space. While a pit can be covered when not in use, there is always a risk of someone falling into a pit. Hoists do not have the limitation of confined spaces. According to the Australian Trucking Association, truck safety is very important as per their 2022 charter policy for both road and off-road productivity which includes mechanics working on them in workshops.

Return on Investment

The cost of installing a pit with the proper ventilation and drainage is likely to be around 5 times the cost of installing a hoist. More importantly, it will require weeks or months of disruption to the workshop. A disruption to an operational workshop can reduce productivity and add to costs which may not be recouped. A hoist does not change the layout of the workshop, unlike a pit which changes the layout permanently. The best benefit of hoists is that you can take them with you if you are relocating or moving your workshop.

A well maintained and regularly serviced mobile hoist which takes very less time to be commissioned and will retain much of its value for many years. In the long run, an Australian manufactured mobile hoist like Endurequip will recoup the money over the lifetime of the equipment.

Are mobile hoists the best solution for heavy vehicle truck or bus workshop?

Mobile heavy vehicle hoists such as Portalift from Endurequip offer you the flexibility to move the posts anywhere, indoor, or outdoor unlike a fixed pit. You can use combination of hoist posts, depending on the length of the vehicle, from 4, 6, 8 and 10 to increase the lift up-to 75 tonnes.

Hoists can also be used with vehicle ramps which offer the advantages of drive-in, drive-out like a pit but without the safety risks. They can also be integrated with rails to support hydraulic jacks if required.

Mobile hoists work best when space is at a premium

A pit or a fixed hoist takes up valuable space in a workshop. As we pointed earlier, hoists make it easier access to tools and outer area of trucks/buses with adjustable height depending on the work tasks.

With Endurequip Portalift Hoists, you can move the posts since they are mounted on wheels out of the way and don’t take up valuable floor space in your workshop.

Looking for more advice on an Australian made lifting option for your workshop?

Before you decide on either a pit or a fixed hoist, it is a good idea to have a chat with Endurequip. We can assess your workshop including any future expansion and advise you on the right solution for your requirements.

As Australia’s Number 1 and the only Australian Made portable heavy vehicle hoist company, Endurequip has a twenty-year structural warranty, five-year mechanical warranty, and one-year electrical warranty to give you peace of mind for years to come.

Without Trucks Australia Stops. But when trucks need to go, Endurequip keeps them going!

Want to meet us?

Endurequip will be displaying at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show which will be held at between 18-23 May 2023 at the Brisbane Convention Centre. Visit our stand to say hello to us and discover why Endurequip is Australia’s Number 1 and the only Australian Made portable heavy vehicle hoist company.

Get In Touch 

We are happy to evaluate your heavy vehicle maintenance requirements and help you make the right choice. Call us today on 07 3809 1399 or send us an enquiry here.

Continued from Part 1. To read Part 1, click here.

Some of the various types of hoists available in Australia are:

Fixed Hoists
These are fixed to the ground and require the vehicle to be driven to the hoists.

Two Post Hoists
Two post hoists are the most common because of their versatility and price. They have a set of arms that are angled with each other to allow mounting on the sides of the chassis, allowing the wheels to be left suspended in the air for easy access.

Four Post Hoists
Four post hoists have ramps that enable the vehicle to be driven onto them for the mechanics to lift the vehicle with the wheels on the platforms.

Mobile Column Hoists
These are mobile and can be moved around, saving space. The column hoists lift the vehicle through the tyres and require positioning with each vehicle depending on the number of tyres and the weight of the vehicle. They can be used in multiple configurations of 4, 6, 10 hoists based on the vehicle GVM.

 

Wireless Hoists
These are completely mobile, with rechargeable batteries.

Some of the disadvantages of wireless hoists are:

• With a range of rating from IP40 to IP55, they are unsuitable for rugged environments, which means they are not able to withstand the harsh Australian environment
• Wireless hoists have a shorter lifespan which means that your business will eventually have to part with more money for a replacement set of hoists sooner
• Wireless hoists are more prone to breakdowns, affecting the productivity of your business and potentially costing thousands of dollars in repairs
• Wireless hoists require batteries which sometimes run out of charge or are not charged at the beginning of the shift, resulting in unplanned downtime

Wired Hoists
Endurequip Portalift is a wired mobile hoist with high capacity and reliability, suitable to use with a range of different vehicles, from public transport and military vehicles to rail and special vehicles. Each Portalift hoist is capable of lifting loads up to 7.5 tonnes. Combining posts into 4, 6, 8 and 10 increase the lift capacity to up to 75 tonnes.

We also offer cable management system which safely ensures your cables are off the ground and this is one of the most cost-effective solutions because there is no need to replace batteries or downtime for changing power supply.

The advantages of Endurequip Portalifts over wireless hoists are:

• Portalift Hoists are IP65 rated, dust proof and water resistant. As a result, they can be set up anywhere and are especially suitable for long term use in rugged environments such as mines or wash bays
• Portalift hoists are equipped with world famous RUD chain drive. This results in less wear and tear, meaning the Portalift system is less likely to breakdown, saving money and maximising productivity in the workshop
• Portalift Hoists are used exclusively by the Australian Defence Force, as they are rugged and reliable for field deployment

Read what Gemilang (Now Nexport) say about Endurequip Hoists which they have installed at their bus and coach manufacturing factory at Ballarat, Victoria. Full article here.

Endurequip has a twenty-year structural warranty, five-year mechanical warranty and one-year electrical warranty. Endurequip is Australia’s Number 1 and the only Australian Made portable heavy vehicle hoist company, giving you peace of mind with over three decades of industry knowledge.

 

Without Trucks Australia Stops. But when trucks need to go, Endurequip keeps them going!

Want to meet us?

Endurequip will be displaying at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show which will be held at between 18-23 May 2023 at the Brisbane Convention Centre. Visit our stand to say hello to us and discover why Endurequip is Australia’s Number 1 and the only Australian Made portable heavy vehicle hoist company.

Get In Touch 

We are happy to evaluate your heavy vehicle maintenance requirements and help you make the right choice. Call us today on 07 3809 1399 or send us an enquiry here.

A vehicle hoist is an extremely valuable piece of equipment. In this article, we will be discussing heavy vehicle hoists only.

There are many types of heavy vehicle hoists in the market and the basic types are the fixed hoists and mobile hoists. Fixed hoists are fixed to the ground and can be divided into 2 post hoists or 4 post hoists while mobile hoists are only used with 4 posts and multiples thereof.

The hoists you choose depends on your workshop requirements and the type and size of vehicles. However, you need to consider the following before you decide:

Quality or Price?
As with every product, quality comes with price. However, when you consider factors such as safety, country of manufacture, compliance, etc you will need to decide what is best for your requirements in the long term. Buying a hoist is a solid investment so take the time to understand the differences between the types of hoists and make sure to choose quality over price.

Safety is one of the most important factors in a workshop and your employees trust you as the employer to ensure equipment they operate is safe and secure. Hence, your buying decision should be guided by the quality and safety reputation of the equipment rather than by the cheapest offer available.

Endurequip puts safety first every step of the way. Adhering to Australian standards 2550.9.1996, AS/NZS 2538:2004 and ISO 9001, the Endurequip Portalift Hoist features emergency stops, remote control pendant operation, a keyed safety lock, providing peace of mind for all operators. Read more about Endurequip Portalift Hoist here.

 

After Sales Support
A hoist is an integral part of an automotive workshop, and it is very important to ensure that the hoist you buy his backed by an after-sales-support. Check the equipment brand reliability and reputation, parts availability and service centres, commissioning (installation) process by the technicians, annual or periodical safety inspections, etc. Remember that if your hoist is not operational, it means your staff will not be working and you will have to suffer expensive downtime.

Endurequip offers a dedicated on-site service through a network of authorised service agents across Australia. The after-sales-support is done through technicians who are trained and capable. Check our network of authorised agents here.

Compliance
Make sure that the hoist that you are going to purchase meets compliance, including local workplace laws and requirement.

Endurequip adheres to Australian standards 9.1996, AS/NZS 2538:2004 and ISO 9001.

Read what Gemilang (Now Nexport) say about Endurequip Hoists which they have installed at their bus and coach manufacturing factory at Ballarat, Victoria. Full article here.

Warranty - Replacement Plan
Always read the fine print in the hoist warranty. A heavy vehicle hoist has a long lifespan and needs a replacement plan to ensure your work does not get caught out or face possible downtime if it breaks down at the end of its lifespan. It is very important to create a hoist replacement plan, so that as the hoists age they allow for the cost of a replacement hoist in the budget.

Endurequip has a twenty-year structural warranty, five-year mechanical warranty and one-year electrical warranty. Endurequip is Australia’s Number 1 and the only Australian Made portable heavy vehicle hoist company, giving you peace of mind with over three decades of industry knowledge.

 

Continued into Part 2 ...

Without Trucks Australia Stops. But when trucks need to go, Endurequip keeps them going!

For more information on Endurequip Portalift Hoists, get in touch with our team on 07 3809 1399 or click here to send an enquiry.

Another set of Endurequip Portalift Hoists being delivered to a defence contracting customer in July. Check out the Australian made Hawkei, which is a light, 4x4 mobile, 7-tonne with in-built systems used as a surveying and fighting vehicle.

 

Without Trucks Australia Stops. But when trucks need to go, Endurequip keeps them going!

Check out the large semi-trailer that is loaded with Endurequip Portalift Hoists being delivered to a customer in June.

 

Without Trucks Australia Stops. But when trucks need to go, Endurequip keeps them going!