Car hoists are specially designed equipments to hoist cars for inspection and maintenance. It is an invaluable asset for any mechanic running a car repair shop. It is different from a car jack in that it will hoist the entire car a few above the ground. Car hoists are capable of doing this in one motion. Car jacks are only capable of lifting a car a foot or so above the ground. If you need a clear view of the underneath of the car, in a safe and reliable manner, the mechanic will at some point of time need a car hoist.
Car hoists operate by using electric as well as a hydraulic system. An electric motor is used to run a hydraulic system to achieve lifting motion. The main advantage of using an electric-hydraulic system is safety. Even if there happens to be any type of mechanical problem with the hoist, it will not drop down suddenly without a warning. This is because hydraulic fluids have a natural tendency to slow down the downward fall of the hoist. Therefore, you could say, safety is a natural byproduct of a hydraulic system. In short electric-hydraulic hoists are simple and safe devices.
There are two different types of car hoists. The two-post and four-post hoists. The name says it all; a two-post system will have two hoists and four for the four-post hoists. A two-post system is great if there are any space constraints. Generally this type will also be rated at higher weight bearing capacity compared to a four-post system. However, no matter which type of hoist is being used, it is important to follow the max weight specifications set by the manufacturer. A car hoist is not something you want to fail, especially when there is someone working underneath it.
This leads to the next point and that would be maintenance and up keep of the car hoist. Any type of hydraulic system will require some basic maintenance to keep it going reliably. It is always a good idea to check the platform and controls every once in a while, to make sure things are working properly. The hydraulic hoses are perhaps the most important part of any hydraulic system. Therefore keeping an eye on their health is a must. The hoses should never leak, and if there are any signs of leakage then they should be immediately replaced. This will save major headaches and hassles in the long run.