Mohawk has built its reputation on providing the safest, most durable, reliable, and low maintenance lifts available.

LOW maintenance doesn’t mean NO maintenance. Check out these tips to keep your Mohawk in top shape for years to come — some facilities touting over 30 years in service and still going strong!

Daily

Wipe down or clean all moving parts. It is not recommended to grease the inside of the channel on the post, or swing arm restraints. If oxidation is occurring, use a light lubricant (WD-40 or equivalent)

Weekly

• Clean the cylinder’s wiping seals and the base of each post to remove any weeping oil and dust.
• Check fluid levels — when the unit is fully lowered, the fluid level will be 1/2 inch below the breather cap port. Use Dextron VI as replacement fluid.
• Lubricate the arm restraint assemblies as needed to ensure free and smooth operation (do not use grease).
• Cycle unit to full height and bleed approximately 30 seconds.

Monthly

• Inspect lifting and hydraulic components for deformation, wear or corrosion.
• Check for loose fasteners and hydraulic fittings. Tighten as needed. 
• Inspect anchor conditions for any possible corrosion. Inspect the floor for any signs of fatigue or fractures.

Semi-annually

• Qualify or re-qualify technicians/personnel in the safe operations of your lift.
• Lubricate lock body main pivot pins. Remove with snap ring pliers when fully lowered and clean lock pivot pin and lock body hole. Spray pin with a light lubricant (WD-40 or equivalent), then reassemble, ensuring smooth motion.
• The carriage bearings — where they ride against the channel sections — should be cleaned and lubricated using slip plate or light lubricant (WD-40). Note: The main carriage bearings are factory lubricated and sealed, they do not require any periodic lubrication. However, if additional lubrication is desired, it is recommended to use CAM2 multi-purpose #2 grease (part # 86035) or an equivalent. Use approximately 2 ounces per bearing.

Annually

• Check your hydraulic fluid volume annually. Every ten years replace and bleed the hydraulic fluid. Always clean funnel and filter. Use Dexron VI hydraulic fluid.
• Inspect all bearings for unusual or excessive wear and replace if needed. Remove the swing arm restraints and thoroughly clean. Use a light lubricant (WD-40 or equivalent) and reinstall. Do not use grease.
• Get your lift inspected annually from an ALI-Certified lift inspector.
• Safety always comes first! The number one reason vehicles fall from lifts is user error. Keep your techs properly trained with an annual online course by the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI). OSHA and other safety and health regulations require lift safety training for anyone who operates an automotive lift.

About Mohawk

Mohawk is U.S.A’s premium manufacturer of vehicle lift solutions for fleets in government, commercial, and industrial settings. Mohawk’s popularity is based on a combination of industry-leading safety systems, long-lasting durability, and the most inclusive warranty in the lift industry. Mohawk Lifts are proudly designed, welded, and manufactured in the U.S.A. since 1981.

What’s the difference, and when does it matter most?

Lift manufacturers use two primary methods to synchronize two post lifting carriages and keep vehicles level from side-to-side, (1) mechanical cable/wire rope equalization, and (2) hydraulic synchronization. When lifting heavy trucks with uneven weight from side-to-side—such as those with cranes or welding units—all-hydraulic, direct-drive lifts are safer and more reliable.

Hydraulically synchronized lifts use all-hydraulic systems to ensure left and right lift carriages rise at equal speeds, even when side-to-side weight disparities on work trucks with cranes, welding units, etc. apply unequal pressure on the left and right posts. Comparatively, cable-driven lifts leverage cable tension to maintain equalization. These systems are less safe & reliable. Why? Because cable tension leads to cable-stretching & fraying, which can lead to out-of-level & uneven lifting if not monitored closely. 

Manufacturers of cable-equalized lifts admit in their Operating Manuals that: (a) cables stretch and fray, (b) daily inspections are required to monitor the integrity of the cable, and (c) weekly or monthly maintenance is required to adjust cable tension to ensure the left and right carriages rise at equal speeds. [Figure 1]. What most customers don’t know, however, is that if one cable stretches, becomes loose, or is installed incorrectly, then opposing lift carriages won’t rise evenly, and locks won’t simultaneously engage [Figure 2].

Educated buyers have started to ask: “Why buy a lift if the system it employs to equalize requires daily checks and adjustments to ensure it can do the job safely?” All hydraulic, direct-drive lifts won’t expose your company or technicians to these safety hazards. 

Lift manufacturers also note on their brochures that “Vehicle axle weight MUST NOT EXCEED one half of total lift capacity.” More simply, the rear axle cannot exceed the weight rating of the lift’s two rear arms. The same concept is true for the vehicle’s side-to-side weight rating: one side of the truck cannot exceed the capacity of the arms on the lift’s left or right column.

Front-to-rear weight differences stress the lift’s structure by torqueing the carriages and loading the arms, while side-to-side weight differences stress both the lift’s structure (arms and carriage) and the lift’s equalization system. This is a critical safety consideration when servicing heavy-duty work trucks with welding units, cranes, etc. You may be surprised how quickly a F450 with 2,800lb, rear-mounted Welding Unit stretches and puts a cable-equalized lifting system out of sync (and wears down plastic slide blocks & cable sheaves).

Due to these shortcomings and safety hazards, many have concluded that cable-driven lifts are ill-equipped to service heavy-duty trucks with significant side-to-side & front-to-rear weight differences.  A full hydraulic system—as opposed to a stretching and fraying wire rope / cable equalization system—will ensure a safer, more reliable, and longer-lasting lift.

 

 

 

GUEST EDITORIAL

Originally appeared in Fleet Maintenance Magazine | June 2018

By Steve Perlstein
PRESIDENT, MOHAWK LIFTS

A two-post above-ground lift is one of the most common and productive pieces of shop equipment for a fleet. But, it’s important to consider the appropriate features needed for your operation before making a purchasing decision.

Comparison to other lift types

While some like the convenience of driving on a four-post, scissor or parallelogram lift, when comparing the amount of shop space needed for these lift types, a two-post lift takes up less space. Additionally, given so much work is done with the tires hanging free, there’s no need to also purchase optional wheels-free rolling jacks for tire and brake service for a two-post lift.

Next, consider the wide-open work spaces under a two-post lift versus a drive-on lift, as the runways for drive-on lift s always seem to be in the way when replacing brake lines and other under-vehicle components. A two-post lift has no under-vehicle obstructions.

Regardless of lift type, adhering to safety guidelines is critical. Many, but not all, lift manufacturers opt to become members of the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI). ALI members must meet the one and only nationally recognized safety standard for vehicle lifts. To verify a lift meets ALI standards for safety, look for a gold ALI certification label affixed to the lift itself.

Additional considerations

There are a number of factors to consider when selecting the appropriate two-post lift for your shop. They include:

Lift capacity

Two-post lifts range in capacities from 6,000 to 30,000 lbs. This does not necessarily mean the full weight of the vehicle is always distributed evenly. Sometimes the bulk of the load will be at the front or rear of the vehicle when the lift is raised. For instance, if you service Ford F-450s loaded with a welder, tools or a one-man bucket the truck may weigh 11,000 lbs, but more than half the weight is in the back half of the vehicle. If the rear axle weighs 7,800 lbs, not over-loading the swing arms is a critical safety issue since no individual arm of any two-post lift is made to lift more than one quarter of the total lift’s rated capacity. In the 7,800-lb rear axle weight example, each of the rear two arms is holding 3,900 lbs. Multiplied by four lifting arms, that means a lift with a minimum capacity of 15,600 lbs is needed. Always know the weight on the heavy end of your service trucks. Design and construction Lifts were once all made from forklift C-shaped channels, to replicate the design similar to how forklifts go up and down several hundred times a day. Years ago, some lift manufacturers changed to a much lighter design and went away from forklift mast type-C with sealed roller bearings design. There are several manufacturers using the lighter design methods, as well as manufacturers that still design lifts with the traditional C-shaped channels.

In addition to column construction, review lifting function. There are a number of options available on vehicle lifts, including direct-drive lifting, chain lift ing or cable lifting. Like the example of column design, direct drive lifting eliminates the all-too-common wear of a cable lift. Worn cables and cable pulleys cost shops in the form of bay downtime, service calls and cable/pulley replacements every few years.

Warranty

The construction of the lifts being considered relates to the manufacturer’s warranty. Like anything, a better made machine lasts longer. In the two-post lift business we have seen warranties as long as 25 years, and some as short as one year. In a conversation with the nation’s largest independently owned tire store chain, Les Schwab, we learned their philosophy was to spend more upfront and purchase lifts that last “forever.” Les Schwab has over 450 stores in the western U.S. “Because some stores are so remote, we don’t expect a service man to be available in an hour, so we buy lifts that never cause us problems,” said Rick Martin, manager, shop equipment, Les Schwab.

Safety features

It’s been said 1,000 times: never use a jack without a jack stand. Lifts are no different, and should always be lowered onto the mechanical safety locks. But how do you know if your techs have lowered the lift onto the locks? The answer is a pressure gauge calibrated to the vehicle’s weight, also known as a weight gauge. If the weight gauge reads zero, your techs are properly using the lift.

The weight gauge can also provide validation of service. If a customer comes in concerned about a bad tune-up, or the vehicle pulling, you can place the vehicle on the lift to show the actual vehicle weight.

Finally, a weight gauge can assist shops with analyzing parts usage. With a weight gauge, you can show the vehicle owner of a 1-ton truck how much his truck really weighs when your service records show the installation of less expensive brake pads. Better tires or brake pads as well as load levelers versus shocks help your shop evaluate the parts used on vehicles. A weight gauge can be the “show and tell” to validate the need for better components.

Conclusion

The right two-post lift can help make your shop more productive and more profitable. Prior to your next lift purchase, investigate the differences in lift brands, how they’re built, the warranties offered and the components they’re built from. With this additional research, the next lift purchase decision becomes one you’re proud of rather than regretting in a few years.

You don’t hear folks say automotive technicians have it easy. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” says Steve Perlstein, President of Mohawk Lifts. “Some of the hardest working and most creative problem solvers I’ve met are working at the local repair shop.” With new engine technology, vehicle software, and an ever expanding array of electrical components, it’s not easy being a technician. 

Yet while automotive techs have vehicle service lifts to make this difficult job a little bit easier, most forklift technicians in the US don’t have the benefit of a full-rise service lift to make PM’s, Repairs, and Diagnosis more efficient.

“Forklift technicians deserve better,” continued Perlstein. “Forklift techs should benefit from the same safety and productivity benefits that automotive technicians do by using lifts in the shop.”

Hundreds of forklift service companies, in-house forklift technicians, factories, warehouses and distribution centers across the world are using Mohawk’s Forklift Service Equipment, yet the forklift maintenance industry as a whole has been slower to adopt forklift maintenance lifts than their automotive counterparts.

The companies who have taken the time and done the analysis have purchased a Forklift Service Lift from Mohawk. Reliable equipment increases productivity and cuts costs.

“Our track record says it all,” said Perlstein. Mohawk’s Forktruck Service Equipment has fewer wearing parts, uses high quality US parts and steel, and is built for uptime and longevity—all while being built in the U.S. and maintaining price parity with Chinese-made products. “Forklifts are the inspiration behind the design of a Mohawk,” continued Perlstein. “The same “[“ channel mast and sealed roller bearings you find on the ‘business end’ of the forklift is used in our lift. It NEVER wears out and doesn’t see much downtime or maintenance needs.”

“If forklift uptime matters, then the quality and dependability of your forklift service lift matters,” said Perlstein. “When your forklift is down, that’s lost productivity. The last thing you want is to call the parts department at the company where the service lift was purchased when all you’re focused on is bringing the forklift back into service.”

Forklift technicians using Mohawk’s 25,000lb Four-Post or 28,000 lb Mobile Fork Truck Service Lifts experience fewer injuries, aches and pains, and are more productive. Their companies reap the same time saving, revenue generation, and asset lifecycle benefits that automotive shop and fleets have benefited from by using a lift for years. “In this case, what’s true for one is true for the other,” added Perlstein.
 
“We’ve even heard from shops that have reduced the total number of forklifts they buy and operate because they don’t expect one or two forklifts to be down all the time,” said Perlstein.

Rick Martin, Service Director for Les Schwab says of Mohawk’s Lifts in June’s edition of Fleet Maintenance: “We don’t expect a service man to be available in an hour, so we buy lifts that NEVER cause us problems.”  Les Schwab’s 458 locations have used Mohawk Lifts for 25+ years.

“Simply put,” concluded Perlstein, “forklift technicians deserve better, and—their companies—much like the auto shops, are more productive, safer and more profitable with a quality service lift from Mohawk.”

By Steve Perlstein

The type of lift chosen for a shop can dramatically impact the facility’s productivity level. For example, of the different types of mobile lifts, the faster raising and lowering hydraulic lifts—as opposed to the slower operating electromechanical lifts—can add 54 man-hours of productive repair time per year to your facility based on the one minute up/one minute down cycle time vs lifts that take three minutes up and three minutes down (54 hours assumes you raise four vehicles per day). If this is extended over five years, that’s an extra 270 hours of productive repair time.

While the previous example is specific to mobile lifts, the most common lift type is the above ground two-post frame engaging lift for light vehicles and mid-size trucks. Each time the lift is raised, the shop technicians must bend down and properly position the four individual swing arms and the sliders at the proper lifting points of the vehicle. But, what if you didn’t have to position the swing arms?

Some lift companies offer a lifting pad instead of four swing arms, since the pads speed up certain routine maintenance jobs, such as oil changes. However, these pads are also limited, as they get in the tech’s way on services. Yet, there is a solution.

LIFT DIVERSITY

The Mohawk Speedlane, unlike pad-type two-post lifts, gives shops the versatility of using the lift as a normal swing arm lift or a drive on pad lift for tire or brake service. Like a pad-type two-post lift, the Speedlane can improve turnaround time without limiting what services can be performed.

Doing exhaust work and want the exhaust system to “hang” at ride level? Of course, yet a swing arm lift doesn’t allow this due to the hanging suspension. Tire engaging wheel adaptors can be added to the ends of the swing arms to speed arm placement and raise vehicles faster.

Two-post lifts are the most common lift type, servicing small and mid-size vehicles. Yet, as municipalities and landscaping fleets need to also service turf maintenance equipment, some two-post lifts have the versatility to service light vehicles, trucks, and turf equipment. Ask the manufacturer what lift options and accessories are available to assist in servicing different types of vehicles and equipment.

Mobile lifts offer the versatility of not having to dedicate a bay to a fixed position lift. When using high reach jack stands, the columns can be moved to another bay with the first vehicle remaining in the air for service. The disadvantages of mobile lifts is the few minute setup time to position columns at each tire, yet they offer the flexibility to service light vehicles, raise vehicles front to rear or, used in pairs, to service forklifts.

Having the lift manufacturer do a site survey in advance of purchasing can help to determine where the lifts should be located based on traffic flow and proximity to tool storage. The survey also ensures there is adequate concrete to safely bolt down the specific lift model, proper electricity for operation, and sufficient ceiling height to fully lift all vehicles.

Request a site survey to avoid a four-post lift with 30-ft tracks being delivered when there is only room for 25 ft. Upon completion of the site survey, one should be confident that the type of lift they have decided on will successfully work in his or her shop.

LIFT COST JUSTIFICATION

To justify a lift purchase, the 94th Army Command needed to purchase lifts for 10 of their facilities in the northeast. The person in charge compared the time savings between using floor jacks, jack stands, and creepers vs two-post lifts. The determination was that based upon the number of vehicles being serviced, the lift purchase equated to a $140,000 cost saving in just the first year. There was a 40 minute time savings per vehicle when using a two-post lift vs jacks and creepers.

Shop efficiency is all about getting the repair job in and out of your garage faster to increase the percentage of vehicles on the road and working. Since “time is money,” keeping your fleet on the street will do the same for your operation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steve Perlstein has been with Mohawk Lifts for 35 years and brings the experience of growing up in the family garage.

Amsterdam, NY (February 21, 2017) – Mohawk Resources Ltd. has been awarded with NASPO ValuePoint contract #05316 for vehicle lifts and garage associated equipment. In addition to the ability to purchase two post, four post, mobile column and parallelogram lifts off the contract, government agencies can also purchase Hunter’s wheel service equipment under Mohawk’s contract.

This contract was competitively bid and awarded, giving government agencies the ability to issue purchase orders directly, without the need to constantly go out to bid every time for each piece of equipment.

Steve Perlstein, Government Sales Manager at Mohawk Lifts, spoke of Mohawk’s awarded contract saying, “Mohawk has been involved as an original vendor to the WA state contract, which was used by over 34 states.”

The contract is effective through February 10, 2019 at which point there is the option for a three year extension.

About NASPO ValuePoint

NASPO ValuePoint is a unified, nationally focused cooperative aggregating the demand of all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the organized US territories, their political subdivisions and other eligible entities spurring best value, innovation and competition in the marketplace.

Mohawk Lifts will be showcasing a two post lift in booth #10154 (North Hall) at the SEMA show in Las Vegas November 1-November 4, 2016. According to the show’s website, the SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition, the SEMA Show provides attendees with educational seminars, product demonstrations, special events, networking opportunities and more.

The 2015 SEMA Show drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers.

To get more information on the show and exhibiting companies, go to www.semashow.com.

AMSTERDAM, New York (September 28, 2015) – Mohawk Lifts has launched a newly designed website with a responsive design at www.mohawklifts.com. The new site displays content depending on the device of the user. This provides users with the ability to view product information and photos more easily.

According to Steve Perlstein, Sales Manager at Mohawk Lifts, “we have seen an increase in the number of people accessing Mohawk’s website from mobile devices and want to make the site user-friendly for those researching vehicle lifts and other garage equipment.”

The homepage provides users with links to go directly to a specific lift model without having to click through multiple pages. There are also separate tabs for architects and those looking to purchase under Mohawk’s government contracts. Each market segment is looking for a different type of information and the new site has been organized so it can be accessed directly from the homepage.

From the website users can view product brochures, specifications, CAD layouts, lift photos, and recent news. To learn more about Mohawk call 800-833-2006. You can also connect with Mohawk on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mohawklifts and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mohawklifts1981.
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Media Contact:
Taryn Farewell
tfarewell@mohawklifts.com
(518) 842-1431