Questions To Ask Before You Buy A 2 Post Lift
Not all two-post lifts are created equal. Before you buy, it’s worth asking the right questions — about where the lift is made, how it’s constructed, what safety systems are included, and what warranty stands behind it. Browse the questions below to see how Mohawk’s two-post lifts stack up against the competition on the details that matter most.
Click the questions to view the answers and click images below questions to enlarge.
1. Do the carriages ride up and down on double sealed self lubricating ball bearing rollers, plastic slide blocks, friction blocks, or rub blocks?
Mohawk’s carriages ride up and down on double sealed self lubricating ball bearing rollers.
Mohawk’s Bearing & Channel vs Competitor Bent Sheet Metal and Plastic Block
Mohawk’s System 1A Carriage
Mohawk’s Direct Drive Carriage with Bearings
Competitor’s Wire Rope, Bent Sheet Metal and Plastic Slide Blocks
2. Is the column made of 3/4" thick high strength fork lift mast or 1/8" thick bent sheet metal?
Mohawk’s columns are made with US made thick high strength fork lift mast. Like a fork lifts mast, Mohawk lifts DO NOT WEAR OUT!
This first image compares column thickness of various brands using a U.S. Quarter on each cross-section for reference.
Mohawk vs Competitors Column Cross Sections
Column Comparison
Mohawk TP-16 Column Construction
Mohawk vs Competitor
Mohawk vs Competitor
3. Does the lift have both internal and external hydraulic safeties?
Mohawk’s patented infinite position, internal hydraulic safeties, are backed by external pressure compensated flow controls and velocity fuse valving. Were a stainless steel line ever to rupture, the hydraulic safeties would cause the lift to immediately lock.
4. How many anchor bolts are securing the column to the shop floor?
Mohawk’s large and stable footprint measures 30” wide and is made of 3/4” thick steel plate. Mohawk’s large base with 8 lag bolts gives stability to the lift, while distributing the load to the shop floor. Some competing brands use 4 bolts per side.
Mohawk System 1A Footprint
Mohawk vs Rotary
Mohawk vs Rotary
Competing Brand Footprint
5. Does the lift operate with a cable (wire rope), a leaf chain, or on a direct drive lifting system?
Mohawk uses #646 or #848 High Strength leaf chains or direct drive lifting which means no cables to fray, wear, or replace like competitor cable driven lifts.
Mohawk’s Chain vs. Competitors Cable
Mohawk’s A-7 Chain Design
Mohawk’s Direct Drive Lift Carriage
Mohawk’s Direct Drive Lift Carriage and Column
Competitor Lift with Wire Rope and Plastic Pulley
Competitor Lift with Wire Rope and Plastic Pulley
Competitor Lift with Failed Plastic Pulley
Competitor Lift with Wire Rope and Broken Plastic Pulley
Competitor Wire Rope Broken Mounting Point
6. Does the lift have a clear floor and an adjustable height overhead hydraulic line or an overhead beam to limit lifting height making the lift too tall to fit in the bay?
Mohawk Lifts two post lifts easily adjustable overhead stainless steel hydraulic lines can be set at any height (or routed in floor) to accommodate all tall trucks and vans or used in low ceiling shops. Competitive lifts using rubber hoses get old, brittle, break and need replacing. Mohawk lifts DO NOT use height restrictive overhead cable covers that limit lifting height, and you’ll never replace a stainless steel hydraulic line. With no obstructive cable cover Mohawk’s two posts lifts are capable of fitting into a 10’6” ceiling bay and fully raising a 4’ tall car or able to be extended to fully raise taller trucks without limiting lifting height.
Mohawk Lift with Optional Overhead Line Extension Kit
Mohawk Lift with Optional Overhead Line Extension Kit
Mohawk LC-12 In Low Ceiling Bay
Mohawk LC-12 In Low Ceiling Bay
Competitor Bent overhead beam
Overhead beam limits lifting height
Competitor Bent overhead beam
Competitor bent overhead beam
Competitor Overhead bars restrict lifting height
Competitor overhead bars restrict lifting height
Competitor Bent overhead beam
Competitor bent overhead beam
Mohawk A-7 Installed in Low Garage
Mohawk A-7 Installed in Low Garage
Mohawk’s System 1A Installed in Low Garage
Mohawk’s System 1A Installed in Low Garage
Mohawk’s System 1A Installed in Low Garage
Mohawk’s System 1A Installed in Low Garage
Mohawk Lift shown installed with low ceiling
Mohawk Lift shown installed with low ceiling and routed overhead hydraulic lines
Inground Hydraulic Lines
Mohawk Lift shown with optional Inground Hydraulic Lines
Mohawk Lift shown installed with low ceiling
Mohawk Lift shown installed with low ceiling
7. How large are the cylinders that power the lift?
Mohawk’s large 4” cylinders equal longer seal life and lower operating pressures vs. competitive cylinders.
8. Is the lift equipped with adjustable height lift pads and adapters?
Mohawk’s 12,000-30,000 lb two post lifts are equipped with Mohawk’s 5″, 7 1/2″ and 10″ stackable lift adaptor with pads for hard to reach vehicle frames. Mohawk’s 10,000 lb two post lifts are equipped with 3” and 6″ stackable lift adaptor with pads.
Mohawk’s Included Stackable Truck Adapters
Mohawk’s Included Stackable Truck Adapters & Pads
Mohawks Optional Adjustable Screw Type Adapters
Mohawks Optional Adjustable Screw Type Adapters
Mohawks Optional Adjustable Screw Type Adapters
9. How low are the swing arms to get under low riding vehicles?
Mohawk’s 10,000 lb capacity swing arms are only 3 ½” on the System I lift (4” on the 3 stage TP-16 16,000 lb capacity lift) to fit under cars with sagging springs, a “dead” air bag or sports cars with low ground clearance. Mohawk’s arms allow lifting of vehicles from large utility trucks, to short wheelbase sub-compact cars, and low riding cars.
10. How large are the swing arm bolts (to maintain level swing arms vs. arms that droop)?
All Mohawk’s two-post swing arm bolts are 1 1/8” in diameter (10,000 thru 30,000 lb models).
11. Are the swing arm welds finished or just cut steel?
Mohawk “finishes” swing arms with 360 degrees welded end-caps for added strength.
Mohawk Lifts Swing Arms with Welded Endcaps
Mohawk Swing Arms vs Competitor
Chinese Brand Lift With Weak Broken Welds
Competitors Broken Swing Arm Sleeve
12. Does the lift rise a full 6' UNDERNEATH the swing arms or 6' when measured to the top of the swing arm?
All Mohawk lift cylinders stroke a full 6’ while most brands only stroke 5’7” or 5’8” which reduces head clearance for taller technicians.
13. Do the mechanical safety locks start engaging immediately or not until 18 or 24"(or do the locks not start until 18” or 24” of travel meaning tire rotation might be being done with the lift not resting on the mechanical locks)?
Mohawk’s all position mechanical safeties lock start at 5” off the floor and engage every 3”.
At Mohawk, building a safer lift is more important than saving a few manufacturing dollars by designing the locks to start at 24”.
14. Is the lift ALI/ETL certified to meet the one and only national nationally recognized safety standard for vehicle lifts?
Mohawk’s models A-7, System I, LMF-12, TP-16, TP-18, TP-20, TP-26, and TP-30 are ALI/ETL certified to meet the one and only nationally recognized OSHA and building code standard safety standard for vehicle lifts.
15. Does the lifting carriage cradle the swing arm or is the swing arm bolted outside the carriage?
Mohawk’s swing arms are supported by the carriage’s shelf. This shelf tightly grips the swing arms vs arms that grab the carriage which aren’t as strong and lead to sagging arms.
16. When standing under a lift do you want a single locking system or a dual locking system?
At Mohawk Lifts safety comes first. Mohawk’s two post lifts have dual mechanical locks on both columns.
17. Does the lift offer a weight gauge?
Mohawk Lifts offers a weight gauge to verify the lift has been lowered onto the mechanical locks.
Mohawk’s weight gauge will increase each bays income by $50/week. (used as a diagnostic and sales tool to sell better brakes, tires, or load levelers instead of just shocks to your customers).
Mohawk’s safety weight gauge will:
- aid in vehicle diagnosis by measuring weight within 3% accuracy
- install directly into the hydraulic system
- be easy to read
- be used as a diagnostic sales tool, the weight gauge will help you sell better quality and higher margin brake parts, shocks, tires, etc.
- be available for all Mohawk two-post lifts
- allow techs and shop managers to know the lift has been lowered and is locked on the mechanical locks
- be ALI/ETL certified
18. Does the lift offer a turf kit adaptor to quickly covert and also service turf maintenance equipment?
Mohawk Lifts offers a turf kit to turn vehicle lifts into turf maintenance lifts.
Mohawk’s turf kit is available for all Mohawk 9,000-16,000 lb capacity two post lifts and offers full under-vehicle access and safety with 6’ working height. Installation is a simple and quick one man job and Mohawk’s turf kit takes less valuable shop space than a 4 post lift.
19. Does the lift offer a Drive-On Adapter for increased shop productivity and faster loading and unloading of the vehicle?
Mohawk Lifts offers an ALI/ETL certified Speedlane option available for 10,000 thru 18,000 lb capacity two post lifts. The Speedlane turns your two post lift into a quick drive-on lift, provides full under vehicle access, and allows wheels to hand free for tire, brake, and under-vehicle access.
The Speedlane doesn’t require inexperienced techs to position the swing arms. This will increase shop safety and productivity.
Mohawk TP-16 With Speedlane
Mohawk LMF-12 With Speedlane
Speedlane Under Vehicle View
Speedlane Used to Store Vehicles
Drive On Ease To Raise Vehicles
Speedlane Shown Ready for Vehicle
Speedlane Under Vehicle View
All Aluminum Construction
20. Does the lift offer a foam door guard?
Mohawk offers an optional foam door guard because lift carriages are made of steel and even experienced service managers or techs have accidentally opened a vehicle door into the lift column possibly resulting in a scratch or small dent. Unlike comparative hard plastic door protectors, Mohawk foam door guard is 2” thick to prevent door damage.
21. As “price” and “cost” are two different things, do you want the least expensive lift to buy or the least expensive lift to own?
Mohawk’s two post lifts are the least expensive lifts to own and are backed by a 25 year warranty.
You and Mohawk know there’s a big difference between a products price and it’s cost. A Mohawk lift may have a higher initial price, yet a Mohawk lift is the least expensive lift you’ll ever own (longevity, lack of parts, life-cycle cost).
22. Does the lift have a 25 year structural and 10 year mechanical warranty?
Mohawk Lifts are built to last a lifetime. Mohawk’s two-post lifts include a 25 year structural 10 year mechanical warranty.
- Rotary lifts have a 2 year warranty if installed by a Rotary authorized installer and 1 year if not.
- Bendpak lifts have a 1 year warranty.
- Challenger lifts have a 1-2 year warranty (model dependant)
Mohawk: The Lifts You Can’t Wear Out
23. Does the lift offer a lifetime cylinder warranty?
All of Mohawk’s two post lifts come standard with a limited lifetime cylinder warranty. Mohawk’s two post models include A-7, SYSTEM IA-10, LMF-12, LC-12, TP-16, TP-18, TP-20, TP-26, & TP-30. Competing brands have a 1 to 2 year warranty.
24. Where is the lift and components manufactured?
Headquartered in Amsterdam, N.Y Mohawk lifts are proudly designed, welded, and manufactured in the U.S.A. Buying American made products ensures parts and service availability, supports the U.S economy, and supports the American workforce.
Bendpak Lifts Made in China
Mohawk Lifts are proudly designed, welded, and manufactured in the U.S.A purchasing a Mohawk Lifts helps to promote the U.S. economy
Challenger Lifts Made in China
Mohawk Lifts are proudly designed, welded, and manufactured in the U.S.A. Purchasing a Mohawk Lifts helps to promote the U.S. economy
Challenger Lifts Made in China
Mohawk Lifts are proudly designed, welded, and manufactured in the U.S.A purchasing a Mohawk Lifts helps to promote the U.S. economy
More 2 Post Chinese Lifts
Mohawk Lifts are proudly designed, welded, and manufactured in the U.S.A purchasing a Mohawk Lifts helps to promote the U.S. economy
Rotary Lifts Made in China
Mohawk Lifts are proudly designed, welded, and manufactured in the U.S.A purchasing a Mohawk Lifts helps to promote the U.S. economy
Rotary Cylinders Made in China
Mohawk Lifts are proudly designed, welded, and manufactured in the U.S.A purchasing a Mohawk Lifts helps to promote the U.S. economy
Dannmar Lifts Made in China
Mohawk Lifts are proudly designed, welded, and manufactured in the U.S.A purchasing a Mohawk Lifts helps to promote the U.S. economy