The Different Types of Safety Catch Systems

2 Post Lifts - The Different Types of Safety Catch Systems

2 Post lifts, either baseless or baseplate models have automatic safety catch systems in each column when the lift is raised. In order to release the safety catches to send the lift down, there are 3 types of mechanisms in common use. 1.Single Point Release Safety Catches . 2.Twin Wire Pull Release Safety Catches. 3.Electronic Safety Catches.

When raising the lift you can hear a metal to metal sound when the locks engage every 100mm. They should sound almost simultaneously from each column providing the carriages have been properly synchronised. If there clicks are staggered that is a sign that you shuld get a competent person to adjust the synchronisation of the two sides of the lift. The purpose of the safety catches is to prevent the carriages, and therefore the vehicle falling more than 100mm should the carriage lifting system fail. Although the safety catches automatically enagage every 100mm once you have raised a vehicle, the lift should always be lowered back down onto the safety catches before anyone goes under the vehicle so the safety catches are already supporting the vehicle weight. To lower the vehicle, both column and locks need to be disengaged. It is necessary to raise the lift slightly to unload the safety catches to allow them to be released. 

Single Point Release Safety Catches

When using a lift fitted with Single Point Release Safety Catches to lower a raised vehicle you disengage the locks by holding the lock lever in and then hold the down button on the control panel or push the down/dump lever on the hydraulic power pack until the vehicle is lowered to the ground. The lock lever is spring loaded and if it is released the lift will re-engage on the next lock. Our AMGO & Peak models have this type of system.

An example of a lift that uses a Single Point Locking System is the E4G A240.

Link to the product page: www.garageequipment.co.uk/Garage-Lifts/2-Post-Lifts/E4G-A240-PEAK-2-Post-Lift-4-Ton-Hi-Spec-3ph 

Twin Wire Pull Release Safety Catches

When using a lift fitted with Twin Wire Pull Release Locks in order to lower the vehicle you disengage the locks in each column. The operator has to walk from one side of the lift to the other side and pull the lock release wires at the base of each carriage on each column to disengage the locks separately. It is more time consuming than a single point release lock or an electronic locking system. Also, if the lift is not fully raised it means getting down on your knees to pull the release wires. The safety catches only re-engage once the lift is raised again, so with this system it is possible to leave a partially lowered vehicle on the lift with the safety catches disengaged. Presently, in our range lifts we do not use this type of lock release system.

Automatic Safety Catches

A 2 post lift with automatic safety catches is more expensive to purchase, but it has benefits. There are 1 or 2 catches in each column, one at high level and at low level or a single catch at intermediate level. These safety catches are released by magnetic solenoids or pneumatic cylinders. When operated from the control panel all safety catches are disengaged simultaneously and the vehicle on the lift can be lowered. Most lifts include an automatic system which raises the lift slightly to unload the locks before lowering starts. It is still necessary to manually lower the lift onto the catches after raising a vehicle before you go under the raised vehicle. The control panel has a "park" button to lower the vehicle onto the safety catches without releasing them. Our "Big Red" range of lifts operate this type of system using a magnetic solenoid release.

An example of a lift that uses an Electronic Lock is the E4G A240TH 2 Post Lift.

Link to the product page: www.garageequipment.co.uk/Garage-Lifts/2-Post-Lifts/E4G-A240TH-2-Post-H-Frame-Baseplate-Lift-4Ton