JHM Butt provide a wide range of vehicle lifting equipment suitable for a professional workshop. Whether you need a 4 post, 2 post or scissor lift we can help. Having a wide range of vehicle lifting equipment from different manufacturers allows us to stay up to date with the latest regulations and certifications surrounding this equipment. All of our lifting equipment meet the strictest standards and are all CE approved. Our GEA accredited engineers have the ability to diagnose faults, repair, maintain and install car lifts in the safest way possible.

Outside of safety related questions, a common question we get asked is what is the best car lift for a garage? Unfortunately, there is no simple answer however, the informative content below should provide value for your purchasing decision. Firstly, let’s talk about what type of lifts are out there…

2 Post Lifts

Easily the most common type of lift found in professional garages. They are excellent for repairs and maintenance because there’s a lot of access around and under the vehicle. In addition to this they require less room in the workshop, this means if you see the amount of work in your workshop increasing, you’re likely to be able to fit more equipment in with these types of lifts. They’re also generally cheaper than 4 post lifts and thanks to our latest wheel alignment technology, we’re also able to advise on carrying out wheel alignment on a 2 post lift. This is a game changer for the industry as traditionally this could not be done.

4 Post Lifts

The traditional lift for wheel alignment, you’re much more likely to need extra room for these types of lifts. However, it’s much more of a simpler method for entry and exit, all you have to do is drive on and drive off. You’re very likely to also incur the cost of a jacking beam for these types of lifts in order to get the wheels off the ground. Sometimes you can struggle with low profile vehicles on entry and exist however, JHM Butt’s 50 years of experience can help you with this problem. We have solutions and low cost accessories.

Scissor lifts

JHM Butt have a wide range of scissor lifts on offer at varying capacities and lengths. Our wheel alignment scissor lifts are of the highest quality Europe has to offer. The main advantage over a 4 post lift is that they are a great space saving alternative and you can do all things on a garage scissor lift that you can do on a 4 post lift.

Mobile mid-rise & full rise scissor lifts

An effective purchase for space saving, these are much cheaper than full-length scissor lifts and are most effective when carrying out work on brakes and tyres. Browse our range to find your favourite car lift.

There is no one size that fits all

Organisations with little experience and knowledge won’t offer much advice for your purchasing decision, avoid these at all costs. Any organisation which just tries to sell you vehicle lifting equipment without any consideration to your requirements also need to be avoided. An example of an important consideration of the lift you want to purchase includes the type of work you are carrying out.

Are you carrying out MOTs, wheel alignment, general servicing or a combination of both? This is not an exhaustive list however this consideration will give you a steer on which path you need to take. For instance, if you want to carry out general servicing and wheel alignment then it’s likely you’ll want a wheel alignment lift. However, depending on the work you’re carrying out you may actually be able to get a way with carrying out wheel alignment on a 2 post lift which is a much cheaper option, talk to us today if this is you and we can go in to further detail.

Does your garage have the infrastructure in place for a car lift?

Depending on the vehicle lift you’re looking for you as customer will need to be aware of your car lift’s installation requirements. For instance, some garage equipment firms will expect you to have certain things in place before installing. For instance, if you’re purchasing a 4 post wheel alignment lift then this may require an air supply for the safety locks. At JHM Butt we will always do our best to make the customer aware of any potential costs ahead of time. We won’t turn up to site and add additional charges as this can be very frustrating.

Where possible, our engineers carry out tests to ensure that your concrete is suitable for the lifting equipment you’re putting in. Most of our 2 post lifts require a minimum of 150mm of concrete depth, it’s important that these tests are requested if you have concerns regarding your concrete. Our team always go the extra mile to take stress away from the customer. If you want peace of mind, the concrete depth of the lift is found on the manual of the lift you’re purchasing. Don’t be afraid to ask for that if you have found a lift you like the look of.

How does infrastructure relate to the best car lift for my garage?

This article is aimed to get you to think of more than just the quality and price of the lift, it’s aimed at getting you to consider other costs. If you’re concerned you don’t have an air supply nearby then you may want to remove lifts that require air from your search. In addition to this, you may want to purchase a 4 post lift over a 2 post lift if your concrete is poor. All of these things are hidden costs and without the expertise and preparation you could end up paying £1000s if you receive bad advice. JHM Butt will take care of all of this for you so you don’t have to consider, we also offer great advice on your individual requirements.