The complete lowdown on low-rise lifts

Does an inground or four-post lift give you the power and height you need for your big jobs? You bet. Do you always need that height and power? Of course not. And that’s where low-rise lifts come in. They’re perfect for quick service work like brakes, tires, body repairs and estimating.

Low-rise lifts get a vehicle higher than jacks—typically between two and four feet off of the ground—so they’re much more productive for your techs. But they’re much less of a financial commitment for you when compared to many other lifts. 

Sound intriguing? We hope so. But if you’re unfamiliar with low-rise lifts, you probably have a few more questions. We’re here to answer as many of those as we can.

What are the best types of service for a low-rise lift?

If you’re looking for a quick-service solution for passenger cars and trucks up to 10,000 pounds, the low-rise lift is the solution for you. You can perform tire and brake work on a much wider variety of vehicles because of the lift’s pads and adapters, its wider drive-over capability and its increased lifting capacity.

What is the main benefit of a low-rise lift when compared to other lifts?

If you have low ceilings in your shop, a low-rise lift is obviously going to give you an advantage. They’re also great for maximizing space in shops with smaller floor plans or for getting even more bays into a larger floor plan. Essentially, you can fit more low-rise lifts into a space than if you were to install inground or four-post lifts, which gives you the opportunity to get more work into and out of your shop.

Can I install a low-rise lift outside?

Absolutely. There’s just one caveat. In order to install it outside, you need to cover the power unit. Other than that, you’re good to go. Of course, for an outdoor installation, you’ll need to meet all of your local electrical codes. This may include (but certainly isn’t limited to) Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) circuit breakers, as well as watertight conduit and fittings. 

Low-rise lifts from Rotary Lift use components—like black oxide pins and galvanized cables—that resist rust. That said, any lift you install outside will require additional maintenance. If you’re installing a Rotary low-rise lift outside, consult your authorized Rotary Installer first.

What are the electrical requirements for a Rotary low-rise lift?

Our lifts only require a standard, single-phase 115-volt connection, so you probably won’t need to do any extra wiring to start using them. 

How do I reach the vehicle frame?

If you’re installing a Rotary low-rise lift, you’ll receive adapter blocks so that you can easily engage the frame.