Mobile column lifts have been revolutionary for fleets and workshops, giving them new levels of flexibility and space-saving options.

But with new tech and advanced models, the range of column lifts has expanded. And for businesses taking their first steps into mobile lifts, choosing the right model isn’t always simple.

A large white Scania truck is elevated on bright red TotalKare vehicle lifts in a garage, with rows of tires on shelves in the background and a concrete floor with yellow markings.

Here’s what you need to know about the different types of mobile column lift — and the types of workshops that need them most:

Cabled Mobile Column Lifts

Good for:

  • Constant use
  • Zero downtime
  • Workshops with plenty of space

This cabled design (like our T8AC model) uses a permanent power source, with interconnected cables to link the columns into a set of lifts.

That means no batteries, no charging, and no wireless sync when you’re setting up a new lifting station.

It’s a great option for any workshop that needs all-day lifting without interruption. When demands are high with a backlog of vehicles, you can keep the queue moving with zero downtime — so your throughput stays high and your teams are efficient.

  • Lifting capacity (per column): 7,500 kg
  • Maximum lifting capacity: 60,000 kg
  • Number of columns: 4 / 6 / 8
  • Wheel sizes supported: 700 mm – 1400 mm diameter
  • Power source: Wired

But because of the permanent cables, you’ll need to think about space:

With cables on the ground, you need a workshop layout that allows extra safe space around the lifting area to reduce the risk of slips and trips from staff working nearby.

So if you’re running a workshop that’s tight on space — where your workstations are close together and there’s foot traffic passing through — a cabled mobile column lift might not be the best choice.

Cable-Free Column Lifts

Good for:

  • High uptime
  • Tight floor layouts
  • Smaller workshops

This cable-free design (like our T8DC model) uses radio communication to wirelessly sync the columns into a working set of lifts.

That means no cables on the ground, and no chance of slips and trips — making it a top choice for smaller workshops with a tight layout where workstations are close together.

  • Lifting capacity (per column): 7,500 kg
  • Maximum lifting capacity: 60,000 kg
  • Number of columns: 4 / 6 / 8
  • Wheel sizes supported: 700 mm – 1400 mm diameter
  • Power source: Charged — single phase 230V

Because of its wireless setup, you won’t have a constant power supply feeding the lifts all day. Instead, each column only requires a single-phase 230V power supply for charging

While you’ll see a high number of lifting cycles from each charge, it won’t be 100% uptime. You’ll need to factor in a small amount of downtime for charging — so workshops that need 24/7 lifting might be better off with a cabled mobile column lift.

Wash Bay Mobile Column Lifts

Good for:

  • Wet work
  • Outdoor environments
  • One-stop cleaning and lifting

For any workshop that uses a wash bay, the G8AC is an easy choice.

It’s a version of the mobile column lift that comes hot galvanised with sealed bearings, giving you long-term protection from the ingress of water and dust.

  • Lifting capacity (per column): 7,500 kg
  • Maximum lifting capacity: 60,000 kg
  • Number of columns: 4 / 6 / 8
  • Power source: Wired
  • IP rating: IP67 (columns), IP66 (cases, socket, plug)

But it’s not just for wash bays:

The G8AC was also designed specifically for outdoor use.

If your shop has an unused outdoor area (like a courtyard or car park), you can set up an additional lifting station to adapt to busy periods of high volume.

So for any workshop that needs to lift around wet work, a wash bay-ready column lift is often the best choice for what they need.

Pre-owned Column Lifts

Good for:

  • Smaller budgets
  • Secondary lifts
  • Emergency backup lifts

Pre-owned mobile column lifts are a great low-cost alternative for workshops on a smaller budget.

That could mean younger businesses trying to keep their cash flow healthy — or established workshops that need a secondary set of lifts for short-term setups when volume is high.

They can also be a cost-effective option for shops that need a backup in place. If your main set of lifts suffers a fault or a breakdown, you’ll have an emergency replacement in storage that’s ready to go — without the high investment of a brand-new mobile column lift.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking ‘pre-owned’ means ‘low quality’:

All of our pre-owned lifts are fully refurbished by our expert engineers.

They’re steam-cleaned, stripped, and repaired — with components replaced where they need it, and a Report of Thorough Examination supplied by an independent engineer.

In fact, we’re so confident in our refurbishment process that we provide a 6-month warranty on parts and labour for every pre-owned lift we supply.

So if you’re looking for a backup lift or starting a shop on a budget, a pre-owned column lift can give you the same reliable lifting — at a considerably lower price.

Need More Details Before You Buy?

We’ve been a leading supplier of mobile column lifts for over 40 years, helping workshops and fleet operators to choose the best types of lift for the setups they have.

So if you’re looking for an upgrade (or you’re setting up a new shop), start a chat with one of our column lift experts — and we’ll help you work through the best options for your business.

This article was originally published by Totalkare Ltd.

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