Car lifts can be found in most urban cities. You see them being used by mechanics to raise vehicles access from underneath. In the past, most lifts were of the in-ground type. These days, the majority of garages have surface-mounted lifts, which are bolted to the ground and utilize a hydraulic pump or a screw-type drive powered by an electric motor.

Here are the different types, available from garage equipment supply dealers:

In-Ground Car Lifts

This type of auto lift is assembled below the floor of the garage. It consists of one or more pistons, depending on its maximum weight capacity. Lifts with one or two pistons are used to raise compact, mid-sized and full-sized cars. Lifts with three or more pistons are used for larger vehicles, such as buses and RV's.

Two-Post Surface Mounted

The most common vehicle lift utilized today is called the "Two Post Surface-Mounted Lift." On each column, there are lift arms. These are controlled mechanically, electronically or hydraulically.

Multi-Post Runway

The most common type of Multi-Post Runway lift is the four-post mounted lift, which is extensively used by transmission, oil change, and muffler service shops. You’ll find this type of vehicle lift in wheel alignment service stations as well. The car is driven onto the two runways and raised, exposing its underside.

Low/Mid Rise Frame Engaging

This type of car lift engages the vehicle’s frame while lifting. There are two ways this type may operate. One way is scissor-style, moving straight up. Another is parallelogram-style, moving forward or backward, while raising or lowering. This type is commonly used for wheel, brake, and tire services, as well as auto body repair.

Drive-On Parallelogram Vehicle Lift

The Drive-On Parallelogram Lift is a surface-mounted auto lift. It has two runways where the wheels of the car should be placed. It has a lifting mechanism that moves the vehicle a short distance forward or backward while raising or lowering. The direction depends upon the way the lift is mounted.

Scissor Lifts

The Scissors Vehicle Lift can either be of a fixed-pad type or a roll-on frame/underbody engaging type. It has a lifting mechanism that’s similar to the parallelogram lift. The main difference is that the scissor lift goes up and down, on a straight vertical path.

Movable-Type Wheel Engaging Automotive Lift

This type of auto lift is used for vehicles that are longer than conventional cars, such as buses and trucks. It consists of several lifting columns in sets of two, four, six, or more. Columns can be moved can can be connected with other columns so that their movements are synchronized.