FAQ’S

Frequently Asked Questions about Garage Equipment Direct and car hoists

General :

There are a few options: fill out the form on the product page; send us an email; or simply give our friendly team a call on 1800 777 318.

Most orders are shipped out in 3-4 days once payment has been received. Call us on 1800 777 318 to find out more about a specific model.

Absolutely. You’re welcome to visit us at 81 Stradbroke Street at Heathwood in Brisbane’s south. We’re open from 8am ’til 4pm weekdays. 
 
Those who’ve seen our units ‘in the flesh’ consistently tell us they’re the most impressive hoists they’ve seen.
Yes, at Garage Equipment we carry an extensive range of parts. Additionally, many standard parts are also available from local suppliers, such as O-rings, hydraulic fittings and hoses, electrical switches etc.
Garage Equipment’s head office is located in Brisbane. Our extensive network of warehouses in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth lets us provide you with efficient service wherever you are throughout Australia.
 

Installation Requirements:

Most of our hoists are for fully enclosed undercover installation only.

We do supply a small range of parking lifts that are suitable for installation outside. Give us a call on 1800 777 318 to discuss your options. 

We recommend an internal apex height of 3m for a floorplate style 2 post hoist, with 600mm clearance either side of the hoist. For clear floor hoists we recommend an internal apex height of 4m, and for four posts hoist you’ll need an internal height of minimum 2.5m. For all lifts, you should consider allowing a 1m clearance front and back of the vehicles you’ll be lifting.

Garage Equipment’s four post hoists require a minimum of 125mm (about 5”) of reinforced concrete slab to be safely installed. Two post hoists require a depth of 150mm.
Our car lifts are powered by the standard Australian single phase 240v 15 amp power or 3PH 415V 10amp. Please be sure to specify which power unit you require when ordering. Installation must be carried out by a licensed electrician.
  • Make sure the concrete slab is level and at least the minimum required thickness
  • Take the time to read your car hoist’s instruction manual
  • Ensure you have sufficient lighting for the installation job
  • Lay out your hoist, making sure you have enough room to work on and around your new car lift.
  • Position and level up the control post and secure it in position
  • Finish assembling the rest of the car hoist before levelling up and bolting down the other post/s
  • Engage a properly licensed professional electrician for any electrical work
  • Before you first use your hoist, double check that all parts are tight, properly lubricated, and operating correctly

Products:

The advantage of a “clear floor” model is the way it allows you to move jacks and equipment conveniently through the centre area of the hoist. This design makes it easier for you to carry out gearbox or transmission replacements and other major maintenance.

An asymmetric car hoist has arms of different lengths; with the front arms shorter than the rear arms. This allows the vehicle to be placed further back on the hoist, giving you access to the inside of the vehicle through the front doors while it’s lifted.

Each model of car hoist requires a different amount of oil, but as a guide 2 post car hoists require about 12L and four post car hoists around 16L. 
Yes, your hoist won’t be affected by this, so long as it’s properly engaged on the safety locks and not resting on the hydraulics. Remember though that, because cars are designed to be parked on their wheels, they may be adversely affected by long periods aloft. Check with your vehicle’s manufacturer if you’re unsure.

Safety Requirements:

Yes, Garage Equipment’s car hoists comply with AS1418.9 and are design registered to comply with Australian Workplace Health and Safety legislation.

We advise you to contact Workplace Health and Safety in your state for specific advice for your business. In general however:

  • While car hoists should be installed and maintained by a competent person, there are no trade qualifications/courses for hoist installers
  • Car hoists should be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions

Note that you should have documented procedures and documentary evidence for:

  • Pre-operation inspections – before using the hoist every day
  • Routine quarterly maintenance inspections
  • Annual inspections, carried out within one year of first use
  • Major inspections conducted every 10 years
  • Design registration marked clearly on every vehicle hoist
  • Documented safe work procedures for use of the vehicle hoist