Two-post lift advice required

[rodisi]

First my wishes to all for a Happy Easter, Ostara, Passover or whatever other feast you may be celebrating.

And now to business.
When I moved into my house, I inherited the car lift that was in there. It's a very old Consul lift from 1988 - Photo 1 (please ignore the work bench behind it). As I'm getting older and I think wiser and it's time to do another service on the car, I decided I wanted to give it a good check out rather than just greasing the spindles? that go up each post. Unfortunately I'm completely ignorant of the subject and whatever search I've done on youtube, I haven't seen anything like this. What's worried me more is constant mention of the attention that must be given to the safety device, wherever that may be.
Photo2 shows a solenoid assembly at the bottom of the post with the motor.
Photo3 shows it from the top - to me it appears not to do anything especially as the solenoid actuator is nowhere near that L shaped leg with the rubber at the other end.
Photo4 is the middle of the bottom rail and I suppose prevents the chain from banging on the side.
If anyone has any knowledge of lifts, I'd appreciate an explanation of what I'm looking at and especially where to find the safety device that I'm apparently supposed to oil.
Thanks

 

[yorkshire1]

photos 2 and 3 I would say show a cut out device in case the chain breaks its a simple switch and yes it could do with a bit of ajustment by the looks of it

The safety device will be purely mechanical in that if the chain breaks (if thats what does the lifting) it secures the lift from dropping. there will be latches of some sort that lock in automatically as the ramp rises

 

[Naraic]

Is this a screw type lift...where it can't fall because it's a screw. Imagine a nut on a long threaded shaft...that nut will never move along that shaft unless it is rotating. Each post contains such a threaded shaft...the nut is each arm that rises and falls.

Isn't the chain just to transfer drive from one side to the pother so that both sides rise and fall at the same time?

I suspect the solenoid is active when the lift is operating...pulling (by pushing against the short arm of the L) the brake off the chain.

 

[rodisi]

photos 2 and 3 I would say show a cut out device in case the chain breaks its a simple switch and yes it could do with a bit of ajustment by the looks of it

I shall have to do a little more research on how to adjust. At the moment I don't see method for doing that.

Is this a screw type lift...where it can't fall because it's a screw. Imagine a nut on a long threaded shaft...that nut will never move along that shaft unless it is rotating. Each post contains such a threaded shaft...the nut is each arm that rises and falls.

Isn't the chain just to transfer drive from one side to the pother so that both sides rise and fall at the same time?

I suspect the solenoid is active when the lift is operating...pulling (by pushing against the short arm of the L) the brake off the chain.

Correct about the screw type. I've attached a photo showing the diameter of the screw (I mistakenly called it spindle) to be about 5cm.

Thanks to both for the help. My problem is trying to understand the servicing instructions, which are in German. From my not so good translation it says to oil with 220 viscocity machine oil the "carry safety nut in the something screw". I shall have to look for this nut.

 

[Cole@MBS]

I would suggest you have a professional look over that before even attempting to lift a car with it or worse, get under a car while on said lift.......just my thoughts......

 

[Ken_R]

This looks to be somewhat similar [in operation] to the [Railway] Carriage Jacks that we use.

The Safety Device in our case is a free collar that is wound up the thread to the underside of the lifting assembly.

As stated, whilst the lifting assembly cannot lower unless the thread is turning, there is always the possibility of a catastrophic failure of the thread within the lifting assembly.

The safety collar is there in the event of such happening.

 

[Ken_R]

I've been trying to find a photo of our Carriage Jacks but the nearest I can find is this one with a (lowered) jack in the background.

where the screw thread is visible. For much of the time, the Safety Collar/Follower didn't get used because, it was such a PITA to have to lean over and hand wind them (x4) about 3-4 feet, and then have to wind them them back down again. TBH, it knackered my back and, as the saying goes, "There has to be a better way......":-D

My inspiration for a 'better way' for the operation of the Safety Collars came from a simple Oil Filter Removal tool.

We had some steel banding, and I made some 'Restriction plates' which were attached to extension arms with a hinged ending that rested against the jacking body. Hence, up or down, the Safety Collars could be manually set a thread or so below the lifting assembly, and would follow appropriately against the body of the jack assembly. In the raised position, the hinged ending is rotated and the collar positioned against the lifting assembly. For lowering, the collar is similarly turned a thread or so, and the 'follower' engaged.

As a parody to "Doors to Manual", we now call for, "Collars to Automatic."

The major difference now is that the Safety Collars get used as a matter of course, rather than, 'if we really need to'.

Getting back to the original post, and Photos 2 & 3. That looks like a STOP device which actuates should the chain fail/break.

However, it just doesn't look right. It seems to be dependent upon the spring pushing against a pivot which then forces the arm against a switch. Basic Engineering logic suggests that any such arm should be 'activating' the switch and that any loss of pressure from the chain would be disengaging the switch. It all seems 'arse about face'.

As for Lubrication. Our Jacks get examined/certified (by external Contractors) twice a year. They use whatever Lubrication is available on site. Admittedly, we do have some 'thicker' oils (for axle wheelboxes) available, but it invariably tend to be be whatever is available to hand.

 

[hotrodder]

There's a general overview of the way things are typically laid out on vehicle screw lifts here http://www.automotiveworkshopservices.com.au/vehicle-and-truck-hoists/a-major-overhaul-on-a-two-post-electro-mechanical-vehicle-hoist/ with a drawing about half way down showing the arrangement of the lift and safety nuts and a rough description of how the space between 'em is used to gauge wear (they're consumables). I've not read through it properly but a quick scan through suggests it doesn't go into the safety locking mechanisms on the lifting arms, there's an 'elf & safety piece about them here http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/sims/manuf/3_08_12.htm

 

[rodisi]

Thanks for that, very helpful, hotrodder.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

You are very lucky to have this sitting in the garage. But i think you need to find out a little about servicing it and getting it checked for safety .In our old garage we had to have the four poster lift checked every 12 months and signed for by the tester for insurance cover .. I would not use it till you know its fail safe .

 

[rodisi]

You are very lucky to have this sitting in the garage. But i think you need to find out a little about servicing it and getting it checked for safety .In our old garage we had to have the four poster lift checked every 12 months and signed for by the tester for insurance cover .. I would not use it till you know its fail safe .

Thanks for your concern, actually everybody who has responded. I have been in this house for seven years and using it. It's only just lately that I've thought about the safety of it. I contacted the manufacturer, Consul, today and they kindly sent me the manual for it. I have a little light reading to do tonight.