As buses and trucks grow larger and more complex, busy maintenance shops — including those serving school districts — are demanding new technologies that make the work environment safer and more productive, according to heavy-duty vehicle lift supplier Stertil-Koni.

One of the most pressing needs is how to efficiently service bus and truck transmissions, which typically weigh 1,500 to 3,000 pounds.

“They are extremely heavy pieces of machinery that, when service is required, have to be manually removed from the undercarriage of the vehicle,” said Peter Bowers, technical sales support manager at Stertil-Koni.

Accordingly, new technologies have been incorporated into transmission jacks, which are designed for the removal and installation of transmissions, differentials, and other components on heavy vehicles. The latest advances for transmission jacks include:

• Increased lifting capacities
• Newer “X”-shaped base frames that improve stability and access
• Base frames that have been broadened for further steadiness
• Fine-tuning adjustments to place the transmission jack in the optimal position
• Hydraulics for one-touch lifting and lowering

Bowers said that Stertil-Koni’s transmission jacks offer high capacity. The fully hydraulic telescopic system can support 3,500 pounds at a speed of 30 inches per minute with a lifting range of 37 to 74 inches. Also, Bowers said, full-swivel dolly wheels ensure a tight turning radius, with mechanical locks for safety.

Stertil-Koni transmission jacks are constructed with heavy steel framing and are available in two formats: battery-operated and pneumatic. The battery-operated jack can be charged overnight and used without cables. The pneumatic jack has an attached air hose to keep it working.

Adaptable transmission jacks can be used for a variety of service jobs in fleet maintenance facilities, including the servicing of transmissions, diesel particulate filters, gas tanks, rear and front differentials, and secondary auxiliary tasks that require lifting heavy loads in tight spaces.

Transmission jacks, Bowers added, “have become an absolutely essential piece of equipment for today’s modern heavy-duty vehicle maintenance facilities. They enhance safety, improve ergonomics, and boost productivity — every time.”

For more information on Stertil-Koni's transmission jacks, go here.