School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Rotary mobile lift features operator-friendly design

The company's latest addition to its line of mobile column lifts, the RCH4, also features an automatic steering system, which makes it faster and easier to position the columns for service, officials say. Each column is identical and has a rated capacity of 18,000 pounds, for total lifting capacity of up to 144,000 pounds.

February 9, 2012
2 min to read


The RCH4 is sold in sets of four, six or eight battery-operated columns. Each column is identical and has a rated capacity of 18,000 pounds, for total lifting capacity of up to 144,000 pounds.

MADISON, Ind. — Rotary Lift's latest addition to its line of mobile column lifts, the RCH4, has an easy-to-use, operator-friendly design, according to the company.

The RCH4 is sold in sets of four, six or eight battery-operated columns. Each column is identical and has a rated capacity of 18,000 pounds, for total lifting capacity of up to 144,000 pounds. It can lift a vehicle 70 inches in 78 seconds.

Ad Loading...

The RCH4 also features Rotary Lift's automatic steering system, which makes it faster and easier to position the columns for service. Fixed forks fit most large tires without adjustment, so technicians can get the vehicle up in the air for service more quickly, officials said.

Every column is equipped with Rotary Lift's patented control panel. These intuitive controls include a graphic layout of the column set up, real-time height reading and error display, a battery indicator, programmable height limit settings and one-touch controls. Lifting and lowering of all columns is automatically synchronized, and there is a slow-lowering function for precision vehicle positioning.

Additionally, the RCH4 is battery operated with an internal charger, eliminating the need for power cords and improving the lift's portability. Its hydraulic cylinder is inverted so the chrome piston rod is protected from debris and damage at all times.

"The new RCH4 is an excellent choice for maintenance managers who are looking for a mobile column lift that's affordable and has the features and benefits they need to improve shop productivity," said Doug Spiller, Rotary Lift heavy-duty product manager.

There are a number of optional accessories available for the RCH4:

Ad Loading...

• A high-efficiency LED system provides hands-free lighting under the vehicle.
• Steel reducer sleeves slide onto the forks to allow proper contact with smaller radius tires.
• A large wheel riser kit raises tires on ramps to allow for proper fork placement.
• A weight gauge shows technicians the load weight of the vehicle being lifted.

The RCH4 mobile column lifting system has been third-party tested by ETL and ALI certified to meet industry safety and performance standards.

More Maintenance

The Essential Guide to School Bus Fleet Maintenance
SponsoredSeptember 8, 2026

The Essential Guide to School Bus Maintenance and Student Safety

Your district's buses carry students to school every day. This guide shows how predictive maintenance powered by fleet data helps keep buses reliable, drivers accountable and students safer from the first bell to the last stop.

Read More →
School buses at a Southeast Michigan facility illustrate Kerry Brothers’ growing regional maintenance network following its acquisition of Downriver Truck and Bus.
Maintenanceby Amanda HuggettAugust 11, 2026

Kerry Brothers Grows Michigan School Bus Repair Network

The acquisition of Downriver Truck and Bus expands Kerry Brothers’ school bus maintenance footprint across southeast Michigan, adding repair capacity, diagnostic resources, and state inspection support.

Read More →
A black and green Noregon CAN Mentor graphic.
Maintenanceby Staff and News ReportsJuly 24, 2026

Noregon Introduces CAN Bus Diagnostic Tool, Expands JPRO Features

CAN Mentor and the latest JPRO update aim to simplify vehicle network diagnostics and improve repair efficiency for technicians of all experience levels.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Andrea Lukas of Cummins stands beside a large red engine display at ACT Expo, with on-screen text reading “Cummins Turns to Gas” during a School Bus Fleet interview about new gasoline engine technology.
Maintenanceby Amanda HuggettMay 28, 2026

Cummins on Smarter, Simpler Engine Innovation

Cummins discusses its first-ever gasoline engine for school buses, EPA 2027, and why bus fleets still want durable, simpler internal combustion options.

Read More →
Rows of yellow school buses parked in a lot with “Diesel Still Dominates” graphic overlay highlighting continued diesel use in school transportation fleets.

Report: 72% of Diesel School Buses Now Use Advanced Low-Emission Engines

New data shows advanced low-emission diesel technology continues expanding across school bus fleets, even as electric bus adoption gains momentum.

Read More →
Vampire Tools VAMPLIERS multi-purpose screw extractor long nose pliers with crimper designed for maintenance, wiring and damaged fastener removal.
MaintenanceMay 11, 2026

Vampire Tools' CAIMAN 7.5-Inch Multi-Purpose Screw Extractor Long-Nose Pliers with Crimper

Vampire Tools introduced the VAMPLIERS Caiman 7.5-inch multi-purpose pliers, combining screw extraction, cutting, crimping, and gripping functions into a single tool designed for fleet maintenance professionals.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A Noregon representative stands at the company’s ACT Expo booth promoting smarter vehicle diagnostics, telematics integration, and maintenance tools for commercial and school bus fleets.
Maintenanceby Amanda HuggettMay 9, 2026

How Advanced Diagnostics Helps Bus Fleets Stay Ahead of Repairs

Chat with Noregon’s Kevin Smallhorn at ACT Expo about bus diagnostic tools, telematics integration, CNG maintenance support, and strategies to help reduce downtime and improve uptime.

Read More →
Fleet manager reviews maintenance and performance data on dual computer monitors.
MaintenanceApril 27, 2026

How School Bus Fleets are Getting Ahead of Breakdowns

Don’t let bus downtime wear you down. Here’s how bus operators are shifting from manual processes to AI-powered, data-driven maintenance systems for improved reliability and safety.

Read More →
Matthews Bus Company maintenance team members stand in front of a yellow school bus, recognized by Pennsylvania State Police for fleet safety, cleanliness, and inspection performance.
Maintenanceby News/Media ReleaseApril 22, 2026

Pennsylvania School Bus Maintenance Team Praised for Dedication to Safety

Matthews Bus Company’s West Jefferson received a letter of commendation from the Pennsylvania State Police for their fleet inspections.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Transfinder promotional graphic featuring “P.A.Y.S. – Pay As You Save” surrounded by icons of school transportation operations (bus, maps, calendar, clock, documents, and money), with tagline about saving time, money, and headaches in school transportation.
SponsoredApril 16, 2026

From Chaos to Clarity: How School Districts Are Running Leaner Transportation Operations

Covering 38 routes on a Friday afternoon. Buses idling while routes overlap. Parents calling nonstop about late arrivals. Sound familiar? This whitepaper explores how district transportation leaders solved these exact problems — and what measurable results followed.

Read More →