STEVENSVILLE, Md. — Stertil-Koni has addressed increasing safety concerns that have spurred new engineering approaches at vehicle maintenance facilities with its recently introduced Diamond Lift, a heavy duty in-ground telescopic piston lift.

Vehicle maintenance facilities across North America are increasingly mandating approaches to their in-ground vehicle lifting systems that more fully address safety, structural and long-term maintenance concerns experienced with traditional in-ground lifting systems, according to a recent industry overview conducted by Stertil-Koni.

“When customers make large capital expenditures for new or retrofitted facilities, beyond lift performance, they want to make certain that the new designs employed minimize corrosion problems associated with lift floor frames, reduce maintenance costs, and that the new lift pit covering systems are flush and load-bearing, thereby reducing potential hazards to the lift operator on the shop floor,” said Peter Bowers, technical sales manager for Stertil-Koni.

Historically, some traditional in-ground lift floor frames corroded over time, at which point the corrosion expanded and literally pushed the floor frame out of the concrete vault, which houses the lifting system, according to Stertil-Koni.  

“In those circumstances, the lift could become unsafe and unusable,” Bowers added.

As seen in a new video, shown below, the Diamond Lift delivered an enhanced engineering concept to the heavy duty in-ground lifting arena, according to the supplier.

DIAMOND LIFT from Stertil-Koni on Vimeo.

The Diamond Lift features, according to Stertil-Koni:

•    An upper portion of containment that is hot-dipped galvanized, which provides corrosion resistance at floor level and ensures proper interlock with the foundation.
•    Containments that are coated internally and externally with DiamondGuard, which protects the containments against corrosion and electrolysis.
•    Flush to the floor high load-bearing anodized aluminum trench covers with a skid-resistant surface utilizing a continuous hinge with no moveable parts. These covers are driven hydraulically with an inverted rack and pinion system, sliding on a corrosion-resistant, self-cleaning surface. Moreover, these covers are capable of handling a wheel load of 13,500 lbs. as well as a point load of 7,500 lbs. on a 4-inch square contact area.
•    A mechanical locking system that includes a hardened, nitro-carburized locking rod for superior resistance to corrosion and wear.
•    Power units and control components that are located in an above-ground console for easy access, maintenance and service.