Press Release

The Wheel Alignment Lift - Why It Is Important

Wheel alignment can be done two ways – properly and hence profitably or as a compromise.

The compromise, Pro-Align often finds, is having the wrong lift.

“I’ll buy an aligner”, says the garage owner, “but it needs to go on my current ramp”. This is all too frequent expectation. It can be done but the points to watch are:

Safety. A flat bed 4 post ramp requires the turn plates and rear slip plates to be surface mounted. These plates are typically 50mm thick. So we have a 1.5 tonne car resting on 4 plates, during the run out and jacking procedure the brakes are left off – hence it has been known for the car to roll off, with quite some force. Even if no one is hurt, damage to aligner sensors or wheel clamps can be extensive.

Level locking Does the ramp have a mechanical locking, which can be adjusted for level? Cable hung means it is frequently out of level and the car is swinging around as adjustments are undertaken.

As workshops develop more revenue the number buying the proper alignment ramp is ever increasing.

We at Pro-Align supply both 4 post and scissor wheel alignment ramps.

With higher sales now of imaging aligners (cameras and targets) rather than conventional sensors (boxes of electronics) the need to have the proper ramp has never been greater. Imaging aligners use a short rolling compensation; this is very fast and gives the workshop sales opportunities after just a few minutes investment in time. Rolling compensation requires recessed front turnplates and integral rear slip plates.

Pro-Align alignment ramps all have:

• Controls on the right hand side (drivers side)
• Mechanical locking at different operating heights (typically every 100mm)
• Recess for the front turnplates
• Integral rear slip plate assemblies, for rear toe and camber adjustment
• Either manual/air jacking beam or integral secondary lift
• Surface mount or in-ground fitment

Pro-Align Model overview

4-post Alignment Ramps:
3500 to 4000kg
Platform length from 4400 to 4850mm.
Standard or wide configuration available.

Scissor Ramps
4000-5000Kg recessed or surface mount.
Platform length from 4600 to 5100mm
Jacking beam or secondary integral small lift. Play detector option.

4 post alignment ramps start from around £ 4,750 and scissor alignment ramps from £ 7,500.

The above ramps are also incorporated in Pro-Align’s ‘Alignment Bay Packages’ – Working with you, a selection the wheel aligner and ramp is made that suit your needs best.

The profit opportunities from alignment is such that, not only are businesses investing in an imaging aligner and scissor alignment ramp, they often decide to have the ramp installed recessed, which with building works, is adding £2000-£3000 in costs.
By recessing, the ramp takes up minimal space and avoids steep run-up and low spoiler problems. Many workshops expecting their current ramp to be satisfactory, can easily justify the extra investment, by the significant increase in alignment revenue.

So the question is: Are you wanting alignment as a profit centre? If the answer is yes, get yourself a proper wheel alignment ramp!