In today’s heavy‑duty workshop environment, portability and precision matter as much as lifting capacity. For those searching for the ideal portable vehicle lifts, SEFAC has developed a range of mobile lifting columns built with a strong emphasis on safety, patented technology and decades of experience. This article explores why SEFAC’s portable lifts stand out, how their patents underpin safety, and what their experience means for workshop managers.
Safety first: intrinsic design advantages of portable vehicle lifts by SEFAC
Portable vehicle lifts must deliver absolute reliability — any failure risks serious injury or damage. SEFAC addresses this through its core screw/nut electro‑mechanical system. According to SEFAC, their screw/nut principle is “inherently irreversible” — the angle of the screw pitch prevents the fork from descending unless the motor gearbox is deliberately actuated.
In contrast, hydraulic systems rely on ratchets or safety‑legs and are subject to wear, leaks or buckling. SEFAC points out that their lifts are tested at 150 % of rated loads, ensuring extra margin and reliability.
This irreversible design is a major advantage for portable vehicle lifts: when columns are moved, stored or used in changing environments, you want fewer failure modes. SEFAC mobiles are designed so that even if placed on uneven floor or used outdoors, the safety integrity remains intact.
Patented technology: what makes these portable vehicle lifts unique
SEFAC holds multiple patents that contribute directly to the safety and usability of their portable vehicle lifts.
For example:
- A method of radio communication between columns of a lifting bridge allows sets of mobile columns to synchronise via a proprietary protocol.
- The screw/nut lifting device with catch nuts ensures that if the main nut fails, a second safety nut bears the load — an extra layer of safety.
On SEFAC’s website you’ll find a “technologies” section that describes the “vis/écrou” (screw/nut) system and the ball screw variant, both delivering efficiencies over 90 % and reducing energy and wear. When you invest in portable vehicle lifts from SEFAC, you aren’t simply buying hardware — you’re buying patented systems and extensive R&D that translate into safer operations, fewer maintenance worries, and peace of mind for your team.
Experience and track record: SEFAC’s decades of leadership
SEFAC isn’t a startup in lifting equipment; it is a specialist with decades of experience in heavy duty lifting. Their US website states that SEFAC has over 60 years of experience supplying mobile column lifts for heavy‑duty vehicles such as trucks, buses, coaches, metro and rail cars.
Further, they report over 65,000 lifting jacks in operation in 45 countries and by 22,000 customers worldwide. This experience matters for portable vehicle lifts because mobile usage brings specific challenges: floor conditions change, storage may be temporary, transport may be involved, and onsite service may be needed. SEFAC’s established service network, training programmes and global presence mean workshops are not left on their own.
Moreover, their product literature confirms that each column is proof‑loaded, calibrated, and released only when all tests pass. When you choose SEFAC portable vehicle lifts, you benefit from years of field‑tested performance and support infrastructure.
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Portable vehicle lifts in action: practical safety‑oriented examples
Here are some concrete examples that illustrate how SEFAC portable vehicle lifts deliver safety and mobility:
- A regional coach operator uses SEFAC portable mobile columns to lift articulated coaches at remote depots. Because the columns are portable and can be wheeled into service bays, the operator avoids costly pit installation. Safety is maintained through the irreversible screw system and onsite commissioning.
- A municipal authority uses portable SEFAC mobile columns to lift garbage trucks and airport vehicles with varying tyre diameters. The portable nature means the lifts are stored when not needed, freeing space. The safety system ensures even when moved, the platform integrity remains consistent.
- A mobile maintenance unit services construction vehicles on‑site. SEFAC’s portable vehicle lifts with patented SWiP wireless communication allow sets of columns to be deployed in outdoor settings. The synchronisation protocol ensures all columns raise together, with built‑in diagnostics visible on screen.
- A small workshop upgrading from hydraulic pits chooses SEFAC portable columns. The reduced maintenance burden (e.g., grease nut every five years) and safety features (irreversible screw, no hydraulic leaks) translate into fewer interruptions for service.
Each of these examples emphasises the portable nature combined with safe design — ideal when lifts move, change location, or serve multiple vehicle types.
Why safety and portability combine uniquely in SEFAC’s lifts
Portable vehicle lifts require design compromises: they must be manoeuvrable, robust, safe, and durable under changing conditions. SEFAC addresses this by combining mobility with safety‑centric engineering:
- Their columns are lighter than many alternatives (making transport or repositioning feasible) while still offering heavy duty capacities.
- The ergonomic drawbars, pallet‑truck style wheels and “dead‑man” controls enhance safe movement and placement.
- The patented wireless communication (for wireless mobile columns) guarantees that columns working as a set do not interfere with each other and maintain synchronised lifting.
- Maintenance demands are reduced: because wear parts are minimal and the irreversibility avoids risk of uncontrolled descent, the portable vehicle lifts can be used in variable environments with less downtime.
- Strong service backing: SEFAC offers testing, service contracts, spare parts globally, meaning that portable lifts remain safe throughout their lifecycle.
The net result: workshop managers get portable vehicle lifts that are truly designed for heavy‑duty service, not retrofitted solutions.
Selecting SEFAC portable vehicle lifts: safety checklist
When choosing SEFAC portable vehicle lifts, focus on these safety‑related criteria:
- Verify that the lifting mechanism corresponds to the correct technology: ball screw system for wireless columns, or irreversible screw/nut system for wired columns.
- Check the model’s proof‑loading testing (150 % rating) and certification.
- Ensure the communications protocol (for wireless models) is patented and interference‑free.
- Confirm the maintenance schedule is minimal – for example, greasing only every five years for ball‑screw models.
- Assess portability features: drawbars, wheels, battery operation if wireless, storage ease.
- Review the service and support network: training, commissioning, spare part availability.
- Match capacity and tyre/wheel size to your fleet (portable lifts must be configured correctly for safety).
By following this checklist, you ensure the portable vehicle lifts you select will meet the real‑world demands of mobility, safety and longevity.
Portable vehicle lifts: a patented safety technology
Portable vehicle lifts represent a critical investment for heavy‑duty workshops, mobile service units and multi‑site operations. With SEFAC, you are choosing more than capacity. You’re choosing patented safety technology, decades of experience, reduced maintenance and worldwide support.
If you require portable vehicle lifts that combine mobility and maximum safety, set your standards high. Demand the irreversible screw/nut system, wireless communications, proven proof‑testing, and strong service backing. A well‑chosen SEFAC portable vehicle lift will serve your workshop reliably for years, while keeping your team safe and your operations efficient.
