What is a vehicle lift applied load test?
Before a vehicle lift can be used for the first time, either for a new installation or after the relocating of an existing lift, it must have an ‘applied load test’ conducted. The reason the ‘applied load test’ is conducted is to demonstrate and record the ‘Safe Working Load’ of an installed lift, which is a different measurement to the rated capacity of a vehicle lift and is a test of the installation rather than of the lift itself. If the load test applied does not match or exceed the rated capacity of the lift then the lift will only be rated for the ‘Safe Working Load” that has been applied to it.
What is the alternative method of a Vehicle lift load test?
Lions Equipment UK now offer an alternative method to test and record the ‘safe working load’ of vehicle lifts, which must be conducted for all newly installed or relocated vehicle lifts. This alternative method of a vehicle lift ‘applied load test’ is achieved by bolting anchor points, metal plates with eyebolt fixings, to the concrete floor for the duration of the test and heavy duty scales to assess and record the load being applied to the lift. We call this a ‘draw load test’.
Why chose the alternative method of the vehicle lift load test?
There are two main advantages to the the Lions Equipment alternative load test method. The first advantage is that it is better value to the client as we can offer this at a lower cost than the traditional method of a load test. The second advantage is it can be conducted to a greater load, usually up to 5.5 tonne, compared to a traditional vehicle load test which becomes harder to implement above 3.5 tonne due to the nature of the lifts being tested and the type of vehicle that can actually fit on to them.
What is the traditional method of a Vehicle lift load test?
The standard process to conduct a traditional vehicle lift load test is to lift a vehicle on the lift that has been certified to be of a weight that is over the lift capacity by at least 1 KG but no more than 10% over the capacity. To fulfil the requirement of the test the vehicle being used must have gone to a registered weigh bridge on the same day as the test.
The vehicle lift will then be rated to the weight that the vehicle being used for the test is recorded as being on its own weigh bridge certificate. As most lifts that are now in use are starting from 3.2 tonne rated capacity, vehicles that are being used to achieve this will normally have to be loaded with additional ballast, such as bags of sand or containers of water.
To go above 3.5 tonnes becomes difficult as Class 7 (class vii) vehicles are only rated to 3.5 tonnes max gross weight while driving on the road so additional trips may be required to deliver ballast to the site. Beyond 3.5 tonne would require an operators licence as well as the type of vehicle then is use may not actually fit on the lift in question and you are also then loading a vehicle beyond its own rated value and could cause damage to itself due to over loading.
Other methods to achieve a greater weight for a load test is to use a flat bed type recovery vehicle with a second vehicle loaded on top of it, and have both vehicles weighed separately on the day.
There is only one real benefit to the traditional method over the ‘draw’ method for up to 3.5 tonnes is that no holes have to be drilled into the floor.
How is the ‘Draw’ Load Test carried out?
The method to conduct the draw load test is the same for both four post and two post lifts. The basic principle is to secure lifting straps around the arms of the vehicle lift and to pull up from the floor and measure the load being applied with scales.
To attach to the ground, anchor points are first bolted directly below where the vehicle lifting contact points are on the lift, checking that any bolt holes are 150mm away from any seams or cracks in the concrete. The ground anchors are square metal plates with 10mm bolt holes in the corner, with an eye bolt in the centre of them to attach the lifting strap to. They are secured to the floor using concrete screws which will be removed once the test has been conducted and the holes that remain can then either be filled or capped depending whether future load tests will be required.
What is the charge for a ‘draw’ load test compared to traditional methods?
The cost of a ‘draw’ load test using the Lions Equipment rig is approximately £330.00ex VAT, depending on the location of the premise where the test is to be conducted and the type of floor being attached to, and what finish condition you want the floor returned to.
To set up and carry out the draw load test takes around 2hrs. The price includes the test using our custom testing rig and the issuing of a certificate to demonstrate the successful completion of a load test, which is a requirement before any newly installed or relocated lift can be used.
If you would like to supply your own test vehicle and ballast to conduct a traditional load test than the cost for us to then carry out the load test, make any required adjustments and issue a certificate starts from £200 ex VAT.
For us to conduct a traditional load test and for us to also provide the vehicle and ballast to achieve the required weight then the prices start from £970.00 ex VAT.
Please be aware of the following;
All lifts must be load tested and inspected before their use.
The ‘draw’ load test requires 16 holes to be drilled into the floor.
We accept no responsibility for any damage caused by the test process.
To supply your own vehicle for load testing it must;
Be over the lift capacity by at least 1 KG but no more than 10% over the capacity.
Must be available on the installation date for the Lions Equipment engineer to conduct the test and examine the lift under its specified load.
Must be capable of fitting on the lift.
Have a weigh bridge certificate issued on the day of the test.
