The Workshop and Its Requirements
Dominic’s workshop is designed to support a broad range of restoration and engineering work, including classic cars, historic machinery, fabrication, and general repair projects.
That variety has a direct impact on the type of equipment required. Unlike a typical commercial garage, where the same types of vehicles are handled repeatedly, a restoration workshop often deals with machines that vary significantly in size, weight, and lifting points. The equipment needs to be flexible enough to accommodate that.
The building itself adds another layer of complexity. The workshop is a converted agricultural structure that previously operated as a cattle shed, and part of the renovation involved installing a new concrete floor suitable for professional workshop equipment.
There are also multiple floor levels across the building, with up to three metres of height change in places. This makes layout and positioning particularly important, both for usability and for ensuring the lift can be installed safely.
Choosing the Right Lift
Selecting the correct lift is not simply a matter of rated capacity. The way the lift operates, the lifting arm geometry, the available power supply, and the type of vehicles being worked on all need to be considered together.
For this workshop, we supplied a Ravaglioli KPH 370.45K hydraulic two-post lift with a lifting capacity of 4,500 kg.
The decision was based on several practical factors.
Arm Reach and Versatility
Although many of the vehicles in a restoration workshop do not require the full lifting capacity, the larger lift frame provides longer arms and greater reach.
This allows a much wider range of vehicles to be positioned correctly and safely, which is particularly important when working on older or unusual machines where lifting points may not be consistent.
Hydraulic Lifting System
This model uses a hydraulic lifting system, which is well suited to situations where a permanent three-phase electrical supply is not yet in place.
At the time of installation, the lift operates via an inverter system that simulates a three-phase supply. In practice, hydraulic lifts generally perform more reliably in this arrangement than electro-mechanical lifts running from a converted supply.
Professional-Grade Equipment
The requirement for this workshop was for proper commercial-grade equipment rather than a light-duty hobby lift.
The Ravaglioli range is designed for continuous professional use, and these lifts have proved to be highly reliable over time. In our experience, many remain in service for years with very few issues when installed correctly and maintained properly.
Preparing the Workshop for Installation
Installing a vehicle lift requires more than simply positioning the equipment and bolting it down. The condition of the building and the preparation of the site are critical to ensuring safe operation.
In this case, the workshop floor had already been replaced with new reinforced concrete, providing a suitable base for installation.
Floor Requirements
Two-post lifts require a sound concrete slab of suitable thickness and quality. As a general guide, many installations use a slab of around 160 mm, although the exact requirement depends on the lift model and the condition of the site.
It is also important to assess:
- the location of any floor joints or cracks
- the overall quality and integrity of the concrete
- the positioning of anchor bolts relative to seams or weaker areas
These factors determine whether the lift can be installed securely and perform as intended.
Electrical Supply
The lift is designed to run on a three-phase electrical supply, which provides the most consistent performance for professional equipment.
In this workshop, the lift currently operates via an inverter system that simulates a three-phase supply. This provides a practical solution in the short term, with the option to install a permanent three-phase supply in the future.
Installation Time
Once the site is properly prepared and the equipment is delivered, most lift installations can be completed within a single day.
This typically includes:
- unloading and preparing the equipment
- assembling the posts and lifting system
- positioning and securing the lift
- installing anchor bolts
- connecting the electrical supply
- carrying out operational and safety checks
Safety and Compliance
Vehicle lifts are powerful pieces of engineering equipment and must be installed and maintained correctly to ensure safe use.
In the UK, lifts used in professional environments are governed by the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), along with relevant safety standards.
Once installed, lifts in commercial use must be inspected regularly, typically every six months, to ensure they remain safe and compliant.
These inspections check that:
- the lifting system is operating correctly
- safety locks are functioning as intended
- structural components remain secure
- wear parts are within acceptable limits
In private workshops, the same statutory requirements do not always apply, but regular safety checks are still strongly recommended.
Common Lift Safety Issues
One of the most common problems seen in practice is poor attention to lifting pads and arm positioning.
The lifting pads are the direct contact point between the vehicle and the lift. If they are worn, incorrectly adjusted, or poorly positioned, the stability of the vehicle can be compromised.
Other common issues include:
- arm locking mechanisms not engaging correctly
- debris or contamination affecting moving components
- insufficient lubrication of mechanical parts
These are often small issues individually, but they can lead to more serious problems if left unaddressed.
Servicing and Maintenance
Like any piece of workshop equipment, vehicle lifts benefit from regular servicing.
In professional environments, lifts are typically serviced alongside their inspection schedule, often every six months.
Common wear items include:
- lifting pads
- bearings and pulleys
- load nuts or drive components on mechanical lifts
- wire ropes and lifting cables
- pins and pivot components
Routine maintenance allows wear to be identified early and addressed before it develops into a larger issue.
Why Vehicle Lifts Matter in Restoration Workshops
For restoration work, a two-post lift provides clear advantages over axle stands or floor jacks.
It allows:
- improved access to the underside of the vehicle
- better working conditions for mechanical repairs
- increased safety and stability
- greater efficiency during longer projects
In a workshop where vehicles are regularly dismantled, repaired, and rebuilt, a lift quickly becomes one of the most important pieces of equipment.
Advice for Anyone Planning a Workshop
If you are designing or upgrading a workshop, it is worth considering future equipment requirements at an early stage.
Practical considerations include:
- allowing sufficient space around equipment
- ensuring adequate ceiling height
- planning the electrical supply
- considering how vehicles will enter, move through, and be positioned within the space
It is common for workshop layouts to feel adequate at ground level but become restrictive once vehicles are raised on a lift. Planning for that early can make a significant difference to how usable the space becomes.
A Shared Interest in Restoration and Engineering
This project reflects the kind of engineering work we value: repair, restoration, and keeping well-built machinery in service rather than replacing it unnecessarily.
We work with a number of specialist and classic vehicle workshops, including businesses around Silverstone and Bicester Heritage, where reliable, well-specified equipment is essential.
Seeing older vehicles and machinery returned to working condition is always rewarding, and this workshop provides a well-considered environment for that type of work.
Considering a Vehicle Lift for Your Workshop?
If you are planning a workshop or upgrading existing equipment, it is worth thinking carefully about the type of vehicles you need to lift, the structure of the building, and the available power supply.
Choosing the right lift at the outset can make a significant difference to safety, usability, and long-term reliability.