Autec 2-Post Lifts - User Manual

1. Introduction

This manual is intended exclusively for operating personnel. Please read this manual carefully before use. This manual contains information about the following parts:

• Personal Safety of the User
• Lift Safety
• Safety of Lifted Vehicles

2. Usage of the Manual

The manual is an integral part of the lift and must always accompany it. It should be kept in an easily accessible place near the lift. The operator and maintenance staff must be able to consult it quickly and at any time.

Reading the safety instructions is strongly recommended.

The manufacturer declines all responsibility for injury to persons or damage to vehicles or objects due to improper use. This manual highlights operative and safety aspects to help the operator and maintenance worker understand the structure and operation of the lift for optimal use. To understand the terminology, the operator must have specific experience in workshop, service, maintenance, and repair activities, and be able to interpret drawings and descriptions correctly, adhering to general and specific safety rules of the country of installation. The same applies to the maintenance fitter, who must possess specific mechanical and engineering knowledge to perform the operations described. The terms "operator" and "maintenance fitter" in this manual are construed as follows:

• Operator: Person authorized to use the lift. Minimum legal age is 18 years.
• Maintenance Fitter: Person authorized for routine maintenance of the lift.

3. Description of the Lift (Fig. 1)

The 2-post electro-mechanical lifts (ALM-2524, ALM-2524/1-Ph, ALM-3024) are anchored to the ground and designed for lifting and holding vehicles and vans in an elevated position. They consist of:

• Fixed structural unit (base and posts)
• Mobile unit (carriages and arms)
• Lift units
• Control panel
• Safety devices

Fig. 2 illustrates the various parts of the lift:

1. Command side: The side of the rack with access to the control panel, reserved for the operator.
2. Service side: The side opposite the command side.
3. Rear: The side with the long arm.
4. Front: The side with the short arm.

Control Panel (Fig. 3)

The electrical control panel includes:

• Master switch (11)
• Lift button (12)
• Descend button (13)

Safety Devices

These include:

• Arm lock system and footguards on arms
• Safety cable for lead nut or obstacle stop
• Post limit switches
• Electrical safety devices
• Chain switch

4. Technical Specifications

ALM-2524

• Capacity: 2,500 kg
• Lifting time: 55 sec
• Descent time: 55 sec

ALM-2524/1-Ph

• Capacity: 2,000 kg
• Lifting time: 55 sec
• Descent time: 55 sec

ALM-3024

• Capacity: 3,000 kg
• Lifting time: 55 sec
• Descent time: 55 sec

General Specifications (for all models)

• Total weight: 770 kg
• Noise level: 70-85dB (A)/1m
• Operation temp: -10 °C / +50 °C
• Working environment: Indoor

Electric Motor

• ALM-2524: 3kW, 230-400 V 3ph. +/- 5%, 50 Hz, 230 V: 17.3 A / 400 V: 10 A, 4 poles, 1400 rpm
• ALM-2524 1Ph: 3kW, 230V 1ph. +/- 5%, 50 Hz, 20.7 A, 3 poles, 1445 rpm

Vehicle Weight and Size

The ALM-2524 lift can be adapted to virtually all vehicles no heavier than 2,500 kg (ALM-3024: 3,000 kg), provided their dimensions do not exceed the following:

• Maximum width: 2200 mm
• Maximum wheelbase: 3000 mm

The underbody of cars with low ground clearance may interfere with the lift's structure. Pay particular attention to low body sports cars.

CHECK MAXIMUM LOAD CAPACITY AND LOAD DISTRIBUTION IN THE CASE OF LARGER VEHICLES.

STOP

• MAX. 2000 kg ALM-2524/1-Ph
• MAX. 2500 kg ALM-2524
• MAX. 3000 kg ALM-3024

5. Safety

It is vital to read this chapter carefully and completely, as it contains important information regarding risks to the operator or maintenance fitter in case of incorrect use. The following text provides clear explanations of potential risk or danger situations during operation or maintenance.

DANGER: Indicates imminent danger that can result in serious injury or death.

WARNING: Indicates situations and/or maneuvers that are unsafe and can cause injuries of various degrees or death.

CAUTION: Indicates situations and/or maneuvers that are unsafe and can cause minor injury to persons and/or damage to the lift, vehicle, or other property.

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK: Specific safety notice affixed to the lift in areas where the risk of electric shock is present.

RISKS AND PROTECTION DEVICES: Details the risks operators or maintenance fitters may face when the vehicle is immobilized in the raised position, and the protection devices provided by the manufacturer to minimize these hazards.

LONGITUDINAL AND LATERAL MOVEMENT: Longitudinal movement is backward/forward shifting of the load. Lateral movement is shifting to the left/right, especially during lifting. These movements can be avoided by correct positioning on the arm disk support plates. Lift the vehicle only at the manufacturer-recommended lifting points. Adjust support plates to the same height by loosening or tightening.

WARNING

STOP Do not move the vehicle or adjust arms and disk support plates until the arms are fully lowered, meaning the disk support plates are free from contact with the vehicle. It is important that the vehicle is positioned correctly on the rack for proper load distribution on the arms (Fig. 7 + Fig. 8). The vehicle engine must always rest on the short arms!

General Precautions:

• Operators and maintenance fitters must observe accident prevention legislation in force in the country of installation.
• Always work in the scheduled working area.
• Never remove or deactivate guards, mechanical, electrical, or other safety devices.
• Read all safety notices affixed to the machine and in this manual.

Safety notices in the manual are shown as follows:

DANGER

WARNING

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

During lift and descent movements, the operator must remain in the command station (1) as defined in Fig. 6. Persons are prohibited from entering the danger zone (2) during operations. Persons are permitted beneath the vehicle only when it is parked in the elevated position.

DO NOT USE THE LIFT WITHOUT PROTECTION DEVICES OR WITH PROTECTION DEVICES INHIBITED. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE REGULATIONS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO PERSONS AND IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE LIFT AND THE VEHICLE BEING LIFTED.

Risks During Vehicle Lifting: The following safety devices are in place to avoid overloading and damage:

• Overload: Thermal relay will cut out.
• Damage to load-bearing nut: A safety nut (ref. Fig. 9) is automatically engaged.
• Overrun of mobile part: An electric limit switch and a steel plate stop are envisaged for the upper part of the post (Fig. 10).

Risks for Operator: Possible if the operator controlling the lift is not in the specified position at the command panel. When platforms and vehicle are descending, the operator must never be partly or completely underneath the moving structure. During this phase, the operator must remain in the command zone (Fig. 11 + Fig. 6).

Risks for Personnel: When the platforms and vehicle are descending, personnel are prohibited from entering the area beneath the moving parts of the lift (Fig. 12). The lift operator must not start the maneuver until it is clearly established that no persons are in potentially dangerous positions.

Risks Due to Vehicle Movement (Fig. 14): Movement may be caused during operations involving force sufficient to move the vehicle. If the vehicle is of considerable dimensions or weight, movement may lead to overloading or unbalancing. All measures must be taken to avoid such an occurrence. Avoid impact with parts of the machine not marked with special hazard coloring (Fig. 13).

Risks for Persons: This section illustrates risks to which the operator, maintenance worker, or any person near the operating area of the lift may be exposed.

Risk of Impact: Caused by parts of the lift or the vehicle positioned at head height. When, due to operational reasons, the lift is immobilized at relatively low elevations (less than 1.75 m from the ground), personnel must be careful to avoid impact with parts of the machine not marked with special hazard coloring (Fig. 13).

Risk of Electric Shock: Risk of electric shock in areas of the lift housing electrical wiring. Do not use jets of water, steam, solvents, or paint in the immediate vicinity of the lift (Fig. 19).

Risk of Vehicle Fall from Lift: This risk could be caused by incorrect positioning of the vehicle on the arm disk support plates (Fig. 15) or incorrect positioning of the arm disk support plates in relation to the lift. Prevent this by always positioning the arm disk support plates under the vehicle's manufacturer-recommended pick-up points. Watch out when dismounting heavy parts (e.g., engine) as the weight distribution will change.

Never lean objects against the posts or leave them in the area where moving parts are lowered (Fig. 16).

Never board the vehicle and/or turn the engine on when the lift is raised (Fig. 17).

Slipping: This risk may arise due to spillage of lubricants in the surrounding area. Always keep the area surrounding clean by removing all oil spills (Fig. 18).

Risks Related to Inappropriate Lighting: The operator and maintenance fitter must ensure all areas of the lift are properly and uniformly illuminated according to laws in force at the place of installation.

Risk of Component Failure During Operation: Autec uses appropriate materials and construction techniques for reliable and safe operation. However, the lift must be used in conformity with manufacturer prescriptions and regular inspections and maintenance.

6. Operation and Use (Fig. 20)

The lift commands include:

• Master Switch (11):
  • Position 0: No electrical power to the lift; access to the panel is possible. The master switch can be locked out to prevent improper use.
  • Position 1: Power supplied to the lift; the panel door is automatically locked in this position to prevent accidental opening.
• Lift Button (12): Non-latching button (deadman device) operating at 24V. Press and hold to operate the electric motor and mechanisms for raising the carriage.
• Descend Button (13): Non-latching button (deadman device) operating at 24V. Press and hold to operate the electric motor and mechanisms for lowering the carriage.

Operating Sequence:

1. Lifting points: Position rack arms under the vehicle manufacturer's recommended lift points. Adjust disk support plates to the same height. Whenever lowering the lift to the ground, before lifting again, recheck the position of the lift disk support plates under the vehicle chassis.
2. Lifting: Turn the master switch to position 1. Push the lift button. Release the lift button when the vehicle is lifted 40 cm from the ground. Check the vehicle's position. If correctly positioned, push the lift button again.
3. Parking: Release the lift button when the required height is achieved. Switch the master switch to position 0.
4. Descent: After ensuring no obstacles are present beneath the lift, turn the master switch back to position 1. Press the descend button to lower the vehicle to the desired height or to the ground. If an obstacle hinders the carriage during descent, the safety cable will operate to immobilize the lift. Note: This is not a crushing prevention for persons.

7. Maintenance

Maintenance must be performed exclusively by expert personnel with thorough knowledge of lift operation. During lift maintenance, take all necessary precautions to prevent accidental engagement of the lift.

For lubricating the lift parts, the following lubrication products are recommended (Fig. 21):

Plan of periodical lubrication:

• 1. Topbearing – 3 months
• 2. Side guidance – 3 months
• 3. Armlocking – 3 months
• 4. Chain – 1 month
• 5. Spindle – 1 month

8. Troubleshooting

Trouble searching and possible repair intervention require observance of ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS shown in this manual.

Spare Ordering Procedure: To order spare parts, it is necessary to:

• Indicate the lift serial number and the year of manufacturing.

For spare parts, refer to the next TIB-pages available on request:

• UNI-TE-ALM-2524-01
• UNI-TE-ALM-2524-02
• UNI-TE-ALM-2524-03
• UNI-TE-ALM-2524-04

Accessories ALM-2524 (Fig. 22): The lifting pad extensionset ALM 2524/V12 and ALM-2524/V20 are options for the ALM 2524 lifts. Each set comprises 4 lifting extensions. The lifting pad extensions are used:

• For vehicles with high-level lifting points.
• For lifting points that lay more to the inside of the car body. Without extension, the car body will touch the lifting arms.

Installation: The installation of the set is very simple. The extension is placed on top of the normal lifting pads and secured with the locking device.

9. Certificate of Conformity

AUTEC Hefbruggen b.v. declares that the lift types ALM-2524, ALM-2524/1-Ph, and ALM-3024 have been manufactured in accordance with the specifications following the guidelines of 14-06-89 ((89/392/EEG), amended by guidelines 91/368/EEG, 93/44/EEG, EN 60204-1, EN 414, EMC 89/336/EEG, 73/23/EEG, EN 292-1: 1992, EN 292-2: 1992, EN 394, EN418, Pr EN 1493 aug. 1994. The lift complies with the said specifications and guidelines. After inspection, the lift has been awarded a CE-certificate.

Certificates issued in 1997 by Liftinstituut, Buikslotermeerplein 381, Postbus 36027, 1020 AM Amsterdam, The Netherlands.