Alignment Lifts

Four-post alignment racks

A four-post rack is the traditional car lift alignment rack: drive on, raise, drop onto mechanical locks in the columns. The lock ladder is what you work from, so count the positions. The BendPak HDS-14LSX gives 15, spaced every 4 in., and the smaller HD-9AE gives 12. The iDEAL FP14KAC-X gives 18 locking height positions and fully adjustable lock stops for easy leveling. The Challenger Lifts AR44018AR lists 17 level alignment heights and a single-point air-actuated lock release that frees all four columns at once, and Challenger states the 4030EAX's adjustable lock ladders allow for a versatile install with sensitivity to uneven floors.

Four posts also mean four columns of vertical steel. Column height is 88 in. on the BendPak HD-9AE and 92 in. on the HDS-14LSX; the iDEAL FP14KAC-X is 92-1/2 in. overall, the Challenger 4030EAX 92-1/4 in., the AR44018AR 102-1/2 in. and the BendPak HDSO-14AX 103-1/4 in. The HDSO-14AX adds a caution worth reading before you measure: its safety ladder adjustment bolt may add up to 3.75 in. to column height.

Front access is the other decision. Open-front designs drop the front cross beam so a technician can walk straight into the turn plates. The BendPak HDSO-14AX is an open-front 14,000 lbs. rack, and the Hofmann EELR706 and EELR708 series use an open-front cross beam with folding 4 in. wheel stops for ultra-low-profile and extended-length vehicles. Closed-front models trade that access for a stiffer beam: the Hofmann EELR728APKG, the iDEAL FP14KAC-X and the Challenger 4030EAX.

Scissor and pantograph alignment lifts

Scissor lifts put the mechanism under the runways, so the technician can walk the full perimeter with an aligner. Hofmann's scissors run 90 in. overall width on the 12k, 92-1/2 in. on the 14k short bay and 93 in. on the 14k standard bay, and the Autel scissors 91-1/2 in., against 127 in. to 172-3/4 in. on the four-post racks here.

Surface-mounted scissors sit on the slab: lowered height is 10 in. on the Hofmann EELR783APKG and 10-3/4 in. on the Autel AULS12ALOR1 and AULS14ALOR1, which list low-angle approach ramps. Flush-mounted scissors drop into a recess so the runways come level with the floor; the Hofmann EELR784APKG and EELR786APKG list a lowered height of 0 in., and Hofmann also builds flush-mount versions of the 12k (EELR724APKG) and of the standard-bay 14k (EELR788APKG and EELR790APKG). That is the closest thing here to an in-ground alignment rack, and it costs rise: the short-bay Hofmann raises 72 in. surface mounted (EELR783APKG) versus 62 in. flush (EELR784APKG). Note that Autel's two flush-mounted ADAS models publish the same 10-3/4 in. lowered height as their surface-mounted siblings, while the Hofmann flush models list 0 in.; confirm the recess depth with Autel before pouring.

Two Omer Lifts models are their own format. The Fox 65 is a 14,000 lbs. double scissor that collapses to 10.4 in. and raises to 77.2 in., synchronized by a master/double-slave hydraulic system. The KAR is a pantograph: a vertical-rise lift with no obstruction between the runways or base frame, rising 81 in. with 18 locking positions on four low-pressure cylinders under the runway, and holding level to within less than 1/4 in. by volumetric control. It is offered surface or flush mounted. The KAR is one listing with four build styles, KAR 54, KAR 72, KAR 82-L and KAR 82-LTS: its Lift Styles block rates the KAR 54 at 14,000 lbs., the KAR 72 at 16,000 lbs. and the KAR 82 at 18,000 lbs., each ALI Certified at that rating, while the spec table on the same page instead reads 18,000 lb. with 16,000 lb. and 12,000 lb. also available. The per-model list is the more specific of the two, so confirm the rating against the exact KAR model number on the quote. Both Omer models are quote only; call to confirm current availability.

Capacity: 9,000 lbs. to 30,000 lbs.

• 9,000 lbs. BendPak HD-9AE, rated up to 4,500 lbs. per axle front and rear.
• 12,000 lbs. Hofmann EELR709APKG and EELR724APKG scissors, Hofmann EELR728APKG four-post, Autel AULS12ALOR1 and AULS12ALOR1T.
• 14,000 lbs. The deepest tier: BendPak HDS-14LSX, HDS-14LSXE and HDSO-14AX, eight Hofmann 14k scissor packages, Autel AULS14ALOR1 and AULS14ALOR1T, iDEAL FP14KAC-X, the Omer Fox 65 and the Omer KAR 54.
• 15,000 lbs. Hofmann EELR706APKG, EELR706LLPKG, EELR708APKG and EELR708LLPKG.
• 16,000 and 18,000 lbs. Omer KAR 72 (16,000 lbs.) and KAR 82 (18,000 lbs.), and the Challenger AR44018AR.
• 30,000 lbs. Challenger 44030EAR and 44030XAR chain-driven racks and the cable-driven 4030EAX.

Those tiers cover the thirty listings, with the single Omer KAR listing appearing in more than one tier because one part number is built in several capacities.

Read the fine print, because on the BendPak racks rated capacity is tied to wheelbase. The HDS-14LSX carries its full 14,000 lbs. at a 140 in. wheelbase, 75 percent at 120 in. and 50 percent at 100 in. The HD-9AE is rated at 135 in. and the extended HDS-14LSXE at 160 in. A short, heavy vehicle is the harder load.

Wheelbase is the spec that decides the purchase

Four-wheel alignment needs the front turn plates and the rear slip plates to both land under the vehicle, which sets a minimum as well as a maximum. The BendPak HD-9AE covers 71 in. to 145 in. on four wheels and up to 160 in. on two. The HDS-14LSX and HDS-14LSXE both cover 89 in. to 156 in. on four wheels, but two-wheel capacity jumps from 182 in. on the LSX to 212 in. on the extended LSXE, whose runways measure 227-1/2 in. The Hofmann 14k short-bay scissors cover 88 in. to 155 in. and 179 in. for general service. The Autel 12K covers 84 in. to 160 in.; the 14K reaches 164-1/2 in. The iDEAL FP14KAC-X covers 103 in. to 157 in.

Above that, the heavy racks are built for length. The Challenger AR44018AR aligns four wheels from 98 in. to 206 in. and two wheels up to 220 in., on a 236 in. maximum wheelbase. The 30,000 lbs. Challenger racks are two-wheel machines: the 44030EAR lists up to 266 in. and the 44030XAR up to 326 in., with the four-wheel figure listed as N/A on both sheets. The Omer KAR runs a four-wheel minimum of 75-1/2 in. and a maximum of 185 in., 197 in. or 205 in. depending on runway length.

Runways, turn plates and slip plates

Runway width sets how much tire you have to spare: 19 in. on the BendPak HD-9AE, 20 in. on the HDS-14LSX and iDEAL FP14KAC-X, 23 in. of deck width on the Autel scissors, 24 in. on the Challenger 44030 racks, 25.6 in. platforms on the Omer Fox 65, and a 195-1/2 in. by 26 in. runway surface on the Hofmann 14k short-bay scissors. One contradiction to flag: the Autel ADAS listings describe 26 in. double-wide runways while their spec tables list 23 in. Build the bay around the spec table.

Spacing between runways is adjustable on most of them, which matters if you mix car and dual-wheel truck work: 36 in. to 54 in. on the Challenger AR44018AR, 54 in. to 75 in. on the 44030 series, 43 in. or 46 in. on the iDEAL. Note that on the Challenger AR44018AR rolling jack use requires fixed runways spaced 33-15/16 in. to 41-11/16 in., which cancels the adjustability that model otherwise offers. The 44030 sheets state only that rolling jack application requires fixed runways, without publishing a spacing figure.

What comes in the box varies, and it is the most common surprise on an order. BendPak's HDS-14LSX, HDSO-14AX and HDS-14LSXE include heavy-duty turn plates and integrated rear slip plates; the HD-9AE includes front radius plates and multi-caster rear slip plates. The Autel scissors include stainless steel front radius plates, rear slip plates and two jacking beams, 6,000 lbs. each on the 12K and 7,000 lbs. each on the 14K. The iDEAL FP14KAC-X includes HD carbon steel turntables rated 4.5K each. Among the Hofmann packages, only EELR709APKG and EELR728APKG state turntables in the part number itself; the other thirteen Hofmann listings do not state what turn plates or slip plates ship with the package, so confirm the contents against the part number before ordering. By contrast, the Challenger 44030 sheet states that alignment (AR) models include cut outs for turn plates but that turn plates are not included. Rolling and bridge jacks are usually a separate line item.

What the bay has to provide

Floor plan first. Hofmann publishes a minimum recommended bay size per model: 12 ft. x 24 ft. for the 12k EELR728APKG four-post, 14 ft. x 24 ft. for the standard 15k EELR706 racks, 14 ft. x 26 ft. for the extended EELR708 racks, 15 ft. x 25 ft. for the 12k scissors and 16 ft. x 33 ft. for the 14k standard-bay scissors. The iDEAL FP14KAC-X lists 16 ft. wide by 25 ft. long, and the Challenger 4030EAX lists 17 ft. wide by 31 ft. long. Where no bay size is published, work from overall length and width.

Power is single phase on every model here as standard. BendPak lists 208-230V, 60 Hz, 1 Ph on the HDS-14LSX and 220 VAC on the HD-9AE. The Hofmann 15k four-post racks call for 208-230V, 30A and a 3 HP motor; its scissors run 230V, 20A, 2 HP. Autel lists 230V, 25 amp and iDEAL 220V, 20 amp. Challenger lists a 3 HP, 208-230V unit drawing 30 amps, with an optional three-phase unit that must be specified at the time of order.

Shop air is required on most of these lifts, because the lock releases and, on several models, the slip plates are pneumatic. Hofmann's 12k scissors and 14k standard-bay scissors call for 90 to 140 PSI at 5 to 10 CFM, its 14k short-bay scissors for 90 to 120 PSI, and its four-post racks for 90 to 120 PSI; the Challenger 4030EAX 90 to 120 psi, and the BendPak HDS-14LSXE a regulated 50 psi at 3 CFM minimum.

Certification

Hofmann states its lifts are certified in accordance with the requirements of the Automotive Lift Institute's ETL Certification Program. Autel lists ALI Certified on all four scissor lifts, and Omer lists ALI Certified on both models, with ANSI AL CTV 2011 named on the KAR. The Challenger 4030EAX spec table lists ALI/ETL Certified: Yes; the AR44018AR and 44030 sheets do not state it, and neither does the iDEAL FP14KAC-X listing, so request the current certification letter for those three. BendPak's four racks state CE approval and compliance with European Standard EN 1493 rather than an ALI listing, and three carry a California Proposition 65 warning. If your jurisdiction or insurer requires an ALI-certified lift, confirm it against the exact model number.

Model comparison

The Challenger 4030EAX and 44030XAR and both Omer models, the Fox 65 and the KAR, are quote only; call to confirm current availability before you plan around them.

Frequently asked questions

Four-post rack or scissor lift?

Take the four-post for a long lock ladder and the heaviest ratings: among the models that publish a count, the BendPak HD-9AE lists 12 locking positions, the HDS-14LSX, HDS-14LSXE and HDSO-14AX 15, the Challenger AR44018AR 17 and the iDEAL FP14KAC-X 18, and capacity goes up to 30,000 lbs. The Hofmann four-post racks do not publish a locking-position count. Take the scissor if bay width and an open perimeter matter more: 90 in. overall width on the Hofmann 12k scissors, 91-1/2 in. on the Autel lifts, 92-1/2 in. on the Hofmann short-bay 14k and 93 in. on the standard-bay 14k. Ceiling height is the tiebreaker: the four-post columns here stand 88 in. to 103-1/4 in. tall, and on the BendPak HDSO-14AX the safety ladder adjustment bolt may add up to 3.75 in. on top of that.

Can I get an in-ground or flush-mounted alignment rack?

Flush-mount models are the recessed option here, seven of them. Five are Hofmann: the 12k EELR724APKG, the short-bay EELR784APKG and EELR786APKG, which list a 0 in. lowered height, and the standard-bay EELR788APKG and EELR790APKG. The other two are the Autel AULS12ALOR1T and AULS14ALOR1T. The Omer KAR is offered either way. A flush install needs a formed recess and costs rise height, as the Hofmann standard-bay scissor drops from 72 in. surface mounted to 63 in. flush.

Will it work with my aligner?

The listings that address it say yes for camera and 3D systems: BendPak states the HD-9AE is compatible with all leading alignment instrumentation, including 3D and camera wheel alignment systems, and Challenger states the 4030EAX is compatible with current camera imaging alignment systems. If you also calibrate ADAS, the Autel AULS12ALOR1T and AULS14ALOR1T are built for it, with a floor lift table so calibrations happen within the bay.

How long does a lift cycle take?

The Autel scissors list 58 seconds and the BendPak HD-9AE, HDS-14LSXE and Challenger AR44018AR 60 seconds. The Omer KAR lists 70 seconds, the Hofmann 12k four-post 74, the short-bay 14k scissors 75 to 85 and the 12k scissors 95. The 30,000 lbs. Challenger 44030 racks take 105 seconds.

Are turn plates and rolling jacks included?

It depends on the model. BendPak, Autel and iDEAL include turn plates or radius plates and rear slip plates, and two Hofmann packages name turntables in the part number itself, EELR709APKG and EELR728APKG. The other thirteen Hofmann listings do not state what plates ship with the package, so confirm the contents against the part number before ordering. The Challenger 44030 alignment models include the turn plate cut outs but state that turn plates are not included. Rolling jacks are usually separate, with two exceptions here: the Challenger AR44018AR, which ships with two RJ9A rolling jacks, and the Hofmann packages that name rolling jacks in the title, such as EELR709APKG.

How does delivery work?

The BendPak HDS-14LSX and HDSO-14AX listings state the shipping method is flatbed with a forklift required to offload, and all four BendPak listings state that it is the buyer's responsibility to unload the freight at their location. Among the models that publish one, shipping weights run from 2,276 lbs. on the BendPak HD-9AE to 6,230 lbs. on the Autel 14K lifts; the four Challenger racks and the Hofmann packages do not publish a shipping weight, so ask for the crate weight before you book the offload, because an 18,000 to 30,000 lbs. rack is the heaviest freight in this category. Twenty-seven of the thirty models here are listed with free freight. Three are not: the iDEAL FP14KAC-X lists $1,335 per unit to the contiguous 48 states, excluding Alaska, Hawaii and remote or limited-access locations, with a separate quote required for more than 2 units, and the two Omer models, Fox 65 and KAR, are quoted with freight priced separately.