Challenger Lifts builds two post, four post and mobile column lifts for professional shops, and JMC is an authorized Challenger dealer with free shipping to the lower 48 on every Challenger product. The four models our customers buy most are the VLE10, SA10, CL10AV3 and LE12 — all 2 post lifts running on 208–230V single-phase power, with ALI/ETL certification listed on the SA10, CL10AV3 and LE12. The fastest way to narrow the list: measure your ceiling first. Three of the four install under a 12-foot ceiling; the LE12 needs roughly 14 feet. After that it comes down to capacity — 10,000 lbs or 12,000 lbs — and how quickly you need the lift to cycle between jobs.
| VLE10 | SA10 | CL10AV3 | LE12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 10,000 lbs | 10,000 lbs | 10,000 lbs | 12,000 lbs |
| Ceiling required | 12' | 12' | 12' | 167"–176" |
| Configuration | Symmetric + asymmetric | Symmetric or asymmetric | Versymmetric | Symmetric only |
| Arms | 3-stage / 2-stage | 3-stage / 2-stage | 3-stage / 3-stage | 2-stage / 2-stage |
| Rise height | 74.75" | 74.5" | 74.125" | 77.75" |
| Drive-thru clearance | 98.375" | 88.5"–98.75" | 100"–112" | 103" |
| Speed of rise | — | 43 s | 38 s | 61 s |
| Power | 2HP, 208–230V | 2HP, 208–230V | 2HP, 208–230V | 2HP, 208–230V |
| ALI/ETL certified | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free shipping | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
This is the measurement that ends most conversations before they start. The VLE10, SA10 and CL10AV3 are all specified for a 12-foot ceiling. The LE12 needs 167 to 176 inches — roughly 14 feet. If your bay has a 12-foot ceiling, the LE12 is out no matter how much you want the extra capacity.
Measure to the lowest obstruction, not the peak: sprinkler heads, ductwork, conduit runs and light fixtures all count. If you have the height and want more rise, the VLE10 is also available in an extended-height configuration that raises the requirement to 14 feet.
Three of these four lift 10,000 lbs, which covers passenger cars, crossovers, most half-ton pickups and light vans. The LE12 lifts 12,000 lbs, which is where you go for three-quarter and one-ton trucks, loaded work vehicles, and shops that regularly see heavier fleet units.
Capacity is not the only limit that matters. Check the per-arm load rating and how the weight sits on the vehicle — a long-wheelbase truck near the capacity limit is a different job than a sedan.
Speed of rise looks like a footnote until you multiply it. The CL10AV3 rises in 38 seconds, the SA10 in 43, and the LE12 in 61. That is a 23-second difference per cycle between the fastest and slowest here. In a bay turning a dozen vehicles a day, up and down, it adds up to real bay time.
Symmetric places the vehicle centered between the columns with equal arms, which suits trucks and heavier vehicles. Asymmetric rotates the columns and uses shorter front arms, setting the vehicle back so the doors clear the columns — better for cars when your techs need cabin access.
Every lift on this page runs on 208–230V single-phase with a 2HP motor. None of them run on standard 110V. If your bay only has 110V service, budget for an electrician before the lift arrives — this is the single most common surprise on delivery day.
Our most popular Challenger two post lift. Versymmetric arms handle both symmetric and asymmetric setups, 74.75" of rise, 98.375" drive-thru clearance, and a 12-foot ceiling requirement with an extended-height option at 14 feet. ALI certified. A straightforward, high-volume general service lift.
The step up. Same 10,000 lb capacity as the VLE10, but with three-stage arms front and rear, drive-thru clearance from 100" to 112" depending on configuration, and the fastest cycle of the group at 38 seconds. Still fits a 12-foot ceiling. Available in red, blue or black. Choose this over the VLE10 when you need arm reach flexibility and throughput rather than more capacity.
Installed as either symmetric or asymmetric — you commit at install time. 74.5" rise, 43-second cycle, 12-foot ceiling. Available in red or blue. Pick the asymmetric install if your techs live in the cabin and need door clearance; symmetric if you carry more trucks.
The heavy-duty option: 12,000 lbs, the tallest rise at 77.75", and 103" of drive-thru clearance. Two trade-offs to know up front — it needs a 14-foot ceiling, and it is the slowest cycle here at 61 seconds. If you service three-quarter and one-ton trucks and you have the height, this is the lift.
Challenger Lifts is a member of the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI), the body that sets and verifies safety and performance standards for vehicle lifts in North America. All four lifts on this page — the VLE10, SA10, CL10AV3 and LE12 — are ALI/ETL certified.
This matters beyond the shop floor. Insurers and inspectors frequently ask for lift certification documentation, and an ALI listing is the clean answer. If you need the paperwork for a specific model before you buy, call us and we will confirm it for that exact unit.
Every Challenger item we carry ships free to the 48 contiguous states — lifts and accessories alike. No minimum, no per-item conditions on this brand.
A two post lift arrives freight, and getting it off the truck is on the receiving end. When you order, the product options ask you to indicate whether you have a forklift for unloading — or you can request a call to go over delivery options instead. Answer that honestly at checkout; it is the difference between a smooth delivery and a truck sitting in your lot.
JMC offers installation as a paid add-on. Because cost depends on your site, your location and the model, our team quotes it directly — call (800) 562-4791 and we will price it with your order.
The four Challenger accessories our customers reorder most:
Foot pads and adapters are wear items — worth keeping a spare set so a worn pad never takes a bay out of service.
How much ceiling height do I need for a Challenger two post lift? Twelve feet covers the VLE10, SA10 and CL10AV3. The LE12 needs 167 to 176 inches — about 14 feet. The VLE10 also comes in an extended-height configuration that requires 14 feet. Measure to the lowest obstruction in the bay, including sprinklers, ductwork and lighting.
Do Challenger lifts run on 110V? No. Every model on this page uses a 2HP motor on 208–230V single-phase power. If your bay only has 110V service, you will need an electrician before installation.
Are Challenger lifts ALI certified? Yes. Challenger Lifts is an ALI member, and the VLE10, SA10, CL10AV3 and LE12 are all ALI/ETL certified. If you need certification documentation for a specific model — insurers often ask — call us and we will confirm it for that unit.
Is shipping really free? Yes, on every Challenger product, to the 48 contiguous states. Freight delivery still requires you to unload at your end — see the delivery section above.
Do I need a forklift to unload my lift? A two post lift ships freight and has to come off the truck at your end. When you order, the product options ask whether you have a forklift available for unloading, or you can request a call to discuss delivery options.
Does JMC install the lift? Yes, installation is available as a paid service. Pricing depends on your site, location and model, so our team quotes it with your order — call (800) 562-4791.
What is the difference between symmetric and asymmetric? Symmetric centers the vehicle between the columns with equal-length arms, which suits trucks and heavier vehicles. Asymmetric rotates the columns and uses shorter front arms so the vehicle sits back and the doors clear the columns, which is better when techs need cabin access. The CL10AV3 and VLE10 handle both; the SA10 is set at installation; the LE12 is symmetric only.
Which Challenger lift is fastest? The CL10AV3, at 38 seconds to full rise. The SA10 takes 43 seconds and the LE12 takes 61. Over a full day of cycles, that difference is measurable bay time.
Can I finance a Challenger lift? Yes — financing is available. Call us and we will walk you through the options and what the monthly number looks like for the model you are considering.
Not sure which Challenger fits your bay? Call (800) 562-4791. Tell us your ceiling height, your power, and the heaviest vehicle you service, and we will tell you which of these four is the right lift — or if another Challenger model fits better.
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