An inground lift puts the lifting mechanism below the floor of the bay, so when it is down the only thing between the technician and the vehicle is a flat cover plate. This category lists 15 items, all of them new Challenger Lifts equipment: five complete electric/hydraulic cassette lifts, one universal pre-kit, seven completion kits and two superstructures. The complete lifts are rated 10,000 lb (the EV1020 family) and 12,000 lb (the EV1220 family), and the pre-kit is rated to accept 10,000, 12,000 or 15,000 lb lifts if you want to size the hole once and grow into it later. One completion kit here, the CS9200CK, belongs to the earlier CS series rather than the EV series; its listing does not publish a capacity, so call us before pairing it with anything.
Challenger calls this an electric hydraulic cassette-style inground lift. The working parts sit inside a fully contained and sealed recycled polymer cassette tub, which the product sheets state eliminates the risk of hydraulic fluid seeping into the ground. Both families raise the vehicle on 8.5 in. diameter chrome pistons with a chrome non-breathing ram style cylinder, and both give an 87 in. drive-thru clearance.
▸ Read the full Inground Lifts buying guide — types, capacity, power and space, comparison table and FAQs
An inground lift is sold as three separate pieces
A finished installation is three distinct assemblies, each sold as its own SKU:
- The pre-kit goes into the excavated hole. The Challenger CSPK Universal Pre-Kit includes the tub and frame with a one-piece cover plate, fits 10,000 lb, 12,000 lb or 15,000 lb capacities when you are ready to expand, and is listed as compatible with the AV1020, AV1220, EV1020, EV1220 and EV1520. Challenger's note on this part: it supports future growth and eliminates costly and unsightly floor excavation.
- The completion kit is the working lift: inground lift components, power unit and hardware box. Every completion kit page here carries the same explicit warning: it does NOT include the pre-kit or the superstructure.
- The superstructure is the vehicle-contact hardware that mounts above the completion kit, and the two listings here are not written the same way. The EV1020SS is listed as the complete superstructure assembly for the EV1020: 3-stage front and rear versymmetric arms, reach 19.625 in. to 42.125 in., double telescoping screw pads adjustable 3.875 in. to 6 in., plus extensions and frame engaging adapters, with one superstructure required per lift unit. The EV1220SS is listed as 4 adjustable standard screw-type extensions, 4 medium extensions, 2 high extensions and 4 frame engaging adapters (part 10318); its listing does not itemize arms or screw pads. Call us to confirm what the EV1220SS ships with before you order it as a standalone line item or plan a three-piece build on the 12,000 lb side.
The five complete lifts (EV1020, EV1020-QC, EV1020-BMC-QC, EV1220, EV1220-BMC) are the packaged route. The separate kits are how you buy a replacement, finish an existing hole, or stage the project across two budget years.
10,000 lb or 12,000 lb: what actually changes
These are not the same lift with a different sticker. What decides it is arm capacity, arm reach and bay width.
The EV1020 is rated 10,000 lb total and 2,500 lb per arm, with 3-stage front and rear arms reaching 19.625 in. to 42.125 in. on double telescoping screw pads adjustable from 3.875 in. to 6 in. Stroke is 68 in., rise height 74 in., overall width 97 in. Challenger notes the double telescoping pads minimize the need for separate adapters, a real time saver on mixed car and light-truck work.
The EV1220 is rated 12,000 lb total and 3,000 lb per arm. Its 3-stage arms reach 19.625 in. to 48 in., a nearly 6 in. longer maximum that is why it covers heavier and longer vehicles. Its screw pads are heavy-duty polyurethane, adjustable 5 in. to 6.75 in. Stroke is 72 in., rise height 78 in. Overall width, though, is 115 in. against the EV1020's 97 in. That 18 in. is bay geometry, not a detail: measure before you commit to the 12,000 lb class.
Both share an 8.5 in. guide plunger and a mechanical lock that engages every 3 in., so a technician can set an ergonomic working height instead of living at full rise.
Standard cycle or Quick Cycle
Two things separate the three EV1020 listings: rise time and where the controls live. The base EV1020 rises in 38 seconds. The Quick Cycle versions, EV1020-QC and EV1020-BMC-QC, both rise in 27 seconds; between those two the difference is the controls, standard on the QC and bench mounted on the BMC-QC. Per the EV10CK-BMC-QC description, the Quick Cycle configuration lowers in approximately 17 seconds, and Challenger states Quick Cycle reduces vehicle travel time by 30 percent. It is also sold as a completion kit on its own (EV10CK-QC, EV10CK-BMC-QC). The EV1220 and EV1220-BMC are listed at 60 seconds: on heavy work, the 3,000 lb per arm and 48 in. reach matter far more than cycle time.
Where the controls live: standard or bench mount (BMC)
Five listings carry the BMC suffix, which Challenger defines as packaged with Bench Mounted Controls, so the power controls sit on a bench rather than in the standard position: the complete EV1020-BMC-QC and EV1220-BMC, and the EV10CK-BMC, EV10CK-BMC-QC and EV12CK-BMC completion kits. Challenger also lists part 16902, Bench Mount Lever (BML), as an accessory on all five lift pages, including the ones already packaged with Bench Mounted Controls; it is not currently set up for online ordering. Call us to confirm whether it fits your configuration.
What your building has to provide
All of this comes from the Challenger spec tables on these pages. What is not published there is marked as such.
- Electrical. All five complete lift listings (EV1020, EV1020-QC, EV1020-BMC-QC, EV1220, EV1220-BMC) specify a 2 HP motor at 208v-230v, 60 Hz, single phase. The completion kits include a power unit but do not publish its rating, so confirm it with us against your panel before you order one on its own. For a three-phase building, part 3PHCS is the factory power unit upgrade to 3-phase, listed on both families; it is not currently set up for online ordering, so ask us to quote it with the lift.
- Compressed air. All five complete lift listings (EV1020, EV1020-QC, EV1020-BMC-QC, EV1220, EV1220-BMC) specify Air Required: 90 to 120 psi and a stainless steel air lock release cylinder, which Challenger credits to its corrosion resistant design. The kits and superstructures do not publish an air spec., which Challenger credits to its corrosion resistant design. Plan compressed air at the bay to that spec; the installation manual for your model has the operating detail, or ask us for it.
- Bay width. Overall width is 97 in. on the EV1020 and 115 in. on the EV1220; drive-thru clearance is 87 in. on both.
- The floor. The CSPK supplies the tub and frame with the one-piece cover plate that goes into the excavation. Excavation dimensions and concrete requirements are not published in these listings; check the installation manual for your model, or call us for the spec sheet.
- Ceiling height. Rise height is published (74 in. EV1020; 78 in. on the EV1220 page and 80.75 in. on the EV1220-BMC page) but a required ceiling height is not. On the 12,000 lb side, plan against the higher figure, 80.75 in., until we confirm the factory number. Add your tallest vehicle to the rise height and check it against your own overhead obstructions.
- Shipping weight. Not published on these listings. Ask before planning the offload; a below-grade lift arrives with its tub.
Certification and warranty
The five complete lifts - EV1020, EV1020-QC, EV1020-BMC-QC, EV1220 and EV1220-BMC - list ALI/ETL Certified: Yes in their spec tables. The pre-kit, the completion kits and the superstructures do not publish a certification status on their listings; ask us before you specify one for an inspection. All 15 listings are new equipment and all 15 are flagged for free shipping on this site.
Challenger's warranty schedule, published on these pages, treats the two classes differently. For 10K ingrounds (EV1020): 1 year labor, 2 years functional parts, 5 years structural. For 12K and 15K ingrounds (EV1220, EV1520): 1 year labor, 1 year functional parts, 5 years structural - the EV1520 appears in Challenger's chart but is not one of the models offered in this category. Both classes are eligible for the extended warranty; accessories and replacement parts carry 90 days. Functional parts are wear items such as power units, cylinders, sheaves, hoses, cables and controls; structural parts are carriages, columns, arms, runways and plungers.
Two conditions matter before installation day. The extended warranty must be purchased within 30 days of the lift invoice, requires installation by an authorized Challenger installer, and adds 3 years of functional parts coverage on top of the base. On the 10K ingrounds that base is 2 years. On the 12K and 15K ingrounds Challenger's own schedule lists a 1 year base while the extended-warranty note states a 5 year total - the two do not add up, so ask us to confirm the figure in writing before you buy the extension. Challenger also states the extended warranty does not apply to accessories, which is worth noting here, since most of this category is kits, extensions and adapters. Coverage is also valid only if the product is registered with Challenger, is not transferable, and the card must be returned on installation; otherwise it starts from the invoice date.
Complete lifts: side by side
All five carry 3-stage front and 3-stage rear arms and an 87 in. drive-thru clearance.
| Model | Capacity | Per arm | Stroke | Rise height | Overall width | Arm reach | Speed of rise | Controls |
|---|
| EV1020 | 10,000 lb | 2,500 lb | 68 in. | 74 in. | 97 in. | 19.625 - 42.125 in. | 38 s | Standard |
| EV1020-QC | 10,000 lb | 2,500 lb | 68 in. | 74 in. | 97 in. | 19.625 - 42.125 in. | 27 s | Standard |
| EV1020-BMC-QC | 10,000 lb | 2,500 lb | 68 in. | 74 in. | 97 in. | 19.625 - 42.125 in. | 27 s | Bench mount |
| EV1220 | 12,000 lb | 3,000 lb | 72 in. | 78 in. | 115 in. | 19.625 - 48 in. | 60 s | Standard |
| EV1220-BMC | 12,000 lb | 3,000 lb | 68 in. (see note) | 80.75 in. (see note) | 115 in. | 19.625 - 48 in. | 60 s | Bench mount |
Two spec conflicts we are not going to paper over
The EV1020-QC page carries a model-specific table listing 72 in. stroke and 78 in. rise, while the multi-model table on that same page, plus the EV1020 and EV1020-BMC-QC pages, all list 68 in. and 74 in.; three sources against one, so we publish 68 in. and 74 in. Second, the EV1220-BMC page lists 68 in. stroke and 80.75 in. rise while the EV1220 page lists 72 in. and 78 in. Bench mount controls move the controls, not the plunger geometry, so one figure is a transcription error. Ask us for the factory spec sheet before pouring concrete or sizing ceiling clearance against either number.
Pre-kits, completion kits and superstructures
| SKU | Type | Fits | What the listing includes |
|---|
| CSPK | Universal pre-kit | AV1020, AV1220, EV1020, EV1220, EV1520 (10,000 / 12,000 / 15,000 lb) | Tub and frame with one-piece cover plate |
| EV10CK | Completion kit | EV1020 | 8.5 in. chrome pistons, lift components, power unit, hardware box |
| EV10CK-BMC | Completion kit | EV1020-BMC | As EV10CK, with Bench Mounted Controls |
| EV10CK-QC | Completion kit | EV1020-QC | As EV10CK, with Quick Cycle rise and descent |
| EV10CK-BMC-QC | Completion kit | EV1020 | 8.5 in. chrome pistons, Quick Cycle (27 s rise, approx. 17 s descent), Bench Mounted Controls |
| EV12CK | Completion kit | EV1220 | 8.5 in. chrome pistons, lift components, power unit, hardware box |
| EV12CK-BMC | Completion kit | EV1220 | As EV12CK, with Bench Mounted Controls |
| CS9200CK | Completion kit | CS9200 | Inground lift components, power unit, hardware box. Note: the CSPK pre-kit is listed for AV1020, AV1220, EV1020, EV1220 and EV1520 only - it does not list the CS9200 |
| EV1020SS | Superstructure | EV1020 (10,000 lb) | 3-stage versymmetric arms, 2,500 lb per arm, reach 19.625 - 42.125 in., screw pads 3.875 - 6 in., extensions and frame engaging adapters; Red, Blue or Black |
| EV1220SS | Superstructure | EV1220 (12,000 lb) | 10 screw-type extensions (4 standard adjustable, 4 medium, 2 high) plus 4 frame engaging adapters (part 10318); no arms or screw pads itemized on the listing |
Four of the completion kits (EV10CK, EV10CK-BMC, EV10CK-QC, EV12CK) are not set up for online ordering right now; call 800-562-4791 for availability and lead time. One detail on the EV1020SS: its arms are described as versymmetric, meaning the same arm set supports symmetric and asymmetric lifting in one bay.
Factory accessories listed on these lifts
Available to order today:
- 10313 - Pair of 6 in. stack adapter extensions
- 10315 - Stack adapter kit: four 3 in. extensions, two 6 in. extensions and two organizer racks with hardware
- SD100 - Cassette lift automatic liquid removal system
- CSGREASE - Extra tube of grease for electric/hydraulic inground lifts
Also listed by Challenger on these lifts but not currently set up for online ordering - call 800-562-4791:
- 16902 - Bench Mount Lever (BML)
- 15060 - Floor-mounted power unit stand
- 3PHCS - Power unit upgrade to 3-phase
One more needs a phone call before you specify it. Challenger lists part 10300, a pair of luxury car adapters, on the EV1020 pages and not on the EV1220 list, but our own listing for the 10300 describes it for the CL10 and CS1020 2-stage arm lifts, while the EV1020 uses 3-stage arms. Ask us to confirm it with the factory before ordering it for an EV1020.
Pieces separately versus the package
Because the three assemblies are listed individually, you can price the staged route against the packaged lift on the product pages themselves. That is how you set the tub during a slow week and bring the lift in on a later purchase order. Two cautions before you plan a build that way: four of the completion kits are not set up for online ordering right now (EV10CK, EV10CK-BMC, EV10CK-QC, EV12CK), and on the 12,000 lb side the EV1220SS listing does not itemize arms or screw pads, so three line items may not add up to a working lift. Every listing in this category shows "Call us up for details!", so call 800-562-4791 to confirm price, availability and lead time for your configuration before you commit to a staged purchase.
Frequently asked questions
If I order a completion kit, do I get a working lift?
No. Every completion kit here states it does not include the pre-kit or the superstructure. It gives you the inground lift components, the power unit and the hardware box. On the EV lifts you still need the tub and frame in the ground (the CSPK, if your lift is one of the models it lists, or an existing tub) and a superstructure - EV1020SS for the 10,000 lb lift, EV1220SS for the 12,000 lb lift; see the table above for what each one is listed to include. The CS9200CK is different: it is the completion kit for an existing CS9200 installation, and the pre-kit and superstructure for that lift are not listed in this category, so call 800-562-4791 before ordering it. For one line item covering the whole job on an EV lift, order a packaged lift.
Is the 10,000 lb EV1020 enough, or do I need the 12,000 lb EV1220?
Look at three numbers rather than the headline capacity. Per-arm capacity is 2,500 lb against 3,000 lb, which governs an unevenly loaded vehicle. Maximum arm reach is 42.125 in. against 48 in., which governs long-wheelbase pickups. Overall width is 97 in. against 115 in., which governs whether the lift fits your bay. If the bay cannot take 115 in., the capacity question is settled for you.
What does Quick Cycle actually buy me?
On the EV1020 family, a 27 second rise instead of 38 seconds and a descent of approximately 17 seconds, which Challenger frames as a 30 percent reduction in vehicle travel time. It comes as a complete lift (EV1020-QC, EV1020-BMC-QC) or a completion kit (EV10CK-QC, EV10CK-BMC-QC). For an express bay it pays back in throughput; for alignment work where the vehicle sits up for an hour, it does not.
Will hydraulic fluid end up in the ground?
Challenger's answer is the sealed cassette: a fully contained and sealed recycled polymer cassette tub that the manufacturer states eliminates the risk of hydraulic fluid seeping into the ground. For liquid management inside the tub, part SD100 is the cassette lift automatic liquid removal system, listed on both families.
What power and air does the bay need?
A 2 HP motor at 208v-230v, 60 Hz, single phase is specified on all five complete lift listings, and all five require 90 to 120 psi of compressed air. The completion kits include a power unit but do not publish its rating, so confirm it with us. If the bay is wired three-phase, ask us to quote the 3PHCS power unit upgrade to 3-phase together with the lift rather than adapting later.
Can I set the tub now and buy the lift later?
That is what the CSPK universal pre-kit is for. Challenger lists it as fitting 10,000 lb, 12,000 lb or 15,000 lb capacities across the AV1020, AV1220, EV1020, EV1220 and EV1520. What we carry in this category is the 10,000 lb EV1020 family and the 12,000 lb EV1220 family; if your growth plan is the 15,000 lb EV1520, call 800-562-4791 first so we can confirm availability before you set the tub. Get this right on day one: the concrete is the expensive part to redo.
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