Alignment Rack Leveling Limits

[KSTAUTOMOTIVE]

Hello guys,

1st time post in this section looking for someone with alignment lift knowledge.

It's a Hunter RL 9x? scissors lift. Looking for PDF installation manual.

It's like 15 years old.

Works great as a lift in general, But what are the tolerances in as far as true level. I know closer would be better, but with legs down is there a tolerance? That's the question, Does lift need to be DEAD level or does sensor heads compensate?

Appreciate any feedback guys

[ricmorin]

I don't know much about your particular lift, but I do know that it needs to be as level as possible. Alignment heads are calibrated level using a jig that is level. Heads are calibrated to the wheels using run-out compensation. Then the heads figure angles based on those measurements. A lift that is leaning will reflect in the readings, giving false ones.

Your best bet is to find your Hunter rep and give them a call for exact tolerances.

[KSTAUTOMOTIVE]

I don't know much about your particular lift, but I do know that it needs to be as level as possible. Alignment heads are calibrated level using a jig that is level. Heads are calibrated to the wheels using run-out compensation. Then the heads figure angles based on those measurements. A lift that is leaning will reflect in the readings, giving false ones.

Your best bet is to find your Hunter rep and give them a call for exact tolerances.

Thanks Ric

[steven kiser]

On my last alignment lift there were drop downs on each corner. These were the important level points. When I stopped and dropped into a lock on the lift it was maybe just out of level, on the drops it was dead on and we had to make adjustments from time to time because things wore a bit and tolerances changed. We ran strings with the little level tube runners on them. I used eight on them (two on each string) a floor jack and an assortment of the old style G.M. alignment shims. I would jack the lowest corned and place shims under the drop down adjuster and just keep working my way around until all was good. * before I start I sweep clean and even use an old gasket biscuit to polish the two leg points of each corner drop and the leg adjuster bottoms as well*. After all is shimmed and is level I use a micrometer to measure the shim and adjust the legs. An important note to mention is that if this lift has drop downs they take all the weight and lift is taken out of the loop.

[KSTAUTOMOTIVE]

[quote="steven kiser"]On my last alignment lift there were drop downs on each corner. These were the important level points. When I stopped and dropped into a lock on the lift it was maybe just out of level, on the drops it was dead on and we had to make adjustments from time to time because things wore a bit and tolerances changed. We ran strings with the little level tube runners on them. I used eight on them (two on each string) a floor jack and an assortment of the old style G.M. alignment shims. I would jack the lowest corned and place shims under the drop down adjuster and just keep working my way around until all was good. * before I start I sweep clean and even use an old gasket biscuit to polish the two leg points of each corner drop and the leg adjuster bottoms as well*. After all is shimmed and is level I use a micrometer to measure the shim and adjust the legs. An important note to mention is that if this lift has drop downs they take all the weight and lift is taken out of the loop.[/quote



Appreciate the feedback!!!

[steven kiser]

No sweat. Throughout all my years in this industry I have developed a lot of little tweaks and turns. I will have the "specialist" in for a repair and I'll be so close to them I can name the maker of their undies. I have asked then demanded a few remove themselves after I see then doing something that effects any safety points. I actually was a breath away from a physical confrontation with an installer after I noticed he mounted a 10 ton symmetrical lift in an area where the floor had already supported a post style lift. To fill in any blank spaces here I will on occasion move lifts when I purchase a new one. Sometimes the use for that lift will be best suited where another is so the move is on. Anyway I just happened to walk by and noticed a crack from an older lift anchor to the new one. A drive on was being replaced and I wanted a post lift moved and the new drive on installed where the moved lift was. "whew" what a mouth full. Anyway the installer didn't even consider it since the drove on mounts were no where near where he needed to drill. I started with saying that he must have not noticed and he said something about not being his job. He was hired to install the lift her and that was it. I didn't allow it to continue. Have you ever seen a blurb on television where a person comes stumbling out and his belongings soo follow by way of "air delivery". I think I set a record for the under 20 pound class of the tool box toss. To this day I believe he saw his life possibly ending. If the "flash before your eyes" is true and his was based on intelligent decisions it would be one short movie. Maybe as fast as those subconscious frame shots that were outlawed in public movie houses. Ya I know I'm an old S.O.B. and just threw out an age related statement............................................