Commercial vehicle fleet services provider Fraikin has installed a second Stertil Koni mobile column lift to assist with tractor unit and trailer maintenance at its Wednesbury workshop.
Stertil's ST1082 mobile columnlift is specially designed to hoist heavy vehicles such as buses, trucks, trailers and aircraft tractors. Each column is rated at 8,200kg, with a set of four columns providing 32.8 tonnes of lifting power. With up to 80 Class 1 vehicles a week passing through this facility, Fraikin needed an additional vehicle lift to cope with the extra workload. This includes servicing and MOT preparation, as well as repairs for a fleet of tractor units and double-deck trailers operated by premium next day delivery specialist City Link.
A set of ST1082 mobile lifting columns has a control box on every column, enabling each one to be individually operated. The columns can also be operated in pairs or all together, with the added flexibility of being able to add additional columns up to a maximum of 28. Significantly, Fraikin's technicians welcome the simplicity of being able to move columns between different workshop areas for additional flexibility and convenience.
"The addition of this second set of Stertil Koni mobile column lifts has further raised the performance of this important workshop, which is dedicated to supporting our contract with City Link," says Keith Link, Operations Director External Network for Fraikin. "We selected Stertil's hydraulic vehicle lifts as they have proven to be efficient, durable and reliable in other workshops across our nationwide branch network."
With a maximum lifting height of 1.85 metres, which can be reached in just 89 seconds, the ST1082 is one of the world's fastest lifting columns. A standard pick-up fork length of 350mm enables this model to safely handle vehicles fitted with super single-drive axle tyres, which are expected to become a popular alternative to twin fitments in the future. Furthermore, a 250mm clearance between the lifting columns and the vehicle eliminates the possibility of any damaging contact in the event of a flat tyre or air suspension failure.
As with all Stertil Koni lifting systems, the highest safety standards apply to the ST1082. Safety features include an independent mechanical locking system; carriage safety ladder increments from just 35 mm; automatic overload protection and an impressive 50,000 full load lifting tests before the lift is deemed acceptable for use.
Fraikin is a leading provider of commercial vehicle fleet services in the UK, with nearly 14,000 vehicles under its management and a depot and office infrastructure spanning the whole of the country.
