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Tag: Eagle Equipment

Winter Weather and Your Shop Equipment

As we wait for another winter storm to hit, we are planning for snow, rain, ice, sleet and extremely low temperatures. While winter weather is normal, it seems to be a little cruel this year.

From more car accidents to traffic delays and school closing… this type of winter causes a lot of glitches that can delay our normal day-to-day life.

The Midwest, Northeast and Southeast parts of the country have encountered extremely cold temperatures, dropping well below freezing … pass the 0 degree mark.  Weather is out of our control, but protecting your wheel service equipment is not.

Something that you might not consider is that this coldness changes the performance of your equipment. Our wheel service equipment should not be used if the temperature is below 32 degrees. This type of cold increases the risk of the balancer’s computer board or the tire changer’s motor failing. While this is not a common issue, we have seen a rise in these types of problems this year because of the cold weather. If you live in an area where the temperatures are below freezing, you need to protect your equipment and move them to a warmer area to protect the computer boards on the balancer and the motor on the tire changer. Please take the necessary precautions to ensure that your equipment remains in service.

The South Gets Hit in 2014 Winter Weather Storm

Another major inconvenience this weather has caused our customers is shipping delays. We have all seen the pictures of the Atlanta area after the most recent ice storm to hit the south. That ice storm was so severe that it shut down every major road in and around Atlanta. This type of road closure will also cause all shipments, UPS or LTL to delay until the roads are cleared. Anytime you have winter storms that impact different parts of the country, it can delay even the smallest orders.

During the ordering process, communication is key to us. We keep an eye on your shipment and will notify you of any delays that will disrupt the delivery process. You won’t have to wonder where your order is. We do everything we can to deliver orders as promised, but once they leave our dock; it is out of our control. If you have any concerns about the delivery time of your product, please feel free to contact our customer service department for an update.

Now, go get your milk and your bread and get ready to build some snowmen!

What the heck is Compliance & Where Do I Get a Certified Lift?

Opening a new business can be exciting, exhilarating and downright stressful. Opening an auto repair shop needs to be approached with the same care as opening any other type of business. As a business owner, there are many factors you must consider. Healthcare, Insurance, OSHA, processing solutions, employees and the list goes on! You must dot your i’s and cross your t’s.  Whether you are opening a shop for basic mechanical work (changing oil, spark plugs, filters, etc.) or you will be performing larger mechanical repairs (engine replacements, transmissions, etc.) you must look into requirements for special licenses and requirements under your city’s guidelines.

Aside from the basics, like registering your business at the federal level and applying for local business license, you need to check the property’s zoning ordinance before signing a lease or purchasing a property for auto repair shop.  You must review your city’s specific guidelines for safety as well as OSHA standards before designing your floor plan and establish a plan for your handling and disposing of hazardous waste along with special permits and licenses for waste disposal.

Consider the following:

Is the electrical in compliance?

Is you garage floor adequate? You may need to have your concrete tested if you do not have the specifications from the owner or landlord. Knowing the strength and thickness of your concrete will help you determine the lift you can install.

Are you required to install a certified lift? What is a certified lift? I’m glad you asked because this has come up in past experience where a customer has purchased a lift but was not aware that the city inspectors were requiring a certified lift. Unfortunately, we at Eagle cannot tell you if you need a certified lift — only your local city or local code enforcement agency can.

etl-logoWhat does it mean to be certified?

Certification is a system whereby an independent, third-party, organization determines that a manufacturer has the ability to produce a product that complies with a specific set of standards. The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) sponsors a certified program for automotive lifts. Certified products undergo a periodic re-evaluation and are required to be produced within the requirement of a documented quality program.   Intertek Testing Services (ETL) is contracted by ALI to administer the certification program.  ETL is a global product testing, inspection and certification organization. ALI has obtained accreditation for this program from the American National Standard Institute. This assures unquestionable integrity for the program.  A certified lift must bear a third-party certification label (ALI/ETL) or it is not certified.

LECL-10A-2-CMYK

Can my previously purchased lift be certified?  No. After installation the structural design elements such as material composition and required stress calculations cannot be validated.

Why are some required to have a certified lift while others are not? The United States currently uses a voluntary standards system where compliance with applicable standards is compulsory when mandated by regulation or requirements imposed by the authority having jurisdiction. When in doubt contact your city clerk and your state/federal OSHA.

If you are considering buying an existing shop, do not assume that the previous owners have followed the due process. Do your homework, in the long run it will pay off and you will have a safe and successful business.

We have an ETL Certified 10,000 lb two-post lift available through Eagle Equipment.

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Mobile Lift used as a Truck Bed Remover

The Eagle Mobileman lift has become one of Eagle’s most popular lifts because of how it is used as a mobile lift, making the ways it can be used endless. This convenient lift is portable, runs off a 110 volt, has a max lifting height of 70” and lifts up to 6000lbs.

The normal function of this lift is to raise vehicles for service and repair work. It also works very well when lifting motorcycles, ATV’s, quads and golf carts. But really, because of it’s mobility and lifting capacity, it makes moving anything a breeze. (Seriously, watch how easy it is to move.)  In fact, we have a lumber company that uses their mobile lift to move loads of wood throughout their plant. The possibilities and uses are huge for this type of lift.

Vinnie DiMartino, formerly of American Chopper, has a Mobileman in his NY shop (He loves it!). When we went up to visit him a couple of months ago, he spoke with Andy about the many ideas he had on how he could use his mobile lift. (Watch that here.)

This week, Vinnie sent us as video of how he is using his Mobileman mobile lift in a new and creative way. Take a look at the video below and see how Vinnie has changed this vehicle lift into one of the easiest truck bed removers you will ever see.
VIEW THE NEW VIDEO HERE.

The most successful businesses we work with are those that have the right equipment, and use it to the very fullest to maximize their use out of a single piece of equipment. Vinnie is always customizing, modifying and using his creativity and talent to get the most out of everything he has.

We love seeing how our customers use our equipment! If you have a Mobileman lift, we would love to see it in use. Please send your pictures or videos to andyt@ealeequip.com. Thanks and Enjoy.

NEW ETC-550 Eagle Tire Changer

Eagle ETC 550As the summer of 2013 ends and we begin to see the leaves changing for the Fall, Eagle Equipment is also changing. We have begun the transition of updating all of our wheel service equipment line. As the old saying goes, “out with the old, in with the new.” Over the next few weeks, everyone here at Eagle is excited to begin to introduce you to our new wheel service line.

Meet the new ETC-550 Eagle tire changer.

This changer will handle up to a 37” tire diameter and a max rim diameter of 24”. The ETC-550 turntable operates off a 110 volt, to give it a little more strength for the hard to remove tires. The rest of the ETC-550 is air operated – that includes the bead breaker, inflation box and bead blast.
Continue reading NEW ETC-550 Eagle Tire Changer

Asymmetric -VS- Symmetric 2-Post Car Lifts

Which type of two-post car lift is better, asymmetric or symmetric? This is the most asked question. The answer is neither. Your application and your preference will determine the style of two-post lift that will be best for you.

Here are the facts of each style. You decide which one is best for you. If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call!

THE SYMMETRIC LIFT

  • The very first 2-post lift design was a symmetric design
  • Columns are straight across from each other
  • All 4 arms are the same length
  • Load % is 50/50
  • Symmetric lifts can be used on an Overhead or Floorplate design.
  • The symmetric design was made for older, heavier steel vehicles
  • BEST USES for a symmetric lift – SUV’s, ¾ ton – 1 ton size trucks and commercial vans
  • On standard cars, the door will be in line with the post, making it difficult to get in and out of the vehicle while it is on the lift, resulting in damaged vehicle doors. Trucks and heavier vehicles, the door is positioned in front of the lift post, making it a better design for these types of vehicles.

Check out Eagle’s Certified Symmetric ALI/ETL Two Post Car Lift.

Below is an example of one our symmetric Eagle Lifts:

symmetric car lift diagram Continue reading Asymmetric -VS- Symmetric 2-Post Car Lifts

Do instructions ever seem like another language? Sometimes they are!

Hur man läser och förstår instruktionerna från Eagle Equipment

I spent the better half of last Saturday at the local IKEA store to purchase a bookshelf. IKEA is a Swedish-based company and has become quite popular in America, among other countries.  When you shop there, the product labels and descriptions are mostly in Swedish and include a lot of visual instructions.  But, you can get cool stuff at incredible prices … and it’s a great experience (complete with the most delicious Swedish meatballs in their cafeteria!)

When I got home and begun to put it together I realized the importance of good instructions for customers who have to set it up, in a language they can understand. To say I was a bit frustrated would be an understatement.  The picture-only instructions with warnings written in Swedish were not comprehensible to me.  How am I supposed to understand that? So, I did what I think anyone would have done…. I did my best and just hope it doesn’t topple over. Fingers crossed.IKEA instructions graphic

I began to look back on the manuals that Eagle Equipment provides our customers and feel like we do an exceptional job of helping you get your equipment up and running, or troubleshooting a problem, if ever one arises. We don’t just leave with you with some fun pictures to look at, but really useful stuff!

Everyday, Eagle Equipment Customer Service gets calls from customers who fail to even acknowledge the instructions. (Perhaps they assume they are similar to the IKEA ones and will be of no help, or perhaps they assume they know what they’re doing … until they don’t.) Either way, here are some examples of recent calls that would have been spared if the manuals were glanced at first. Failure to read the instructions can ruin your brand new machine.

“I’m having trouble calibrating my new Eagle wheel balancer.”
Answer is found on page 5 of the Operation manual: “The wheel balancer comes pre-calibrated from the factory. DO NOT calibrate the unit before using it.”

“My lift is shimmering or shaking when it goes up and down. Yes, I did use ATF.” Answer is found on page 17 of the Installation & Operation manual: “DO NOT USE ATF.”

As we are informed every day, there are professionals out there who have been installing lifts for years, and they know what they’re doing. However, times have changed. Product has changed. Most automotive lifts sold in the American market today are made in China. Some of these are wired differently than others. Some lifts are self-bleeding; some need to be manually bled. Some lifts use ATF; some do not. This is where the Installation and Operation instructions come in handy.

Why calibrate a brand new wheel balancer that doesn’t need it, or ruin the hydraulics of a brand new lift (and thereby voiding your warranty); rather than simply reading the instructions?

If you do know of a way that Eagle Equipment could improve their instructions, please let us know.

P.S.: Please post in the comments if you know what the title to this blog post says in English!

Wheel Balancer [GLO-1070] Changing from Grams to Ounces/Ounces to Grams

EB1070 grams to ounces conversionThere has been a change in procedure with the Eagle Equipment GLO-1070 wheel balancer and we would like to let you know about it. When changing from grams to ounces or ounces to grams, simply use the instructions below! Continue reading Wheel Balancer [GLO-1070] Changing from Grams to Ounces/Ounces to Grams

. . . . I wish I bought it years earlier!

It makes our day when we get an email like the one below. Seven years later, and we get reminded on how much what we do affects people’s everyday lives. Thanks for the email Pete, we wish you many more years of ‘tinkering’.

Car on car liftJust a note to say: Thanks or such a useful product.

It was the Spring of 2007 when I drove to your business and bought my four-post storage/service lift. So far I have used it to keep my kid’s cars running through their high school and college years. After that, I used it to always have a project car or two around to tinker on.

I now am helping my daughter with some much needed maintenance and repairs to her “new-to-her” car. It’s been great having the lift in the garage available for so many money-saving automotive projects.

Only regret I have is  . . . . I wish I had bought it years earlier!

Thank you,
Pete Owens

Why Isn’t My Power Unit Pumping Fluid?

THE PROBLEM: Power unit runs fine but will not pump any fluid.

Do you have a power unit that is working but not pumping fluid? Before you give us a call, our resident expert tells the fix and it’s so easy to do!

 

power unit priming diagram

Step 1 – Locate the check valve, the flush plug to the left of the lowering valve.
(See illustration.)

 

Step 2 – Using an Allen wrench and shop towel – with shop towel in place to catch fluid – loosen the check valve plug 2-1/2 turns to allow it to leak.

 

Step 3 – Push the START button for one second, then release for three seconds.

Repeat these steps until the unit starts pumping fluid.

 

Step 4 – Tighten the check valve.

 

THE POWER UNIT SHOULD BE PRIMED

Car Lifts: Staying Safe

The biggest danger of automotive lift operation is improper or inadequate training. Although some automotive lifts may appear to be simple to use, it’s important that owners of lifts take the time to properly train their lift operators thoroughly.

Working with a car lift can be hazardous, particularly if the vehicle falls off the lift, so all safety rules should be followed at all times. Once the lift has elevated the car; the danger of falling debris and objects increase. It is important for lift operators to wear safety glasses to protect their eyes from falling dirt and debris as well as hard hats to protect their heads from accidental bumps or falling car parts that might have loosened during the repair process.

Listed below is a general checklist of do’s and don’ts, to keep you safe, when operating your car lift.

Do’s

  • Ask for training from your employer before you operate the lift for your first time.
  • When you arrive at work, do an inspection of the lift prior to your shift.
  • Make sure the lift’s locking devices engage.
  • Wear safety glasses for work done under the car.
  • Make sure the vehicle is centered and balanced on the lift as described in a service manual.
  • If the lift is of the drive-on type, be sure to use chocks behind the wheels.
  • Check ceiling clearance before raising trucks and RVs.
  • Gently check to see if the car is stable when it is at knee height.
  • Clear the area of tools and bystanders before lowering the lift.

Don’ts

  • Never raise a vehicle that has occupants.
  • Don’t exceed the capacity of the lift.
  • Never stand below a vehicle on a lift that does not have the locking devices engaged.
  • If vehicle support stands are used (such as in the case when an engine or transmission has been removed), do not lower the vehicle onto the support stands because this might push the car off the lift. Instead, bring the supports up to make solid contact with the vehicle once it has reached the proper height.
  • Do not try to repair a faulty lift yourself. Let your supervisor know that the lift needs attention.

 

At Eagle Equipment we want to make sure our consumers are following automotive lift safety rules. To ensure this our company has taken the time to make a manual to read before installing or operating the lift. Manuals can be accessed on any of our products from their product page online at www.eagleequip.com. We will also be sending a training DVD with the proper use of your lift when you order. The safety of you and your lift operators is very important to us!

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