Rotary Lift earns U.S. patent for Y-Lift

MADISON, Ind. (May 4, 2016) — Rotary Lift, a Vehicle Service Group brand, has received a U.S. patent covering two major aspects of the design of its award-winning Y-Lift vertical rise platform lift.

According to Rotary Lift, these design features “maximize rise speed based on vehicle weight, ensure a smooth rise and descent and increase runway structural rigidity for more accurate measurements when performing alignments, especially on heavier vehicles.”

The first enhancement covered by the patent is a weight-sensing, electro-hydraulic control system that enables the Y-Lift to raise vehicles up to 50 percent faster than other 12,000-pound capacity scissor lifts using the same amount of electrical power, the firm said.

The system uses an infinitely variable displacement hydraulic pump and valves, which are controlled by an electronic feedback system.

The patent also covers large tension bars designed to provide increased structural rigidity. These bars actuate the front legs at the same rate as the rear legs to ensure the level rise/descent of each runway, Rotary Lift said.

In addition, the company said the tension bars improve alignment measurement accuracy for heavier vehicles by providing a more rigid and level platform and help to minimize downtime by improving accessibility to the hydraulic cylinder.

“We designed the Y-Lift to provide maximum bay productivity,” said Jason Matthews, one of the Rotary Lift engineers who developed the product.

“Its fast rise and descent times mean technicians can start servicing vehicles sooner — and then move on to the next job faster — than they can with other lifts.

“Its superior rigidity ensures accurate four-wheel alignments on vehicles with wheelbases as short as 71.5 inches to as long as 158 inches — from microcars to large pickups. It's a versatile, productive and efficient lift for a wide range of applications.”

Made in Madison, the Y-Lift is gold-label certified by the Automotive Lift Institute to meet industry safety and performance standards, Rotary Lift said.