In one example, a platform lift includes a rotationally stationary leadscrew to support a platform, a rotatable nut to drive the leadscrew up and down through a range of motion, a first spring to apply a continuous downward force to the leadscrew throughout the range of motion, and a second spring to apply a continuous upward force to the leadscrew throughout the range of motion.

A lifting apparatus and controller therefore, where the lifting apparatus includes independently driven lifting columns and independently driven wheels that are controlled by a controller having a number of sensors such as limit sensors, position sensors, rotation sensors, laser sensors, torque sensors and the like. The independent motors for lifting and driving may also be removed easily to provide for improved servicing and maintenance. The various sensor signals are used to calculate, coordinate and calibrate the apparatus for precise and safe movement by the motors in order to perform lifting and positioning operations, for example rail car repair and service.

Provided is a system and method for positioning a load including an apparatus having a plurality of columns. Each column has a first support and a motor adapted to move the first support along an axis of the column. A second support is connected to at least two of the first supports and a track member for receiving a portion of a vehicle is connected to the second support. Load and position sensors are coupled to the apparatus for transmitting load and position signals. A controller is in communication with the columns and receives the load and position signals to compare the load and position signals to generate at least one control signal that is sent to at least one of said motors for controlling the position of at least one of said first supports.

Provided is a system and method for positioning a load including an apparatus having a plurality of columns. Each column has a first support and a motor adapted to move the first support along an axis of the column. A second support is connected to at least two of the first supports and a track member for receiving a portion of a vehicle is connected to the second support. Load and position sensors are coupled to the apparatus for transmitting load and position signals. A controller is in communication with the columns and receives the load and position signals to compare the load and position signals to generate at least one control signal that is sent to at least one of said motors for controlling the position of at least one of said first supports.

An expandable lift system includes an expandable platform including at least one detachable panel to expand a dimension of the expandable platform. At least one stationary stanchion houses a first lifting assembly. The first lifting assembly is coupled to a first side of the expandable platform. At least one translatable stanchion houses a second lifting assembly, and the second lifting assembly is coupled to a second side of the platform. At least one track is coupled to a substructure on which the lift sits. The track includes a rail defined within the at least one track. The at least one translatable stanchion is configured to translatably engage the rail to allow the at least one translatable stanchion to move laterally in a first direction. At least one stop is located at at least one end of the track to retain engagement of the translatable stanchion within the rail.

A set of lift controls may be configured to determine the load on the motor (112) by a vehicle of an unknown weight during operation at a standard lift speed and use such information to determine a potential speed that the motor may raise the vehicle at while staying within safe operational levels for the motor. One or more of a magnitude of electrical power drawn, a pressure generating by a hydraulic lifting, or a sensed vehicle weight may be used to provide an indication of load on the motor and/or a higher potential speed.

A drop table can provide optimized lifting operations by employing motor feedback to generate and adapt a lifting strategy that controls lifting parameters. A lifting module may be connected to a first motor and consist of a lifting controller. The first motor can be mechanically coupled to a first lifting column by a first transmission and to a second lifting column by a second transmission. A service component can be lowered with the first and second lifting columns by activating the first motor that provides motor feedback. A lifting strategy can be generated in response to the motor feedback and subsequently executed to move the service component to a servicing position.

A drop table can employ one or more shearing drive couplings to optimize lifting operations. The drop table can have a motor physically attached to a first lifting column via a first rotating input shaft and to a second lifting column via a second rotating input shaft. Each rotating input shaft is connected to the motor by a drive coupling having a shearing insert positioned between a drive shaft and a collar.

A movable assembly configured to move a table in a first direction is provided. The movable assembly includes a first link member including a first elongated member and a second elongated member coupled in an X formation, a second link member including a third elongated member and a fourth elongated member coupled in the X formation, a first frame member, a second frame member, and a rotatable member being a threaded rod. The first frame member includes a first supporting portion and a first guiding portion, which support ends of the first, second, third, and fourth elongated members on one side rotatably. The second frame member includes a second supporting portion and a second guiding portion, which support other ends of the first, second, third, and fourth elongated members located on the other side movably in the third direction.

A compact telescoping lift arm assembly includes an outer arm section pivotally connected by a pivot member to a lift carriage vertically slidable on a post and an inner arm section telescopically received within the outer arm section and movable in and out of the outer arm section. The inner arm section has a nesting slot formed at an inner end thereof to nest about the pivot member when the inner arm section is retracted into the outer arm section.