The present invention relates to a modular pit structure for an inground lifting system. The pit structure includes: a first end part; a second end part; at least one intermediate part, wherein the at least one intermediate part has a length, a width and a height; and a frame configured to be placed in an assembled pit structure. After assembling of a pit, the length of the intermediate part extends in a substantially horizontal direction between the first and second end parts and an interlock between adjacent parts of the pit structure extends in a substantially vertical direction.

A concrete pit for housing the below-floor part of a vehicle lift that is at least partially below floor level is constructed of precast concrete pieces. In one embodiment, a trench is dug slightly bigger than the pit that will be installed, and a precast concrete base slab is placed in the hole. Features around the perimeter of the base slab mate with corresponding features around the bottom of a precast concrete hollow rectangle, which is placed on top of the base slab. Additional precast concrete hollow rectangles may be placed on top. A vehicle lift is placed within the concrete pit and in some embodiments fixed thereto using holes, protrusions, or other features built into the concrete pit. In some embodiments, plumbing, wiring conduit, and other passageways are cast into the pieces of the concrete pit to minimize manual installation work that needs to be done in the pit.

A vehicle lift has lift arms pivoted to a central or to side lifts. A handle is pivoted to an extensible, retractable lift arm end and can be manipulated from outside the vehicle periphery to position the lift arm end in a desired alignment with lift points under the vehicle frame.

A vehicle lift has lift arms pivoted to a central or to side lifts. A handle is pivoted to an extensible, retractable lift arm end and can be manipulated from outside the vehicle periphery to position the lift arm end in a desired alignment with lift points under the vehicle frame.

A modular configurable automotive lift (10) comprising: at least two automotive lift modules (100) wherein each automotive lift module comprises: an outer longitudinal post (110) having a hollow interior, an outer longitudinal post first end (111), and an outer longitudinal post second end (112) opposite the outer longitudinal post first end; an inner longitudinal post (120) at least partially nested within the hollow interior of the outer longitudinal post the inner longitudinal post having an inner longitudinal post first end (121) and an inner longitudinal post second end (122) opposite the inner longitudinal post first end; a first bearing (115) connected to an inner longitudinal surface of the outer longitudinal post; a second bearing (125) connected to an outer longitudinal surface of the inner longitudinal post; an actuator (500) configured to advance the outer longitudinal post first end away from the inner longitudinal post first end or configured to advance the inner longitudinal post first end away from the outer longitudinal post first end; and a superstructure (200) connected to the inner longitudinal post first end or to the outer longitudinal post first end by a mounting flange (130), the superstructure comprising at least one vehicle engagement arm (210) extending from the superstructure.

A pit for containing a vehicle lifting apparatus is constructed from a plurality of precast concrete pieces and assembled in a trench. Conduit, plumbing, heating elements, and the like are cast into the pieces to facilitate safe construction/assembly of the pit. A lift apparatus is assembled or positioned in and at least partly attached to the pit. One or more mounting features are cast into and/or attached to the pit wall to help fix the lifting apparatus relative to the pit and/or to help fix the pit relative to a surrounding building.

A pit for containing a vehicle lifting apparatus is constructed from a plurality of precast concrete pieces and assembled in a trench. Conduit, plumbing, heating elements, and the like are cast into the pieces to facilitate safe construction/assembly of the pit. A lift apparatus is assembled or positioned in and at least partly attached to the pit. One or more mounting features are cast into and/or attached to the pit wall to help fix the lifting apparatus relative to the pit and/or to help fix the pit relative to a surrounding building.

A vehicle maintenance method using a mobile vehicle maintenance station, includes: determining a location of a vehicle to be maintained; and a technician taking the maintenance station to the location of the vehicle to be maintained and using the maintenance station to perform corresponding maintenance operations on the vehicle to be maintained. The maintenance operations include: taking a lifting mechanism out of a compartment of the maintenance station, and supporting the lifting mechanism on the ground; moving the vehicle to be maintained to the lifting mechanism and fixing the same thereto; and raising the vehicle to be maintained to a predetermined height by using the lifting mechanism so that an overhead space is formed between a chassis of the vehicle to be maintained and the ground, and the technician entering the overhead space to perform maintenance operations on the chassis of the vehicle to be maintained.

A control system detects a loaded state for a lifting device. The control system receives a current load value from a load sensor corresponding to a load on the lifting device and compares the current load value from a previously received load value to determine a change in load. The control system receives a current displacement value from a displacement sensor corresponding to a displacement of the lifting device and compares the current displacement value with a previously received displacement value to determine a change in displacement. The control system compares the change in load with the change in displacement to determine a current load slope. The lifting device in identified in a loaded state based on a comparison of the current load slope with a load slope threshold. The control system may stop extending the lifting device after reaching the loaded state and start extending all of the lifting devices in unison to lift the load off of a base surface after all of the lifting devices reach the loaded state.

A pneumatic lifting device includes a base, a first mast attached to the base, and a second mast attached to the base opposite the first mast. The first mast has a first rail extending therealong, and the second mast has a second rail extending therealong. A lift platform is operatively coupled to the base. The platform includes a first pair and a second pair of bearings coupled thereto so as to move in conjunction with the lift platform. The first pair of bearings is operatively coupled to the first rail so as to enable the first pair of bearings to move with respect to the first rail. The second pair of bearings is operatively coupled to the second rail so as to enable the second pair of bearings to move with respect to the second rail.