MAHA Advantage: HL Freedom Series
"PRICE is a ONE-TIME thing, COST is a LIFETIME thing" Hank Trisler
Is the CHEAPEST lift always the LEAST EXPENSIVE lift? - Absolutely NOT!
Compare Price vs. Cost
Inexpensive lifts are less expensive to purchase…. INITIALLY. The purchase PRICE of a cheap lift is often attractive to end users. Who doesn’t want to save a few dollars? However, many buyers have not considered the COST of owning a lift over it’s Lifetime. Once purchased, the average lift is expected to function (trouble free) for FIVE to SEVEN YEARS or longer!
This is when cheap lifts quickly become EXPENSIVE lifts.
Once out of warranty (which in some cases is as little as 90 days!) cheap lifts begin to loose their appeal. In years two through seven, the cost of owning a “cheap lift” can be 200-400% more expensive than owning a MAHA. When considering a new lift, you should always consider the COSTS associated with owning and operating a lift throughout it’s lifetime.
This comparison will show you what to look for when choosing a lift and the hidden costs associated with owning and operating a “cheap lift”.
COMPARE: Quality!
Have you considered the cost of replacing worn or damaged sync cables when purchasing your new lift? Many lift manufacturers recommend that sync cables be checked and adjusted annually to compensate for “wear in”, also known as stretch. Over time, as cables stretch they begin to fray (see picture). The cost to replace frayed cables is expensive and varies by manufacturer. Many lift manufacturers recommend replacing cables every 4 years, “just to be safe”.
| COMPARE | MAHA | OTHERS |
| Sync method | Hydraulic | Cables |
| Cable Adjustment Costs | $0.00 | $0.00 to $75.00 per occurrence |
| Cable Replacement Costs | $0.00 | $400 to $500 |
| Total Additional Costs | $0.00 | $400 to $575 |
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-> ADVANTAGE: MAHA USA!
COMPARE: Quality!
Another issue with cable synchronized lifts is that guide pulleys are often made of PLASTIC and sync cables are made of STEEL. You guessed it, steel is stronger than plastic and over time the guide pulleys wear and crack (see picture). Some lifts utilize steel pulleys. However, it’s only a matter of time before the friction created by metal-on-metal contact eventually wears these components out as well. The HL Freedom is hydraulically synchronized. NO CABLES.
| COMPARE | MAHA | OTHERS |
| Sync method | Hydraulic | Cables |
| Pulley Replacement Costs | $0.00 | $100 to $150 |
| Total Additional Costs | $0.00 | $100 to $150 |
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-> ADVANTAGE: MAHA USA!
COMPARE: Carriage and Arm Design!
On competitive lifts the carriage is designed so the swing arm “holds” the carriage. This design causes the upper portion of the swing arm to wear prematurely and the hole becomes out of round. Most shop owners have experienced the early stages of this cost saving design flaw. When setting a lift, have you ever had the arms drag across the floor? If so, you’ve used a lift with this “cost saving” design.
The German Engineered, HL Freedom is designed so the carriage holds the swing arm, preventing this problem. This design is not only stronger, but safer.
| COMPARE | MAHA | OTHERS |
| Swing arm pin size | Oversize nickel pins | Undersize plated pins |
| Carriage design | Carriage over arm | Arm over carriage |
| Locking mechanism | Semi circle lock | Up to 60% smaller |
As arms sag, the contact point of the lift pad shift which can create a gap between the vehicle and the lift. As the pins continue to wear, damage to the carriage is inevitable. At this point the safety of the lift is compromised and the consequences can be devastating!
(Fortunately nobody was injured…. this time. The new X5 is another story however)
-> ADVANTAGE: MAHA USA!