The maximum load limit of a lift is one of the primary considerations in the buying process.  Automotive lifts are available in several weight limit ratings from as low as 7,000 pounds up to 18,000 pounds.

When purchasing a non-ETL certified lift it is important to know that the weight limit of the lift is the maximum load based on the strength of the steel in the lift and the stress placed upon the lift.  For this reason, Eagle recommends that the gross vehicle weight (GVW) of the vehicle being lifted be no more than 80 to 85% of the maximum lift load.  This allows a safety factor for cargo, fuel, and any other weight impacting factors.  The table below shows recommended maximum GVW for non-ETL certified lifts.

-  7,000 lb. lift                  5,600 to  6,000 GVW
-  8,000 lb. lift                  6,400 to  6,800 GVW
-  9,000 lb. lift                  7,200 to  7,700 GVW
-10,000 lb. lift                  8,000 to  8,500 GVW
-11,000 lb. lift                  8,800 to  9,400 GVW
-12,000 lb. lift                  9,600 to 10,300 GVW
-14,000 lb. lift                11,200 to 12,000 GVW
-15,000 lb. lift                12,000 to 12,800 GVW
-18,000 lb. lift                14,400 to 15,300 GVW

To earn an ETL certification, a lift must be capable of lifting a load above the weight limit of the lift.  Therefore, an ETL certified 10,000 pound lift can safely lift a vehicle with a GVW of 10,000 pounds.  The safety factor for cargo, fuel, etc. has been accounted for by the ETL testing process.

Determine the lift weight rating needed by evaluating the types of vehicles that will be lifted. GVW’s are available over the internet.  One rule of thumb is to over estimate your needs to insure that the lift purchased will do the job.

At Eagle Equipment we do everything we can to ensure the safe and timely delivery of your automotive repair equipment, but we recommend you inspect your merchandise thoroughly before signing the Bill of Lading.

Eagle Equipment creates a Bill of Lading (BOL).  When the freight company arrives at our loading dock, the driver is responsible for inspecting all items before they are loaded.  Inspection includes documenting the number of items, the weight of each item, the condition of the items, and the packaging (crating).  The driver has the right to refuse shipment if it does not meet specifications.  Once the driver signs the Bill of Lading the equipment becomes property of the freight company.  The equipment remains property of the freight company until the customer signs the Bill of Lading.  Upon delivery the customer is responsible for inspecting the equipment carefully for any type of damage.  Customers should ask the driver to inspect the shipment with them.  A description of any damage should be written on both the customer’s copy and the freight carrier’s copy of the Bill of Lading prior to signing for the receipt of equipment.  If the customer finds the damage is excessive they may refuse the shipment by not signing the Bill of Lading.  Avoid hidden or concealed damage by opening all packages in the presence of the delivery driver and inspect the contents carefully.  If this is not possible at the time of delivery do not move the packages until they have been inspected.  The National Motor Freight Traffic Association guidelines allow 15 days for hidden damage freight claims to be filed.  The customer is responsible for noting damage on the Bill of Lading, notifying the carrier, and filing freight damage claims.

Guidelines for filing a freight claim:
•Regular freight claims should be filed within the required nine-month time period.
•Hidden damage freight claims and shortage claims should be filed within 15 days of delivery.
•Collect the required documents to support your claim:

1. Standard claim form from the carrier with the claim amount
2. Invoice copy with the amount paid
3. Bill of Lading copy
4. Packing slip copy

Eagle Equipment will assist our customers with the freight claim process by furnishing the correct contact information.  In the end your claim and all supporting documentation should be sent to the freight carrier for payment.

Eagle Equipment’s products are designed to be shipped via common carrier freight lines and we recommend that customers pick up their products at a freight terminal.  Having a product shipped to a business address or freight terminal is also less expensive than shipping to a residential address because of carrier restrictions on residential delivery.  Freight companies have terminals located throughout the USA and our sales team will help find the one closest to you.  Eagle does everything possible to ensure the timely arrival of your automotive shop equipment.  Customer service will call you after your order has shipped with an estimate as to when you should receive your equipment, but we cannot guarantee it will be delivered on this date.  After a product leaves the warehouse, the delivery process becomes the responsibility of the freight carrier.

Once the product arrives at the freight terminal, the dispatcher will contact you to arrange a pick up time.  Any and all products should be picked up within 48 hours of this notice.  One of the benefits of receiving freight at a terminal is having their staff to load the product onto your trailer or truck. When freight is received at a business or residential address it is always the customer’s responsibility to unload the product from the back of the truck.  Sometimes two people can unload the equipment by themselves.  However, lift gates, forklifts, roll back trucks, or similar equipment will often be needed in order to complete this task.  Lift gates can be used for unloading products such as tire equipment and motorcycle lifts.  Larger equipment such as two post and four post car lifts require a forklift to offload from the truck.  Lifts will also require a trailer to be transported to their final destination.

For convenience, we will allow customers to pick up their equipment from our warehouse within the following guidelines.

Customer Pick-Up Guide Lines

1. All orders picked up will be subject to applicable North Carolina sales tax unless buyer has provided a NC Sales Tax Exemption Certificate.
2. Customers are not allowed in the warehouse area without a salesperson.  Customers may not assist or interfere with the loading of the equipment.
3. Customer is responsible for any damages to the equipment and/or their vehicle resulting from the loading and transporting of the equipment.
4. Vehicle weight restrictions will be strictly observed.  Customers may be asked to provide weight restriction information on trailers.
5. Eagle recommends side loading of lifts onto vehicles.  When this is not possible, the equipment will be rear loaded.  Eagle will make its best effort to center the load weight.  However, customers will be responsible for any shifting or falling of equipment or off-centered load that results in damage.
6. Equipment will only be loaded right side up.
7. Customers are responsible for strapping down their equipment on the vehicle.  No load will be allowed to leave the premises without being strapped down.
8. Pick up vehicles must have sufficient width and length to insure that the equipment does not protrude illegally from the vehicle.  Trucks with tailgates must be able to fully close the tailgate with the equipment inside.
9. Lifts will not be loaded onto pick-up trucks.
10. Equipment will not be loaded onto vehicles that appear to be unsafe or lack proper equipment.  This will be determined at the sole discretion of the Eagle warehouse supervisor.

These requirements have been established to help insure the safety of you, your vehicle, and your equipment.  If your vehicle does not meet the above requirements, we suggest that you let our logistics department obtain the best shipping quote possible for your equipment.

Please call Eagle Equipment at 1-800-336-2776 for more information on receiving freight.