Equipment You Need to Start a Successful Auto Repair Shop
This article is sponsored by Elevate Lifting.
There will always be a need for auto repair shops, especially if one can offer competitive prices on its services. To get started in the industry you need high-quality gear and lifting equipment so you can see every part of the vehicle for inspection. Of course, you’ll also need a proper qualification in mechanics to work on cars. But once you have the paperwork completed, you’ll need to buy the right equipment to start repairing cars.
Hoists to repair and replace engines
Hoisting and rigging equipment will help you lift heavy car parts — namely engines. When a customer requests an engine replacement or repair, you’ll need to remove the unit from the vehicle easily and the engine will be too heavy to lift yourself. It’s even tougher to lift if you’re working with bigger vehicles such as trucks or construction machines and the hoist is designed to do all the heavy lifting for you. When you purchase an engine hoist, make sure it has a large capacity so it can raise those bigger engines, too.
Vertical automobile lift
In every auto repair shop, you’ll find some form of lifting machine. This is because inspections are performed on the underside of cars for diagnostics and repairs. Purchase a lift that can handle the weight of heavy vehicles. It’s advised that you opt for lifts from popular name brands so you can get parts easily when you need them. An auto vehicle lift is one of the most essential pieces of equipment to own in your shop, so it’s always best to purchase one that’s of the highest quality.
Brake lathe for inspections and replacements
Some auto repair shops don’t do brake repairs themselves. Instead, they use third party repair facilities for the work because of lack of equipment. However, this method isn’t cost-effective for your shop. That’s why it’s best to purchase your own brake lathe so you can conduct your own repairs and maintenance on cars. While brake lathes can be pricey, if you’re able to repair brakes in your own shop it will pay itself off quickly. Any type of maintenance and repair equipment are investments, and a brake lathe is no exception. Ensure that you buy a brake lathe that’s durable and serves its purpose well.
Charging batteries with a jumper
Sometimes, a customer will come into an auto shop thinking there’s something majorly wrong with their car. But in most cases, it’s simply that the car’s battery is dead. You’ll need at least three battery chargers and jumpers in your repair shop. It’s always best to have more than one because as your shop grows, you’ll have more mechanics, which means you must obtain extra equipment. High-end battery jumpers are designed for heavy duty use, meaning these machines will be large in size — and heavy. Be sure you have storage space for battery starters and opt for a model with wheels on it so you can move it around easily. The jumper cables on the unit should also be long enough to reach the battery terminals inside cars without struggling.
Oil caddy and drainage systems
Most people don’t know how to perform simple services on their cars, so they’ll come to you for assistance. This means you’ll need to change sparkplugs, filters, and oil on a regular basis. The sparkplugs and filters don’t require any special equipment, but you’ll definitely need a caddy to drain the oil out of cars. The caddy should be big enough to hold the largest volume of oil you’ll be draining. Consider whether you’ll be working on RVs and SUVs, and select a caddy that can hold the amount of oil that will inevitably be drained out of these large vehicles. There are also standing oil caddies designed to drain oil from vehicles on lifts. You won’t have to lower the vehicle to the ground, making it easier for you to work on other repairs on the vehicle while the oil is draining.
All the equipment mentioned in this article are essential pieces of machinery that will help you start and eventually expand your business. You’ll also need other hand tools such as wrenches, hammers, and hex keys. Equipment in your shop should be top of the range so you don’t experience any problems when you’re repairing vehicles. Remember, there are many reputable manufactures that make quality tools. You simply need to know where to look. We hope your auto mechanic repair shop becomes a huge success. Happy shopping!
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.