The SkyHi rotating lift.
Another handy piece of equipment, again dating to the 1930s. The SkyHi lift was designed to lift cars and light commercials, up to 3 tons in weight, and allow them to be rotated as required while up in the air, thanks to the SkyHi's hydraulics system. The vehicle could be raised in one of two ways, either manually - which took about 5 minutes - or else using a 2 H.P. motor, which would still take approximately 1 minute to get the vehicle to full working height.
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The dimensions of the SkyHi were such that even small cars such as the Austin 7 and Model Y Ford could be accommodated, right up to larger saloons and small vans should the need arise. The main lifting ram measured 6ins in width, and 6ft 6ins in height, allowing the car to be raised upto a comfortable working height. This would have made working on cars much easier, and quicker, than the usual pit arrangement.
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The SkyHi was really the forerunner of the 2- and 4-post lifts that garages use today, although lifting times have improved somewhat since then. Just as with modern hydraulic ramps, jacks could be used while the vehicle was up in the air, to raise the car and enable wheels to be removed, handy for any brake work. I don't know the asking price for the SkyHi rotating lift, but I'm sure only the larger garages and service agencies would have opted for this useful piece of equipment.
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A similar piece of equipment, the Wakefield centre-post car lift of the 1950s, can be seen on this page.
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