Abstract: A pad adapter for vehicle lifts includes a pad releasably attachable to the pivoting arms of a pivoting arm lift to enable the pivoting arm lift to be used as a frame engaging pad lift. The pad adapter includes a platform for engaging the frame of the vehicle and may include pockets for receiving the pivoting arms of the lift, pins for releasebly engaging the pivoting arms, and ramps to facilitate driving a vehicle over the pad adapter.

Abstract: A wheel engaging vehicle lift for raising a vehicle relative to the ground and for supporting the vehicle in a raised position includes first and second support columns standing vertically upward from the ground. A first carriage is movably attached to the first support column and a second carriage is movably attached to the second support column. A first pair of arms extend away from the first carriage and a second pair of arms extend away from the second carriage, wherein the first and second pairs of arms are each rotatable about a substantially vertical axis proximate to a first end of the arms. A wheel engaging adapter may be removably secured proximate to an opposite end of the first and second pairs of arms, wherein the adapters are each rotatable about a substantially vertical axis proximate to the second end. The structure of the invention enables a conventional two-post frame engaging lift to be easily and readily converted into a two-post wheel engaging vehicle lift, and vice versa.

Abstract: A dual lift for large loads such as vehicles has two lifting units set in opposition to each other to straddle the load. Each of the lifting unit has a vertical standard, cantilevered arms mounted on the standard for movement therealong, and a hydraulic actuator for raising and lowering said arm. A source of fluid under pressure such as a motor, pump, and reservoir provides fluid under pressure, transferred first to one of the actuators, and from this first actuator between it and the other in a reversible series. The first actuator functions as a master and the other actuator as a slave thereto so that actuation of the slave is synchronized directly with the operation of said master.