"Chain-Over Roller" Secondary Lock System (SLS)

Greg Smith Equipment Sales is pleased to announce another important manufacturing improvement designed for our Atlas "chain-over roller" lifts. These Atlas “chain-over roller” lifts have a spring loaded secondary lock system (SLS) that automatically engages in the event of a slack or broken chain.

The "chain break" SLS was designed and incorporated into these lifts, so that in the unlikely event that a chain would break, the SLS (secondary locking system) would automatically engage.  The SLS "grabs" the slack or broken chain and holds it in place.

On lifts that have dual point lock release, the locks are automatically engaged as the lift is raised. When the lift carriage (sitting on the lock position) is ready to be lowered, the operator raises the lift carriages (slightly...with pressure from the power unit) and then goes to both columns and pulls the wire release cables. When the wire release cables are "pulled out", the column locks are "disengaged" and the vehicle may be lowered to the ground by depressing the "dump valve lever" on the power unit.

Some operators do not want to "listen to the clicking of the locks" as the lift carriages are being raised, so they devise ways to by-pass the locking system of our "chain over" lifts. They actually pull out the carriage wire lock cables and (using various techniques) secure the locks in the "open or unlocked position". On lifts that have single point lock release, some customers use a bungee cord to hold down the single point lock release lever so that the automatic locks cannot engage. We will never understand why the "clinking" sound of the automatic locks would bother anyone...BUT there are customers who tamper with our lock system, so they "do not need to listen" to the "sounds of safety".

In the event of a broken chain, (with the primary locking system disabled), the equalization cables will prevent the quick descent of the carriages. The equalization cables (however) are not designed to support the weight of the elevated vehicle for an extended length of time. The Atlas SLS (secondary locking system) offers another (AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGING positive lock EMERGENCY RESTRAINT system) safety measure to prevent the carriages from descending.

If the OH lift has a direct drive cylinder system, there is NO CHAIN involved with the lifting mechanism.

If you own and operate a "chain-over roller" lift, please use COMMON SENSE. The lift safety locks SHOULD NEVER BE DISABLED! When the lift carriages are NOT set on the locks, there is still pressure on the hydraulic system (hoses and cylinders).

When you lower the lift into a "locked position", the pressure is off of the hydraulic system and the vehicle can be in that position for as long as necessary. In theory, the vehicle is resting on a pair of "very tall jack stands".

Greg Smith Equipment Sales Inc. and Atlas manufacturing are designing, building, marketing, and supporting the best lifts you can buy at the absolute best price.