SEFAC screw/nut system versus hydraulic systems

SEFAC screw/nut system has many benefits over hydraulic systems

SEFAC screw/nut columns are intrinsically safe

The SEFAC screw/nut system is totally irreversible by design. Every single millimeter is irreversible due to the angle of the screw pitch, which is too shallow to allow the fork to lower without mechanical input from the motor. On this basis, there is no risk of the vehicle lowering without a worker deliberately activating the motor.
We also guarantee the safety of our equipment by systematically testing each mobile column using our own test bench before release. The columns are loaded with up to 150% of their nominal loads during these tests.
A safety system must be added when hydraulics are used, as this technology is not intrinsically safe: a ratchet. This ratchet must be held against a notch approximately every 1.97 inches to allow for safe working, reducing your options proportionally.

With SEFAC columns, you are truly free to select your lifting height

As well as an actuator, hydraulic solutions need safety support legs with a potential height of over 4.37 yards, dangerously near to the bodywork. When a vehicle is lifted (damaged or low-pressure tires, defective suspension systems, etc.), it could easily come into contact with the support legs.
This support leg ensures the “mechanical” irreversibility of the “hydraulic” actuator with a ratchet, however this ratchet only fits approximately every 1.97 inches. With this system, you need to select a height, by raising or lowering the vehicle, to ensure that the ratchet is in a “safe” position!
With SEFAC mobile columns, all you need to do is release the up/down button and allow workers to operate safely. No height adjustments or ratchets are necessary thanks to the natural irreversibility of screw/nut column lifts!

SEFAC’s technological eliminates any risk of buckling

SEFAC column lifts cannot buckle as the screw is suspended. The screw is subjected to vertical forces, rather than lateral forces.
With hydraulic systems, the actuator is stressed upwards and downwards, and applies an upwards force while the load applies a downwards force. A risk of buckling exists as the guide seals or plates wear leading to premature actuator wear.
Screws of SEFAC lifts are suspended. Forces are only directly vertically downwards. Screws are only subjected to traction forces.

Simplified design = simplified maintenance

The mechanical technology used requires a simpler design with less components and less servicing:

• with the SEFAC bronze screw nut mobile columns, simply regularly lubricate the nut (manually or using automatic lubrication systems, which must be replaced each year). The nut must be replaced every 5,000 cycles on average (every 10 years if 2 cycles are run each day). Replacing the nut only takes 15 minutes including removal and fitting the new nut. The screw suspension stop must be lubricated annually;
• with the ball-screw model, even less mechanical maintenance is required: the screw suspension stop must still be lubricated annually, but the screw only needs lubricating every 5 years.

More servicing is required for hydraulic systems: seals are not 100% leak tight and the oil which escapes is replaced with air.

• regular bleeding is needed for this reason (once or twice each year);
• change the oil in the 4 drums every year or 2;
• regularly lubricate the wiper seals;
• check that no impact marks are visible on the actuator rod: the actuator must be replaced if any impact marks or scratches are visible, as it will no longer be leak tight;
• regularly replace the guide plates and seals to avoid the actuator buckling (bending).

In fact, the following statement is far from true: “hydraulics = zero maintenance”.

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