Wheellifters

Wheellifters is a term used in automotive maintenance to refer to devices and personnel involved in lifting wheels or whole vehicles for service. In shop practice, wheellifters can denote both the equipment used to raise a wheel assembly and the technicians who operate that equipment. The role is essential for tasks such as tire replacement, brake service, wheel alignment, and suspension work, where secure, stable access to the wheel area is required.

Common wheellifters include hydraulic wheel dollies, dedicated wheel-lift jacks, and portable scissor-lift platforms designed to engage wheel hubs or axle components. Operators typically follow a standard sequence: secure the vehicle with parking brakes and chocks, loosen lug nuts, position the wheellifter, apply controlled lift to raise the wheel assembly, remove the wheel and install the service part, and then lower and retorque as needed. The exact method varies by equipment and vehicle type.

Safety and training: Work performed by wheellifters should comply with national or regional safety guidelines. Personnel should receive equipment-specific training, follow load ratings, wear PPE, and employ fall-prevention and stabilization practices. Regular inspection of lifting gear and redundant support in the form of wheel chocks and jack stands is advised.

See also: automotive jack, wheel dolly, tire changer, wheel alignment.