Last Updated on June 6, 2023
It’s a match-up between automotive titans, Forward Lift, and Rotary Lifts. In terms of finding the perfect car lift solution for your garage, these two are neck in neck regarding reliability and quality.
But there are noteworthy distinctions between Forward Lift vs. Rotary Lift that make one the ideal choice depending on your needs.
For example, Forward Lift mainly focuses on 2 post lifts, 4 post lifts, mid-rise lifts, and 2 post truck lifts. In contrast, Rotary Lift offers a broader range of products, including two posts, four-post, in-ground, scissors, and low-rise lifts in car lift categories.
There are also two post lifts, four post lifts, mobile column lifts, and in-ground and scissor lifts for trucks. Wheel balancer, tire changer, and wheel alignment solutions are also available.
Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two brands of automotive lift solutions.
Forward Lift vs Rotary Lift: Differences
From Forward to Rotary, the automotive industry is rife with lift options. Despite both brands offering reliable automotive lifting equipment adapted for the vehicle service group, and an independent repair shop, there are a few key differences between them.
1. Product Offerings
Rotary Lift and Forward Lift offer a variety of different lift options, each with its own distinct advantages. Forward Lift specializes in two-post car lifts, four-post car lifts, mid-rise car lifts, two-post truck lifts, and motorcycle lifts.
Meanwhile, Rotary Lift offers a wider selection that includes two-post, four-post, in-ground, scissor, and low-rise car lifts in addition to two-post truck lifts, four-post truck lifts, in-ground scissor lifts, and mobile column lifts.
Rotary Lift also provides wheel service products like tire changers, wheel balancers, and wheel alignment equipment.
2. Lift Capacity
Regarding lift capacity, there are some distinct differences between the Forward Lift and Rotary Lift equipment. With Forward Lifts, the car lifts range from 9,000 to 15,000 pounds, while the truck lifts range from 12,000 to 18,000 pounds, and the motorcycle lifts have a capacity of 1,000 pounds.
On the other hand, Rotary Lifts offer asymmetrical two-post lifts with capacities ranging from 7,000 to 10,000 pounds.
Symmetrical two-post lifts that can lift 10,000 to 18,000 pounds. Four-post lifts with 14,000 to 30,000 pounds capacities and in-ground lifts with 8,000 to 12,000-pound capacities.
Finally, their scissor lifts range from 7700 lbs. up to 80k lbs., as well as 12k lbs and 14k lbs options.
3. Design Features
Both Forward Lift and Rotary offer different design features that make them unique. Forward Lift’s designs focus on making their lifts as quiet and durable as possible, while Rotary Lift emphasizes safety and convenience.
Rotary Lift also prioritizes safety with its exclusive Shockwave™ technology, which produces rises and descents that are twice as fast as standard lifts.
This helps to prevent technicians from getting injured from sudden drops or bumps. Additionally, their Spotline™ laser system simplifies the centering of the vehicle for more precise alignment of parts that need replacing or repair.
4. Manufacturing Location
Forward Lift and Rotary Lift both have their headquarters based in the United States, but that’s where their similarities end. Forward Lift is manufactured in China, while Rotary Lift is made in Madison, Indiana.
This difference in production location typically results in Rotary Lift products being more expensive than Forward Lift products, especially for customers who live closer to the American-made factory.
Additionally, many shoppers feel that having a product made in the United States represents higher quality standards due to stricter regulations of manufacturing processes and materials used.
5. Price
The price range between Forward Lift and Rotary Lift differs greatly depending on what kind of product you’re looking for. Generally speaking, Forward Lift offers more affordable options compared to the pricier alternatives from Rotary Lift.
On the flip side, though, those willing to spend a bit extra may appreciate the higher quality components Rotary Lift uses when creating their premium products. Especially when considering long-term use or heavy-duty tasks.
Ultimately, you should look at all of their available options before making a decision, as there are plenty of great deals out there if you take your time.
6. Customer Service
Regarding customer service, Rotary and Forward Lift offer different levels of support. Rotary Lift is renowned for its extensive network of authorized service providers, providing customers with expert installation, maintenance, and repair assistance.
On the other hand, Forward Lift offers technical support and warranty services, but its network may be smaller in comparison. Furthermore, the response time and quality of service may also vary between the two companies.
In many cases, Rotary Lift’s technicians are able to assist customers quickly and efficiently due to their specialized knowledge and experience in handling lift issues. Conversely, Forward Lift’s technicians may not have as much expertise in this area, leading to longer wait times for the resolution of problems.
Forward Lift Vs Rotary Lift: Which One Is Better?
It depends on the buyer’s specific needs and requirements which lift brand is best. Both brands have their unique features, advantages, and drawbacks.
Forward Lift is a good option for buyers looking for an affordable, reliable, and certified lift suitable for general automotive repair and maintenance applications.
The brand offers a limited product line, but the lifts are certified by the ALI and ETL, ensuring that they meet industry safety standards. Additionally, Forward Lift offers a range of lifting capacities in its car, truck, and motorcycle lifts, providing buyers with options to choose from based on their needs.
On the other hand, Rotary Lift is a good choice for people who require a broader range of lift options, such as in-ground, scissor, low-rise lifts, and wheel service equipment, for various automotive repair applications.
Rotary Lift also offers advanced features such as Shockwave™ technology and Spotline™ laser that can improve the efficiency and convenience of the lifts. The premium features and broader range of products may come at a higher price point than Forward Lift’s products.
Ultimately, both Rotary Lift and Forward Lift are reputable brands of hydraulic lifts that offer quality products and reliable customer service. Before purchasing, you should consider your specific needs, lifting requirements, and budget.
Are Forward Lift And Rotary Lift Products Certified?
Rotary Lift and Forward Lift products have been certified by the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) and ETL, so you can be sure that these lifts meet rigorous safety and performance standards. Safety is a major concern in the industry, and both brands take this seriously.
With these certifications, you can trust that your purchase of the Forward Lift or Rotary Lift product will offer the quality and dependability that your business demands.
Choosing from brands with ALI and ETL certifications will give you peace of mind knowing that your lift meets industry standards for quality and reliability.
The ALI certification allowed all lift manufacturers to vouch for the safety of their products, as it is an independent standard set and upheld by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
It sets and enforces standards at a global level, ruling out any discrepancies between countries. Adding another layer of safety assurance, ETL also certifies lifts to meet ANSI safety and performance standards.
With both ISO and ANSI actively working to protect suppliers and consumers alike, certified lifts provide a safe environment no matter where they are in the world.
Overall, having certified Forward Lift and Rotary products means that when you purchase one of their products, you can trust it has undergone rigorous testing to guarantee its safety and quality.
This lets customers make purchases with peace of mind knowing that their investment is protected.
Choose Wisely for Your Automotive Lift Needs: Compare Forward & Rotary Lifts
Both Forward Lift and Rotary Lift provide quality solutions for automotive lift needs. Despite that, you need to be aware that the product line is different between these two manufacturers.
Forward Lift focused primarily on 2 posts & 4 post car & truck lifts. As opposed to that, Rotary Lift offers a much wider selection of options ranging from low-rise car lifts to truck-specific solutions like mobile column & in-ground lifters, as well as wheel balancers & alignment tools.
With this information, you can choose smartly when purchasing an automotive lift solution for your shop or service station.
