A mobile column lift quote typically contains six to eight separate cost elements, and whether each one is bundled into the headline price or quoted as an extra varies considerably between suppliers. The columns themselves are always in the base price. Batteries and chargers may or may not be, depending on the supplier. Accessories are almost always separate. Commissioning, training and ongoing LOLER examination costs are frequently invisible until after the purchase order is signed.
This guide breaks down every element of a complete mobile column lift quote, explains what each covers, and gives you a practical checklist for comparing any two proposals side by side. The aim is to make sure you are comparing like with like before you commit to any purchase.
Why Mobile Column Lift Quotes Look So Different
The most common reason buyers receive two quotes at materially different prices for what appears to be the same equipment is not that one supplier is cheaper. It is that the two quotes are not quoting the same thing.
One supplier may have included batteries, chargers and an on-site commissioning visit in the headline figure. Another may have priced the column hardware alone and listed everything else as optional extras. The first looks expensive. The second looks competitive. But once all the line items are aligned, the gap is usually far smaller than it first appeared.
Understanding the full cost structure from the outset means you can ask the right questions, build an accurate budget, and avoid the post-purchase discovery that several line items were not in the price you agreed.
The Column Hardware: What the Base Price Covers
The column hardware is the foundation of any quote and is almost always included in the headline figure. For a commercial HGV or PSV workshop, the most common configuration is a set of four wireless columns.
Everquip supplies, installs and maintains the EVQ-7500 mobile column lift. It lifts 7.5 tonnes per column, so a set of four provides a combined lifting capacity of 30 tonnes, which covers the majority of standard rigid trucks, buses and coaches. Each column has a maximum lifting height of 1,700mm and uses adjustable forks with a width range of 280mm to 580mm, so the columns handle a wide variety of tyre diameters and wheelbases without requiring separate specialist adaptors for most applications. Heavier or longer combinations, such as multi-axle trailers or articulated vehicles, should be specified with Everquip directly so the configuration matches the vehicles safely.
The columns are driven by a 24-volt system with a 2.2kW motor per column, and each column weighs around 680kg, which is a practical detail that matters for delivery and offloading later. The EVQ-7500 is CE certified and carries an IP54 rating, meaning it is water-resistant and suitable for a normal workshop environment.
The column hardware is the item that is genuinely straightforward to compare between quotes, provided the set size and per-column capacity are equivalent. The complications start with everything that sits around it.
The EVQ-7500 at a Glance
| Specification | EVQ-7500 |
|---|---|
| Lifting capacity | 7.5 tonnes per column, 30 tonnes for a set of four |
| Maximum lifting height | 1,700mm |
| Power | 24V DC, 2.2kW motor per column |
| Battery | Two batteries per column; around 20 full-load lifting cycles per charge |
| Charging | One charger and a 5-metre cable per column; 220V single-phase; can charge during operation; recharge approx. 10 hours |
| Forks | Adjustable, 280mm to 580mm width |
| Column weight | 680kg per column |
| Lifting time | 120 seconds |
| Synchronisation | Stops automatically if any column differs by more than 50mm |
| Rating | CE certified, IP54 (water-resistant) |
Batteries: The Cost Item Most Buyers Underestimate
For wireless mobile column lifts, the battery system matters both at the point of purchase and over the life of the equipment, and both deserve attention before signing.
The EVQ-7500 runs on a 24-volt system with two rechargeable batteries in each column, and the batteries can be charged during operation. On a single charge, a column set delivers around 20 full-load lifting cycles, with a recharge time of approximately 10 hours, which for most workshops means charging overnight or between shifts.
At the point of purchase, the key question is whether batteries are included in the quoted price. Not all suppliers take the same approach, and a quote that excludes batteries will look cheaper on paper than one that includes them. It is worth confirming this explicitly with any supplier, Everquip included, so the comparison is fair.
Battery replacement is the longer-term cost to budget for. Rechargeable batteries have a finite service life under daily commercial use and will need replacing at some point during the working life of the columns. Asking for a replacement cost estimate at the point of purchase, rather than when the first battery fails, puts you in a stronger position for long-term budgeting.
Chargers and Charging Infrastructure
The EVQ-7500 charges from a standard single-phase mains supply, using one charger and a 5-metre charging cable per column. The single-phase requirement is a practical advantage: no three-phase electrical modifications to the workshop are needed, which keeps the setup cost simple and the electrical work minimal. Because each column has its own charger and cable, all columns in the set can be charged at the same time.
The practical planning question is where in the workshop the columns will be charged and stored. Having a designated charging area with adequate sockets avoids columns being left scattered across bays at the end of a shift, and a charging and storage arrangement that keeps cables organised and protects the connections from vehicle traffic is worth scoping at the point of purchase.
One thing worth checking with any supplier: does the quoted charger configuration allow all columns to charge simultaneously, or does it require sequential charging? A single-charger arrangement for a full set creates overnight charging bottlenecks and is a meaningful operational difference from a one-cable-per-column setup like the EVQ-7500.
Accessories: Specifying for Your Actual Fleet
Standard mobile column lifts are designed to lift vehicles by the wheel. For most standard HGV, bus and coach applications, wheel engagement is the correct and sufficient lifting method. The complications arise when the vehicle type or the work being performed requires something different.
Wheel-free work. Mobile columns lift by the tyre, which means the wheels remain on the vehicle throughout. For brake servicing, wheel removal, hub inspection or any work that requires the wheels to come off, the vehicle must be supported independently once the columns have raised it. Heavy-duty axle stands placed under the chassis allow the vehicle to remain safely supported at height while the wheels are off. For any workshop performing brake or tyre servicing, suitable axle stands are a non-negotiable part of the setup and should be specified and priced at the point of purchase rather than sourced in a hurry later.
Wash bay and outdoor use. The EVQ-7500 carries an IP54 rating, which makes it water-resistant and suitable for a normal workshop. If you intend to use columns in a dedicated wash bay, outdoors, or in prolonged contact with wash chemicals or high-pressure water, discuss the specific environment with Everquip before ordering, so the specification matches the conditions the columns will actually work in.
Vehicle-specific configurations. The adjustable forks handle most standard commercial vehicle tyre profiles without additional adaptors. For unusual tyre diameters, non-standard bodywork or specialist vehicles, additional specification may be needed. Identifying the full range of vehicle types the columns need to handle before agreeing a quote avoids the common situation of accessories being ordered after delivery at full retail price.
Delivery, Commissioning and Getting the Lifts Working
A set of four EVQ-7500 columns weighs close to three tonnes in total, at around 680kg per column. Getting them from the delivery vehicle to a working, calibrated state in your workshop involves more than a standard pallet drop.
Delivery and commissioning are two separate things, and buyers should confirm that both are covered before signing. Delivery covers the physical transport to site. Commissioning covers the on-site process of verifying the equipment operates correctly, synchronising the columns as a set, and completing final functional testing before the equipment is handed over.
A quote that lists only the columns may leave the buyer responsible for offloading equipment that cannot easily be moved without a high-capacity forklift, and for arranging independent commissioning. It is worth asking any supplier, Everquip included, exactly what delivery, offloading and commissioning are covered in the quoted price.
Operator Training and Your Obligations Under PUWER
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) require that every person who uses work equipment is adequately trained for safe operation. For mobile column lifts in a commercial vehicle workshop, that means every operative needs documented training before they use the equipment.
Training is a legal requirement, not an optional line item. A workshop where operatives use a heavy-duty lifting system without documented training is in breach of PUWER, which carries real consequences in the event of an incident.
It is worth confirming with your supplier what operator training and certification is provided at commissioning, and whether written certificates are supplied for each operative to support your PUWER records during health and safety audits. For subsequent staff and new starters, it is also worth asking whether ongoing or refresher training is available, since staff turnover means training needs to be a repeatable process rather than a one-off event.
The Annual Costs That Arrive After Purchase
The purchase price covers the columns, batteries, chargers, accessories and commissioning. The annual costs cover what it takes to keep the equipment legal and in good working order.
LOLER thorough examination is the most significant ongoing obligation. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) require that lifting equipment used at work is subject to thorough examination by a competent person at defined intervals: at least every 12 months for equipment that lifts loads, at least every 6 months for equipment that lifts people, or in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person. Because technicians work beneath a vehicle raised on column lifts, it is worth agreeing the correct interval for your installation with your competent person or insurer rather than assuming the minimum. Either way, it is a fixed ongoing cost for the life of the equipment, and a buyer who has not budgeted for it will meet the first invoice within the first year.
Scheduled servicing. Regular preventive maintenance, covering hydraulic seals, electrical connections, battery health, mechanical components and fork condition, extends the working life of the columns and reduces the risk of unplanned downtime. Some suppliers offer service contracts that bundle scheduled servicing and the LOLER thorough examination into a single annual fee. Whether a service contract makes sense depends on the workshop’s in-house maintenance capability and the supplier’s pricing, but it is worth requesting at the point of purchase as an option to compare.
Battery replacement. Rechargeable batteries have a defined service life under daily commercial use. Replacement is not an annual cost, but it is a capital cost that belongs in any five-year ownership budget. Get a replacement cost estimate at the point of purchase so it does not come as a surprise.
Electro-Mechanical vs Electro-Hydraulic: A Choice Worth Understanding
Mobile column lifts are generally supplied as either electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic, and the difference lies in how the lift operates and how it is maintained over its life.
Electro-mechanical columns raise the load on a mechanical screw system with safety nuts, which are wear components that can be expensive to replace over the life cycle of the lift. Electro-hydraulic columns, like the EVQ-7500, raise the load hydraulically and do not rely on safety nuts, which is one of the reasons the hydraulic type is usually the preferred option for commercial workshops. When comparing quotes, it is worth knowing which type you are being offered, because the operating principle affects long-term maintenance cost as well as day-to-day use.
What a Complete Quote Should Include
A complete mobile column lift proposal should address every item in the following list. Anything that is not explicitly confirmed as included is a potential future cost.
- Column hardware: set size, per-column capacity and lifting height. Batteries: included or separately priced.
- Charger configuration: one cable per column and single-phase supply for the EVQ-7500, or a different arrangement.
- Accessories: specific to the fleet, including axle stands for wheel-free work and any requirements for wash bay or outdoor use.
- Delivery: transport to site and responsible offloading.
- Commissioning: on-site synchronisation, functional testing and handover.
- Operator training: at commissioning, with written certification for PUWER records.
- Ongoing support: LOLER examination and servicing contract options.
Two quotes that confirm every item on this list can be compared fairly on price. Two quotes where one covers six items and another covers three are not comparable at face value, regardless of the headline figure.
Getting a Quote That Shows the Full Picture
The cost of a set of mobile column lifts is more than the number on the first page of a proposal. Getting to an accurate total ownership cost means understanding what is and is not in the headline price, identifying the accessories needed for the actual fleet, and budgeting for the annual obligations that follow the purchase.
The most useful step is to ask any supplier to itemise the quote against the checklist above, so you can see exactly which elements are included and which are extra. Contact Everquip to request a fully itemised quote for the EVQ-7500, or to discuss which configuration suits your operation and fleet profile.
Key Takeaways
- A mobile column lift quote typically contains six to eight cost elements, and whether each is included in the headline price varies significantly between suppliers.
- Everquip’s EVQ-7500 lifts 7.5 tonnes per column, so a set of four covers 30 tonnes. Maximum lifting height is 1,700mm, the forks adjust from 280mm to 580mm, and each column weighs around 680kg.
- The EVQ-7500 is wireless, running on a 24V system with two batteries per column, around 20 full-load lifting cycles per charge, one charger and a 5-metre cable per column from a single-phase supply, and roughly a 10-hour recharge.
- Accessories for wheel-free work (axle stands) and any wash bay or outdoor requirements should be identified and priced at the point of purchase rather than added later.
- LOLER requires thorough examination by a competent person at defined intervals (at least every 12 months for lifting loads, at least every 6 months for lifting people, or per an examination scheme). Agree the correct interval for your installation and budget for it before purchase.
- PUWER requires documented training for every operator before they use the equipment. Confirm with your supplier what training and certification is provided at commissioning.
- Rechargeable batteries need replacing at some point in the equipment’s life. Get a replacement cost estimate at the point of purchase.
- Before signing any quote, confirm explicitly which of the cost elements are included, separately priced or not covered. Comparing quotes without this information means comparing different things.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key specifications of the Everquip EVQ-7500 mobile column lift?
The EVQ-7500 lifts 7.5 tonnes per column, so a standard set of four provides 30 tonnes of combined capacity. It has a maximum lifting height of 1,700mm, a 24-volt system with a 2.2kW motor per column, adjustable forks from 280mm to 580mm, and each column weighs around 680kg. It is wireless, CE certified and IP54 rated, and it synchronises automatically, stopping if any column differs from the others by more than 50mm.
Are batteries and chargers included in a mobile column lift quote?
It depends on the supplier, which is exactly why it should be confirmed explicitly. The EVQ-7500 uses two rechargeable batteries per column with one charger and a 5-metre cable per column, charging from a standard single-phase supply with a recharge time of about 10 hours. A quote that excludes batteries and chargers will look cheaper than one that includes them, so always check what is in the headline figure before comparing prices.
How often do mobile column lifts need a LOLER thorough examination?
Under LOLER, lifting equipment used at work must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at defined intervals: at least every 12 months for equipment that lifts loads, at least every 6 months for equipment that lifts people, or in line with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person. Because technicians work beneath vehicles raised on column lifts, it is worth agreeing the appropriate interval for your installation with your competent person or insurer. The examination produces a Report of Thorough Examination and is a fixed ongoing cost.
Do I need axle stands with mobile column lifts?
If your workshop performs any wheel-free work, yes. Mobile column lifts lift by the tyre, which means the wheels stay on the vehicle. For brake servicing, wheel removal or hub work, the vehicle must be supported independently at height once the wheels are off. Heavy-duty axle stands under the chassis are the standard solution, and they should be specified and priced alongside the column set.
What is the difference between electro-mechanical and electro-hydraulic column lifts?
Electro-mechanical columns raise the load on a mechanical screw system with safety nuts, which are wear components that can be costly to replace over the life of the lift. Electro-hydraulic columns, like the EVQ-7500, raise the load hydraulically and do not rely on safety nuts, which is one reason the hydraulic type is usually preferred in commercial workshops. Knowing which type a quote is for matters, because it affects long-term maintenance cost.
What electrical supply do I need to charge the EVQ-7500?
Each EVQ-7500 column charges from a standard single-phase mains supply via its own 5-metre charging cable, so no three-phase electrical modifications to the workshop are needed. The practical planning point is having enough single-phase sockets in the charging area for the full set to charge at the same time, overnight or between shifts.
How do I compare two mobile column lift quotes fairly?
Ask each supplier to confirm explicitly whether the following are included, separately priced or not covered: column hardware and specification, batteries, charging cables and infrastructure, accessories for your specific fleet, delivery and offloading, on-site commissioning, operator training and certification, and LOLER examination and servicing contract options. Only once every item is confirmed on both sides can the headline prices be compared accurately.
