For transport, logistics, and heavy vehicle maintenance companies in Australia, a heavy vehicle hoist is more than a piece of workshop equipment; it is a critical infrastructure investment. For the Chief Financial Officer or operations manager, in addition to the "What does a new hoist cost?" question, an equally important question is "What is the Return on Investment (ROI)?"

Calculating the long-term value of a heavy vehicle hoist requires looking beyond the purchase price into the long-term benefits of efficiency, productivity and safety. A high-quality hoist system, such as Endurequip Portalift or Finkbeiner, can transform a workshop’s bottom line, offering returns that go beyond the initial capital expenditure.

1: Quantifying the Cost of Inefficiency and Downtime

The most immediate financial justification for a new heavy vehicle hoist is how it can reduce manual maintenance costs.

The Cost of Labour

When mechanics rely on pits, jacks and heavy vehicle stands, they spend a large amount of time setting up. The time spent manually positioning the truck or bus and crawling underneath is time that is not being spent on repair work.

• Reduced Set-Up Time: A modern mobile column hoist, such as the Endurequip Portalift, uses synchronised columns that quickly and safely lift a vehicle. Consider the time of setting up four manual jacking points versus pressing a button on the Endurequip Hoist. Even saving 30 minutes of a mechanic’s time per major service quickly adds up
• Improved Ergonomics and Speed: By lifting the vehicle to a safe working height, mechanics can perform tasks faster and more accurately. This can reduce fatigue and improve accessibility, which translates into higher job output

The Cost of Vehicle Downtime

For a busy workshop, vehicle downtime is a direct loss of revenue. Every hour a truck or bus is in the service bay is an hour it is not operating.

• Faster Turnaround: An efficient heavy vehicle hoist minimises the maintenance period. If a new hoist reduces the service time for a bus fleet by two hours per vehicle, a large fleet operation can save hundreds of operational hours per year, putting vehicles back on the road faster
• Preventative Maintenance: Easy and quick access encourages mechanics to perform thorough inspections, addressing minor issues before they become costly breakdowns

2: Calculating Lifetime Value and Asset Protection

A capital investment’s ROI is influenced by its durability and the protection it offers to existing assets. When sourcing equipment, always engage with reputable companies and manufacturers like RUD Australia, ensuring you invest in long-term value.

Longevity and Depreciation

Quality heavy duty truck hoists are built to last decades.

• Durable Construction: Hoists manufactured with robust materials and design are a long-term asset. When calculating ROI, consider the guaranteed lifespan and low maintenance of systems like the Endurequip Portalift, which is the only Australian-made mobile heavy vehicle hoist.
• Maintenance Cost Reduction: A hoist that has a virtually maintenance-free hydraulic system, like Finkbeiner, offers greater savings over time compared to other hoists

Protecting Assets with Accessories

The ROI of the hoists can also be complemented with the right accessories.

• Safe Support: Using heavy vehicle stands to support lifted vehicles allows the hoist to be freed up for a new job, boosting bay utilisation. Vehicle Stands provide crucial secondary support, enhancing safety and workflow
• Easy Access: High-quality Drive-on Vehicle Ramps facilitate a smooth entry and exit from the service bay, reducing the risk of damage during positioning

3: The Intangible Financial Benefits

These factors are hard to calculate but influence long-term business viability and profitability.

Risk Mitigation

A reliable heavy vehicle hoist is the centrepiece of a safe workshop. The cost of a major incident, including fines, insurance premiums and reputation damage, can destroy a profit.

• Safety Assurance: Hoists that conform to the highest standards and backed by a reputed service network provide peace of mind
• Load Security Expertise: Workshops often deal with transport-related equipment. We can provide expertise beyond hoists, offering lashing points and load restraint systems that are critical for load securing

Attracting and Retaining Talent

Workshops equipped with modern systems are far more attractive to skilled mechanics.

• Modern Equipment Appeal: High-quality, easy-to-use hoist equipment is an indicator that a company is committed to providing the best tools for the job. This helps in attracting and retaining talent, which is a major competitive advantage in the Australian automotive sector
• Ergonomic Benefits: The improved working environment reduces physical strain, leading to fewer sick days and a productive team. This is a subtle factor that supports a healthier workforce

The Forward View

The ROI calculation for a heavy vehicle hoist must evolve from a simple comparison of price versus lifting capacity. A simple financial model includes the following:

ROI = Initial Investment and Depreciation (Total Revenue Gain from Efficiency and Downtime Savings) + (Cost Savings from Maintenance and Risk Mitigation) − (Initial Investment and Depreciation)​

Choosing the right heavy vehicle hoist from trusted vehicle hoists suppliers in Australia is a strategic decision that pays dividends long after the initial purchase. By focusing on the quantifiable benefits of increased bay utilisation, reduced labour time and enhanced worker safety, the ROI of quality heavy vehicle hoists can far outweigh the initial purchase price.

For more information on how our heavy vehicle lifting solutions can increase your ROI, call us on 07 3809 1300.

Copyright to RUD: This information is accurate at the time of publication, and RUD Australia takes no responsibility for any errors, inadvertent or otherwise.