Service & Repair

Emergency & After-Hours Service

Limited 24-hour emergency service available. If you've got a car stuck on a lift, a lift failure, a vehicle that came off a lift, or a compressor down and your shop can't operate — call us. We offer limited after-hours and weekend emergency response for situations that can't wait until Monday.

Situations we respond to:

• Car fell off a lift: This happens more than people think. Cable failure, lock failure, operator error, equipment that should have been retired years ago. We respond to stabilize the situation, assess the damage, and get the vehicle and lift dealt with safely. If the lift failed mechanically, we'll determine the cause and whether it can be repaired or needs to be replaced.
• Lift stuck with a vehicle on it: Hydraulic failure, electrical issue, mechanical jam — the car's in the air and it's not coming down. We troubleshoot and get it lowered safely.
• Compressor failure: No air means the shop stops. Pneumatic lifts won't operate, impact guns are dead, paint booths are down. We carry common compressor parts and prioritize getting your air back.
• Hydraulic leak or failure: A blown hose or failed seal can dump hydraulic fluid on your shop floor and take a lift out of service. We carry seal kits and hoses for fast repair.
• Safety system failure: Locks not engaging, safety mechanisms compromised — a lift that isn't safe doesn't get used. We assess and repair immediately.

Emergency calls are prioritized over scheduled service. Response time depends on your location and time of day, but we get there as fast as we can. Call us directly for emergencies — don't use the web form.

We service and repair everything we install — and plenty of equipment we didn't. Lifts, compressors, oil delivery systems, waste oil systems, shop air lines, overhead fans, pumps, reels, tanks. If it keeps your shop running, we maintain it and fix it when it breaks.

Our service techs are factory-trained on Challenger and Rotary lifts and experienced with every major brand. We carry common wear parts on the truck and stock what we can't carry. Most service calls are same-week. Emergency calls get prioritized.

Lift Service & Repair

Every type — 2-post, 4-post, inground, storage, alignment racks. Annual inspections, hydraulic repairs, cable replacements, safety system service, and full rebuilds when needed. We've seen every failure mode there is and we carry common parts on the truck so most repairs get done on the first visit.

Hydraulic System Repairs

Hydraulics are the heart of the lift. When they fail, the lift doesn't go up — or worse, it drifts down.

• Cylinder reseals: The most common service call. Seals wear out, the cylinder starts leaking, oil ends up on your floor. We carry seal kits for Challenger, Rotary, Atlas, BendPak, and most other brands. Reseal on site, same visit.
• Hydraulic hose replacement: Hoses crack, leak at the fittings, or blow under pressure. We replace hoses and fittings with the correct pressure rating — not hardware store parts.
• Power unit repair: Pump rebuilds, motor replacement, solenoid valve repair, flow control adjustment. If the lift is slow, noisy, or won't hold pressure, the power unit is usually where we start.
• Hydraulic fluid service: Fluid changes, contamination flushes, filter replacement. Old fluid breaks down and causes valve sticking, slow operation, and seal damage.

Cables, Chains & Mechanical

• Equalization cables: These keep both sides of a 2-post lift rising at the same rate. They stretch over time, fray, and eventually need replacement. We check cable tension on every inspection and replace when they're worn — not when they snap.
• Sheaves & pulleys: The cable runs over sheaves. Worn sheave grooves chew through cables fast. We replace sheaves and cables together when needed.
• Chain-drive systems: 4-post and storage lifts use chains. Chain stretch causes uneven lifting. We adjust, lubricate, and replace chains and sprockets.
• Carriage rollers & slides: Worn rollers make the carriage stick, bind, or drift to one side. We replace rollers, bushings, and slide blocks.
• Runway rollers: On 4-post lifts, runway rollers let the runways roll for vehicle positioning. Flat spots, seized bearings — we replace them.

Safety Systems

This is what keeps a vehicle from coming down if the hydraulics fail. We don't take shortcuts here.

• Safety locks & latches: Mechanical lock engagement on every column. We test every lock position on every inspection. Worn, sticking, or misadjusted locks get fixed or replaced immediately.
• Lock release mechanisms: Pneumatic or manual release systems. Air cylinder replacement, cable adjustment, lever repair.
• Limit switches & controls: Upper and lower limit switches, pendant controls, pushbutton stations, key switches. We troubleshoot and replace.

Arms, Pads & Adapters

• Arm pads: Rubber pads wear down and crack. Replacement is routine — we carry common sizes.
• Arm repair: Bent or cracked arms get replaced, not straightened. A straightened arm is a weakened arm.
• Adapter sets: Truck adapters, SUV adapters, EV battery-pack adapters for 2-post lifts. We supply and install.

Inground Lift Service

Inground lifts have their own set of problems because the mechanism lives below grade.

• Below-grade cylinder service: Reseals and replacement on cylinders you can't see without pulling the platform. Confined space work.
• Pit drainage: Sump pumps fail, drains clog, water accumulates. Standing water corrodes everything in the pit. We repair drains, replace pumps, and address water intrusion.
• Carriage alignment: Scissors, parallelogram linkages, and pad assemblies go out of alignment from daily use. We recalibrate and replace worn pins, bushings, and pivot points.
• Flush-mount covers: The floor-level covers that sit over the mechanism when it's down. Warped, damaged, or misaligned covers are a trip hazard and a lift hazard. We repair and replace.

Annual Inspections

Required for commercial shops in most jurisdictions and recommended everywhere. A full annual inspection covers every system on the lift:

• Hydraulic system — cylinders, hoses, fittings, power unit, fluid condition
• Cables — tension, fraying, sheave condition
• Chains — stretch, lubrication, sprocket wear
• Safety locks — engagement at every position, release function
• Carriages — rollers, slides, arm pivot points
• Arms & pads — condition, swing range, pad contact
• Electrical — motor, controls, switches, wiring, grounding
• Structural — columns, base plates, anchors, runway condition

You get a written report documenting the condition of everything inspected and any repairs needed. If something needs attention, we quote it on the spot.

Brands We Service

Challenger, Rotary, Atlas, BendPak, Forward, Mohawk, Globe, Ammco, Hunter, Nussbaum, Consul, Stertil-Koni — if it goes up and down, we work on it. Factory-trained on Challenger and Rotary. Experienced with everything else.

Compressor Service

Rotary screw and reciprocating piston compressors. If your shop runs on air — and they all do — a compressor going down stops everything. Impact guns, air ratchets, blow-off, tire inflation, pneumatic lifts, paint booths, bead sealers. All of it needs air. We service, repair, and rebuild compressors to keep your air supply reliable.

Rotary Screw Compressor Service

The standard for shops running multiple bays. Reliable and efficient, but they need their scheduled maintenance or they'll cost you.

• Airend rebuilds: The compression element itself. Bearing replacement, rotor inspection, seal replacement. An airend rebuild is major surgery but it's cheaper than a new compressor and gets you another 40,000+ hours.
• Separator element replacement: The oil/air separator keeps oil out of your air lines. When it's clogged, the compressor runs hot, uses more power, and pushes oil downstream. We replace on schedule.
• Minimum pressure valve: Maintains system pressure during separator changes and prevents backflow. When it sticks or fails, you get low pressure and oil carryover.
• Thermal valve replacement: Controls oil temperature by routing through or around the cooler. A failed thermal valve means the compressor runs too hot or too cold — both cause problems.
• Cooler cleaning: Oil cooler and aftercooler fins clog with shop dust and debris. Clogged coolers mean high operating temperatures, shutdowns, and shortened compressor life. We clean or replace.
• Oil changes & filter service: Compressor oil, oil filter, intake filter — on schedule, with the right spec. Wrong oil or extended intervals kill airends.
• Belt inspection & replacement: Drive belts wear, crack, and slip. We check tension and condition and replace before they snap.

Reciprocating / Piston Compressor Service

Simpler machines but they wear harder. Common in smaller shops, single-bay setups, and as backup units.

• Valve plate replacement: Intake and discharge valves wear and crack. Symptoms: low pressure, excessive cycling, overheating. We replace valve plates and gaskets.
• Piston ring replacement: Worn rings mean low compression and oil blow-by. We rebuild the pump head — rings, gaskets, and valve plates as a set.
• Reed valves: Thin metal reeds that open and close with each stroke. They fatigue and crack. Part of a standard valve service.
• Unloader valve repair: Controls the load/unload cycle. When it fails, the compressor can't unload properly — hard starts, blown breakers, motor damage. We repair or replace.
• Head gasket replacement: Leaking head gaskets reduce compression and cause overheating. Straightforward repair, common on older units.

Motor & Electrical

Most "compressor won't start" calls are electrical, not mechanical.

• Motor replacement: When the motor burns out, we size and install the replacement. Correct HP, voltage, phase, and frame size.
• Starter & contactor: Worn contacts, burned coils, pitted points. Contactors fail from cycling — we replace them before they weld shut and cause a motor burnout.
• Overload resets & thermal protection: Overloads trip for a reason. We diagnose why — could be a failing motor, a tight pump, low voltage, or an undersized breaker.
• Pressure switch calibration: Cut-in and cut-out pressure settings. Mis-calibrated switches cause short-cycling (wears everything faster) or low shop pressure.
• Phase monitoring: Three-phase compressors need phase monitors to prevent running on single phase (which kills motors). We install and calibrate.

Air Dryers & Downstream Filtration

Moisture in the air line causes problems everywhere downstream — bad paint jobs, corroded tools, stuck valves, rust in air cylinders.

• Refrigerated dryer service: Compressor-style dryers that cool the air and condense moisture. Refrigerant charge, condenser cleaning, drain valve service.
• Desiccant dryer maintenance: Tower dryers that absorb moisture with desiccant media. Media replacement, valve service, purge system inspection.
• Inline filter replacement: Particulate filters, coalescing filters, and carbon filters at point of use. We replace on schedule.
• Water separator service: Auto-drain traps, bowl drains, and separator elements. Clogged or failed drains dump water into the air system.

Receiver Tank Service

• Drain valve replacement: Manual and automatic drain valves. Failed drains let water accumulate in the tank, which corrodes the tank from inside.
• Safety relief valve testing: Relief valves are the last line of defense against over-pressurization. We test and replace on schedule.
• Tank inspection: Corrosion checks, weld inspection, pressure testing where required. Receiver tanks have a service life — severely corroded tanks get replaced, not patched.

Emergency Service

Compressor down means the shop is down. No air, no lifts (on pneumatic models), no impact guns, no paint booth, no blow-off. We prioritize compressor emergencies and carry common parts — contactors, pressure switches, belts, filters, drain valves — to get you running on the first trip when possible.

Compressor Brands We Service

Ingersoll Rand, Atlas Copco, Quincy, Kaeser, Sullair, Champion, Campbell Hausfeld, Saylor-Beall, and others. Rotary screw and piston, any size, any brand.

Oil Delivery Systems

Fresh oil dispensing, waste oil collection, pumps, reels, piping, metering — the whole fluid handling system that keeps a lube bay or service shop moving. We install these systems and we service them.

Fresh Oil Piston Pumps

The workhorses of oil dispensing. Pneumatic piston pumps push fresh oil from bulk tanks to dispensing points at each bay. They run all day, every day, and they wear out.

• Pump rebuilds: Piston seal kits, packings, check balls, o-rings. We rebuild stub pumps, fire-ball style pumps, and drum-mount pumps on site.
• Pump replacement: When a rebuild isn't worth it, we size and install the correct replacement — ratio, output, and mounting for your setup.
• Priming & startup issues: Pumps that won't prime, lose prime, or cycle without pushing fluid. Usually air leaks in the suction side, worn check valves, or a clogged strainer.

Waste Oil Diaphragm Pumps

Air-operated diaphragm pumps move waste oil from drain points to collection tanks. They see the worst fluid in the shop — dirty oil, coolant, brake fluid, whatever drains out of vehicles.

• Diaphragm replacement: Diaphragms flex thousands of times a day and eventually fail. We carry common sizes and replace on site.
• Valve service: Check balls, seats, and flap valves clog with debris. We disassemble, clean, and replace worn valve components.
• Air section rebuilds: The air motor that drives the diaphragms. Spool valve sticking, o-ring failure, shuttle valve issues. We rebuild the air section or replace the whole pump.

Oil Reels & Air Reels

• Oil reels: Hose reels for fresh oil dispensing at each bay. Spring rewind service, hose replacement, swivel repair, meter calibration. Overhead or wall-mount — we install new setups and repair existing ones.
• Air reels: Retractable air hose reels for pneumatic tools. Same service — spring mechanisms, hose replacement, fitting repair. Overhead mount keeps hoses off the floor.
• Reel installation: New reel drops, mounting hardware, piping or hose connections, quick-disconnect fittings.

Oil Delivery Piping

• Fresh oil lines: Schedule 40 black pipe or copper from bulk tanks to dispensing points. We install new runs, repair leaks, reroute for bay changes, and replace corroded sections.
• Waste oil lines: Drain lines from each bay to your waste oil tank. Gravity or pump-assisted. We install, repair, and reroute as needed.
• Waste oil removal coordination: We service the collection system — for the actual waste oil hauling, we connect you with licensed haulers in your area.

Meters & Dispensing Equipment

• Preset meters: Dial-in the amount, dispense, stop automatically. Calibration and repair so you're putting the right amount in every vehicle.
• Flow meters: Track how much oil each bay is using. Calibration and replacement.
• Control valves & handles: Dispensing handles, shut-off valves, check valves. Repair and replacement.

Common System Layouts

Brands We Service

Graco, Lincoln, Balcrank, ARO, Samson, and others. Piston pumps, diaphragm pumps, reels, meters, piping — we service the whole system regardless of who made it.

Oil Tanks

Fresh oil and waste oil tanks — above-ground, custom-built to fit your space. Standard sizes don't always work in real shops. Tight mechanical rooms, low ceilings, narrow alleys alongside the building. We build tanks to fit where they need to go.

What we do:

• Custom fabrication: Tanks sized and shaped for your specific space. Fresh oil bulk storage (multi-product for different viscosities), waste oil collection tanks, and combo setups.
• Double-wall containment: Secondary containment built into the tank. Required in most jurisdictions for waste oil and a good idea for fresh oil too. Spill prevention and leak detection.
• Pump & meter integration: Tanks set up with pump mounts, sight gauges, fill ports, vents, and piping connections ready for your delivery system.
• Installation: Delivery, placement, leveling, piping connections, and system testing. We coordinate with your oil supplier for initial fill.
• Maintenance & repair: Gauge replacement, valve repair, leak repair, repainting, vent service. Tanks take abuse from weather and daily use — periodic service keeps them compliant and functional.

Shop Air Lines

The air distribution system from your compressor to every tool, lift, and piece of equipment in the shop. We install new air line systems and repair or upgrade existing ones. The piping material matters — it affects pressure drop, moisture, maintenance, and how long the system lasts.

Piping Options

What we install & service:

• Main trunk lines: The primary run from the compressor/receiver to the shop floor. Sized for your CFM demand and future growth.
• Drop lines & outlets: Individual drops at each bay with quick-connect fittings, regulators, and filters. Wall-mount or overhead configurations.
• Air reels: Retractable air hose reels at each work station. Overhead mount is standard — keeps hoses off the floor and out of the way.
• Moisture control: Water separators, inline filters, and dryer integration at the compressor and at point-of-use. Moisture destroys tools and ruins paint.
• Leak repair & upgrades: Air leaks cost money — your compressor runs harder and longer to maintain pressure. We find leaks, repair or replace fittings, and upgrade problem sections.
• System expansion: Adding bays, adding drops, extending lines for new equipment. Aluminum systems are easiest to expand — we can add a branch in an hour.

Shop Fans & Ventilation

High-volume overhead shop fans (HVOS), exhaust fans, and ventilation equipment. A hot shop is a slow shop — proper air movement makes a real difference in the summer and helps with fume management year-round.

What we handle:

• HVOS ceiling fans: Big diameter, low speed fans that move serious air. Installation, motor service, blade balancing, control systems.
• Exhaust fans: Wall-mount and roof-mount exhaust for fume extraction — paint areas, welding bays, exhaust run areas.
• Installation: Structural mounting, electrical, controls, and balancing. Ceiling fans need proper support — we verify the structure can handle the load and vibration.
• Service & repair: Motor replacement, bearing service, belt replacement, control troubleshooting, blade cleaning and balancing.

Our Team

Panther Lift's service team includes techs who are factory-trained on Challenger and Rotary and experienced with every major brand of shop equipment. Owner Bo Fazio oversees every project and stays involved from scheduling through completion — you'll always have a direct line to someone who knows your job, not a call center.