INTRODUCTION - To correctly and safely load vehicles on your lift, it is necessary to determine the weight and Center of Balance (CB) for each vehicle being lifted.
The acronyms and terms used in Figure 1 and elsewhere to compute CB are as follows:
Fig. 1
EXAMPLE / SINGLE AXLE VEHICLE
STEP 1. Determine front and rear axle weights and gross weight.
VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS - If axle weights are not accurately determined, and/or weight scales are not available, DO NOT lift the vehicle until axle weights are confirmed. If no data plate is found, contact the vehicle manufacturer directly or refer to the vehicle operator’s manual.
STEP 2. Determine distance from the front and rear axles to the RDL.
STEP 3. Enter the information obtained in steps 1 and 2 into the formula to determine the moment.
(W1 x D1) + (W2 x D2) = TOTAL MOMENT
(3,500 x 40) + (5,500 x 195) = TOTAL MOMENT
(140,000) + (1,072,500) = 1,212,500
STEP 4. Divide the total moment by the gross weight.
MOMENT ÷ GROSS WEIGHT = CB
1,212,500 ÷ 9,000 = 134.72"
This final result (134.72”) is the CB of the vehicle measured from the reference data line (RDL).
STEP 1. Determine front and rear axle weights and gross weight.
STEP 2. Determine distance from the front and rear axles to the RDL.
STEP 3. Enter the information obtained in steps 1 and 2 into the formula to determine the moment.
(W1 x D1) + (W2 x D2) = TOTAL MOMENT
(5,800 x 52) + (9,500 x 222) = TOTAL MOMENT
(301,000) + (2,109,500) = 2,410,000,
STEP 4. Divide the total moment by the gross weight.
MOMENT ÷ GROSS WEIGHT = CB
2,410,000 ÷ 15,300 = 157.52"
This final result (157.52”) is the CB of the vehicle measured from the reference data line (RDL).