Globe Lift and its sister brand Benwil built a loyal following among Iowa shop owners during their peak production years. These companies manufactured surface-mount and inground lifts that earned reputations for rugged durability, and many of those units are still working in Iowa shops today. The challenge is that Globe and Benwil are no longer in active production, making parts sourcing and qualified service increasingly difficult. Auto Lift Services provides the Globe lift repair Iowa shops need to keep these heritage lifts operating safely for as long as it makes practical sense. lift repair services
Globe and Benwil: A Brief History
Globe Lift and Benwil were part of a generation of American lift manufacturers that built heavy, straightforward equipment designed to last. Their product lines included surface-mount two-post lifts, inground lifts, and parallelogram lifts. Many of their designs were overengineered by modern standards, using heavier steel, larger cylinders, and more conservative safety margins than would be considered necessary today.
That overengineering is why Globe and Benwil lifts are still running in Iowa shops 20 and 30 years after installation. The fundamental structures are sound. The problems these lifts face are component wear and obsolescence, not structural failure.
What We See in Iowa Shops
Across Iowa, Globe and Benwil lifts appear most frequently in three settings.
Established independent shops. Shops that have been in the same location for 20 or more years often have original Globe or Benwil equipment that was installed when the building was built or remodeled. These lifts have been cycling vehicles for decades and have had various levels of maintenance along the way.
Dealership service departments. Some Iowa dealerships, particularly in smaller markets, still operate Benwil inground lifts that were installed during original facility construction. These lifts are often in secondary bays rather than the primary service lane.
Municipal and county facilities. Government fleet maintenance shops across Iowa’s 99 counties were frequently equipped with Globe or Benwil lifts during construction. Government purchasing cycles are long, and replacement gets deferred, so these lifts remain in service well beyond their original expected lifespan.
When any of these owners call for Globe lift repair Iowa service, they need a technician who has actually worked on these brands, not someone guessing based on experience with other manufacturers.
Common Globe and Benwil Repair Needs
Hydraulic System Service
Globe and Benwil hydraulic systems are mechanically simple but use components that differ from modern lift designs. Cylinder bore sizes, seal profiles, and valve configurations are specific to these brands. The most common hydraulic repairs include cylinder seal replacement, power unit pump rebuilding, control valve service, and hydraulic line replacement.
Older hydraulic fluid in Globe lifts may have absorbed moisture over decades of service, especially in Iowa shops without climate control. Contaminated fluid accelerates internal corrosion and seal degradation. A complete hydraulic fluid flush and filter replacement is often the first step in any Globe lift repair Iowa project.
Inground Lift Challenges
Benwil inground lifts present unique service challenges. The below-floor components have been exposed to moisture, temperature cycling, and potential water intrusion for decades. In Iowa, where freeze-thaw cycles are severe and water tables can be high, inground lift cassettes and cylinders face harsh conditions.
Accessing inground components for service requires careful work in confined spaces. Piston seals, cassette drain systems, and below-floor hydraulic plumbing all need inspection and service. We have the equipment and experience to work on these older inground systems safely.
Lock and Safety System Maintenance
Globe and Benwil lock mechanisms are mechanically robust but use designs that differ from modern production lifts. The engagement geometry, pawl shapes, and release mechanisms are brand-specific. Worn lock components must be replaced with correctly matched parts to maintain safe operation.
Safety systems on these older lifts may not include all the features found on modern equipment. While we cannot retrofit every modern safety feature, we can ensure that the existing safety systems function correctly and that the lift meets the minimum ANSI/ALI standards for continued operation.
Parts Sourcing: The Biggest Challenge
This is where Globe and Benwil lift ownership becomes genuinely difficult. Neither brand is in active production, and the original parts distribution networks have been dissolved. Finding replacement parts requires creativity, industry connections, and sometimes custom fabrication.
Our approach to Globe lift repair Iowa parts sourcing involves several strategies.
Aftermarket seal kits. Hydraulic seals are the most frequently needed parts, and aftermarket manufacturers can produce seal kits to match original specifications if we provide the cylinder bore, rod diameter, and groove dimensions.
Cross-reference components. Some Globe and Benwil hydraulic components share specifications with parts used by other manufacturers. Power unit motors, solenoid valves, and certain fittings can sometimes be cross-referenced to currently available industrial components. pre-owned lifts
Machine shop fabrication. For unique mechanical components like lock pawls, engagement bars, and mounting brackets, we work with local Iowa machine shops to fabricate replacement parts to original specifications.
Salvage sourcing. When other Iowa shops decommission Globe or Benwil lifts, serviceable components can sometimes be recovered and used as replacement parts for lifts still in service. This is a last resort but sometimes the only practical option for truly unique components.
Each of these strategies adds cost and time compared to ordering factory parts for a current-production lift. We communicate these realities upfront so you can weigh the repair cost against your alternatives. lift cost information
When Globe Lift Replacement Becomes Necessary
There comes a point with every discontinued lift brand where continued repair stops making economic sense. For Globe and Benwil lifts in Iowa, we see several signals that indicate replacement is the better path forward.
Parts unavailability. When the specific component you need cannot be sourced, fabricated, or cross-referenced at a reasonable cost, the lift has effectively reached end of life from a parts perspective.
Cumulative repair costs. If you are spending more than half the cost of a new lift on repairs over a two-year period, the economics favor replacement.
Safety standard gaps. Older Globe and Benwil lifts may lack safety features that are standard on modern equipment. While they can continue to operate safely with proper maintenance, some shop insurance carriers and OSHA inspectors are becoming more particular about lift age and safety features.
Structural concerns. After 25 or more years, column bases, arm pivots, and structural welds should be carefully inspected. Any signs of cracking, corrosion-induced thinning, or weld fatigue mean the lift should be retired regardless of the condition of the hydraulic and mechanical systems.
When replacement is the right decision, Auto Lift Services handles the complete transition: decommissioning and removing the old Globe or Benwil lift, preparing the site for new equipment, and installing a modern replacement. We recommend Challenger lifts as the best value replacement for most applications, but we can install any brand that fits your needs.
Honest Advice on Heritage Lift Equipment
We do not condemn serviceable equipment to sell a new lift. If your Globe or Benwil lift is structurally sound, meets safety standards, and can be repaired at a reasonable cost, we will keep it running. But we also will not sugar-coat the reality that these lifts are getting harder and more expensive to maintain with each passing year.
The right strategy for most Iowa shops with aging Globe or Benwil equipment is to budget for eventual replacement while maintaining the existing lift safely in the interim. That way, you can plan the transition on your timeline rather than being forced into an emergency purchase when a critical part fails and cannot be replaced.
Statewide Globe Lift Repair Iowa Coverage
Auto Lift Services services Globe and Benwil lifts across all 99 Iowa counties. If your heritage lift needs attention, we have the brand knowledge, sourcing connections, and honesty to help you make the right decision.
Our Clients Include: