Every once in a blue moon, we get blown away by an innovative idea or product. This year at the 2011 SEMA Show, we were overwhelmed by joy when we saw Hoffman Services‘ Mini-Lift. It’s a tried and true lifting system. Our only wish was to have a suitcase big enough to bring this thing home.

Its compact design makes it the perfect tool that can be stored when not in use.

The Original Mini-Lift from Concept Lift is a single column lift designed for lifting vehicles in a variety of ways. By using the included lifting pads, nearly any vehicle can be lifted by one system. The vehicle can be lifted from the rocker panels with the lifting pad or by attaching the included fork for lifting by the tires. What’s more, only one lifting system is necessary for most cars.

However, the systems can be combined with one or two or even four mini-lifts. With a capacity of up to 5,000 lbs, the Mini-Lift is prefect for mechanical repair, bodywork, repainting & so much more. The mini-lift is a compact system with a single, movable column, which utilizes a screw-type operating system and features a lock-out function at the top to prevent a car from tipping over.

It’s simple to use too. Since its compact enough to fit nearly anywhere in a shop, simply roll the Mini-lift to your working area, place the forks underneath one of the four tires and plug in the lift. Then, with the push of a button, the lifts screwing action grabs the car up to your desired height.