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18 August 2013

Considerations When Buying A Cargo Elevator

By Helga Stokes


A freight or service lift or elevator, popularly known as a cargo elevator, is oftentimes used for carrying goods and products rather than people. You normally see it in construction sites, factories, warehouses, parking lots, groceries, and shopping malls. If you're looking to purchase a cargo elevator, here are some things to keep in mind.

Although passengers are usually not allowed in cargo elevators, some owners allow dual use. If you want to limit the use to only products and goods, you'll need to post prohibition signs outside the lift. However, if you'd want to make it available for a dual use, you'll need to install a solid inner door.

It's important to determine the class you require for your needs based on four options. The first class, called the general freight loading class is similar to a passenger lift. Here, load is distributed and weight content shouldn't exceed more than 25 percent of the rated capacity. The second class, called the motor vehicle loading class, is suited for carrying automobile trucks and passenger vehicles. But, in this class, the content weight must not exceed the listed capacity.

The industrial truck loading class has two variants. Each is big enough to accommodate a four-wheeled vehicle and the goods inside the lift. However, in the first variant, weight capacity is limited only to the specified capacity. In the second variant, the maximum load can exceed 150% of the rated capacity.

There are also a number of selections for doors. There's telescopic doors, center-opening, or vertical sliding doors. Telescopic doors usually have between six, four, and two doors. They allow for bigger openings as all doors retract and open. Center opening doors are what you'd normally find in usual passenger elevators. Vertical sliding doors, usually found in earlier models, can be opened automatically or manually.

To control the lift's stop, start, deceleration, and acceleration, a traction system control is required. Noise generated by the lift can be attributed to this control in some ways. There may be some abnormal acceleration or deceleration in speed if the lift carries heavier loads, making it unable to control its speed. It's not a cause for concern though, as these inconsistencies actually provide ample rotor current to manage the heavy load. Still, the traction system control should have adequate power to support the weight.

If the building has seven floors or less, hydraulic cargo lifts are more preferred. The reason is more for being cost-effective than being more effective. Instead of being powered by electricity, an electric motor runs oil into the elevator cylinder to move a piston. This piston then lifts up the cab. Electrical valves release the oil for smooth descent.

Others may find it hard to select a cargo elevator given the considerations required in getting one. You'll have to think of door frame requirements, game, cab, and door height, and overhead and pit depth. You also need to think of the cargo weight and platform that leads to the lift. If you find yourself getting confused, you may want to visit companies that provide repair, maintenance, installation, and consultation. Based on your choices, you may even opt to get a customized lift.




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