Most of us are used to the kinds of easy access that passenger or domestic lifts bring to a tall building. Modern lifts or elevators have become a staple in high-rise apartments and offices, but they are also an essential tool regularly employed in a range of commercial industries, where they are used to move much more than people.
Lifts have made a variety of industries more cost efficient and productive, where materials and products can be shifted and relocated much quicker than if they had to be moved entirely by hand. All sorts of businesses benefit from lifts, including automotive and boating manufacturers, construction services and the hospitality industry.
Read on for a comprehensive insight into the variety of commercial lifts available right now, as well as their key uses in commercial industries.
Key Types Of Lift
Hydraulic - operated by fluid pressure, especially used in car manufacturing
Traction - utilises a pulley system, especially suited to high-rise buildings
MRL - stands for machine-room-less, can be a traction or hydraulic lift that doesn’t require a machine room to run
Vacuum - work by controlling air pressure, often employed for home use
Commercial Industry Lifts
1. Freight Lifts
Freight lifts are usually large and sparsely designed industrial lifts, purpose built to transport goods to different areas of a building or warehouse. The base tends to be large enough to fit industrial trolleys or pallets, with safety features to ensure the lift space isn’t overloaded. Some will feature a security gate that has to be closed before the main door shuts. This is an additional security feature which guarantees the safety of goods and accompanying employees.
These are used in a range of industrial spaces where large quantities of goods are regularly transported, including retail environments and warehouses.
2. Stage Lifts
Stage lifts are usually hydraulic machinery which are designed to move and relocate stage sets, casts and orchestras within the scope of a modern theatre. These can be fitted into the stage floor, where they can raise or lower different sections of the stage as part of a performance for dramatic effect. They often have reinforced bases and strict speed controls to optimise safety during use.
These lifts are necessarily quiet and easy to use to ensure they don’t disrupt performances. Hydraulics can also be used to manage trap doors, bridges and other stage craft essentials.
3. Boat Lifts
Boat lifts are an industry precursor to the canal lock, and are typically used to transport boats between areas of differing water levels. These work in a variety of ways, where some move rotationally, whilst others operate vertically or on a steep incline. Canal locks are an alternative way of achieving similar results, where water chambers are filled or emptied depending on the requirements of those using the waterways.
Other types of boat lifts include those that are used to elevate a boat above the water when it is docked, rather than leaving it tied or anchored. This protects the vessel in stormy weather and reduces water damage.
4. Vehicle Lifts
Vehicle lifts are typically used at a garage or manufacturing sites to raise automobiles into position using a hydraulic system. These can make a building more accessible to drivers if there isn’t a driveway, and can be installed into home garages. For repair or manufacturing centres, this kind of lift allows engineers to work on the underside of the vehicle, as well as reach different areas to make touch ups or add detailing.
Car lifts can also be used in domestic or commercial settings as a space saving option, where height opportunities can be fully utilised. Some car lifts will be designed so the cars can be reorganised if one vehicle needs to depart before those above or below.
5. Dumbwaiters
Also known as a lazy waiter, or a small version of a freight lift, these are primarily used in restaurants to transport food and plates between floors. This speeds up service and allows food to be delivered to the correct floor quickly, reducing safety hazards and hygiene issues. A shelving unit or cart will be enclosed in a small shaft, and controlled by a pulley system linked to an external hand rope. Often this design is counterbalanced by small weights to ensure the units work when full or empty.
Nowadays dumbwaiters are less common in restaurants where electric systems and lifts have become the norm. Traditionally large homes which employed staff would also feature a dumbwaiter to deliver regular meals to residents.
6. Underwater Lifts
Lifts can also be utilised underwater as well as on land. Diving lifts are moving platforms fitted into the hull of a boat, where they can be lowered down to pick up or drop off a diver and their equipment. These can have scientific as well as recreational uses. This kind of lift is comparable to a diving cage, which can be lowered into the water for the purpose of viewing potentially dangerous wildlife from a safe distance.
Lifting bags are also used to move heavy items underwater. When an empty bag is attached to the materials or items that need to be moved to the surface, a dynamic lift is created by controlling the inflation and deflation of the attached air vessel.
ADL Lift Services Limited
ADL Lifts is a Scotland based lift provider, where we deliver UK-wide services to an array of commercial industries.
We have an extensive team of experts who have built workable business relationships with a range of local authorities and businesses through our extensive work on a whole variety of projects.
Our Services
At ADL Lifts, we provide a range of services and products to meet an array of commercial lift requirements. These include:
Lift Servicing & Repairs
We provide high quality and reliable lift repair and maintenance services, where we work to resolve issues quickly and with minimal disruption. Our 24/7 repair service ensures that we’re available when you need us most, where we will always perform a thorough risk assessment before undertaking a complex repair task.
Lift Installation Services
We provide elevator installation for both commercial and domestic clients, where our experienced engineers are qualified to fit a full range of models. Our installation teams will prioritise safety compliance when undertaking a project of any size, where we always complete a thorough elevator inspection. Our processes are also overseen by quality control managers to guarantee your peace of mind.
Lift Modernisation
At ADL, we stay up to date with all the latest lift technologies and innovations so that we can recommend upgrades and modernisations to any lift model. We can update a lift door or provide an interior lift refurbishment. Alternatively we can investigate your lift’s interior workings, and provide you with new wiring or a modernised control system, depending on your needs.
Eco Lifts
ADL Lift Services is proud to be a leading eco-lift specialist in the UK, where we can install sustainable energy saving lifts and advise on efficient options for your home or business. Our eco lifts employ microprocessor and Controller Area Network technology to reduce energy consumption, whilst also using LED lights rather than traditional halogen. Low energy installations can help save you money in the long run, as well as helping to protect our planet.
Disabled Access Lifts
We provide a range of
access-friendly lift systems for both commercial and residential buildings, always working alongside our clients to ensure every need is met with your installation. We ensure that our lifts and installation services comply with current disability legislation, whilst providing a full range of products.
At ADL we can offer inclined and vertical platform lifts, straight & curved stair lifts and overhead hoists.
Product Range
Our standard product range incorporates the most popular lift types and machinery used in a range of commercial industries. We can always source different or extra materials depending on your needs, but our base range includes:
● Complete hydraulic & traction lifts - up to loads of 10000 kg and 5000 kg
● MRL lifts in hydraulic & traction drive - up to loads of 2000 kg, geared and gearless
● Lift cars and car frames
● Structures and controllers
Find Your Ideal Lift Solution
If you’re in need of a lift installation or repair then
contact us today at ADL Lift Services for more information. We’re always happy to advise on anything lift-related, where customer satisfaction and safety are our top priorities.
