What Are the Pros and Cons of Hydraulic Platform Lifts?

The lifts and elevators around us function on three different types of drive systems: electrical, traction, and hydraulic. The most interesting one to understand and read is the hydraulic platform lifts, and we have covered the details in this post.

Machine powered by a hydraulic cylinder  - Oldmateelevators

WHAT IS HYDRAULIC LIFT?

A hydraulic lift is a machine powered by a hydraulic cylinder system to move and position the cab. The design varies based on the application, but the overall function and components of any hydraulic lift, including hydraulic platform lift, are almost similar –

• A hydraulic cylinder enclosing a piston
• A reservoir for oil storage
• A pump for generating fluid energy
• A motor to generate mechanical power
• Valves for manipulating fluid flow

WHAT COMPONENTS CONSTITUTE TO FORM A HYDRAULIC LIFT?

Let us quickly go through the interacting systems or the critical components of a hydraulic platform lift.

THE CIRCUITS

The role of these circuits is to control the flow and pressure of the liquid. There are pumps, and their work is to convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy.

Convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy - Oldmateelevators

THE MOTOR

The motor installed in the hydraulic platform lift is a rotary actuator, and its role is to convert hydraulic energy into torque and rotation.

THE CYLINDER

The cylinder has to convert the hydraulic fluid energy into force and create pressure in the fluid for further actions.

THE PISTON

The piston is the most critical part of any hydraulic machine and it is situated inside the cylinder. It moves upwards in response to the pressure coming from the fluid.

Crucial component of hydraulic platform lift - Oldmateelevators

THE FLUID

This is another crucial component of hydraulic platform lift, and it powers the entire machine to move the piston up and down. Water and mineral oil are the two most common fluids, and other options used are – 

• Glycol ether
• Organophosphate ester
• Polyalphaolefin
• Propylene glycol
• Silicone oil

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF HYDRAULIC PLATFORM LIFTS?

Hydraulic platform lifts used at our homes come with the following pros.

• Take up less space and usually have a smaller footprint
• Simple and quick to maintain and service
• Usually take a higher weight limit
• Hydraulic home lifts do not need a vast oil pit
• The lift cannot fall to the bottom
• Very little noise from a hydraulic home lift
• Low energy use makes the system economical to run

CONS

Here is a quick list of the cons of hydraulic lifts.

• Need a small box or room to house the pump and oil reservoir
• In oil leak situation, there will be oil in your home
• Oil can get quite warm in the system
• More filters and seals in a hydraulic lift than other types
• Not the fastest option as the fluid limits the speed

 

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Easy Maintenance Guide For Home Lift Elevators

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People are becoming more economically prosperous and getting better and more advanced features for life improvement. One of them is a home lift elevator that improves the quality of life for every homeowner. Particularly for those having mobility issues and people with disabilities, these elevators are nothing short of a boon. They can get their liberty back, and not to mention, these elevators add style and luxury to any property and enhance its resale value significantly. However, it is essential to maintain them as per the instructions given by the lift installation company because they have to comply with government rules and regulations.

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR HOME ELEVATOR?

Some very common steps are taken to maintain any residential elevator and avoid expensive repair work, and some of them are discussed below.

FOLLOW THE RULES AND KEEP UP WITH THE REPAIRS

You must remember the following safety tips to prolong the life of your home lift elevator or low rise lift.

• Pay attention to the elevator’s weight limit

• Keep all contents 2 inches away from the cab gate and walls

• Always keep the landing doors closed

• Don’t operate your elevator if the car gate or landing door locking system malfunctions.

• Never tamper, bypass, disable or remove safety features.

• Don’t operate your elevator if you hear strange sounds.

• Make sure the elevator completely stops before entering or exiting.

According to the vendors, you must keep the logbook updated regarding any necessary repairs and maintenance work. This will help you save a good amount of money later by addressing any recurring problem immediately.

FOLLOW SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

You can keep your home lift elevator and low rise elevators in perfect running condition for years by following regularly scheduled maintenance. There are some DIY steps, but apart from them, other regular maintenance steps should not be ignored at all. Remember, routine maintenance will improve the overall functionality of your home lift elevator and make it smoother, faster and safer.

WHAT DIY INSPECTIONS TO PERFORM?

As mentioned above, there are some DIY steps to take regarding maintenance and inspection. These DIY inspections ensure that you have a complete overview of every significant part of the elevator.

• Visual inspection involves checking the doors for visible damages such as dents, cracks and misalignment

• Inspecting elevator cab for cleanliness and any sign of wear or damage

• Inspecting the control panel for any warning light error message or wear and tear

• Checking the overall functioning for unusual noises and vibration

• Testing the elevator door for smooth opening and closing function

• Ensuring that door sensors are working correctly and nothing is obstructing the doorway

• Ensuring that the doors stay closed when the cab is moving up or down

EMERGENCY FEATURES TO INSPECT

• Test the emergency stop button to ensure it works.

• Check the emergency phone to confirm it is functional.

• Verify that the battery backup is operational by simulating a power outage.

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How Low Rise Lifts Are Different From High Rise Elevators?

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Buildings are built with different heights, and to accommodate different lifts and elevators and manufacturers recommend different types of lifts for this. There are high-rise lifts, medium-rise lifts and low rise lifts for people with disabilities and older people. The main difference between them is the distance they travel, and when we talk about low rise lifts, the performance and functionality are completely identical, but they travel a very short distance. Let us learn more about these low rise lifts and their benefits.

WHAT ARE LOW RISE LIFTS?

The broad definition is that this lift moves passengers to a low height. They have the same functionality and performance and hence, are given the name of ‘small scale vertical transportation system’. They are usually installed in buildings with very few floors, typically 2 to 4. According to lift manufacturers, these elevators are ideal for low-rise residential, commercial and industrial buildings and buildings where space and budget constraints are present.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN DESIGN AND OPERATION?

Comparing high-rise, mid-rise, and low rise lifts will reveal a significant difference in how they function and their performance. According to the vendors of inclined wheelchair lifts, high-rise elevators transport people and goods to great heights. They are more powerful and manufactured using better and more advanced technology. On the other hand, there are mid-rise lifts that operate at a moderate speed and can be used in buildings up to 12 storeys high. Finally, the low rise lifts are ideal for buildings up to 4 storeys.

WHAT IS THE COST AND MAINTENANCE DIFFERENCE?

The cost of low rise lifts and inclined platform lifts costs are significantly identical, but there is a huge difference in the cost and maintenance-related topics between mid-rise, high-rise and low rise lifts.

High-rise elevators are the most expensive to install and maintain. The reason is that they are made using advanced technology, and stronger infrastructure requirements are there, and so are the maintenance steps. On the other hand, we have mid-rise elevators that are not as expensive as the high-rise ones but more expensive than low rise lifts. The reason cited by the manufacturers is the higher capacity and moderate speed that requires more advanced technology than the one used in low rise lifts. Next, we have low rise elevators that are the least expensive to install and maintain. In most cases, it will only require essential maintenance and repairs annually.

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What Are Low Rise Platform Lifts and What Are Their Features?

The concerns related to people with mobility issues have grown a lot in all parts of the world and it is because of grown awareness that different kinds of lifts and elevators have mushroomed. 

Yes, manufacturers are now manufacturing different kinds of lifts not just to aid people with disabilities, but others too in various tasks related to lifting or moving up and down. 

One such kind of lift that people have been use very much is the platform lift that has another version named low rise platform lifts. 

People are fully aware of different kinds of elevators, but this version is something that not many people are aware of and here in this post, we will have a deeper look at this kind.

What is a Platform Lift?

• According to a reliable low rise platform lift provider in Sydney, this version has emerged as a solution for elderly people having mobility issues and people with disabilities get access to inaccessible areas with extreme ease. 

• This means that because of these low-rise platform lifts, people can experience the comfort and convenience of an elevator and these lifts can on multiple floors.
• They are not like stair lifts and you will see that these lifts can be operated by the user himself as the controls are inside the lift only.
• According to the experts, these low-rise Platform lifts have become a great way to ensure that wheelchair users can get to their required destination with simplicity and dignity.

What Are Their Benefits? 

Perhaps the biggest benefit of Platform lift as well as low rise platform lifts is that those having mobility issues and people with disabilities get better access of certain areas. 

These kinds of lifts can be used in indoors as well as outdoors and have numerous features that can make the ride even smoother for these people. From a reliable low rise platform provider in Sydney, you can get this lift built as per your specifications, dimensions and requirements. 

Ultimately, platform lifts can be one of the most cost-efficient and convenient ways for people in care home environments to ensure that their residents have a comfortable mobility solution. 

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Key Differences Between Hydraulic and Traction Elevators

There is always a kind of argument going on between those favouring traction elevators and those in the favour of hydraulic elevators. 

Both these options are better in several terms, but since there is always another side of the coin; both these versions have their share of cons or disadvantages as well.

Here in this post, we will study the both sides of these two versions to eventually find out as to which one is the better one of the two.

TRACTION ELEVATORS-

• One of the biggest differences between hydraulic and traction elevators is in the way in which the cab travels.

• In the traction elevators, the cab can be raised or lowered by the help of steel ropes or belts that run on the pulley system.

• Because of this system, this version uses less energy, can serve mid to high-rise buildings and moreover, they even ride smoother. 

• One more point is that because of these mechanisms, the motor doesn’t have to move as much weight, making it much more energy efficient than hydraulic systems.

• One more thing that deserves a mention here is that they can be geared or gearless and both model types are driven by Alternating Current (AC) or Direct Current (DC) electrical motors.

• There are geared and gearless, two types of traction elevators and in the geared version, there is a gearbox attached to the motor that drives the wheel and moves the ropes.

• On the other hand, there is the gearless version where the traction elevators can reach speeds up to 2,000 ft./min and in fact, they are more energy efficient than geared traction elevators.

HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS-

• According to the sellers of low rise lifts, this version is totally different from traction elevators and in this version; the cab is moved by using a fluid-driven piston.

• This piston is mounted inside of a cylinder and the fluid could be oil-based and in most cases, vegetable oil is brought into use.

Compared to traction elevators, hydraulic systems are:

• More affordable to install

• Less expensive to maintain and repair

• Better for transporting heavy loads

• Intended for low-rise applications

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Top Features That You Need To Look For While Getting Mobility Lifts

As far as mobility lifts are concerned, there are a number of things you take note of to make sure that you get the best performance out of them. Here in this post, we have discussed several points that will help you invest in the right manner and get the best out of it. As far as the mobility lifts are concerned, they will also save you on space as well as the running cost and not to mention, reduce the energy consumption. They are self-sufficient and super-easy for everyone to operate. 

Here are some features you should look for while looking for mobility lifts – 

• They are Suitable for Residential and Commercial purposes
• They Are Fully Compliant With Disabled Standards
• They are Available in Platform Lift or Full Cabin Options
• They Are Low On Maintenance, Running Costs And Energy Consumption
• There Are Disruption-Free Installation And Maintenance
• They Can Be Designed In Any Configuration

Design Features

• The companies engaged in designing these mobility lifts say that they can custom-design them and even platform lifts based on the specifications.
• With whatever design you get, they make sure that you get plenty of headroom as well as moving space to move around.
• The mobility lifts, as well as platform lifts, can be offered in a wide range of sizes to match your requirements and budget and for accommodating different mobility aid devices.
• The experts from the company chosen by you will help you choose the right kind of lift or inclined wheelchair lift based on the needs.
• At the same time, it would be possible for you to choose the right colour and design to match your decor.

Here are some technical features that you need to have at the time of selection – 

• Maximum Number Of Stops – 8
• Lifting Capacity 400kg – 630kg – 1000kg
• Maximum Lifting Travel – 15,000mm
• Pit Depth Minimum – 50mm

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The Most Suitable Mobility Lifts for Your Office Environment

Different kinds of mobility lifts can be used as an office, but in actual terms, only two of them are designed for use in the office. One of them is the stair lifts while the other is platform lift and this means that the selection for your office would come down to these two names. In this post, we will try and find out with one would be better for your office and for this, we will mull upon different factors.

Stair Lift

• According to the sellers of mobility lifts, one of the top features of stair lifts is that it allows PwDs to move up and down without any aid.
• This lift travels along with the length of the staircase, where the lift is actually mounted on a wall or stanchion posts and this feature makes for the speedy installation in the outdoors.
• The most significant advantage of stair lifts is that it takes up minimal space and moreover, it can be removed folded and stored away when not required.
• This will leave the staircase open for people to use.
• One more thing to know is that stair lifts are available with many different features for different requirements. 
• At the same time, you will find many designs that can be used in the indoors as well as outdoors, both.
• Lastly, this version is an ideal solution for areas, where it is impossible to build a ramp. 

Platform Lift

• According to the vendors of inclined wheelchair lifts the top feature associated with this version of mobility lifts is that it is suitable for premises where stairs aren’t available or it is not suitable for a stair lift. 
• This version can be placed between two levels and allows users to travel up and down like an elevator.
• Just like the one discussed above, this version too is very easy to install and maintain as you will simply have to call in the experts for the same.
• They can be used indoors or outdoors and a wide range of finishes means you can find one that blends in with its surroundings. 

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