Hydraulic lifts are used in various applications, and industries find them very functional and helpful. They are found in the automotive, shipping, construction, waste removal, mining and retail sectors. Using these lifts, it becomes very simple and easy to transport people up and down and also goods and equipment. There are different types of hydraulic lifts available, and in this post, we will explore some of them.
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USES OF HYDRAULIC LIFTS
In commercial setups, these hydraulic lifts are preferred over all other elevators and lifts. The reason is that it is highly reliable, resistant to wear and tear and, most importantly, easy to maintain. These lifts function on hydraulic pressure as the motive force, and since the mechanism is very easy to understand, you will not even need an elevator service company for essential maintenance.
WHAT IS A HYDRAULIC LIFT?
These lifts use a hydraulic cylinder to lift, move or position heavy loads. The experts from the elevator service company create the design depending on the intended application or the industry where it is used. You will find most of these lifts functioning using the same essential components.
• A hydraulic cylinder enclosing a piston
• A reservoir for oil storage
• A pump for generating fluid energy
• A motor for generating mechanical power
• Valves for manipulating fluid flow
They consist of several interacting systems that we have discussed below.
CIRCUITS
These circuits are designed to control the flow and liquid pressure.
PUMPS
According to the experts of an elevator service company, the role of the pump in these lifts is to convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy. The pump creates a vacuum in the inlet and forces the liquid to move from the reservoir to the inlet line.
MOTOR
The motor fitted in these lifts are rotary actuators, and their role is to convert hydraulic energy into torque and rotation.
CYLINDER
The cylinder is fitted in these lifts to convert hydraulic fluid energy into force and create pressure in the fluid.
PISTON
The hydraulic piston installed in hydraulic lifts moves upwards in response to the fluid pressure. This piston is housed within the cylinder itself.
THE HYDRAULIC FLUID
This fluid allows the power to be transferred throughout the system. The most common fluids are water and mineral oil, but there are other options also available to be used as hydraulic fluid.
• Glycol Ether
• Organophosphate Ester
• Polyalphaolefin
• Propylene Glycol
• Silicone Oil
TYPES OF HYDRAULIC LIFTS
These lifts are available in several types, and the elevator service company optimises each to meet specific load safety and requirements.
THE TOP NAMES ARE –
Table lifts
Personnel lifts
Forklifts
Medical lifts
Automotive lifts
Post car lifts
Platform lifts
Pallet lifts
Hand-pumped lifts