How to Choose the Right Elevator for Your Building - KONE

Understanding the Types of Elevators

Choosing the appropriate elevator type depends on your building’s needs. Below are the most common types of elevators:

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• Passenger Elevators: Passenger elevators are designed primarily for moving people between floors. They are versatile and can be customized to suit various building sizes, from residential buildings to high-rise office complexes.
• Freight Elevators: Built to carry heavy loads, freight elevators are commonly found in industrial settings, warehouses, and large commercial buildings. They are robust and designed for durability.
• Service Elevators: Service elevators are used for transporting goods or maintenance equipment in hotels, hospitals, and restaurants. They are similar to freight elevators but are often placed in more discreet locations within the building.

Machine Room-Less (MRL) Elevators

MRL elevators are a type of traction elevator that does not require a separate machine room, making them highly efficient in terms of space usage. The machinery is integrated within the hoistway, offering several key benefits:

• Space Efficiency: MRL elevators save valuable space, making them ideal for low- and mid-rise buildings like offices, hotels, and residential towers.
• Energy Efficiency: These elevators use a counterweight system that consumes less power, leading to lower energy costs.
• Quiet and Smooth Operation: MRL elevators are known for providing a quieter, smoother ride, enhancing the overall user experience.

Hydraulic Elevators

Hydraulic elevators operate using a hydraulic piston to raise and lower the elevator car. They are commonly used in low-rise buildings and offer the following characteristics:

• Less Expensive Installation: Hydraulic elevators typically have a lower upfront installation cost compared to traction elevators, but they can be more expensive to operate and maintain over time.
• Suitable for Low-Rise Buildings: These elevators are best suited for low-rise buildings; however, their slower speed and noisier operation can make for a less comfortable ride experience.
• Higher Energy Consumption and Environmental Concerns: Hydraulic elevators typically consume more energy during operation because they rely on a pump to move the elevator car. Additionally, they use hydraulic fluid, which may pose environmental risks in case of leakage. The need to carefully manage and dispose of hydraulic fluid adds to long-term maintenance challenges and costs. This makes hydraulic elevators generally less eco-friendly compared to MRL and traction elevators.

Pneumatic Elevators

Pneumatic elevators use air pressure to move the elevator car. Though less common, they are increasingly popular in residential applications due to their compact design and ease of installation.

• Limited Load Capacity: Pneumatic elevators have a lower load capacity compared to traditional elevators, typically accommodating only 2-3 passengers at a time. This makes them unsuitable for larger buildings or applications where higher capacity is required.
• Slower Speeds: These elevators generally operate at slower speeds, which may not be ideal for buildings with multiple floors or for users needing quick access between levels.
• Height Limitations: Pneumatic elevators are typically used in private homes and their design and operation do not support anywhere near the heights that traction or hydraulic elevators can reach.
• Noise and Comfort: Some users report that pneumatic elevators can be noisier than other types, and the ride might feel less smooth due to the nature of the air pressure mechanism.

Evaluating Your Building’s Requirements

To choose the right elevator, consider the following factors:

• Building Height: The height of your building is crucial in determining the type of elevator. MRL is best suited for low- and mid-rise buildings, while taller buildings will require traditional traction elevators. Hydraulic elevators are generally only used for low-rise structures.
• Traffic Volume: High-traffic buildings require elevators with higher capacities and faster cycle times. Traction and MRL elevators are well-suited for such scenarios.
• Space Constraints: If space is limited, MRL elevators are the best choices due to their compact designs.
• Load Capacity: Determine whether the elevator will primarily transport people or goods, and choose a system that meets the required load capacity.

Aerial Lifts Give You a Leg Up on Industrial Tasks

Ever had trouble reaching that top shelf? We’ve all been there, like at the grocery store when you almost consider scaling the shelves to snatch that very last carton on the highest shelf. The same can be said for construction, warehouse, or industrial applications. Sometimes you need the right tool to raise people or products to a level where a ladder or building scaffolding is impractical. 

That’s when you need to call in an aerial lift. 

Aerial lifts come in a wide variety of options, so your first set of decisions must be: 

• What am I going to use it for?  
• Am I planning to lift people, material, or both?
• How high and how far do I need the lift to reach?
• Will I be using the lift indoors or out… and over what sort of terrain?
• Will I be using it enough to buy one, or should I just rent?

 The answers to those questions will help you decide if you need an electric-powered or IC vehicle, whether you need just a simple personnel lift or a more heavy-duty lift for workers and material, and what range of motion your lift needs to have. Then you can decide whether you should buy a new or used aerial lift, or just rent one for a short-term project.

 The best way to decide which aerial lift is best suited to your particular application is to review the options of lifts available. We’re sure you’ll find one that works for you. 

Portable Personal Aerial Lifts

Personal lifts can be a safer and more convenient option vs. getting on a ladder. One person can transport them in a pickup truck or van, and they are quick and easy to assemble on-site from four components. They’re powered by a lithium-ion battery, have a weight capacity of up to 350 lb., and have a working height (platform height plus 6 ft.) of up to 20 ft.

Non-powered Vertical Mast Lifts/Aerial Platforms

These aerial work platforms are easily handled by one worker and can be maneuvered around tight locations for overhead work. They’re also powered by lithium-ion batteries and have a capacity of up to 350 lb. and a working height of up to 46 ft. 

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Portable Personal Lift

Vertical Mast Lift (non-powered)

Driveable Vertical Lift Masts

Now we’re in gear. These versatile lift vehicles allow an operator to drive around a facility and pick up items stored on racks and shelves at different heights. They are available in weight capacities of up to 500 lb. and offer a working height of up to 25 ft. Indoor models are perfect for order-picking in a warehouse, while more robust models are available for outdoor construction work. Available in either IC- or electric-powered models.

CLARK Material Handling Co. offers a popular little unit, the OSQ Work Platform Vehicle. The OSQ is a great replacement for rolling ladders, etc., and it makes inventory picking from low levels easy and ergonomic. It features a roomy operator’s compartment, an AC drive motor that provides high torque throughout the entire drive range, and a heavy-duty I-beam design that maintains excellent stability at height. Call our Chicago-based team for more information about the CLARK OSQ and other quality forklift and aerial vehicle products.

Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts offer the ability to raise multiple people and products to heights that allow them to perform installation and maintenance tasks. They are also a good fit for taking inventory in warehouses and distribution centers. Models are available with electric drive for zero-emission indoor applications or engine drive for more rugged outdoor work. The unique mechanical design of scissor lifts affords weight capacities of over 2,000 lb. They’re available with working heights of up to 60 ft. 

Telescopic Boom Lifts

Now we’re really reaching for the stars! Telescopic boom lifts are suited for a wide range of applications that require lifting personnel to very high levels. They are available in heights of up to 185 ft. with weight capacities of up to 1,000 lb. Their design also affords them a horizontal reach of up to 76 ft. and a below-ground reach of up to 9 ft. Both indoor and outdoor models are available for airports, gymnasium hangar work, or rough terrain construction jobs. They are available in both electric and internal combustion models. 

Articulated Boom Lifts

Talk about being double-jointed – articulated boom lifts offer the ultimate in flexibility. They can reach deep within structures and over and above obstacles. They’re also suited for below-grade work, such as under bridges. Available for indoor and outdoor applications in electric- and IC-powered models, they can handle delicate applications like theaters, sports arenas, or shopping malls and tough industrial applications such as refineries and construction projects. Articulated boom lifts offer a wide range of motion, including working heights of over 150 ft., horizontal reach of up to 70 ft., with platform weight capacities of up to 500 lb. They have an over-and-above clearance of over 25 ft. and a below-ground reach of up to 15 ft.

Telehandlers

Tote that barge, lift that bale! If your application calls for lifting heavy materials to a height, a telehandler is the right choice for you. These rugged diesel-powered devices are designed to raise pallets or other formats of building materials to the tops of construction sites, move landscaping products to terraces, or remove excavated material from highway digs. Telehandlers are available with lift heights of up to 56 ft. and weight capacities of 12,000 lb. capable of handling the largest jobs thrown at them. A wide variety of attachments are optional, including truss booms, pipe grapples, work platforms, trash hoppers, and material buckets.   

What’s the Next Step?

Now that you’ve gotten an overview of the range and capability of aerial lifts, your next decision is to purchase or rent. Most of the above equipment is available for rent, and a lot of it is available in the “pre-owned” department.

Apex offers a wide range of aerial lifts from SkyJack, Genie, and JLG. Your best bet is to give Apex a call at 833-226- and find out which specific model fits your application. And explore renting v. buying. Your Apex application specialist will be more than happy to help you. 

…and Stay Tuned

Our next blog will review safe operating tips for aerial lifts. 

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