Identifying the Right Type of Goods Lift for Your Operations

No matter what type of environment you work in, if your working premises occupy more than one floor, it is likely that you will need to move goods vertically within your building. Goods lifts are essential for many different operations which include warehouses, retail spaces, showrooms factories and industrial settings. However, not all goods lifts are right for all environments. In this blog, we take a look at the types of goods lift you might want in your operation, and the factors that need to be considered to ensure you get the right one for your needs.

What type of goods lifts are there?

There are a variety of different types of goods lifts that will be optimal for different environments. Broadly, these fall into the following categories:

• Service lifts – Compact service lifts are great for moving smaller items such as documents, tools or even food between floors. These can be commonly found in offices, restaurants, hotels and libraries.
• Trolley lifts- These platform lifts provide a versatile approach to moving goods from 100 kg to several tons. They can be used in distribution centres, warehouses and factories as well as industrial units.
• Goods only lifts – These are specifically designed to transport goods instead of passengers, and therefore, they prioritise functionality. Heavy duty goods only lifts can be found often in industrial settings.
• Goods attendant lifts- These are built to transport goods alongside an attendant. They typically have a large capacity but they are flexible in certain warehousing environments.
• Car lifts - Perhaps the most heavyweight of goods lifts, these are capable of moving vehicles within multi storey car parks, dealerships or garages.

What to consider when choosing a goods lift

There are various considerations to take into account when researching and choosing equipment. These include:

• Capacity – What is the maximum weight your lift will be expected to handle? This will make a difference to the drive system, size and power source you’ll need to operate it.
• Travel distance – Obviously, how high your facility your goods lift needs to travel will be an important consideration.
• Your facility – The floor space you have available will dictate how large or small your lift can be. If space is limited, you will need to opt for a more compact design to fit your facility.
• Usage – If you prioritise speed over all else, this will dictate the type of lift you go for. However, it’s important to consider reliability and ease of loading and unloading too.
• Environmental issues - If your lift needs to be free from dust or chemicals or used in temperature controlled environments, this will influence your choice.

Can I get a bespoke lift?

If you require a bespoke installation, and would like it to be lifted to your specific business needs, this is something that many manufacturers can help with. For example, if you have unusual loads, strict space limitations or specific safety requirements, a bespoke goods lift may be the best solution for you.

Bespoke lifts can encompass all sorts of features, including new

• AI technology - AI technology can be implemented to gather data about the lift usage, which can be used to determine busy periods, allowing you to enhance your efficiency.
• Biometrics - Lifts requiring biometric access can be designed to only let authorised personnel access certain floors.
• Maintenance reporting - Tech can also help to report wear and tear on your lift, alerting you to the necessity for preventative maintenance, ensuring your equipment does not break down unexpectedly.

Simply put, the design, operation and additional extras can help to optimise your bespoke goods lift, and can be well worth investing in.