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Case Studies
- A Sugary Sweet Lifting Solution for Peeps & Company Retail Store
- Bayside Harley’s Product Showcase and PFlow Bring in the Riders
- Books Arrive in Underground Archive with the Help of a PFlow Conveyor
- Creative Design Highlights Vertical Conveyor at Laminated Glass Plant
- Custom Designed Hydraulic VRCs Help Maximize Space at Tyson Foods
- Custom Designed PFlow F Series Assists with Funeral Services
- Custom PFlow Lift Helps Create 9,600 SF of Storage within Existing Building
- Everything is Bigger In Texas – Including the PFlow M Series VRC!
- For Moving Fragile Cargo, Boeing Called PFlow Industries
- FuelCell Energy Loads Components with the Help of PFlow Material Lifts
- Georgia Pacific Moves Finished Product with the PFlow M Series
- Global Logistics Leader Doubles Productivity with PFlow Lifts
- Gravity Makes the Wine, PFlow Vertical Lift Takes Care of the Rest
- High-Capacity Mezzanine Lift Effortlessly Elevates 15,000 lb Payloads
- Historic Pritzlaff Building Repurposed Into Popular Event Venue with Assist from PFlow Hydraulic VRCs
- Liberated By Upward Mobility
- Manufacturing Plant Replaces 10-ton, 200′ Hoist with PFlow Vertical Lift
- Merged Controls of PFlow Lift and Laundry Cart Washer Regulate the Flow of the Entire System
- Milwaukee Waterfront Deli and PFlow Deliver
- Moving at the Speed of Fashion
- Moving-Floor Assembly Line Streamlines Implement Production
- PFlow and Parking Vault are Solving Major Parking Needs
- PFlow Automated System Provides Continuous 2-Way Pallet Flow
- PFlow Corners the Market for 'Big,' Heavy-Duty Material Lifts
- PFlow Designs Lift for Underground Parking at a Lake Tahoe Home
- PFlow F Series Helps Retailer Utilize Difficult-to-Access Space
- PFlow Galvanizing Provides a Protective Coat for Juice Plant Lift
- PFlow Heliport Lift Helps Offshore Oil Platform
- PFlow Helps Repurpose Restaurant into Government Service Facility
- PFlow Hydraulically Powers the Upward Expansion at Alcom Electronicos Reynosa Facility
- PFlow Lift Integrates Perfectly with 10-Story Power Plant Tower
- PFlow Moving Concourse Helps 'Big Bertha' March Into College Stadium
- PFlow Navigates Uncharted Territory with Vertical Lift at Naval Drydock
- PFlow Pallet Elevator is the Vertical Lift Solution for Nutrilite Warehouse
- PFlow Provides Steady Travel for Lockheed Martin Missile Plant
- PFlow Retrofits 2 Lifts in Single Shaft to Keep Hospital Supplies Moving
- PFlow Screw Lift Provides a Safe and Controlled Movement of Satellites
- PFlow System is an Integral Part of the Paper Production Line
- PFlow VRC Keeps the Pipeline Full for Large Pharmaceutical Distributor
- PFlow VRCs Help Keep the Beer Crisp and Chilled at NFL Stadium
- PFlow VRCs Installed in Concrete Shaft Ways of Seattle Tunnel Project
- PFlow VRCs Provide Vertical Logistics at High Rise Audi Dealership
- Stage Lifts Spirits – and Nascar Vehicle
- Tower Above the Competition with a PFlow Vehicle Display System
- Unique Lift System Enables Installation and Servicing of Telescope Mirrors
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Preventive Maintenance
- 21 Series Hydraulic Lift - Preventive Maintenance Checklist
- B Series Box Lift - Preventive Maintenance Checklist
- D Series Hydraulic Lift - Preventive Maintenance Checklist
- DB Series Package Handling Lift - Preventive Maintenance Checklist
- F Series 4-Post Mechanical Lift - Preventive Maintenance List
- M and MQ Series Mechanical Lifts - Preventive Maintenance Checklist
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Service Bulletins
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Installation Manuals
- 21 Series - Hydraulic VRC - 2-Post Cantilever - Installation Manual
- 21 Series - Hydraulic VRC - 2-Post Straddle - Installation Manual
- B Series - Box Lift - Owner's, Installation, and Maintenance Manual
- D Series - Hydraulic VRC - Installation Manual
- DB Series - Package Handling Lift - Owner's, Installation, and Maintenance Manual
- F Series - Mechanical VRC - 4-Post Installation Manual
- M Series - Mechanical VRC - 2-Post Cantilever - Installation Manual
- M Series - Mechanical VRC- 2-Post Straddle- Installation Manual
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Owner's Product Manuals
- 21 Series - Hydraulic VRC - Owner's Manual
- B Series - Box Lift - Owner's, Installation, and Maintenance Manual
- D Series - Hydraulic VRC - Owner's Manual
- DB Series - Package Handling Lift - Owner's, Installation, and Maintenance Manual
- F Series - Mechanical VRC - Owner's Manual with Eurodrive
- F Series - Mechanical VRC - Owner's Manual with NORD Motordrive
- M Series - Mechanical VRC - Owner's Manual with Eurodrive
- M Series -Mechanical VRC - Owner's Manual with Nord Motordrive
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Dimensional Schematics
- 21 Series CSI Spec - No Quick Connect
- 21 Series CSI Spec - Quick Connect
- 21 Series Hydraulic Lift - Cantilever Style - Dimensional Schematic
- 21 Series Hydraulic Lift - Straddle Style - Dimensional Schematic
- 21 Series, Cantilever, CAD Drawing
- 21 Series, Straddle, CAD Drawing
- B Series Box Lift - Dimensional Schematic
- Bi-Panel Swing Gate Dimensions
- Bi-Panel Vertical Gate Dimensions
- D Series CAD Drawing
- D Series CSI Spec - No Quick Connect
- D Series CSI Spec - Quick Connect
- D Series Hydraulic Lift- Dimensions Schematic
- DB Series CAD Drawing
- DB1 Series Package Handling Lift - Dimensional Schematic
- DB2 Series Package Handling Lift - Dimensional Schematic
- F Series 4-Post Mechanical Lift - Dimensions Schematic
- F Series CAD Drawing
- F Series CSI Spec
- M Series 2-Post Mechanical Lift - Cantilever Style - Dimensions Schematic
- M Series 2-Post Mechanical Lift - Straddle Style - Dimensional Schematic
- M Series CSI Spec
- M Series, Cantilever, CAD Drawing
- M Series, Straddle, CAD Drawing
- Single Panel Vertical Gate Dimensions
- Single Sliding Gate Dimension
- Single Swing Gate Dimensions
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Applications
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Videos
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Gate Installation Instructions
- 15709-0005 - Gate Installation - Sliding - Swing - Bi-Parting
- 15709-0014 - Gate Installation - Bi-Panel Vertical Acting
- 15709-0120 - Gate Installation - Floor Level Swing with Sliding Latch
- 15709-0126 - Gate Installation - Floor Level Bi-Swing with Sliding Latch
- 15709-0133 - Gate Installation - Motorized Single Vertical Acting
- 15709-0143 - Gate Installation - Motorized Bi-Panel Vertical Acting
- 15709-0156 - Gate Installation - Single Vertical Acting
- 15709-0157 - Gate Installation - Carriage Mounted Single Vertical Acting
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Safety Data Sheets
- 15713-0001 - SDS, Lubriplate 930 AAA
- 15713-0002 - SDS, Mobil SHC 630, Standard Synthetic Oil
- 15713-0003 - SDS, MobilGear 600 XP 220, Standard Base Oil
- 15713-0004 - SDS, Shell Omala S4 GX 220, Gear Lubricant
- 15713-0007 - SDS, Paint, Enamel - PFlow Blue, Aerosol
- 15713-0008 - SDS, Exxon MobilGrease XHP 222 Special
- 15713-0011 - SDS, Paint, Fast Dry Acrylic Enamel, PFlow Blue
- 15713-0012 - SDS, Paint, Universal Primer, PFlow Primer II
- 15713-0014 - SDS, Hydraulic, Biodegradable, Clarion AW Oil 32
- 15713-0015 - SDS, Weld-Aid Brite Zinc B-100, Aerosol
- 15713-0018 - SDS, Shell Omala S2 G 220, Gear Lubricant
- 15713-0021 - SDS, Fast Cure Epoxy, Macropoxy 646 (Part A) Mill White
- 15713-0022 - SDS, Dow Corning Oil, Molykote L-1468FG, Synthetic Freezer Chain Oil
- 15713-0023 - SDS, Mobil SHC CIBUS 220, Synthetic Oil
- 15713-0026 - SDS, Eureka Fluid Film Aerosol, Corrosion Inhibitor
- 15713-0028 - SDS, Benz Oil DEXRON III, ATF Hydraulic Fluid
- 15713-0031 - SDS, Shell Omala S4 GX 150, Gear Oil
- 15713-0035 - SDS, Starfire Multi-Purpose ATF Dexron III/Mercon
- 15713-0036 - SDS, Clarion Food Grade Machinery AW 32, Hydraulic Oil
- 15713-0038 - SDS, Paint, Safety Yellow, Aerosol
- 15713-0039 - SDS, Paint, Safety Yellow, Enamel
- 15713-0042 - SDS, Roll-on Paint, PFlow Blue
- 15713-0043 - SDS, Mobil SHC Gear 220 Synthetic Gear Lubricant
- 15713-0044 - SDS, LPS Cold Galvanize BrightCoat Aerosol
- 15713-0045 - SDS, CRC Dry Graphic Lubricant
- 15713-0046 - SDS, Duraspar 130 Gray Primer
- Corothane Exterior Epoxy - Safety Data Sheet
- Corothane Exterior Epoxy Hardener - Safety Data Sheet
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PFlow VRCs Provide Vertical Logistics at High Rise Audi Dealership
Brand loyalty runs deep in the automotive industry, with the most devoted consumers driving models from the same manufacturer for much of their adult lives. The auto dealership is the face of this relationship, with the strength of the bond formed from the early stages by the quality of the consumer experience at the local level.
Good dealers grow, and when they do, new, larger facilities are often required.
For major market urban dealers, a move can be a challenge, balancing the need to remain close to their established clientele while finding enough land for the necessary expansion.
Audi Central Houston (formerly known as Momentum Audi) faced this issue several years ago, as it planned to build what is currently the largest Audi dealership facility in North America.
The dealership is owned by Sonic Automotive, one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. With more than 100 dealerships representing 25 auto brands, Sonic is spread across 25 major metropolitan markets in 14 states.
Project Overview
Houston, Texas
Audi Dealership
- F Series 4-Post Mechanical Lift
- M Series 2-Post Mechanical Lift
- F Series Lifts Loads up to 8,000 lbs
- M Series Lifts Loads up to 2,000 lbs
- F Series 73’ Vertical Rise
- M Series 62’ Vertical Rise
- F Series 6 Levels of Vertical Rise
- M Series 6 Levels of Vertical Rise
- F Series 18 FPM Travel speed
- M Series 25 FPM Travel speed
“As the business grew at the central Houston store it became clear that we needed to expand beyond the space that was available at our existing location,” said Wayne Hadaway, a Sonic Automotive executive who managed the design and construction of the new facility. “We wanted to stay close to our existing clientele, but move to a more accessible and visible location so we could continue to attract new customers.”
Build Up, Not Out
An ideal location, only a mile away, was found just off the Southwest Freeway at Greenbriar Drive. But rather than build out, the one acre footprint of the available space required that Sonic build up.
A two year planning and construction period began, and in March 2014, the seven story store, 142,000 sq. ft., $25 million facility opened. It is one of the tallest and most high-tech dealerships in the country.
More than eight-times the size of a conventional dealership, the building houses a 10-car glass-ensconced showroom on the ground level; and on the upper levels, administrative offices, more than 40 service and inspection bays, an automated car wash, an in-house café, and storage for more than 300 vehicles.
Two VRCs Enable the High Rise Design
Cars can be driven to each level on a spiral ramp that runs from the ground level to the seventh level at the back of the building. Two key components of the infrastructure that enable the high-rise design to work seamlessly, however, are two vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs), designed and manufactured by PFlow.
An F Series, four-post VRC runs the 73’ distance from the ground floor to the sixth floor Service Department, with stops at each level in between. It has a useable lift carriage of 10’ 0” W x 20’ 0” L x 8’ 0” H and an 8,000 lb. capacity. Primarily intended to move inoperable cars to the storage and service levels, it features powered steel roll-up doors at each level and plenty of capacity to lift Audi’s largest luxury models.
The PFlow M Series, two-post lift travels the 62’ distance from the ground to the fifth floor Parts Department, with a third stop on the fifth floor parts storage mezzanine. It is solely designed to move incoming parts from the delivery access point to the parts levels, and used boxes and other refuse back down for recycling and disposal. It has a useable lift carriage of 8’ 6” W x 8’ 6” L x 7’ 0” H, a 2,000 lb. capacity and similar doors as the larger F Series.
“In order to connect all the elements of a full service dealership, the two VRCs are an absolute necessity for multi-level stores like this,” said Hadaway. “The ramp is of no use for broken down cars, and parts department lifts are becoming a necessity in dealerships of all types.”
A Collaborative Effort
As is often the case in complex projects, a collaborative effort among several firms was instrumental in designing and building the Audi Central Houston facility.
The two VRCs were specified early in the design process when Goree Architects, a commercial architect in Houston that designed the building, consulted with David Willemssen of Precision Warehouse Design (PWD) on potential vertical logistics solutions.
PWD, a material handling equipment dealer and consulting company, helped determine the necessary styles, sizes, payloads and other features that led the selection and design of the two PFlow VRCs.
“PWD does a lot of work with PFlow on more complex lifts. There are a handful of companies that can do the simpler, low payload, two level lifts. For anything where some real engineering expertise is required the list shrinks considerably,” said Willemssen. “Goree brought us in specifically due to the challenge of designing and installing these lifts.”
Installation Challenges
A further challenge arose when the construction schedule required that the elevator shafts and the building roof were to be erected before the VRCs were installed.
Due to the increased complexity of the installation, PWD selected Highland Machine Works (HMW), an elite machinery installation firm, to install the material lifts.
With the roof and walls already in place, HMW could not use standard lifting equipment to place and secure the guide posts, and to erect and assemble the lift structure. This required the design and construction of a temporary overhead I-beam to hang winches and hoists necessary to place and secure the lift components.
Said Jim Jones, the site supervisor from Wier Enterprises, the General Contractor, “I was assigned to the job because of my experience with high rise buildings. What I saw Highland and PWD do was as close to building a ship in a bottle that I have seen. There was a tremendous amount of planning and coordination involved throughout the entire installation process. PWD and HMW are both champions in my mind.”
Model for the Future
Now that the first high rise car dealership in Texas has been successfully operating with rave reviews, the design and installation issues are a distant memory. The prevalence of similar designs is growing in urban areas, with the success of the few pioneering projects like Audi Central Houston.
The larger F Series has been used for more than moving inoperable cars. It is also put into periodic use when excess capacity is required for moving new and used cars in and out of inventory. Nothing impresses a new owner more than a pristine new purchase being lowered to the ground by a VRC.
“A big part of Sonic’s strategy is growth in urban markets,” said Hadaway. “Due to the positive experience both during and after construction with the Audi store in Houston, I am sure the high rise model will be used in other locations.”
“PWD does a lot of work with PFlow on more complex lifts. There are a handful of companies that can do the simpler, low payload, two level lifts. For anything where some real engineering expertise is required the list shrinks considerably. Goree brought us in specifically due to the challenge of designing and installing these lifts.”
David Willemssen, Precision Warehouse Design