How to Determine Which Type of Lift is Right for You
A vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC), also known as a material lift, is essential for optimizing your facility's space, as it ensures you can access otherwise unused space above or below the main floor.
With a VRC, you can efficiently move heavy loads of inventory and materials to mezzanines, upper floor levels, or basement areas, allowing you to fully utilize your facility's space. Using a VRC to move materials between floor levels is not only safter than other vertical lifting means (like forklifts or scissor lifts), they are also more efficient and cost-effective than other lifting equipment.
Now, the question is: which type of material lift is right for your facility – a mechanical lift or a hydraulic lift? Let's compare both options.
Mechanical Lifts
PFlow Mechanical lifts use a chain over sprocket lifitng design to ensure smooth travel and bounce-free stops to multiple levels.
Key points to remember about PFlow mechanical lifts are:
- They have unlimited vertical rise
- They can handle extremely heavy loads (50,000 lbs or more!)
- They can operate in continuous use applications
- They can be integrated as part of an automated conveyor system
- They are available in cantilever, straddle, and 4-post configuration
Hydraulic Lifts
PFlow hydraulic lifts use compressed fluid to generate power to lift materials in 2-level lifting applications.
Key points to remember about PFlow hydraulic lifts are:
- They are perfect for 2-level lifting
- They have a max vertical rise to 22′
- Their max lifting capacity is 6,000 lbs
- They have limited daily cycle capabilities (10/hour – 100/day)
- They are perfect for lifting pallet loads to a second level
- Their use may be restricted in certain environments
Which Lift Works for Your Needs
The right lift depends on your specific needs. If your application requires lifting pallet loads to a second floor level a few times per day, a hydraulic VRC may be the perfect option. However, if your application requires lifting materials to multiple floor levels, lifting loads over 6,000 lbs, or, you require more than lifting cycles per hour, a mechanical VRC may work best for you.
If you're interested in installing a VRC but you're not sure which lift will best meet your needs, contact us today. We can design a material lift that best fits the needs of your operations.
Check out our VRC blog for more information on how mechanical and hydraulic lifts are used in a wide variety of applications.