Freight elevators are a linchpin in today's warehouses. They are manufactured to convey heavy loads between different floors. You can readily move pallets, big machinery/equipment, and bulky inventory in it. Compared to passenger elevators, freight elevators have a rugged structure, more weight capacity and heavy-duty doors for frequent use. One fascinating fact about freight elevators is that they can lift 150000 kg of load together. In this blog, we will shed light on the role of freight elevators in warehouses, their upsides and how they improve the operation.
What is a Freight Elevator?
As the name suggests, a freight elevator is designed to carry freight between different levels of a facility. Sometimes it is also called a service elevator, cargo elevator, or goods lift. They have a cabin room, vertically opening doors, and a next-gen hydraulic system. You may have notice them installed in warehouses, construction sites, car dealerships, factories, industrial areas, commercial buildings, hospitals, thermal power plants, etc.
Key Features of a Freight Elevator:
- High Load Capacity: It can carry tons of weight.
- Durable Framework: Made from high-tensile steel and aluminum.
- Manual or Automated Operation: Some models need an operator, while some are fully automated.
- Safety Features: Includes interlocks, a protective box for pump station, a safety warning label, an explosive-proof valve, an upper safety limit switch, a 24V DC safety control circuit, a manual lowering valve, an emergency stop, an overload warning, a voltage protector, and a galvanized pulley.
Types of Freight Elevators:
- Hydraulic Freight Elevators: They have a hydraulic mechanism and are mostly used in low-rise buildings.
- Traction Freight Elevators: Operate via counterweights and cables and are found in mid- to high-rise warehouses.
- Industrial Dumbwaiters: Compact lifts for moving lightweight items.
- Heavy-Duty Freight Elevators: Built for extreme loads and rugged use.
The Importance of Freight Elevators in Warehouses
With the proliferation of e-commerce, large-scale distribution centers and other logistic services, the value of reliable freight lifts in warehouses is more than ever. We can’t overlook their role at any cost. Here are a few reasons why freight elevators are so important in warehouses:
- Increase the Speed of Operations: Freight elevators help warehouses move supplies in a short duration and in a well-planned way. It rules out scenarios like delays in stock and shipping in the business. As a business owner, you can complete the process way before the deadline. Also, it reduces the number of trips needed to move materials.
- Eliminate Manual Labor: Lifting and moving heavy goods manually from one place to another is a risky activity. Freight elevators eliminate the need for manual labor. According to industry reports, lifting equipment like freight elevators has significantly decreased material handling injuries by 30%.
- Speeds Up Logistics and Inventory Management: With a freight elevator, warehouses can quickly circulate freight between storage areas, which automatically expedites inventory restocking and order fulfillment. This helps businesses cope with demand and supply processes strategically.
Benefits of Using Freight Elevators
Freight elevators are not just bought for their importance in warehouses; they also offer numerous benefits that you can’t ignore. It can be in the form of their specifications, safety features, reduced expenses or space optimization. Let’s have a look at some key benefits of using freight elevators in warehouses:
- Extra Load Capacity: There are countless manufacturers of freight elevators in the market and they all have multiple models of freight elevators with a specific load capacity. You can invest according to your requirement and save time in the operation by completing it early.
- Additional Safety: As we have discussed above, lifting heavy loads manually is dangerous. But when you use a freight elevator, it helps prevent workplace injuries and protects the goods from damage by offering a stable and safe lifting solution.
- Space Optimization: Another benefit is that it covers less space for installation. Warehouses often have very limited floor space. Freight elevators are installed vertically, which fully uses the available space and reduces obstructions on the ground level.
- Cost Savings: When you ditch the need for labor and prevent product damage, your overall operational costs will be less. Freight elevators allow workers to concentrate on other essential tasks.
In Conclusion
To sum up, freight elevators serve a vital role in the operations of warehouses. But it is only effective when you invest in the right freight elevator. And for that you need to find a reputable freight elevator manufacturer. Mostar Lift is the best of the best. For over 2 decades, we have been providing high-quality lifting solutions. We use sophisticated technology and strict quality control to offer reliable and customized elevators. Don’t wait any longer and become one of the happy clients from 160 countries. Contact us today.
