The most common type of freight elevator is a set of sliding telescopic doors

The Different Types of Freight Elevators

A freight elevator (service elevator, freight elevator, or goods elevator in the UK) is an elevated freight elevator used to transport goods, instead of passengers, within a facility. Freight elevators have been in existence for over a century, but are just becoming popular in recent years due to the rise in the volume of shipments being made daily. There are many different types of freight elevators, ranging from conventional three-storey buildings up to much taller structures, which can easily accommodate thousands of vehicles. Most elevators are powered either pneumatically or hydraulically.

The most common type of freight elevator is a set of sliding telescopic doors, also known as a platform. The platform is normally constructed out of steel tube, which is then supported by various anchor chains and bracing systems. Each door in a platform is connected to a set of tracks, usually fixed beneath the floor of the building where it leads to a series of stairs leading up to the platform itself. Each door has a handle on its exterior side which allows the door to be opened. At the top of the stairs is a stairway leading to a safety station that also houses a control panel and emergency stop button.

Some modern freight elevators are fitted with a remotely controlled system called a remote control. This allows the operator to use the same buttons that are used to control the actual elevator - from the platform itself down to the safety station and call button at the base of the stairs. In some cases, buttons and remote controls are built into the structure of the elevator so all the operator needs to do is press the buttons. However, many elevators still require manual operation by the operator. Remote control systems are increasingly more sophisticated, however, and are now often combined with voice recognition technology to allow the operator to use the same buttons as those located on the phone.

Freight elevators are either manually operated or automated. In manual systems, the car elevators are placed on the platform above the ground and are controlled manually by the conductor using an overhead crane. They can move up or down along the rails of the platform and sometimes even tilt slightly in the direction of the movement, depending upon the need. The cost of a manually operated freight elevator can be significantly higher than the cost of an automated system, but they tend to run longer than their automated counterparts. Automated freight elevators, generally, function automatically and can move along the platform more quickly than a person could manually do, but they may also have more restrictions as to the angle at which they can be moved.

There are two different types of freight elevators: directly driven and indirectly driven. In a directly driven freight elevator, one end of the elevator is attached to a permanent overhead pole and the other end is attached to a temporary post, which is then removed. The elevator car, driven by an electric motor, ascends to a landing, where it is connected to a truck or other type of moving vehicle. The doors open, and the car, laden with merchandise, makes its way to the first level of the warehouse. The height and distance from the truck or other vehicle will determine how many levels the loading and unloading process takes. This type of system can move goods vertically or horizontally.

The next option that is now available to companies is called telescopic. Instead of the sliding doors, these are constructed in a horizontal manner. When the car reaches the final level, it will roll the doors outward, allowing all of the doors to open at once. The lower level of a telescopic freight elevator can also accommodate goods that are heavier, such as canned goods. This type of system offers more flexibility and ease of use, but is typically used on smaller-scale assignments.