Lifting platform: all types

The term platform lift refers to all lifts that allow vertical mobility of goods and people.

The terms platform lift, elevator and goods lift are often used synonymously, but in reality they are different product groups.

In this article we will look at the main types of platform lifts and goods lifts and examine their differences and the various ways they can be used.

1. The main types of platform lift

We can divide the types of platform lift into two main categories: inclined platform lifts (also called stairlifts) and vertical platform lifts.

Inclined lifting platforms

Also called stair lifts or power stair lifts, inclined lifting platforms are electric platforms that allow people with disabilities or limited mobility to move from one floor to another in a house or apartment building.

Unlike elevators and vertical lifting platforms, the inclined lifting platform is installed along the side of a staircase, hence the name inclined.

The electric motor allows the user to be transported up and down; from a structural point of view there is no closed cabin, but a platform with an open compartment hooked to the guide.

The inclined lifting platform is suitable for multi-storey houses and apartment buildings with limited space, because it requires little space for installation.

Vertical lifting platform

The term vertical lifting platform refers to a system that allows the vertical transportation of people, with or without mobility problems.

Also called mini elevators, vertical platforms differ from elevators in terms of size, speed and electrical power used.

These systems use less power to operate; they are therefore more suitable for single family homes or condominiums with few floors.

The platforms can be divided into two main categories, based on the type of operation:

• platform with automatic operation and
• platform with manned operation.

2. Platform with automatic operation

In this configuration the platforms are completely automatic, i.e. the button is pressed to start the system, just like an elevator.

They can be equipped with different types of cabin door: folding or sliding doors, and can be installed in both the interior and the exterior of the home.

3. Attendant-operated elevator

These are elevators without cabin doors; they are the simplest and cheapest models, but it is necessary to keep the button pressed to operate the vertical movement of the elevator.

The vertical lifting platform can be installed outside the building or inside.

Compared to the stairlift, the installation of the vertical lifting platform requires a closed space.

4. The main types of goods lifts

We can group goods lifts into two different groups:

• Industrial freight elevators and
• small freight elevators, also called micro-lifts or micro elevators, usually used in the hotel and restaurant industry.

5. Industrial freight elevator

The industrial freight elevator is used in companies where it is necessary to move very heavy loads: construction sites, steel industry or manufacturing.

This type of goods elevator has a very high capacity that can exceed 1500 kg and is suitable for transporting both goods and people. They can be installed both indoors and outdoors and are powered by electricity.

Despite their large capacity, these are not elevators for people or balcony hoists, but products suitable only for industrial use. When we talk about hoists for the disabled, we are not referring to this type of product but to the lifting platforms we mentioned in the previous paragraphs.

6. Small hoists or micro elevators

These lifts are designed only for the transport of goods, and have a capacity of up to 300 kg.

They are almost always used indoors, and allow goods, drinks or food to be moved from one floor to another.

They are not suitable for transporting people due to their small size: they cannot therefore be considered in any way a substitute for elevators or lifting platforms.