Considering what the basic components of hydraulic equipment are, and how a simple hydraulic system works, we only need to apply this knowledge to a hydraulic elevator to understand how it works.
What do we mean by hydraulic lift?
"Elevator in which the energy required to lift the load is transmitted by a pump with an electric drive motor that transmits a hydraulic fluid to a cylinder that acts directly or indirectly on the cabin"
Uphill and downhill operation
To upload
The motor-pump assembly pumps fluid from the power plant through the valve assembly (and the line) to the piston. When one of the valves opens, the pressurized fluid takes the path of least resistance and returns to the power plant reservoir. But when the valve closes, the fluid has no choice but to go into the cylinder. As fluid builds up in the cylinder, the pressure pushes the piston upward , raising the elevator car.
When the car approaches the correct floor, the control system sends a signal to the electric motor to stop the pump gradually. With the pump stopped, there is no more oil to flow, and the oil already in the cylinder cannot escape (it cannot return to the power plant tank through the pump, and the valve remains closed). The rod rests on the fluid and the car remains where it is.
To go down
To lower the cabin, the elevator control system sends a signal to the valve. When the valve opens, the fluid that was in the cylinder flows into the central reservoir.
Thanks to the force of gravity, the weight of the cabin (and the load, if any) pushes the cylinder downwards and directs the fluid into the tank, gradually lowering the elevator. In this way, the elevator only consumes energy when ascending, as it descends due to gravity. To stop the cabin on a lower floor, the control system closes the valve again.
- Advantages of installing a hydraulic lift
- The hydraulic system: the basic idea
- Submersible electric motors for hydraulic lifts
[SWF]/wp-content/uploads/elevator-hydraulic.swf, 400, 500[/SWF]
Source: howstuffworks.com
107 comments
The hydraulic elevator is very necessary for human beings.
Thank you very much for your comment!
We hope that our blog will help you to better understand the operation and advantages of installing and maintaining a hydraulic lift.
Interesting, thanks for the information, but I do have a question...
How many floors can this hydraulic system cover?
thank you.
Hello Absolute,
Thank you for your comment. A hydraulic elevator can reach up to 8 stops without any problem. For more stops (for example 10 or 11) each case must be studied as it will depend on the characteristics of the building and the installation.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Greetings!
We request information regarding the dimensions of the entire hydraulic elevator cubicle, including machines and elements for said elevator.
Thank you. Arch. Osmar Pascuale
Hello Osmar,
The dimensions required for the elevator shaft vary greatly depending on the type of elevator. Each manufacturer determines the dimensions required for a hydraulic elevator based on the dimensions of the cabin, the number of entrances, the type of doors and the design of the elevator.
Greetings,
It is very good to know, especially many things
Hello! I would like you to help me with which valves make up the valve group!
Could you explain to me why the elevator, when it reaches the required floor, starts to slowly descend on its own?
Good morning Gerardo,
The fact that the elevator starts to descend slowly when it reaches the floor level may be due to several circumstances that should be checked. If it is an electric elevator, it should be checked that the brake closes the traction pulley correctly and does not cause the pulley to turn. Likewise, it should also be checked that the cables do not slip.
On the other hand, if it is a hydraulic lift, it must be checked that there is no internal or external leak in the valve group, or any associated component (hand pump, emergency button, etc.), or the solenoid valves that control the descent of the cabin (dirty filters or a seal in poor condition). Finally, it must be verified that the closure of the non-return valve of the valve group, which keeps the cabin on the floor, is in good condition (check for worn seal, worn material or dirty filters).
In the event of an oil leak, at the two points I have detailed, this will cause the elevator to slowly descend when it reaches the floor. If these points are not repaired, this descent will progressively increase over time.
The best thing to do in these situations is to contact the elevator installer or manufacturer so they can inform you of the actions to be taken.
In the case of a hydraulic lift with GMV equipment, you can send us more details about the installation so that we can send you the most appropriate documentation and resolve the problem. If you prefer, you can also contact us at +34 937 745 455 or info@es.gmvgrupo.com .
Greetings!
A piston to lift 1500 kg, is it available on the market? Can it be easily arranged? It is for a freight elevator
Good afternoon Jose,
Indeed, there are pistons that can lift 1500 kg and much higher loads without any problem. The pistons, whether single-stage or telescopic, are designed to lift much heavier loads.
In any case, the choice of piston type (traction type, 1 stage, telescopic, etc.) will depend on the characteristics of your installation.
In the Product Catalogue (free registration) you can consult the different types of pistons, including those that are specific for forklifts. There you will find technical specifications, measurements, etc.
We hope we have resolved your doubt.
Greetings,
Hello! In a building with 6 stops, a hydraulic elevator similar to the one in the illustration was installed, measuring 1x1.2m and with a maximum load of 480kg.
When testing, we noticed that when ascending and reaching each level, a very sudden stop is felt and the cushioning of the liquid is felt when stopping.
The installer tells me that adjustments will be made to make it right.
The question is basically whether these lifts actually make smooth stops similar to the conventional pulley system or whether you will always have this shock absorption when stopping while ascending?
You will have to see that your hydraulic system has approximately a distance to the piston of approximately 3 to 4 meters with all turns?
What should I consider so that the elevator can be delivered to us in good working order?
How often does it require maintenance and how is it different in this respect from a conventional elevator?
Sorry for so many questions, but I didn't know about this system and I don't know if I've ever gotten into one. But I'm curious to know if it's a good system for people who have paid to live in good quality apartments and who generally demand good services, given that I have to hand over their apartments to them and I'm sure they'll ask these questions.
Thank you for your attention, your comments and the help you provide to all of us who find your website.
Successes!!!!
Good afternoon Luis,
Don't worry about asking, we wrote the blog specifically to help you solve these types of questions.
First of all, you should bear in mind that a hydraulic and an electric lift offer the same type of performance and comfort (smoothness and precision of stopping), so it is quite possible that, as you say, you have gotten into a hydraulic lift without realising it. Currently, both solutions are marketed depending on the type of installation. In the following article you can see the basic differences that exist between electric traction lifts and hydraulic ones.
You may also be interested in the following articles:
– The hydraulic system: the basic idea
– Operation of a hydraulic elevator
– Advantages of installing a hydraulic lift
From what you tell us, the problem is simply due to incorrect regulation of the valve group, which is responsible for regulating the precision and smoothness of the stop. We do not know what type of valve group the installation has, but today there are electronic valve groups on the market (which offer a high degree of comfort) and conventional mechanical ones, which also achieve a smooth and precise stop if a good regulation is carried out. As your installer says, it is only necessary to make the necessary adjustments to the valve group to achieve the smoothness and precision of the stop .
As regards maintenance, just like an electric lift, it must undergo a monthly inspection. In the following article you will find information regarding the maintenance of a hydraulic lift . If you prefer, you can also consult the optimal maintenance conditions on our website.
We hope we have resolved all your doubts.
Greetings!
Hello, a hydraulic elevator is being installed in my building. It turns out that the closet cannot be placed on the ground floor. Is there a difference between putting it on the first floor or the third? How does this affect its operation and maintenance? Is it better to put it as close to the ground floor as possible or not?
Thanks in advance.
Hello Yaidel,
Hydraulic lifts have the advantage of being able to locate their "machine room" in the lift shaft or in a cabinet. In the case of the latter, it does not matter which floor it is located on as long as a maximum radius of 15 metres is not exceeded between the piston oil outlet and the central oil outlet (located inside the cabinet). In this case, it will not affect its performance.
All the best.
Thanks!! It helped me a lot for a school project.
but you can't go up very high, that's the bad thing about this elevator.
Hello, I have a problem with a 5-stop hydraulic elevator in a building. The problem is the following, when more than 2 people get on it starts uphill, travels 5 cm and the board resets. My question is if it could be a valve problem. I am going to change the transformer, because I think that when the motor takes a little more amperage the transformer falls. The board power supply is 24v. Any suggestions?
Hello good morning,
I would like to know if it is possible for a hydraulic elevator to consume three times as much electricity as an electric one.
thank you
Dear Sirs. I have a problem with a side-piston hydraulic lift. After approximately a week of use following calibration, the lift loses its level. Sometimes it goes over the stop level and other times it doesn't reach it, and it is stopped. I think the problem has to do with the temperature of the fluid. How is the temperature of the fluid maintained? What other fault could the lift have?
Thank you very much in advance.
Felix
Hello, good morning, I would like to know what the energy consumption of an elevator of this type is! Thank you.
Can you weld an elevator pump?
Hello Victor,
First of all, we would like to thank you for the trust you have placed in our company to resolve your query. Regarding the question you asked us, we do not know which part is going to be welded, but we recommend not making repairs to the pumps since the pump has probably reached the end of its useful life. The pump is made of cast aluminium and can probably be welded, although we cannot guarantee that it will work correctly.
Greetings.
thank you
It is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of elevators so that we can choose the best option for each case.
I would like to know what preparation should be made, related to the structure of a building, for this type of elevator, especially the central hydraulic piston elevator.
What are the loads that I should take into account? I imagine that this requires a reinforced concrete slab or something similar. Also, from what I understand, the loads are not transmitted to the walls?
Thank you so much
Another thing is that I had the goal of continuing to work in this way,
which would be a frequent activity, and would have to
pay the contribution every month.
In any case, GMV advises you to contact your elevator company and discuss the issue with them.
Greetings,
I would like to know the power of the motor for a two-story elevator and if it can be a single-phase motor.
thank you
Hello,
In order to answer your question, we need more information about the installation, as we need to make a calculation. You can contact us by email at: comercial@es.gmvgrupo.com We will be happy to answer your query.
Hello, my question is about the dimensions of the machine room (the minimum required) for an elevator of this type. And if it can be located both underground and in a machine room on the roof. I understand that the oil must have a route, and I think it would be optimal for it to be underground, is that correct?
Good afternoon, while searching a little on your page I found the article on “how a hydraulic elevator works” and I would like to know if you are interested in buying and/or could help me sell a hydraulic pump for a vertical elevator. I work in demolition and excavations. In the last project there was an elevator like the one shown in your article. The pump and parts that go inside the hydraulic oil tank were recovered, as well as the transmission. Well, without further ado for the moment and thanking you in advance for your attention, I say goodbye and remain at your service. Art. Gerardo Pedraza
Good afternoon Gerardo, first of all, thank you for visiting our blog. In response to your suggestion, we would like to inform you that our company is dedicated to the marketing of new components for hydraulic lifts, so we do not buy these same components second hand. In any case, we thank you for your offer.
Hello:
I have a GMV lift of up to 250 kg and when it goes over 100 kg.
It doesn't go up anymore. Could you tell me why?
Thank you.
Good morning Thomas,
The problem may be a bit more complex, so it would be ideal if a technician from the installation could call us. Our phone number is: 93 774 57 90.
Greetings.
Good morning Pserrano, I don't know if you could help me with an elevator that we are installing for my boss's house. We already have the components such as the structure for the pistons, pistons, hydraulic pump, tank. I would need the hydraulic valves and other accessories that a hydraulic elevator should have.
Thank you very much in advance.
Williams Chavez.
Good afternoon Williams,
In order to help you, we need to know exactly all the materials you have and the installation details, such as loads, route, etc. I am providing you with our email address so that you can contact us directly and resolve your query: comercial@es.gmvgrupo.com
Good afternoon. I am a student at a technical college and I am working on a project for a 4-story building. I would like to know more or less the electrical consumption, its capacity and what kind of care it needs for its optimal use. Any information would be useful to me, thank you very much!
Good afternoon Alan,
In order to answer your question, we need more information about the installation.
In order to serve you more personally, I would appreciate it if you could provide us with an email address through which we can contact you,
Thanks for the reply! According to what I found: 12 meters of travel, 3 meters between floors (ground floor and three floors), a 1.50 pit for the protection of the piston and central machine. Capacity of 4 to 6 people if possible. Use is 2-3 times per hour.
Will it have a three-phase connection?
What is the electrical consumption of a complete trip to the top floor?
What is the average speed of the elevator?
If construction continues, what is the maximum height that the elevator can reach?
Thank you very much in advance, if I make any mistakes, please feel free to correct me 🙂 alanpio2013@outlook.com
Our elevator does not go up, only manually but it restarts and does not do it anymore.
I don't know if it needs oil or if it needs to be purged, what can be done?
Good morning Juan Michel, the information you have given us is not sufficient to tell you the reason why your lift does not go up, as it could be due to several factors. As manufacturers, our advice is that you contact the company that maintains your lift, as it is this company that should be responsible for the inspection and, if necessary, the repair of the lift.
Good evening. How many pistons are needed for a four-story single-family home? I imagine the system is similar to that of a dump truck. Thank you.
Good morning, the elevator in my community, when it goes down, especially on the upper floors, goes down suddenly and the truth is that sometimes it scares me. It is dangerous and it could be faulty. Thank you very much.
Good morning,
First of all, we would like to thank you for contacting us to resolve your query. With the information you provide us, we cannot know what type of elevator your community has or what may be happening to it. I refer your query to our technical service who will contact you as soon as possible.
Good night!
I am Hugo, a student at the National Technological University (Argentina). I have to carry out a project on a hydraulic elevator, the design and calculations of the elements that make it up, for any installation, since it is only for a presentation.
I am writing to you in order to request any information you can provide me with on a model project that can serve as a basis for my project. Any information, whether calculations, plans or images, will be extremely valuable to me. Thank you very much! Best regards.
Hugo.
Email: hugo_silva_07@hotmail.com
Hello Hugo,
Our technical department will contact you shortly to help you in any way we can.
Greetings, first of all I would like to congratulate you for the help you provide by offering suggestions and clarifying doubts in the cases that are presented to you in this way. I would like to take this opportunity to explain my case. Is it true that the elevator should be sent to the ground floor as it reduces the tension in the cables? Or rather, by doing this practice am I contributing to the wear and tear of other components of the elevator (motor, pump, brakes...) and to the energy consumption? Keep in mind that I live in an 18-story building and I know that the elevator is currently working but with one less cable than it should have (I don't know how many it uses). Thanks in advance.
Hello Alfredo, thank you very much for your comment. We regret to inform you that, as this is an 18-storey building, this is an electric lift. We are manufacturers of hydraulic lifts, so in this specific case we cannot help you.
Greetings, how could the start and finish stroke be reduced in a single speed hydraulic elevator?
Hello Andres,
In order to answer your question, we need more information about the installation. Our technical department will contact you to provide it and resolve your queries.
Good afternoon. Regarding the hydraulic lift, I don't know if anyone can tell me where I can find a signal that comes from the oil temperature, since we have one that apparently stops working due to overheating. We just want to find the signal to bypass it and if that really is the problem, then we would install an oil cooler.
Thank you very much and I hope you can support me in this regard…
Javier Garcia Diaz
Hi Javier, "Bypassing" a central security device, whether it is a thermistor or a TºC probe, is not recommended. If what you need is to determine whether or not it is necessary to install a refrigerator, the following could be taken into account:
1) If the TºC protections are being activated, it is a clear indicator that it is needed.
2) If the TºC reading of the oil is around 70 ºC then yes it is necessary.
3) With the actual TºC reading, assess whether it is the safety components that are failing.
Greetings,
I have a forklift at home (for a person in a wheelchair) that was mounted on vertical rails and bearings. It is hydraulic. It has a VAT20 frequency converter from G.Electric. When going up, it reaches the limit switch smoothly, but not when going down (sudden stop).
Question: Could the same be adjusted at the end of the race when descending? Thank you very much.
Dear Jose,
First of all, we would like to thank you for contacting us to resolve your query. The equipment can be adjusted to make the descent smoother, but as it is not a GMV product we cannot tell you the steps you should follow. We advise you to contact your supplier.
Good morning, I am an architecture student at the National University of Rosario (Argentina). I am working on a project for a building with 6 floors, basement and roof terrace.
I am writing to you to request any information you can provide me regarding hydraulic lifts for my project, any information, whether calculations, plans or images.
Thank you so much,
Eugenia
Hello Eugenia,
One of our technicians will contact you shortly. Thank you for considering us to resolve your queries.
Greetings!
Good afternoon,
I would like to know the feasibility of installing a hydraulic lift in a single-family home, with a ground floor and a first floor (two floors), that can accommodate a wheelchair and a companion. I would also like to know what characteristics the lift should have, and a budget estimate. Thank you very much!!
Hello M. Jose, Thank you for your inquiry, our sales team will contact you shortly, in the meantime receive a cordial greeting,
Hello, I have the case of a hydraulic bottle lift for cars that also uses an air compressor. I would like to know if you can advise me on how to adjust the height of the lift. Regards.
Good morning,
We have a hydraulic lift at work to raise and lower vehicles. It operates on 3 floors. The specific question is whether it is advisable to send the platform to the lower floor after one use, or whether it can be left on the floor where it is finished without any problem.
I ask because I have a friend who has a domestic one and the technician has recommended that the elevator always sends it to the lower floor after use.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Daniel, in your case, according to regulations, the cabin must be automatically sent to the lowest stop within the first 15 minutes after having made the last normal trip,
Good afternoon, what I need is how to do it and there is no application or something like that.
THANK YOU
Please can you tell me based on what size I request a retainer kit for a GMV piston. What size should I take?
Thank you in advance for all your help.
Greetings
Good morning Wladimir,
To request a retainer kit for a GMV piston, we will need you to provide us with the measurement of the plunger or rod.
Greetings.
The piston type is a 1008 and the plunger is 130. Could you share a picture of the kit?
Thank you in advance for your help.
I have had a hydraulic elevator for 4 years and 6 months, to go up only one floor, it works well but since the last inspection it has been making small jumps until approximately halfway along the route and I don't know if the reason is a lack of oil.
Good morning Carmen,
From what you tell us, you should discuss the problem with the company that maintains your elevator. In all likelihood, it is a lack of lubrication in the guides, since if it were a lack of oil in the hydraulic unit, it would cause the jumps at the end of the travel.
All the best!
Good morning, I am starting a construction that I plan to use as a shelter for senior citizens and I would like to know if a pit is necessarily needed for stretcher lifts for only one level.
Hello, good afternoon, I'm from Zaragoza. I was looking at an elevator to go up from a local to the first floor. The height is 4.30m. I would like it if it wasn't too wide. Let me know.
Greetings and thanks in advance
Good morning Daniel,
Our sales department will contact you shortly to advise you on your needs.
All the best
GMB
Good afternoon.
I have a 12 year old girl who needs to go up from the ground floor to the upper floor (a two story house) and I am considering an elevator for this. Initially I was leaning towards an electric elevator, however, I have learned from the information I have read on your GMV site and I have been convinced of the safety, maintenance and energy efficiency advantages of hydraulic elevators, so I am interested in getting a hydraulic elevator. Therefore, I am kindly requesting all the information you can share with me regarding the design, plans, parts and/or specifications, and control systems needed to cover an approximate height of 3.00 meters, with an opening of approximately 1 square meter.
Receive a cordial greeting.
Good afternoon
I would like to know if it is possible to install a central piston hydraulic elevator (to make the most of the space) in a 6-story building +- 18 meters high. Thank you.
Hello, we installed a GMV hydraulic unit with a capacity of 450 kg, but when only two people get on, the cabin does not move forward. It is only two stories high. I would appreciate your help. Thank you.
greetings.
Hello, I have a hydraulic lift that works very well, but I would like to ask you if it is normal that when you enter the cabin, it makes a "clack" noise and seems to give way a few millimetres. This happens when the lift has been stopped for a while. Thank you in advance.
Thank you for your query Josep Mª, our technical service will contact you today to resolve it.
Dear good afternoon, I am from Tarapoto and I would need the costs of the bottle and the piston for a hydraulic elevator. If you can contact me at 945427074
Good evening. The hydraulic lift has been working until today.
I wanted to try to lower it manually without power and with the red button to the ground floor.
Now he doesn't go up to any floor. The interior doors close and open constantly but he doesn't obey the command. Do you know why? Thank you very much.
Hello Joan Miquel, first of all thank you for sending us your query. In this case, it is necessary for a technician to check why the manoeuvre does not give the order to go up. We suggest that you contact the company that maintains your lift so that they can verify it.
Hello, I have a hydraulic forklift, but the oil was recently changed and now after a few trips, the lift tends to stop off-level. It goes from 12 to 15 cm above the floor. Could you tell me if the characteristics of the oil could affect the proper functioning of the valves or if there is something else causing this failure?
When inspecting a hydraulic lift, when is it best to stop it… going up or down? I have been told that when going down, what can happen is that the lift’s parachute system is activated when it is stopped suddenly… but I have also been told that if the goods lift or elevator has a high capacity… 3000 kg… or more, when going up, the excess pressure can also cause the lift to “stuck”… what would be your recommendation? Thank you very much in advance.
Hello Alberto,
Hydraulic lifts are designed to be able to be stopped both when going up and down without causing any damage, especially when operating at inspection speed.
However, stopping on a downhill slope is less demanding since it is not necessary to stop the motor-pump.
We hope we have helped you.
All the best!