Author: Paqui Serrano

Postgraduate in Product management at Eada Business School. Qualification in Project Manager and Community Manager from Cecot. Responsible for Marketing and Communication at GMV Eurolift SAU since 2010.

Where to install a hydraulic elevator: homes, buildings and special projects

types of buildings where a hydraulic elevator is installed

Article updated: 18-06-2026 Summary: The hydraulic elevator moves the cabin with a motor that pumps pressurized oil on a piston, and adapts to each building: in single-family homes it does not need space above the opening, it only consumes when going up and can run on single-phase batteries and even connect to solar panels, in blocks […]

Differences between a domestic elevator and an elevator

Comparative image between a domestic elevator and an elevator

Article updated: 21-07-2026 Summary: The domestic elevator (hydraulic or electric) is governed by the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, is limited to 0.15 m/s with sustained pulsation, operates on a single-phase 220V power supply, needs a pit of only 10-20 cm, is checked every 3 months and serves for 2-6 stops (12-15 m), while the elevator […]

How a hydraulic lift works

At what maximum distance can the central piston be? One of the most notable advantages of hydraulic technology over electrical technology is the flexibility of location of the engine room or cabinet where the maneuvering board and the power plant are located. The hydraulic power plant can be installed at a maximum indicative distance of 10 to 15 meters from the elevator shaft. It is not necessary to place it at the top or adjacent to the chassis. It can be located in a small room in the basement, in a storage room or in a closet under the stairs. However, at a greater channeling distance: • The loss of hydraulic load (fluid friction) increases. • It is necessary to increase the diameter of the pipes to maintain travel speed. • The total volume of oil in the circuit is increased. Frequently asked questions about hydraulic operation 10.1. Why does the elevator slowly descend when it reaches the floor? It is the normal operation of the approach speed. To ensure that the cabin floor is smoothly at the same level as the building floor, the valves progressively reduce the oil flow just before stopping. 10.2. The elevator shouldn't be jerking: what causes a sudden bump when starting or stopping? This is usually due to misalignment in the valve group's progressivity screws or misalignment in the frequency converter (if the installation has one). It can also be caused by the presence of air in the hydraulic circuit or by inadequate viscosity of the cold oil. 10.3. What breakdown causes jumps or pulls during the journey? This effect is usually caused by: • Air trapped inside the cylinder that compresses and expands. • Excessive friction between the piston retainer and the cylinder liner due to lack of lubrication. • Dirty or misaligned cabin guides. 10.4. Can the elevator be stopped going up or down? Yeah. The moment the stop button is pressed or the safety series is interrupted (for example, when opening a door), the maneuver immediately cuts off the current to the solenoid valves and the motor. The valves close due to the action of their internal springs and stop the passage of oil. 10.5. Why does the elevator stop going up with more than two people? It indicates that the system cannot generate enough pressure to lift the load. The usual causes are: • The overpressure valve is set too low and diverts the oil to the tank prematurely. • The motor or pump is worn out and has lost drive capacity. • There is an internal leak in the valve group. 10.6. What happens if the oil overheats? Continued work (many trips in a row) raises the temperature of the fluid. When heated, the oil loses viscosity and becomes more fluid, which can lead to: • Worse precision in leveling with floors. • Loss of speed on the climb. To prevent this, hydraulic systems include a thermostat. If the temperature exceeds the safety limit (usually between 50 °C and 60 °C), the elevator ends the current journey, descends to the ground floor and keeps the doors open out of service until the oil returns to its working temperature. Optional oil coolers are installed in high-traffic buildings.

Updated article: 24-09-2026 Summary: A hydraulic elevator is a lifting system that moves the cabin with the oil pressure that a pump drives towards a piston, with the hydraulic power plant up to 10-15 m from the shaft and a practical limit of 6 stops (about 18 m), expandable to 8 with 2:1 traction. Upload with […]

Piston position and type of traction

photograph of a GMV hydraulic piston for a hydraulic elevator

Updated article: 28-07-2026 Summary: Direct traction (1:1) allows the piston to push the cab without intermediaries, with few moving parts, little maintenance and a large load capacity (forklift, car lift, runs of up to about 24 m), but with a central piston it requires drilling a pit as deep as the run. Differential traction (2:1) uses a […]

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