Investing in the right goods lift can be a crucial decision for any business. From warehouses to industrial units moving heavy inventory or equipment, to shops needing to quickly relocate stock around a busy store, lifts can be vital. However, there are various different types available and it can be hard to know what the right purchase for your business will be. Here, we provide some insight into the range of lifts you could choose, and give you guidance on how to find the right one for you.
What do you need your goods lift to do?
Ask yourself a few questions, including what sort of weights you’re likely to be lifting and how high they need to go. You’ll also need to consider how often you use your lift. These factors will all influence what capacity, lifting height and duty rating you should go for. You’ll also need to consider the surrounding environment, determining whether your lift will be exposed to any elements or will operate in a confined space. This will also impact the design and materials chosen.
What type will fit your needs best?
Once you have an idea of what you need your lift to do, take a look at the different types of goods lift available. For example, hydraulic lifts, which are powered by fluid pressure, are ideal for heavy loads such as industrial units or warehouses. For spaces that are a little more unconventional, you could opt for a cantilever lift supported by a single column. This helps you to maximise the floor space you have.
Alternatively, you might opt for a compact scissor lift if you are working on loading bays or moving goods between different levels of your warehouse or department store.
What features do you want/need?
You might have to split these into “must have” and “nice to have” categories. Obviously, ensuring that the capacity of the lift you choose exceeds your maximum load and the platform is the right size to accommodate your largest items is crucial. In some businesses, lifting speed is also a vital consideration, particularly in a busy warehouse.
Then we move onto features that protect those using the goods lifts. For example, emergency stop and overload protection systems are non-negotiable. You have a legal duty to protect your employees at work, and these are basic and necessary functions that will help you to do so.
Moving on, you might look at more “luxury features” such as ensuring you have a user-friendly interface, and even biometric or fingerprint access so you can restrict certain areas of your business premises. Another choice may be to look for the most energy-efficient option for your business to reduce your consumption. Many businesses are looking at where they can save on energy costs and enhance sustainability, and an eco-friendly goods lift can help to address these concerns.
Installation
If you have chosen the perfect goods lift for your business, you’ll also need it put in and configured correctly. It’s vital that your goods lift is installed by people with experience and knowledge of different business premises. That way, they can see any potential issues with installation and advise you on workarounds. Not only this, but you might also be able to use the same firm for installation and maintenance. Maintaining your goods lift will be vital in getting the best results possible for your business.
Finally, make sure the supplier of your goods lift is reputable and has a proven track record in delivering solid, quality, cost-effective goods lift. That way, you can have peace of mind that your new installation will benefit your business operation for years to come.
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