Platform Lifts

How a platform lift works partly depends on the type of drive system used. For example, there are screw-driven, belt-driven, chain-driven, and hydraulic platform lifts.

All platform lifts by Kalea are screw-driven platform lifts. The passenger platform is securely attached to the lifting screw with a drive nut and a safety nut. The drive nut is connected to an electric motor, rotating the drive nut around the screw to make the platform go either up or down. Our screw-driven system also includes automated lubrication to ensure that the screw is always oiled.

One of the main advantages of our screw-driven system is that it is very robust and reliable, but also compact enough to fit inside the lift shaft (no separate machine room required). In addition, our screw-driven system eliminates the need for extra headroom on the top floor and the need for a lift pit.

How to use a platform lift

According to European standards, platform controls need to be operated with hold-to-run controls (constant pressure on the floor button), while the call buttons operate with automatic drive (one-touch). In countries outside of Europe, one-touch operation may also be allowed for the platform controls. Contact us for more information.

It is possible to install a 2-floor platform lift with a rated load of 300 – 500 kg in as little as 2-3 days. Our bigger platform lifts with a rated load of 1000 kg, and our cabin lifts can be installed within 3-5 days (2-floor lift).

If the lift needs to serve more than 2 floors, the installation time will increase. The higher the lift, the longer it will take to build it, but it never takes a long time to install a platform lift.

Why are platform lifts so easy to install?

All lifts by Kalea are machine room less and need very little building adaptation thanks to their low pit and minimal headroom. In addition, most of our lift models come with a ready-made lift shaft so you do not need to build one unless you want to. If you would like to learn more about our easy buying and installation process, you can read more about it here.

Installation time of conventional elevators

Conventional traction or hydraulic elevators often take several weeks, sometimes even months, to install. This is because you need to build a masonry shaft around the elevator and make more extensive building adaptations, given that conventional elevators generally need a deep pit and a lot of space above the elevator for the top machinery. Many hydraulic elevators also need to fit a big hydraulic tank next to the elevator.
Learn more about the installation time of conventional elevators here.

One of the main advantages of platform lifts is that they are space-saving, ready-made lift solutions that have a minimal structural impact on the building. A platform lift can be installed directly on the ground, without a lift pit. It only needs minimal headroom on the top floor and requires no separate machine room.

In addition, a vertical platform lift is delivered with everything you need for installation, including a prefabricated lift shaft that is available with full panoramic glazing. Thanks to the ready-made shaft, you only need to make the necessary openings between the floors. You do not need to build a costly and cumbersome concrete shaft to install a platform lift.

The main difference between a platform lift and an elevator is that the lift car of a platform lift is an open platform instead of an enclosed cabin. Platform lifts also travel at a lower speed than conventional elevators. Another difference is that the controls inside a platform lift have hold-to-run operation (constant pressure on the button) in countries following EU Standards.

Platform lifts vs conventional passenger elevators

While elevators require a deep pit and a big headroom, vertical platform lifts need no pit and only a small headroom (2300-2400 mm). In addition, platform lifts do not need a masonry/concrete shaft because they come with a ready-made lift shaft.

Do you want to learn more? Then visit our platform lifts page.