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13 Cemetery Road, Gloucester NSW 2422Harwel Lifts has released the first solar powered lift in Australia
Energy saving are a priority all over the world and lifts are notorious power guzzlers, especially traction/electric lifts.
Harwel have always been conscious of this fact and have made energy savings a priority for over ten years. This is one of the reasons we promote hydraulic lifts and by offering solar-powered lifts we are taking energy efficiency one step further.
Please contact us for more information on this exciting innovation in lift technology and how it relates to your individual requirements.
The Differences Between Electric/Traction and Hydraulic Lifts
Harwel HYDRAULIC Lifts are Designed with Safety, Cost-effectiveness and Cleanliness In Mind.
Hydraulic lifts have dominated the low rise, low speed, lift market because they are cheaper to manufacture, install and service and because they have a decidedly better safety record than electric/traction lifts.
One great plus point for hydraulic lifts up to 12 metre rise, is the fact that in case of power failure the lift lowers to the ground floor and releases the door.
With the increasing number of residences containing lifts these days it is important that a member of the household can handle the procedure of manually lowering the car to the ground floor to release a stranded passenger in the event of an emergency. The safest such method is through the slow speed manual lowering system of the hydraulic lift, easily accessible at the ground floor and simple to operate.
Rescue
The procedures to release passengers from a stalled electric/traction (MRL) lift can be complicated, time consuming and physically demanding. A mechanic or fireman requires considerable knowledge and practice to perform a safe and efficient rescue operation on the many different types of electric/traction lifts which he may be confronted with in an emergency. Establishing where the machine drive equipment is may itself cause some delay. Working out how to gain access can add to time lost and finally how to safely operate the brake release and shift the car either upwards or downwards to a secure landing position is an exercise for specialists. In some cases, it may take hours before the qualified mechanic is even contacted or on the scene.
However, with Harwel’s low rise, low speed hydraulic lifts a safe machinery area is either in the shaft with door access or positioned in an adjacent area in a small cabinet. Opening the manual lowering knob is basically the same with all hydraulic lift control valves and is a simple matter, even for a responsible apartment caretaker, clinic nurse or informed family member (in the case of a home lift) taking perhaps one minute to cautiously lower the lift car to floor level.
Harwel Lifts Offer a lower Total Cost of Ownership with less Installation & Maintenance Issues.
A traction/electric lift installation design needs to cater for counterweights resulting in either a larger lift shaft or a small lift car.
A Harwel hydraulic lift design is much simpler. It allows your architect to use less space for the same size car. The installation process is faster, easier and safer. Maintenance access to the machinery is easier and maintenance is handled more readily by a wider range of suitable qualified personnel.
Harwel lifts are designed with ongoing serviceability in mind. This design extends to the parts used and the availability of spare parts which may be required throughout the lifetime of the lift.
Harwel lifts are a superb option for Country & Remote areas. The availability of parts and technicians needs to be a consideration when planning for a lift. Common aspects of our lift maintenance may be undertaken by other than an expert technician coming at great expense from a capital city.
The above factors added to the greater reliability and reduced frequency of routine maintenance makes the Harwel lift a better option for country and remote areas.
As Harwel’s factory is located in the Gloucester district of NSW we invest directly through our business in a country community.
Harwel Lifts are Kinder to the Environment and Your Pocket
For the alternative traction lifts, equipment input costs are generally 30-40% higher than a Harwel lift. This cost difference is sometimes hidden by electric/traction lift companies inflating the service costs to reduce the upfront cost to the customer. Installation costs due to a piece-meal delivery from an overseas manufacturer are generally 25% higher that a Harwel lift. Maintenance costs are similarly higher. Energy costs especially electrical costs are higher due to traction control requiring energy inputs for both ascent and descent.
Harwel Hydraulic Lifts apart from their lower input costs have a reduced building footprint which reduces construction costs. Ongoing maintenance costs are lower because of the lower frequency of maintenance, easier access and reduced technical difficulty in servicing the unit. Harwel’s choice of parts make the spare part replacement cheaper and more available than comparable electric/traction lifts. Operation costs are lower because the size of the motors are a fraction of the electric/traction and further more our lifts only use power in the ‘UP’ direction.
Oil in the hydraulic system last for the lifetime of the lift and is then recycle able. With our well designed power unit not only do we delivery whisper quiet transportation, but we do it without oil odours. Modern seals enable the unit to operate without oil leakage.
An example of high quality hydraulic power systems is evident is the aeronautical industry where most modern aircraft are fitted with hydraulics extensively.