FQA

A. Not necessarily. Although most elevators require a pit, there are a Hydraulic models available that do not require a pit.

For new homes, a 150mm pit depth is the minimum but a pit depth of 200mm is usually preferred. With most elevators if you do not create at least a 15mm pit you will have a 15mm step to get into the cab. If you are installing an elevator with two speed sliding doors you will need a pit depth of 300mm.

A. Yes, residential elevators are safe as long as you follow the rules set forth by code and manufactures recommendations. All home elevators are not created equal. Make sure that the elevator you purchase follows all safety requirements.

A. There are no specific green classifications available for the residential elevator market however there are some models that can be considered green.

A. All home elevators use cables or chains to move the cab from one level to another, the difference is in how those cables or chains are propelled…
Hydraulic units use a hydraulic piston or jack to push on a loop of cable connected to the car that moves the car up at a 2:1 lift ratio as the piston extends.  Because of the 2:1 lift ratio, a jack hole is not needed like you may see on some direct drive commercial elevators.
Winding drum units simply have the support cables wrap on a large spool or drum to move the car up and down.
Traction drive units use counterweights to balance the weight of the car.  The motor simply moves the weights down as the car goes up via cables or chains.

Other differences: In years past, a big difference between the machine types for the home owner was that hydraulic elevators offered two features that others elevator drives did not… “emergency battery lowering in case of power failure” and “variable speed soft starts & stops”. That has changed! Today, nearly all home elevators have an emergency battery lowering device & variable speed as standard features. The standard VVVF (variable speed variable frequency) drive on traction drives softens the starts and the stops… the feel is nearly identical to riding in a hydraulic elevator. Even though the VVVF drive on traction units is quiet, the hydraulic units are typically the quietest.

A.  Amanlift provide a 1-year parts warranty.

Everything you need to have a working elevator is included in the offer you will be given by Amanlift .

Any option you choose is at your discretion. Working closely with Amanlift. sales staff will help you understand what options are best for you, your lifestyle, and your home design. The most important thing is to make sure the elevator size and features will meet your needs today and into the future.

For a standard hydraulic elevator 1000mm wide x 1200mm deep (clear inside) elevator, with all doors on the same side. For a standard traction elevator 1400mm wide x1500mm deep clear inside shaft is typically needed.

That depends on the **type of drive** and your specific situation…

**Overhead machines, traction drive, not require a “machine room”.  All that’s required is 3000mm of overhead clearance at the top landing and a location outside of the hoistway to locate the elevator’s control cabinet – typically in a storage or utility room. The machine mounts to the top of the guide rail and can be serviced from an access door typically located above the elevator entry door.

**Hydraulic elevators typically require a machine room that is 1500mm x 1500mm and can be located just about anywhere–the basement or garage (depending on ambient temperature). Using a lockable pump unit and controller allows us to place the elevator equipment in a store room or the utility room with-out the need for a “dedicated machine room” assuming proper working clearances are provided.