Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors

Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors are a safe and cost effective means for any application that requires moving material from one elevation to another. Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors are a versatile solution for any material lifting need: they can be driven mechanically or hydraulically, have a straddle or cantilever platform, be surface or pit mounted, installed in an existing shaftway or the exterior of a building, serve the edge of a mezzanine or pass through a floor, and much more.

Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors are not elevators and are recognized by their own national code (ANSI/ASME B20.1). This distinction provides a significant cost advantage over an elevator in installation, operation and maintenance. They also provide a much safer and convenient answer to raising loads between levels than using a forklift or personnel carrying loads themselves.

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Commonly Used Terms

"C" STYLE LOADING – Carriage & loading configuration leaving only one side open for loading & unloading.

"Z" STYLE LOADING – Carriage & loading configuration leaving two opposite sides open for loading & unloading.

"90°" STYLE LOADING – Carriage & loading configuration leaving two sides at right angles open for loading & unloading.

ANSI – American National Standards Institute.

ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

BACK STOP PANEL – A safety panel, typically welded to the guide columns, installed opposite the loading edge at upper loading levels to provide additional guarding for mezzanine applications.

CANTILEVER – VRC design style having both masts on the same side of the carriage. This style can accommodate "C", "Z", & "90°" loading patterns and can provide the smallest overall footprint.

CARRIAGE – The structural assembly that travels vertically on the mast and carries the load.

COLUMNS - The vertical members the carriage travels upon.

COLUMN SPLICE – Columns are shipped in more than one piece. Used to facilitate shipping & installation (field welding required).

CONSTANT PRESSURE – A push-button operator station requiring the user to maintain pressure until the carriage reaches the desired level (momentary pressure operator station standard – see below).

ENCLOSURES – Structural guard of expanded metal surrounding the VRC to prevent interference with its operation and protect personnel. Enclosures must stand a minimum of 8' high and reject a 2" diameter ball (required by ANSI/ASME B20.1).

GATE – An opening & closing device, integral to the enclosure, used to allow access to the carriage. Typical types includes single swing, bi-parting swing, horizontal sliding & vertical acting (required by ANSI/ASME B20.1).

INTERLOCK – An electro-mechanical device integral to the gate(s) that prevents the operation of the VRC unless all gates are closed and prevents the gate from opening unless the carriage is present (required by ANSI/ASME B20.1).

INTERMEDIATE STOP – Any stop between the top & bottom levels of operation.

KNOCK-DOWN CARRIAGE – Carriage is shipped in more than one piece. Used to facilitate shipping & installation (field welding required).

KEYED PUSH-BUTTON – Optional control for push-button operator stations used to limit access to authorized personnel only.

LIFT PRESENT INDICATOR – Optional display for push-button operator stations used to alert personnel that the carriage is present at that level.

LOAD HEIGHT – Maximum height of the load which can be placed upon the carriage (7'-0" standard).

LOCKING CAMS – Spring loaded safety device, installed on the carriage, which engage the columns in the event of a chain failure to prevent carriage free fall.

MOMENTARY PRESSURE – A push-button operator station allowing touch & release operation for the carriage to reach the desired level.

PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE – A pressure sensing hydraulic device having a predetermined setting used to prevent overload of the VRC (used on hydraulic VRC's).

SLACK CHAIN SENSOR – An electro-mechanical device that monitors the tautness of the chain and disables the lift if the chain becomes slack (used on mechanical VRC's).

STRADDLE – VRC design style having both masts are on the opposite side of the carriage. This style can accommodate "C" & "Z" loading patterns.

VELOCITY FUSE – A flow sensing hydraulic device having a predetermined setting used to prevent uncontrolled travel of the VRC during a hose failure (used on hydraulic VRC's).