Five Tips For Installing A Hydraulic Residential Elevator



Freedom LULA Elevator SystemThe hydraulic elevator is the safest of all home elevators and the most reliable during emergency situations such as fire and earthquakes.

Installing a hydraulic elevator involves cutting out space in your home or possibly adding space to the outside of your home for the shaft and wiring the elevator properly. To follow elevator codes specified by ASME A17.1 and your state, hydraulic elevators need to be wired, with lighting and an emergency telephone added.


To make sure your hydraulic elevator adheres to the safety codes and works properly, follow these tips for installing a hydraulic residential elevator:



  1. Dig the pit and landings – The first step in installing a hydraulic elevator is creating the pit. A pit must be dug a few feet below the foundation or ground floor of the home. After the pit is dug, an additional hole must be dug to house the piston cylinder. After the pit and cylinder hole have been dug and reinforced, usually with concrete, the landings can be assembled.
  2. Assemble the landings – Landings are created by cutting holes in the walls where the elevator will make each stop. The landings should be barricaded for safety reasons until the installation is complete.
  3. Build the hoistway – The hoistway can be built modularly, constructed it offsite and installed in one piece. A second method is to stick build the hoistway on site, which is a good solid way of constructing the shaft. After the hoistway is built, the cylinder, piston, and pump can be installed. The pump will either be installed in the pit or a separate machine room, and after it is assembled, it will be attached to the moveable piston.
  4. Secure the elevator car – After the hoistway has been erected and the pump is attached to the piston, it is time to secure the elevator car and hook up the hydraulic power. Electrical disconnects must be installed to supply the power, hydraulic oil added to the fluid tank, and piping installed between the elevator jack and the power unit.
  5. For safety reasons, self-closing and locking doors, climate control, emergency lights and communication, and smoke detectors should be installed.

Once these steps are completed, the hydraulic residential elevator is ready to run.

Installation of a hydraulic residential elevator is not a do-it-yourself job. Contractors will help you install the elevator. Residential elevator manufacturers have extensive service and installation networks throughout the United States and are available to provide you with the latest hydraulic residential models and install them safely and reliably with extensive warranties.


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Look online for hydraulic residential elevators from leading companies that provide hydraulic residential elevators as well as traction and pneumatic elevators with innovative designs that are ideal for your home.

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