How to Identify When Your Commercial Lift Needs Service or Repair

by | Nov 29, 2024 | Lifts

For any business, whether your daily foot traffic numbers are in the tens or the thousands, the reliability and safety of your commercial lift are crucial to ensure smooth operations and a safe, positive experience for customers and employees alike. A malfunctioning or poorly maintained lift can lead to costly downtime, dangerous safety hazards, and a poor client reputation.

Understanding the signs that indicate when a lift needs attention, whether servicing, replacing, or repairing, is essential for maintaining its functionality. RAM Elevators can help you learn how to address these common issues proactively to avoid unexpected disruptions and extend the lifespan of your business’s lift system, which can ultimately help save you time and money.

5 Common Components That Need to Be Serviced, Repaired, or Replaced in Commercial Lifts

  1. Control Panels: The control panel is the nerve center of your lift and is responsible for managing its operations. Common issues include malfunctioning buttons, unresponsive touch screens, or display errors. Over time, these components can wear out due to constant use and may require recalibration, software updates, or replacement parts.
  2. Doors and Door Sensors: Lift doors are among the most used components and are prone to wear and tear. Common problems include misalignment, slow response times, or sensors failing to detect obstacles. Regular servicing of door mechanisms or sensors is critical to ensure safety and smooth operation for all riders in your commercial lift.
  3. Cabin Interior: Over time, the interior of the lift cabin, including flooring, walls, and handrails, can become worn or damaged. Scuffed or torn flooring and loose handrails can not only detract from the aesthetics but also pose safety hazards, contributing to trips or falls. Servicing or replacing these facets keeps the lift safe and comfortable.
  4. Hydraulic System: The hydraulic system is essential for movement in hydraulic lifts. Issues with the hydraulic fluid, pumps, or cylinders can lead to jerky movements, slow response, or a complete halt. Regular maintenance and potential replacement of certain hydraulic components are necessary to prevent severe disruptions or lift breakdowns.

    Did you know? RAM elevators don’t rely on hydraulics, meaning you can avoid this headache!

  5. Motor and Drive System: The motor and drive system power the lift’s movement. Over time, motors may start to make unusual noises, overheat, or slow down. The drive system, including belts and pulleys, can also wear out. Early signs of strain in these components should prompt immediate servicing or replacement to avoid total failure.

5 Common Commercial Lift Parts That You Can Service, Repair, or Replace Yourself

  1. Lighting Fixtures: Replacing flickering or burnt-out lights within the lift cabin is a simple task that can be done without professional help. Proper lighting enhances safety and the overall user experience, so keep a supply of replacement bulbs on hand for quick fixes.
  2. Emergency Communication Systems: It’s critical that the emergency communication system (like the phone or intercom) functions correctly. Testing the system regularly and replacing malfunctioning components is straightforward and can often be done in-house.
  3. Cabin Signage and Notices: Staff can easily replace worn or outdated signage in the lift cabin, such as capacity limits or safety instructions, such as emergency usage. Clear and up-to-date signage is important for user safety and compliance with regulations.
  4. Floor Indicators and Direction Arrows: These indicators help passengers understand the lift’s current position and direction of travel. If these displays become faulty, they can often be serviced or replaced using a small repair kit without professional assistance.
  5. Exterior Call Buttons: If the call buttons on each floor start to stick or fail to light up, they can usually be replaced without much difficulty- or they might just need a good cleaning! Ensuring these buttons work correctly is vital to maintaining the lift’s usability.

Let RAM Elevators Be Your Source for Affordable, Top Performance Commercial Lifts

Understanding the signs that your commercial lift is not operating at full capacity and will need attention soon is crucial for preventing more costly, significant issues down the line. Regular servicing and prompt repairs will make all the difference in keeping your lift running smoothly and maintaining the levels of safety, reliability, and comfort that RAM Elevators provide.

When it comes to maintaining or upgrading your commercial lift, RAM offers affordable, high-quality solutions for businesses of all sizes. Visit our website or speak to one of our team members today to learn why RAM Elevators is not only your go-to provider for new lifts but also an expert in providing safe and reliable insight on how to keep your lift running smoothly for years to come. Let RAM Elevators help keep your business moving efficiently and safely.

The RAM Team

RAM is a proud North American manufacturer of superior elevating devices for both residential and low-rise commercial use across Canada and the United States. Founded in 1987, our vision has been to engineer impactful accessibility solutions without aesthetic compromise.

GROUNDED SIMPLICITY,
ELEVATED DESIGN

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