Lift Systems
Good / Freight Lifts
A goods lift is judged on availability. Not on speed, not on ride quality — on whether it is working when the pallet arrives. SERAPID has been building systems for industry since 1972, and the goods lift range is the most direct expression of what that experience produced: eight standard sizes from 1,500 kg to 25,000 kg, engineered around a drive that does not mind being used.
Three ranges, three duties
| Series | Configuration | Directive and standard |
| GP | Fully enclosed car | Lift Directive 2014/33/EU |
| GO | Semi-enclosed; man riding and non man riding versions | Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, or Lift Directive 2014/33/EU to EN 81-31 |
| GA | Platform lift, not man riding | Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC |
In brief: a goods-only lift is the simplest and cheapest thing the building can accommodate. A goods-attended lift adds an operator, and with them a 0.15 m/s speed limit under EN 81-20. A goods and passenger lift is a passenger lift that happens to carry freight, with the pit, headroom and enclosure that implies — and is available in accessible versions with a wide selection of car finishes and automatic or manual doors.
The problems this range removes
Most goods lift complaints trace back to the same handful of causes, and Rigid Chain Technology addresses them structurally rather than by adding correction systems.
- Eccentric and changing loads — the chain does not deflect differentially, so no compensation system is needed and none can fail
- Landing accuracy — precise positioning at every level, first time, without re-levelling
- Dwell time — no pressurisation, no locking pawls, so the car moves on command and stops when it arrives
- Duty limits — no cap on starts and stops per hour, and no cooling or heating plant required
- Maintenance access — all components are reachable from the pit
- Temperature — the system is temperature resistant, which matters in cold stores and unheated warehouses
Mechanical synchronisation
Where several chain columns share a platform, they are synchronised mechanically rather than electronically. That gives fully proportional control across the platform, and it means synchronisation is not a control system that can drift, lose calibration or fail — it is a property of the machine.
Frequently asked questions
From 1,500 kg to 25,000 kg across eight standard sizes, suitable for anything from a two-stop, light-usage installation to a multi-level heavy-duty system. Sizes outside the range are engineered to order.
A goods-only lift carries no one and is built to the Machinery Directive or EN 81-31. A goods-attended lift carries an operator with the load and is limited to 0.15 m/s. A goods and passenger lift is built to the Lift Directive or EN 81-20 and can carry passengers, including in accessible versions.
There is no limit on starts and stops per hour, and no heat-removal system is required even at sustained high duty.
Yes. Eccentric loading causes no differential movement in the rigid chain, so landing accuracy is unaffected by how the load sits on the platform.
The system is temperature resistant and needs no cooling or heating plant, which makes it well suited to cold storage and unheated industrial environments. Confirm the specific temperature range with the engineering team for our application.
Partner with SERAPID
Successful lift projects begin with clearly defined responsibilities and the right level of engineering support. Whether you need a standalone Drive Train, a complete Lift Package, or a fully installed Turnkey Lift, SERAPID provides the expertise, technology, and flexibility required to deliver exceptional results.
Our engineering specialists work closely with architects, consultants, contractors, OEMs, and building owners to determine the optimal scope of supply before design and construction begin. By defining the right project boundary early, you can reduce risk, improve coordination, and ensure a smoother path to successful project completion.
Whatever your application, SERAPID offers a lift solution that fits your project — and a scope of supply that fits your team.
Contact SERAPID to define your scope of supply
Discuss your lift project with our engineers and choose the right level of support, from Drive Train to fully commissioned Turnkey Lift.