Is your business situated on hilly property? Do your customers need to climb stairs or navigate winding trails to utilize the amenities of your property? Do you need better transportation to meet ADA requirements or improve your customer satisfaction?
An inclined elevator, also known as a funicular, hill hiker, hillside tram or hillside lift, can solve your access needs and improve your customer satisfaction. Think how happy your guests will be when they don’t have to carry their golf clubs up the stairs after a round or when they can glide down the hill when taking their cooler to their boat in your marina.
When researching inclined elevators, you will have questions. Below are a few of the common ones we hear.
- How large of an inclined elevator do I need?
A commercial inclined elevator can be sized to fit your needs. You will look at how many people you need to transport and we will size the system appropriately. The carriage floor size will determine the weight capacity. Marinas and golf courses often have 1500 or 2000-pound systems so they can comfortably transport four to six people and gear. Many large marinas will have two inclined elevators to accommodate greater crowds during peak times. Other commercial operations will have a complete custom carriage and drive system to match their needs. One system we manufactured had a 5,000-pound capacity and a carriage built for both personnel and material handling. - How much work is the installation?
The true answer to this is it depends. Many installations are not much more work than a residential installation. The components are larger, but we still drive our galvanized steel pin piles to an engineered resistance. Many of our components are modular and can be hand carried from the trailer to the installation location. For you, as the customer, there isn’t much more to do, power must be run to the control panel location and local permits applied for and landings built after the installation. - How much power will the system require?
This is completely dependent on the system being installed. Most of the time 220 volt, single-phase power is required. Very large systems may be more efficient with three-phase power, but this is generally the exception. - Is the system hard to operate?
No! A Marine Innovations commercial inclined elevator is very easy to use. The user calls the carriage to the station, opens the door, enters the carriage and selects up or down. As the business, you can lock out the system with the turn of a key. Regular maintenance is required but is generally can be done by Marine Innovations or a local elevator contractor. Your customers will love the simplicity and convenience of an inclined elevator. - How long is the production cycle?
Although we are at the mercy of our supply chain, most components are designed and built in our facility. This means that we are in control of the timelines. We can’t give you an exact answer until we see your project, but we will work with you to meet your deadlines. - Is an inclined elevator ADA-compatible?
Yes, any Marine Innovations inclined elevator can be designed and built to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Ask us for more information.
Since you’re searching and reading about commercial inclined elevators, you’ve determined that your business will benefit from this amenity. You know you will meet ADA requirements, have increased customer satisfaction and draw in new, incremental business.
Bring us your questions and we will give you the answers to help you make the best decision for your business. Before you know it, your customers will be riding in a smooth safe Marine Innovations inclined elevator. They’ll be talking to their friends and sharing the sweet ride on social media.