Small freight lifts and dumbwaiters for 100-250 kg
A small freight lift, also called a dumbwaiter, carries 100 to 250 kg of meals, tableware or boxes between floors, and nobody gets into the car, so the requirements are simpler and it costs less than a passenger lift.
There are two options: the LPK 80 model under the LIFTPORTAL brand and Izamet dumbwaiters (Bulgaria); we supply, install and maintain both. We select a lift for a restaurant, warehouse or house and calculate the cost after a free site survey.
Dumbwaiters: specifications
| Parameter | LPK 80, LIFTPORTAL |
|---|---|
| Rated load | 150-250 kg |
| Stops | 2-13 |
| Car | from 300 × 300 to 1200 × 1200 mm, stainless steel |
| Doors | guillotine type, stainless steel |
| People in the car | not allowed, the car is not designed for this |
Izamet makes such lifts from 100 kg for serving food. The doors are guillotine type because they need no room to open and do not block a narrow passage in the kitchen. We place the loading opening at table height so that the waiter does not have to bend down with a tray.
Where dumbwaiters are installed
- Restaurants and cafes: the kitchen on one floor, the dining room on another.
- Hotels: meals to the rooms, linen, consumables.
- Pharmacies and laboratories: medicines and samples between the front area and the storeroom.
- Archives and offices: boxes and documents without using the stairs.
- Shops and bakeries: goods from the storeroom to the sales floor.
- Country houses: groceries and belongings between floors.
What the building must provide
The most expensive part of the work is often the opening in the floor slab. So it is better to discuss the shaft while the kitchen is still on the drawing board: once the hot kitchen is in place, it is harder to choose a location.
| Item | Why and how much |
|---|---|
| Shaft | car size plus guide rails and clearances; supplied with the lift, or an existing shaft is used |
| Top of the shaft | space for the traction machine and pulleys, no machine room needed |
| Bottom of the shaft | a shallow pit, or none when the bottom stop is at floor level |
| Ventilation | extraction at the top of the shaft, otherwise kitchen smells will reach the dining room |
| Access hatch | access for maintenance; we allow for its position in the interior design |
| Electrical work | a dedicated power supply line |
How much a dumbwaiter costs
We calculate the cost from the number of stops, the rated load, the car size and whether there is already a shaft; there is no ready-made "from" price. Openings in the floor slabs and shaft finishes are calculated separately if we do that work. How the cost is made up in general is explained on the page how much a lift costs, and the exact figure comes from the site survey.
What a dumbwaiter does not do
It does not carry people under any circumstances. The car has no safety gear rated for a person's weight, no communication system and no lighting, so an attempt to ride in it ends in injury. Staff must know this from day one, especially where children may be nearby.
Nor is it a conveyor. One trip with loading and unloading takes longer than it seems on the kitchen drawing. If the flow is heavy, plan for a second unit or a shaft for a larger freight lift from the start.
Documents and maintenance
Nobody gets into the car, so the requirements are less strict than for a passenger lift. Installation still follows a design, and the equipment has a declaration of conformity. We check the exact list of documents for your model against its passport and show it to you before the contract.
Maintenance is simpler, but it should not be put off: in a kitchen the lift runs every day in a humid environment. We check the ropes or chain, brake, limit switches, door interlocks and guide rails. The warranty terms are in the contract.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dumbwaiter cost?
We will give you the figure after the site survey: it depends on the stops, car, shaft and openings in the floor slabs. The site survey and quote are free.
Can you ride in a dumbwaiter?
No. The car is deliberately not designed for a person and has no passenger protection at all. This is the strictest operating rule.
How much space does the shaft need?
Not much: the car size plus guide rails and clearances on each side. LPK 80 cars come in sizes from 300 × 300 mm. The factory gives the exact dimensions for the specific model, and you need them before the floor slab is poured.
Is a machine room needed?
No. The drive is compact and sits at the top of the shaft or in a niche next to it. All that is needed is an access hatch that the technician can reach without taking the wall apart.
Can you install the lift in an existing shaft?
Yes, if its dimensions are suitable. We supply dumbwaiters both complete with a shaft and separately for installation in an existing one. We check this during the site survey.
Who maintains a dumbwaiter?
We do, together with the other lifts on site. The scope of work is simpler than for a passenger lift, but inspections should not be skipped.
Last stop: your request
We'll prepare a quote for your building: 050 585-39-28, 063 283-31-48, 096 901-76-50. Lviv: 097 099-89-87. Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00.
The site survey and quote are free, and an engineer will contact you within one business day. Prefer not to call? Email us at portallift@gmail.com or fill in the form on this page.
Get a price for dumbwaiters
Only your name and phone number are required.