Masters of Freight

What do an aircraft carrier, the Rockettes and the largest pieces of mining equipment in the world have in common? They all rely on massive hydraulic freight elevators to function.

Since the dawn of recorded history, humans have used elevators. The earliest elevators were powered by humans, animals or even water as they moved people, freight and construction materials. Over the past few centuries, elevators have evolved to be able to transport people upwards over 1,000 feet in one trip and at speeds over 60 feet per second.

But beyond the great heights and speeds of modern elevators, probably some of the most extraordinary are the ones we don’t often see. They are hidden behind the scenes but lift massive loads in unexpected places.

All the way back in 1932, Radio City Music Hall incorporated an innovative stage elevator system unlike any other previously designed. The precision and choreographed staging offered a size and versatility that was integrated into other famous theaters (like the Metropolitan Opera House) and even aircraft carriers used in World War II. This system is still in use today and has delighted hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoying the dazzling Rockettes and other prestigious performers.

Speaking of aircraft carriers, we often see the planes taking off and landing on their 1,000-foot decks, but we can sometimes forget that these massive ships are 250 feet tall! That’s right, there are 18 floors under the top deck on a modern aircraft carrier! Most of the planes carried on these vessels are stored underneath the flight deck in the hanger bay. To get the planes up to the top deck, ships can have as many as four massive hydraulic elevators that are powerful enough to lift two 74,000-pound fighter jets at one time!

You may be surprised to learn that hydraulic elevators are the go-to technology on some of these Masters of Freight, but this type of engineering is well suited for lifting heavy loads relatively short distances. For instance, hydro is the standard for some the largest mining bulldozers and excavators in the world!

Knowing this, it was no surprise that when TK Elevator needed a powerful elevator that could lift up to 22,000 pounds to bring heavy lab equipment in and out of our brand-new Innovation and Qualification Center in Atlanta, GA. we installed a hydraulic. Affectionately named E.L.L.I.E. (Enormous Load Lifting Industrial Elevator), it’s so monumental that its massive cab makes a full-size cargo van look small.

Freight elevators do the heavy lifting that make some the most powerful and unique equipment, facilities and tools in the world operate. They are unsung heroes who deserve our respect and admiration for the seemingly miraculous feats of strength they perform on a daily basis. And you might be surprised to learn that there are many differences between service elevators and freight elevators.