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Use Both Floors at Full Capacity
Move pallets, carts and cartons between levels without a forklift ramp, a freight elevator or an operator managing the handoff.
Maximize Your Facility Space With Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors
Your facility doesn’t have to grow outward to support a growing operation. Our vertical reciprocating conveyors help you take advantage of all of the available vertical space.
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Up to 30,000 lb Lifting Capacity
Mechanical and hydraulic VRCs sized to the load, the travel and the cycles per hour your operation actually runs.
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Machine, Integration and Installation
The lift, the surrounding conveyor, the controls and the install from one team, so the vertical move fits the rest of the line.
When Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors Are the Right Choice
VRCs have a wide range of use cases. Some of the most common industries we support with our VRCs include:
Manufacturing
Manufacturing facilities may have production equipment, storage and workstations spread across different elevations. A VRC system connects parts of the production process that would otherwise require additional handling.
Warehouses
Warehouses often use mezzanines and multi-level storage to increase capacity without expanding their footprint, making better use of storage space.
Food & Beverage
Liquids have a high weight-to-volume ratio, and facilities tend to have processing, packaging, storage and aging areas on different levels.
Automotive
With a lifting capacity of 30,000 pounds, VRCs help facilities with large products use additional levels for storage or production without creating unnecessary movement through the building.
We have used Conveyability for several material handling projects in our Mexican manufacturing facility. They have provided excellent onsite installation support. Conveyability was able to accommodate late changes with minimal delays in project timing and minimal additional expense. Conveyability helped us meet our customers production schedule despite the late disruptions to the original design.
Program ManagerAutomotive Tier 1 Supplier
VRC, Freight Elevator or Incline Conveyor?
A VRC is often the better fit when material must move between levels in a compact footprint, riders are not required and the transfer needs to integrate with production. Freight elevators follow different codes and are intended for goods with permitted attendant use; incline conveyors need floor space for the run.
Material-only lifts that do not fall under elevator code
Mechanical for taller travel and heavy, frequent cycles; hydraulic for shorter two-stop moves
Powered conveyor, gates and controls transfer loads automatically through the carriage
Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor FAQs
Code, capacity, permits and the questions plant engineers actually ask us.
What is a vertical reciprocating conveyor?
A vertical reciprocating conveyor, or VRC, is a material-only system used to move pallets, carts, cartons, containers and other industrial loads between elevations.
How much does a VRC cost?
Cost changes with load capacity, travel, number of levels, platform size, drive type, loading pattern, guarding or enclosure, controls, surrounding conveyor and installation conditions.
Is a VRC the same as a freight elevator?
No. A VRC is designed to move material, not passengers. Freight elevators follow different codes and are intended for goods with permitted attendant use.
Can a VRC be installed in an existing building?
Yes. Existing columns, mezzanines, doors, utilities, access and floor conditions become part of the evaluation and integration plan.
Can a VRC connect directly to conveyor?
Yes. Powered conveyor, sensors, gates and controls can transfer loads automatically into, through and out of the carriage.
Do I need to know which VRC I need before calling?
No. Start with the load, travel, rate, loading pattern and the problem you are trying to remove. We can help select the configuration.
What does Conveyability handle on a VRC project?
We can evaluate the application, source the VRC, engineer the surrounding system, fabricate, integrate controls, install, start up and support it.
What is the difference between mechanical and hydraulic VRCs?
Mechanical VRCs typically suit taller travel, more stops, heavier loads and frequent cycling. Hydraulic VRCs often fit shorter, two-stop applications with moderate cycles.
What is the difference between cantilever, straddle and four-post VRCs?
The terms describe how the carriage is supported. Each arrangement changes capacity, platform size, loading access and the space required around the lift.
When is a VRC a better fit than an incline conveyor or elevator?
A VRC is often the better fit when material must move between levels in a compact footprint, riders are not required and the transfer needs to integrate with production.
What specifications matter most when sizing a VRC?
Load size and weight, vertical travel, stops, cycles per hour, loading direction, surrounding equipment, guarding, controls, environment and installation access all matter.
Can Conveyability compare multiple VRC manufacturers?
Yes. We are multi-brand and select equipment around the application, existing plant standards, schedule, budget and long-term support needs.
Talk to Us About Your Vertical Move
Tell us the load, the travel, the number of stops and what the transfer has to connect to. We’ll help you select the right VRC configuration and plan the integration around it.
Need immediate assistance? Call (800) 798-0410