Freight elevator – What does a building do with the old work horse?

 

The Chicago area has a lot of history with buildings with very old elevators.  Usually we see that there are a couple of passenger elevators in front that have been modernized 2 or 3 times since the installation and when you go to the back of the building there is an old, beat up, tough as nails work horse freight elevator servicing the building.  This is an elevator that is very important to the building for move ins/outs, garbage removal, deliveries, etc but seldom given the same attention as the passenger elevators in the front of building. 

 

[Big doors for big stuff - the only way to get big things in this building]

What do we do with this old work horse?  Well, you want to do something before it falls apart or someone gets hurt. We were on a modernization engineering visit at a building who has waited a while to take care of this old bird.  Unfortunately, sometimes we wait a little bit too long.

[A cool piece of Westinghouse Chicago history]

What happens if we wait too long?  If we wait too long on a freight elevator modernization then we have to wait for material to show up.  For very old elevators we need to do more than just change your controller, fixtures and passenger door equipment.  You may be waiting for an elevator machine, all new freight doors, fixtures, controller, safety equipment [rope gripper, governor, safeties], counterweight frame, count etc.

[These machines where built to last!]

How long does equipment take to get?  Elevator equipment use to be a 8-12 week lead time, now we are 12-24 weeks.  And, sometimes if we are having some bad luck we order our equipment from a vendor who starts to have supply chain issues and we wait longer.

 

[During the first modernization they kept the old Westinghouse Elevator machine and motor]

How do we avoid all of these challenges?  Work with your elevator company and plan for the modernization of your freight elevator.  Get pricing, set a date and build your reserves and/or capitalize the project.  Get your deliveries in, make alternate plans for moves, and communicate with the building owners or tenants how long the elevator is going to be out of service. If you do this proactively the project will still be painful for the building but much better than a reactive response to an old elevator. Plan Plan Plan! 

What if we wait and see what happens?  If we wait on taking care of  your work horse there is a possibility of repairs being unreasonable and/or unsafe and the elevator would need to be shut down.  The question for building owners/property managers is how does waiting an extra 12-18 weeks for material affect the building with no freight elevator?

Cool History – These old freight elevators have a lot of cool things that we are never going to see again once they are gone. 

 

[In 1967 this elevator controller was the latest and greatest from CJ Anderson - Harwood Heights]

If you have any questions or would like additional information feel free to contact me at CraigZ@colleyelevator.com or 630-766-7230 ext. 107.

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