How to pack & transport Vertical Lift Modules?
Are you about to move a Vertical Lift Module (VLM)? Then there is a lot to plan and think about to ensure that the actual shipping works and that you don’t damage the equipment. Your equipment supplier may offer packaging and shipping services, but if not, or if you want to do it yourself – all the information you need is here!
Parts for shipping
When packing and shipping VLMs there are five to six main components:
• The opening of the VLM
• Sheets / panels
• The extractor (the lift itself)
• Posts/gables
• Trays
• Other
If you just want to know roughly how much space in m2 or square metres a dissasembled takes up, scroll down to the summary.
The opening of the Vertical Lift Module
When a VLMs opening is dismantled, there are either long pallets of sheets/panels, or you choose to keep the Vertical Lift Module opening in a structure.
When moving a Kardex vertical lift module, the opening of the lift is usually kept in a structure. This is done because it reduces dismantling and assembly work, but above all because for Kardex products it is a safer way to transport the opening, which contains many critical components. If the machine’s opening is shipped whole, it should be both banded (coarse strapex or steel band) and screwed to the pallet on which it is shipped.
Pallet for the opening
For the opening of a Vertical Lift Module, a special pallet is recommended, taking the width of the machine x 1200 mm. The gross weight of the pallet is no more than 400 kg, but it is important that the pallet is reinforced and can withstand lifting from the short side with a long fork without bending/breaking.
If the VLMs opening is mounted down to the plates, a pallet that is 0.5 of the machine’s width x 800 mm is sufficient.
Whether the VLMs opening is shipped assembled or disassembled, 1 package per lift is required for the opening.
Sheets/panels
The exterior of the vertical lift module is very similar regardless of the supplier – it consists of a cladding of sheets/panels. The sheets/panels protect the machine and the goods inside, in addition, the panels as components are not very fragile – they are simple sheets. The sheets/panels can be strapped to the pallet using coarse strapex or steel straps.
Pallet for Vertical Lift Modules sheets/panels
For transporting a VLM sheets/panels. A standard long pallet with dimensions of e.g. 2400 mm x 800 mm is recommended – it doesn’t matter if the sheets are longer than the pallet. In addition to the pallet itself, it can be a good idea to build standing rails on the pallet so that the sheets can be placed upright – this reduces the risk of scratches on the visible side of the sheets. If you want to place the sheets on the pallet instead, we recommend using soft plastic between each sheet.
The plates on a Vertical Lift Module require 1 package if the machine is a maximum of 8 metres, 2 packages if the machine is over 8 metres, and 3 packages if it is over 12 metres.
The extractor
The extractor or the lift itself of a Vertical Lift Module is naturally an important component that needs to be treated with care during shipping. However, the extractor itself is relatively simple and light in construction, so unlike an entire opening or various plates, it is easy to move and handle.
Pallet for the machine’s extractor
To transport the Vertical Lift Modules extractor, we recommend a special pallet that is dimensioned according to the width of the machine x the depth of the extractor. If you are unable to measure the width of the extractor, you can assume 1 200 – 1 300 mm. The extractor should then be wrapped in thick plastic as protective packaging.
The extractor of a VLM requires 1 package.
Posts / gables
The columns or gables of a Vertical Lift Module can be likened to the skeleton of the lift – it is the actual structure that builds the lift. Depending on the supplier, it looks different – either there are regular steel columns that are built up at each corner of the VLM, or there are gables that resemble pallet racks. The posts/endplates are usually heavy and durable.
Pallet for the endplates
Regardless of whether a Vertical Lift Module is constructed with posts or gables, these can be transported on standard EU pallets due to their robust construction.
Posts require 1 EU pallet if the VLM is max 8 metres, 2 EU pallets if it is over 8 m. A pallet with posts is about 3,000 mm x 800 mm. The posts are tied with coarse strapex or steel straps.
Endplates require 4 EU pallets if the lift is max 8 metres, 8 EU pallets if the lift is over 8 metres. For 1 package of endplates, 2 EU pallets are required, the package is the width of the machine x 800 mm. The posts are strapped with coarse strapex or steel straps.
Shelves
The shelving in a Vertical Lift Module is the component that takes up the most space during shipping. The shelves weigh somewhere between 30 – 80 kg each, depending on how wide and reinforced they are. A Vertical Lift Module normally contains 30 – 60 shelves, but tall VLMs can have up to 100 shelves. Between each shelf, it is recommended to place bedding, battens or blocks – this prevents the shelves from bending or being damaged.
Pallet for the trays
Depending on the configuration of the trays, it can be assumed that an EU pallet can load 10 – 20 trays. As a basic rule, if the trays are over 3 500 mm wide, you can load 10 – 15 trays per EU pallet. If the trays are less than 3,500 mm wide, you can load 15 – 20 trays per EU pallet.
Each package then becomes the machine’s shelf width x about 900 mm. For example, for a Vertical Lift Module with 60 trays that are 3,000 mm wide, there will be 3 packages measuring 3,000 x 900 mm.
Other
What is classified as other when a Vertical Lift Module is dismantled and palletised can vary, but all “other” components do not require special packaging. Cables, electrical components, sheet metal angles and plexi are parts you can expect to need 2-4 EU pallets for each Vertical Lift Module.
Summation
Following is a rough estimate of how many packages you can expect a dismantled Vertical Lift Module to require, the size of the packages and the freight/storage needs.
The example refers to a Vertical Lift Module with the dimensions 3 500 mm x 7950 mm x 3 400 mm (width x height x depth) with 60 trays.
| Component | Number of columns | Size/column | Approx. weight / package |
| Opening of the VLM | 1 | 3 500 mm x 1 250 mm | 500 kg |
| Plates | 1 | 3 400 mm x 800 mm | 1 500 kg |
| Extractor | 1 | 3 100 mm x 1 200 mm | 500 kg |
| Posts / gables | 1 | 3 100 mm x 800 mm | 1 000 kg |
| Shelving | 3 | 3 100 mm x 900 mm | 1 200 kg |
| Other | 4 | 1 200 mm x 800 mm | 300 kg |
Effective packing of the above Vertical Lift Module means that it can be transported in an export trailer (13.6 m length), or if you want to be on the safe side, a lorry with a trailer (7.2 m + 12 m).
If, despite this guide, you feel that you need help with shipping, packing, buying or selling your vertical lift modules, you are welcome to contact us using the form at the bottom of the page.
