elevatorbob's Elevator Pictures - Endless Belt Manlifts

Endless Belt Manlifts

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Manlifts - For Your Information

Some folks call these devices "endless belt manlifts" because in their part of the world they also deal with "electric manlifts" and "hand-powered manlifts." (I plan on having some images of these devices...shortly.)

Most endless belt manlifts are arranged in this manner:

1 - The speed is usually no greater than 80 ft/min (0.4 m/s).
2 - The width of the belt is either 14 inches (355 mm) or 16 inches (405 mm). (Some earlier units had 12 inch (305 mm) wide belts.)
3 - The depth of the step (platform) is usually not less than 12 inches (305 mm) and not greater than 14 inches (355 mm).
4 - The width of the step (platform) is usually not less than the width of the belt.
5 - The handhold is usually closed. It can only be grasped properly from one side and in one direction of travel. (See Image 43)
6 - There are usually several safety stops (safety devices):
A - Three separate devices at the top landing in case a loaded step passes the top floor.
B - Two separate devices at the bottom landing in case a loaded step passes the bottom floor.
7 - The driving machine has a "mechanically-applied, electrically-released brake."
8 - A start/stop control rope "within easy reach of the up- and down-runs of the belt."
9 - An emergency exit ladder "accessible from both the up- and down-run of the manlift."
10 - Numerous safety signs and warning light(s).

A few documents and web sites you might be interested in:
Monthly Maintenance and Testing Checklist - Manlifts from the Oregon Building Codes Division web site
Endless Belt Manlift Safety from the Primeland Cooperatives web site.
Humphrey Manlift Company

Please contact your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for more information on the endless belt manlift requirements in your area.
The standard used by many AHJ's is ASME A90.1 - Safety Standard for Belt Manlifts

Manlifts are one way to safely and economically transport trained employees in all sorts of structures.

Manlift
Image 1
The manlift - a simple device indeed...
Image "borrowed" from: Humphrey Manlift Company
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Manlift
Image 2 (1 of 3)
The upper section of a Humphrey manlift...
Image "borrowed" from: Humphrey Manlift Company
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Manlift
Image 3 (2 of 3)
The middle section of a Humphrey manlift...
Image "borrowed" from: Humphrey Manlift Company
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Manlift
Image 4 (3 of 3)
The lower section of a Humphrey manlift...
Image "borrowed" from: Humphrey Manlift Company
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Manlift
Image 5
The overhead safety stop device
If you "forget" to get off the belt at the top landing you will displace this bar and
interrupt power to the driving machine motor and brake...possibly saving your life!
Image "borrowed" from: Humphrey Manlift Company
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Manlift
Image 6
The in-track safety stop device
If a step travels past the top landing with weight on board this switch will interrupt
power to the driving machine motor and brake...possibly saving your life!
Image "borrowed" from: Humphrey Manlift Company
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Manlift
Image 7
The treadle foot safety stop device
If you "forget" to get off the belt at the bottom landing on a manlift with a pit you will depress this
switch and interrupt power to the driving machine motor and brake...possibly saving your life!
Image "borrowed" from: Humphrey Manlift Company
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Manlift
Image 8
Sometimes a movable safety cone hood is mounted beneath floor openings.
If the cone is moved sufficiently to disrupt a mercury (quick-silver) switch then power
to the driving machine motor and brake will be interrupted...possibly saving your life!
Image "borrowed" from: Humphrey Manlift Company
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Manlift
Image 9
The centrifugal-force actuated safety brake and overspeed switch
This brake prevents free-wheeling of the manlift in either direction and the switch will
remove power to the driving machine motor and brake...possibly saving your life!
Image "borrowed" from: Humphrey Manlift Company
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Manlift
Image 10
No installation is complete without a proper list of instructions...
Image provided by: Herbie T. Mann
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Manlift
Image 11
The same warning placard is mounted on the fencing surrounding this manlift...
Image provided by: Troy Coakerman
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Manlift
Image 12
At one time they were called "escalators"...
Image provided by: Sharon Morris
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Manlift
Image 13 (1 of 2)
Get off of what...
Image provided by: Roland High
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Manlift
Image 14 (2 of 2)
...this derelict manlift!
Image provided by: Roland High
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Manlift
Image 15
Is this the up or the down side - Pillsbury flour mill complex in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Incidentally, Seth K. Humphrey designed and built his first wood frame belt manlift
in the spring of 1887. It was purchased by Charles A. Pillsbury for his Minneapolis mill.
Image provided by: James "Smokey" Andrews
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Manlift
Image 16
That is a long ways down...
Image provided by: James "Smokey" Andrews
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Manlift
Image 17 (1 of 2)
A guarded (closed) type handhold on a derelict manlift...
Image provided by: Willy Gomez
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Manlift
Image 18 (2 of 2)
Who made this handhold a very long time ago...Humphrey Elevator Company
Image provided by: Willy Gomez
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Manlift Manlift Manlift
Image 19
How are the steps and handholds attached to the belt...
countersunk elevator bolts with very flat heads!
The endless belt is assembled with these bolts as well.
Images provided by: ACE Hardware
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Manlift
Image 20
The start/stop control rope and emergency ladder rungs are on the left side of this unit...
Image provided by: Ray Baan
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Manlift
Image 21
The Purina Mills in McMinnville, Oregon, U.S.A.
(See Image 59 for more information on this installation.)
Image provided by: Fran Turkleton
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Manlift
Image 22
Another manlift with a tremendous rise...
Image provided by: Bruno Kirby
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Manlift
Image 23
Weyco pulp mill in Aberdeen, Washington, U.S.A.
Image provided by: Bill Durham
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Manlift
Image 24 (1 of 5)
ASME A90.1 - Safety Standard for Belt Manlifts requires these instructions
at "each landing and on the belt at each handhold."
Image provided by: Neal Stone
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Manlift
Image 25 (2 of 5)
The start/stop control rope termination can be seen in this image as well...
Image provided by: Neal Stone
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Manlift
Image 26 (3 of 5)
As you can see from the handhold...this manlift was manufactured by Viola Industries
Image provided by: Neal Stone
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Manlift
Image 27 (4 of 5)
This room contains the driving machine for a derelict manlift...
Please note the main drive-shaft running beneath the ceiling and
all of the drivers for equipment once powered by this drive-shaft.
Image provided by: Neal Stone
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