Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors (VRCs)
Designed, Engineered, and Manufactured VRC Lifts by CIP. What our competitors outsource, we fabricate in-house. Our Solutions Specialists will work with you to analyze your needs and facilities to determine the best lift solution. CIP’s vertical recirpocating conveyor lifts are better…and we can prove it.
The Best-Built VRC Lifts, and We Can Prove It.
What our competitors outsource, we fabricate in-house. Our lift frames and support structures are made of U.S. industrial-grade steel and our 100% duty-cycle cyclo-gear motors are the industry’s best.
100% Duty-Cycle Motor
Rugged cyclo-gear motor and helical gearbox are built to last. Rated to run continuous for over million+ cycles.
Compacted Wire Rope
Steel wrapped around steel. This heavy-duty compacted rope combines lift capacity and smooth ride.
U.S. Industrial-Grade Steel Frame
At the core of all of our VRC Material Lifts is U.S. industrial-grade steel. All of our lifts are engineered and built on-site.
Industry’s Best Warranty
We’re so confident in our product and workmanship we offer a lifetime parts warranty on the lift structure, 60 months on the motor, and 24 months on components. Labor is warranted for 3 months.
General VRC Specs
CIP offers multiple product lines of VRC Material Lifts, both modular and custom. Specifications vary for each line.
Carriage Size: 3’x3′ to 30’x30′
Travel Height: 8′ to 60′
Lift Capacity: 500 lb to 30,000 lb
Choosing the Perfect VRC
Let’s try to simplify this as much as possible. Usually the most limiting option is the actual loading and unloading configuration. If this is the case, you would start with that as your first point and then find the VRC lift that best fits your needs based on number of floors, height, carriage size and lifting capacity.
The chart below shows the key specs for each VRC product line. For example, if you need to use either a “Z” or “C” loading and unloading configuration, since all lines offer those, simply select the appropriate line from the specs in the bottom portion of the chart. If needing a 90° configuration, compare the specs of the C Series and S Series only.
Loading and Unloading Configuration Options
 |  |  |  |  | |
| PM | TL-M | C Series | S Series | FP Series | |
| Loading and Unloading Configuration | |||||
| C | X | X | X | X | X |
| Z | X | X | X | X | X |
| Pass Through | X | X | X | X | |
| 90 Deg | X | X | |||
| Number of Stops | Up to 4 | 2 | Up to 6 | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
| Carriage Size | 6' x 8' | 3' x 3' | 8' x 8' | 8' x 8' | 30' x 30' |
| Travel Height | 8' to 36' | 8' x 16' | Up to 40' | Up to 40' | Up to 60' |
| Lift Weight Capacity | 5,000 lbs | 500 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 6,000 lbs | 30,000 lbs |
Modular VRC Lifts
PM Series VRC
Low cost and easier to install
The PM (Pallet Master) Series pallet lift is designed for moving materials between two or more levels. Its modular design allows for easier installation and implementation.
Video Transcript
Hi. My name is Steve and I work at Custom Industrial Products and I’d like to show you some features on our Pallet Master (PM) Series. The PM Series Lift is one of our most popular units — it’s all in one, fully enclosed, with illuminated pushbutton stations, interlocks and safety brakes. The PM Series modular lift is designed for moving material between two or more levels. It’s modular design allows for easier installation and implementation. Our Pallet Master here is a C configuration which means it loads from the same side. As you can see, the doors are facing the front of the unit. I’m going to go ahead and send it up. And we also have emergency stop pushbuttons on each illuminated pushbutton station, which stops the unit in place. all of our Pallet Masters come with double swing gates. As you can see you have to push the first level illuminated light to unlock the gate. Every pallet master comes with operator instructions on the pushbutton stations. which tells you how to operate the door when the unit is in fault mode or when the emergency button has been pushed. Our Pallet Master is a simple installation and it takes about two to three days to install this unit. It will come in three pieces: you have your lower section, your upper section and your mid section which you do not see here. We also have a pre-wire which is simplified which makes it almost plug and play. Our PM Series here has a load capacity of 1,000 to 5,000 lbs. We also have a carriage size of 4×4, 5×5 and 6×6 with a 36-foot travel height. These are the brakes to our units in case of a catastrophic failure due to a cable snap or break. This is our door interlock feature which will not allow the unit to operate with the doors open. We offer pre-wire as an option. For surface mount applications we also offer a PPC-blasted diamond-plated ramp as an option. Common applications include warehouses, record storage centers, self-storage facilities, manufacturing, reatial stores, restaurants and bakeries, distribution centers, mezzanine access, parts and tire shops, automotive dealerships, schools and universities, workshops and garages, grocery stores, airports and much more.
TL-M Series VRC
Economical, versatile and safe for smaller loads.
The TL-M Series box lift with its modular design is the most versatile and easy-to-use lift in its class. It maximizes the utilization of space while improving safety and efficiency.
Custom VRC Lifts
C Series VRC
Takes a variety of loads and works in low overhead areas.
The C Series, or Cantilever Lift, is a vertical conveyor perfect for a variety of load sizes and weights. The one-sided lifting design offers strength and stability to effortlessly move your items between levels. The C-Series custom lift is commonly used in warehouses where overhead space is low.
S Series VRC
Robust, reliable, affordable and fit a wide variety of uses.
CIP S Series, or Straddle Lift, is the most versatile, multi level lift used across a variety of industries and applications. Its simple design is reliable, and affordable.
FP Series VRC
Takes heavier, larger loads supported by 4 steel posts.
Our Four-Post Lifts are designed for moving larger, heavier loads, and the capabilities of these lifts are virtually limitless. The design is also scalable to provide large platform sizes capable of transporting forklifts and cars.
Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors Applications
CIP Product Warranty
Custom Industrial Products warrants all Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors (VRC Lifts) against manufacturer defects.
| Parts | Labor | ||
| Structure | Lifetime | Structure | 3 months |
| Manufactured Components | 24 months | Manufactured Components | 3 months |
| Purchased Components | 24 months | Purchased Components | 3 months |
| Motor/Gear Reducer | 60 months | Motor/Gear Reducer | 3 months |
| Parts | |
| Structure | Lifetime |
| Manufactured Components | 24 months |
| Purchased Components | 24 months |
| Motor/Gear Reducer | 60 months |
| Labor | |
| Structure | 3 months |
| Manufactured Components | 3 months |
| Purchased Components | 3 months |
| Motor/Gear Reducer | 3 months |
What Are VRC Lifts?
Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor lifts are a classification of freight lifts, or material lifts, governed by the ASME B20.1 Safety Standard, used for moving materials only from one level to another. They provide an efficient, convenient, and safe way to lift materials from basements, to mezzanines, and between floors in multi-story buildings.
VRC Lift Standard Features
A. High Performance Sumitomo Motor
Best-in-class, efficient, 100% duty-cycle, low maintenance, and has fail-safe brakes. Suitable for unrestricted and constant use, no special Duty cycles like the hydraulic variants.
B. Slack Cable Switch
Prevents the material lift from unwinding the cable if there is not proper tension on the wire rope cables.
C. Safety Enclosures
Used to keep materials safely inside while being lifted, and as a safety precaution. CIP enclosures meet or exceed required ASME B20.1 Safety Standards.
D. Broken Cable Carriage Safety
Prevents the VRC lift from operating and the drum from unwinding the cable if there is not proper tension on the wire rope cable.
E. Door Interlocks
Prevent the moving lift from opening its doors, and prevents the stationary lift (with open doors) from moving.
F. Intellitrol Self-Diagnostic Control Panel
Proprietary design and reliable operation. Self-diagnostics capabilities that simplify trouble-shooting.
G. Soft Start / Soft Stop (VFD)
Improves performance of the lift motor through controlled acceleration and deceleration. *Standard on units over 3,000 lbs. or ≥ 72″ x 72″
H. Illuminated Call Stations
Provides VRC lift location, gate positioning (open or closed), and lift status. This is especially important when the operator on one level cannot see the gates on other levels. Emergency “Stop” button on each level.
Benefits of CIP’s Vertical Material Lifts
- Lower-cost alternative to expensive freight or personnel elevators
- Safer to operate than forklifts or other methods
- Reduced risk of work-related injuries or accidents
- All-mechanical with less moving parts and less maintenance
- 100% duty cycle – Designed to run continuously at peak performance.
- Made in the U.S.A.
Looking for the perfect lifting, storing, moving, or material handling solution?
From call to install, we make the process easy and expeditious.
Custom Industrial Products, Inc. works with clients in all industries and all shapes and sizes. Some are seasoned buyers of material handling equipment. Others require more guidance to engineer and fabricate the right solution to fit their applications. Whichever end of the spectrum you are on, the professionals at CIP have the lifting, storing, moving, or material handling solution perfect for you!
The benefits of a VRC lift include:
- Increased productivity with reduced manpower requirements
- Increased space utilization through easy access to mezzanines, lofts, upper levels, or floors
- Increased safety through transporting materials on equipment made for heavy duty lifting
- Long term performance and reliability
- Cost effective to install, operate, and maintain vs. elevators or hydraulic lifts
- Quick return on investment (ROI)
Not sure what kind of freight lift you are looking for?
Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors (VRC’s) are a classification of freight lifts used to move products and other goods from one level to another. They provide an efficient, convenient, low-cost, and safe material handling solution, transferring materials from mezzanines, basements, and between levels in multiple story buildings. They are also known as:
- Material Lift
- Parts Lift
- Pallet Lift
- Vertical Lift
- Freight Lift
- Utility Lift
- Box Lift
- Cargo Lift
- Platform Lift
- Baggage Lift
- Vertical Conveyor
- Dumbwaiter
CIP Modular Mezzanines
Mezzanines from CIP are a perfect addition to our best-selling VRC lifts. Convert unused overhead space into usable floor space with our industrial mezzanines.
