APL Traction Platform Lift
A flexible, space-efficient accessibility solution, offering smooth travel, minimal building work and a choice of glazed or solid enclosures for commercial, public and residential buildings.
What you're getting
Every APL Traction Platform Lift is built to order — these are the standard ranges; a site survey will confirm exact figures for your building.
Capacity500kgRated load, with a platform overload indicator available
Max travelUp to 15,000mmServing 2 to 6 landings
Speed0.15m/sVVVF drive with an oil-free guided chain system
Entry optionsSwing door800, 900 or 1,000mm, on up to 3 sides
SizeMinimal pit & headroom60mm pit (or a ramp), 2,230mm minimum headroom
FinishAny RAL colourSnowberry White as standard, with glass and solid walls in any combinationStructureSelf-supporting enclosureNo conventional lift shaft required
ControlsConstant pressure controlsOn the platform, with push buttons or key switch at the landingsA finish to suit every space
From Snowberry White to any RAL colour, with glazed or solid walls, eight door designs and a choice of floor finishes, every APL Traction Platform Lift is finished to suit its building.
APL Traction Platform Lift specification
Standard ranges for the APL Traction Platform Lift. Every lift is configured to your building, and our team will confirm the right specification for your project.
| APLTraction Platform Lift | |
|---|---|
| Rated load | 500kg |
| Maximum travel | 15m |
| Landings | 2 to 6 |
| Speed | 0.15m/s (VVVF) |
| Drive | Guided chain system with 0.55kW asynchronous motor, oil-free, with safety gear and overspeed governor |
| Pit | 60mm, or a ramp |
| Minimum headroom | 2,230mm above top finished floor |
| Power supply | Single phase 230–240V, 16A |
| Car sizes | From 1,020 x 870mm to 1,220 x 1,680mm |
| Structural opening | From 1,180 x 980mm to 1,380 x 1,790mm |
| Enclosure | Self-supporting, no lift shaft required; glass and solid walls in any combination, Snowberry White (RAL 9010) as standard, any RAL colour available |
| Doors | Swing doors 800, 900 or 1,000mm on up to 3 sides, full or half height; manual as standard, automatic and fire-rated options |
| Controls | Constant pressure on the platform; push buttons or key switch |
| Compliance | Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC; Part M compliant; designed to meet BS 6440, ISO 9386-1 and EN 81-41 |
Case studies
The APL Traction Platform Lift in action
The college were looking to upgrade and enlarge their existing 3 stop platform lift to provide disabled access to the lecture theatres, without disturbing daily university operations.
Energy-efficient platform lifts for up to six floors
The APL Traction Platform Lift offers secure, comfortable access up to 6 floors, with no separate lift shaft needed.
Environmentally friendly
An oil-free drive system with 75% lower energy consumption than most platform lifts, and 0.55kW power consumption instead of the 2.2kW common in the industry.
Safe by design
The chain is confined to a track along its whole length, so it can never derail. Even if the chain should break, the drive system will still bring the platform to a totally safe position.
No lift shaft needed
It comes with its own self-supporting enclosure, so it can be used in buildings where more conventional elevators would be impractical.
Flexible design
Any combination of glass and solid walls, with doors on up to 3 sides, right or left-hand hinged on any side.
Easy to use
Remote landing call stations for wheelchair users, large 50mm buttons, Braille buttons and audible announcements on landing levels.
We have used Alliance Platform Lifts on various projects over the last 3-4 years and we find them to be professional, punctual and very forward thinking. No problem is too great and the communication at both tender and post installation stage is second to none. We will continue to use APL’s services on any future platform or cabin lift projects we have.Daniel Griffin · Google review
I am so pleased with the service from everyone at alliance platform lifts, they have been so professional and helpful throughout the whole process, would highly recommend!Max Ball · Google review
outstanding service, very pleased with the product and the process from quoting to after sales care. Highly recommended!Kenton Mitchell · Google review
Polite, quick, good service. Quick installation. Helpful staff.Jerry Peters · Google review
Outstanding service from Alliance would 100% recommendAG Detail · Google review
10/10 experience. Highly recommend!Josh · Google review
The regulations that apply depend on your building, how the lift is used and the specification you choose. The APL Traction Platform Lift is supplied in line with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, Part M compliant, designed to meet BS 6440, ISO 9386-1 and EN 81-41. Depending on your project, requirements can also include Part M of the Building Regulations and the Equality Act 2010.
If you need help with the regulations for your project, ask one of our experts. We will explain what applies and recommend the right lift for your building.
ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 accredited, SafeContractor approved, LEIA members and Constructionline Gold.
How it happens
Support every step of the way
From the first site survey to long-term servicing, one team looks after your platform lift at every stage.
Design & Planning
A specialist site survey, then design and specification matched to your building and how it will be used.
Installation
Our projects team checks every detail of the preparatory works, whether by your builders or ours, so installation runs smoothly.
Maintenance
Service and maintenance plans keep your lift running safely and reliably, backed by a 24/7 emergency call-out service.
APL Traction Platform Lift questions
Answers to the questions we are asked most often. Can’t find what you need? Call 01206 803 132.
What is the APL Traction Platform Lift, and who is it best for?
The APL Traction Platform Lift is a disabled access lift serving 2 to 6 floors, carrying 500kg with up to 15m of travel. It comes with its own self-supporting enclosure, so it suits buildings where a conventional lift shaft would be impractical. The right choice depends on the users, loads, route, available space and building constraints, so Alliance should confirm suitability through a site survey and written specification.
How much space and building work does the APL Traction Platform Lift need?
The APL Traction Platform Lift doesn't need a lift shaft, as it comes with its own self-supporting enclosure. It needs only a 60mm pit (or a ramp instead), minimum headroom of 2,230mm above the top floor and a single-phase 230–240V 16A supply. Car sizes range from 1,020 × 870mm to 1,220 × 1,680mm, needing structural openings from 1,180 × 980mm to 1,380 × 1,790mm. Exact dimensions, pit, headroom, structural support and openings are project-specific. A survey should verify measured space, fixing points, access for installation and any builder or electrical works before the design is signed off.
What can the APL Traction Platform Lift carry, and what is its load capacity?
The capacity is 500kg. If a greater capacity is required, our APL Heavy-Duty Platform Lift is available with up to 1,000kg or our APL Heavy-Duty Cabin Lift with up to 1,500kg.
What happens to the APL Traction Platform Lift during a power cut or fault?
The APL Traction Platform Lift has manual emergency operation, an emergency alarm with a continuously charged battery, and battery-backed LED lighting on the platform. Electrical emergency lowering is available and is required for travel over 3m, and two-way communication such as a telephone or autodialler is fitted to meet EN 81-41. The full procedure will be demonstrated upon handover.
Can the APL Traction Platform Lift support Part M and Equality Act accessibility requirements?
Yes. The APL Traction Platform Lift is fully compliant with Part M of the Building Regulations and designed to meet BS 6440, ISO 9386-1 and EN 81-41. The project team should assess the Equality Act 2010, relevant Building Regulations guidance, applicable lift standard, fire strategy, circulation space and user needs.
When should I choose traction rather than hydraulic drive?
Choose traction for higher rises and more floors: the APL Traction Platform Lift travels up to 15m and serves up to 6 floors, compared with up to 7m for our APL Hydraulic Platform Lift. Its oil-free chain drive uses up to 75% less energy than most platform lifts and needs only a 60mm pit. Our hydraulic model is designed for both internal and external use. Alliance will compare travel, structure, traffic and servicing for your building.
What travel, entry and finish options are available for the APL Traction Platform Lift?
The APL Traction Platform Lift offers up to 15m of travel and 2 to 6 landings. Swing doors in 800, 900 or 1,000mm widths can be fitted on up to three sides, full or half height, manual or automatic, in eight designs with fire-rated options. The enclosure can combine glass and solid walls in any RAL colour. Final travel, stops, door arrangement, clear openings, platform size and finishes are recorded in the project specification after survey.
What affects the cost of an APL Traction Platform Lift installation?
The cost of an APL Traction Platform Lift depends on travel, number of landings, car size, doors, glazing and finishes, and any builder or electrical works. A site survey allows Alliance to price the actual configuration and state exactly what is included.
What servicing, warranty and project documentation come with the APL Traction Platform Lift?
The APL Traction Platform Lift is backed by a 1-year standard warranty on general lift components, a 5-year warranty on the motor and gearbox, and a 10-year warranty on the drive system (chain and guide bars) (subject to our terms and conditions), with ongoing maintenance and 24/7 emergency call-out support available. The warranty term, service frequency and documents supplied at handover, such as drawings, manuals and declarations, are confirmed in writing for your project.
