PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE: HEBELIFT ZH
HEBELIFT ZH WITHOUT COMPRESSED AIR: MOBILE LIFTING AID WITH BATTERY OPERATION
The Hebelift ZH from Zeilhofer Handhabungstechnik is a fully mobile lifting aid that requires no compressed air connection. It features a 48-volt battery, an omniwheel chassis, and is ready for immediate use, making it suitable for any location.
CHAPTER 1
WHY A LIFTING AID WITHOUT COMPRESSED AIR
Traditional lifting aids are tied to the compressed air infrastructure of a building. This works in production, but fails wherever mobility and flexibility are required.
NO COMPRESSED AIR AT THE SITE OF THE OPERATION
Outdoor areas, workshops, pop-up stations, or warehouses without a compressed air connection are excluded. Retrofitting can quickly cost five-figure sums.
CHANGING LOCATIONS
If a lifting aid moves between several departments, halls, or locations, it is tied to the respective infrastructure. With a battery, this dependency is completely eliminated.
COMPRESSOR COSTS
Operating compressed air requires a significant amount of energy. A compressor with a pipe network constantly consumes electricity for pressure build-up and leakage control. Battery operation measurably reduces these costs.
The Hebelift ZH is the only lifting aid in our portfolio that operates without compressed air. This opens up areas of application that are inaccessible to pneumatic systems.
Completely self-sufficient operation with a 48-volt battery. No compressor, no piping, no maintenance unit. Charging is done at any standard household outlet.
CHAPTER 2
HOW THE HEBELIFT ZH WORKS
The Hebelift ZH is a floor-guided hand truck with an electric lifting system and Omniwheel chassis. Four functional levels work together seamlessly:
01 Drive: 48-volt lithium battery
High-quality battery with high energy density. Sufficient for a full work shift and can be charged at any 230V Schuko socket.
02 Hub: Electric spindle drive
Precise vertical lifting movement, accurately controlled via the operating unit. Non-oscillating load guidance despite mobile design.
03 Chassis: Omniwheel wheels
Free movement in all directions, without turning. The ZH lift moves sideways, forwards, backwards and turns on the spot.
04 Operation: Intuitive control
Operation via a central control unit on the device. Lifting, lowering, and moving are possible with one hand. Can be used without training.
For further information: A general comparison between pneumatic, electropneumatic, and electric drives for lifting aids can be found in the guide "Pneumatic or Electric Lifting" . Technical specifications are available on the product page for the Hebelift ZH .
CHAPTER 3
SIX ADVANTAGES OVER PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS
What distinguishes the Hebelift ZH from classic lifting aids and what advantages this offers in its use.
Ready for immediate use
No installation, no connection, no foundation. Unpack, charge, work. Typical setup time is less than an hour.
Quiet operation
No compressor noise, no hissing exhaust. The ZH lift operates whisper-quietly and can also be used in noise-sensitive areas.
Location-independent
Usable in multiple halls, departments, or locations. One unit is sufficient, which can be transported between plants by trailer.
Maximum mobility
The Omniwheel chassis allows free movement in all directions. Narrow aisles and angled workspaces are no problem.
No follow-up costs
No compressed air, no compressor consumption, no leakage losses. The energy balance is significantly better than with pneumatic lifting aids.
Low investment
No compressed air infrastructure is required. The Hebelift ZH is the most economical option for occasional or mobile lifting applications.
CHAPTER 4
PRACTICE: PICKING AND PACKSTATION
Lifting boxes and components flexibly
In order picking and shipping, parts, boxes, and components are constantly being moved. Loads between 10 and 80 kg are typical, and the location changes several times per shift. A permanently installed lifting aid is unsuitable here, and a forklift is oversized.
The Hebelift ZH is moved flexibly between goods receiving, packing station, storage racks and shipping area. Suction and gripping devices adapt to the respective load.
Advantages of this application
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Quick relocation without conversion effort
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Whisper-quiet operation in the packing station
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Schuko charging during every break
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Reduced workload for employees
CHAPTER 5
PRACTICE: WORKSHOP AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Lifting heavy components without hall infrastructure
Compressed air connections are often unavailable in workshops, maintenance operations, and field service. Mechanics and service technicians work at changing locations and require a portable solution for handling heavy components.
The Hebelift ZH can be transported between work sites on a trailer and operates completely autonomously on site. It saves time and protects against physical strain during machine maintenance, tool changes, or component assembly.
Advantages of this application
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Mobile, transportable between locations
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No hall infrastructure required
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Also suitable for outdoor use
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Replaceable battery for 24/7 availability
CHAPTER 6
PRACTICE: PROTOTYPE CONSTRUCTION AND RESEARCH
Flexible lifting in changing experimental setups
In development and testing departments, equipment setups change regularly. A permanently installed lifting aid is too inflexible here; the investment would not be economical for the short usage period per setup.
The Hebelift ZH is moved between test benches, workshops, and experimental halls. For each new test setup, it is adapted to the current task without any connection work or installation effort.
Advantages of this application
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Quick adaptation to changing configurations
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No structural connection to a test rig
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Also suitable for use in cleanroom-like areas
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Economical even at low capacity utilization
CHAPTER 6
CONFIGURATION AND VARIANTS
The Hubachse ZH90 is designed as a modular system. The most important configuration levels are:
01 Hub
Standard 1,600 mm. Extendable via double stroke for high vertical movements. Shorter strokes are also possible for confined spaces.
02 Drive
Pneumatic, electropneumatic, or electric. Choice based on energy source, speed, and level of automation.
03 Mounting type
Stationary on ceiling or floor, movable on rail carriages or integrated into crane runways and portal systems.
04 Device
Grippers, suction and magnetic devices, hooks, screwdrivers and screw spindles. Customized special solutions from our own design.
05 Control variant
Four control options: operating unit on the device, mobile control, PLC connection or fully automatic integration.
06 System integration
Can be combined with articulated arm manipulator, rotary module arm ZH3 and swivel mechanisms for complex movement sequences.
CHAPTER 7
Hebelift ZH and pneumatic lifting aid in comparison
The Hebelift ZH does not replace pneumatic lifting aids for heavy-duty applications; it opens up additional areas of application that are not accessible to stationary systems.
01 Hebelift ZH with battery
Maximum load capacity: 100 kg
Compressed air required: No
Installation: None
Mobility: Freely movable
Change of location: In minutes
Commissioning: Under one hour
Noise: Whisper-quiet
Energy consumption: Battery, Schuko rechargeable
Ideal for: Mobile applications
01 Pneumatic lifting aids
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Maximum load capacity: 800 kg
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Compressed air required: yes
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Installation: Ceiling, floor, rail system
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Mobility: Stationary or limited
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Relocation: Complex to impossible
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Commissioning: Day to weeks
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Noise: Compressor noise
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Energy consumption: compressed air, compressor
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Ideal for: Stationary heavy loads
CHAPTER 8
ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND OPERATIONS
The economic efficiency of the ZH lift results from three levels: saved infrastructure, low energy costs and multiple uses across locations.
Investment savings
Retrofitting a compressed air system in a medium-sized hall can quickly cost between €20,000 and €80,000. The Hebelift ZH eliminates this investment entirely.
Energy costs
Depending on the electricity price, a battery charge costs between €0.50 and €1.00 and is sufficient for a full shift. Compressed air costs many times more for comparable usage.
Multiple use
One device serves multiple locations, halls, and departments. The investment pays for itself faster than with any stationary solution.
With medium to high usage, the Hebelift ZH pays for itself within 12 to 24 months, once the alternative compressed air installation is factored in. With low utilization, it is the only economically viable lifting aid.
FAQ / Q&A
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions about the Hebelift ZH without compressed air
01 Why are there lifting aids that don't use compressed air?
Traditional lifting aids require a permanently installed compressed air supply with a compressor, piping, and maintenance unit. Many halls, outdoor areas, mobile workstations, or pop-up stations lack compressed air. Battery-powered lifting aids like the Zeilhofer Hebelift ZH solve this problem, as they operate completely independently with a 48-volt battery and can be used anywhere.
02 How long does the battery of the Hebelift ZH last?
The 48-volt battery of the Zeilhofer Hebelift ZH is designed for a full shift. With typical lifting and driving operations, a single charge is sufficient for 8 to 10 hours of operation. Interchangeable batteries enable uninterrupted multi-shift operation without charging time.
03 How is the Hebelift ZH charged?
The Zeilhofer Hebelift ZH is charged via a standard 230-volt Schuko socket. No special charging infrastructure is required. A full charge takes 4 to 6 hours, depending on the battery type. An optional swappable battery system for 24/7 operation is available.
04 What loads can the Hebelift ZH lift?
The Zeilhofer Hebelift ZH is designed for loads up to 100 kg. Typical applications include cardboard boxes, components, toolboxes, machine parts, batteries, and containers. Customer-specific attachments such as grippers, suction cups, or hooks allow for handling virtually any component geometry.
05 Where is the Hebelift ZH typically used?
The Zeilhofer Hebelift ZH is used wherever mobility and independence are required: in order picking and shipping, at packing stations, in workshops, in assembly, in prototype construction, in outdoor areas, and during maintenance work. It can also be used simultaneously in multiple halls or locations.
06 What distinguishes the Hebelift ZH from pneumatic lifting aids?
Pneumatic lifting aids are dependent on the compressed air infrastructure and are therefore stationary. They lift heavier loads up to 800 kg and are designed for continuous operation. The Hebelift ZH is mobile, freely movable, battery-powered, and requires no installation. It complements the Zeilhofer portfolio where flexibility is more important than maximum lifting capacity.
07 Is the Hebelift ZH subject to UVV inspection?
Yes, the Hebelift ZH, like all lifting aids, is subject to annual safety inspections in accordance with DGUV Regulation 54. Zeilhofer offers these safety inspections as a service. Maintenance contracts and expert inspections are also included in this service package.