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PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE - LEVER LIFT ZH
HELELIFT ZH WITHOUT COMPRESSED AIR: MOBILE LIFTING AID WITH BATTERY OPERATION

The ZH lifting platform from Zeilhofer Handling Technology 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 ZH lifting platform 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 LEVER LIFT ZH WORKS

The ZH lifting platform 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 ZH lifting lift .

CHAPTER 3
SIX ADVANTAGES OVER PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS

What distinguishes the ZH lifting lift 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 ZH lifting platform 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 ZH lifting platform 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

 

  • Quick relocation without conversion effort

  • Whisper-quiet operation in the packing station

  • Schuko charging during every break

  • Reduced workload for employees

Hebelift Zeilhofer Parallax

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 ZH lifting platform 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

 

  • Mobile, transportable between locations

  • No hall infrastructure required

  • Also suitable for outdoor use

  • Replaceable battery for 24/7 availability

Hebelift ZH ohne Druckluft

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 ZH lifting platform 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

 

  • Quick adaptation to changing configurations

  • No structural connection to a test rig

  • Also suitable for use in cleanroom-like areas

  • Economical even at low capacity utilization

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CHAPTER 6
CONFIGURATION AND VARIANTS

The ZH90 lifting axis 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
Lever lift and pneumatic lifting aid in comparison

The ZH lifting platform 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 Lifting lift 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

  • Maximum load capacity: 1,200 kg

  • Compressed air required: yes

  • Installation: Ceiling, floor, rail system

  • Mobility: Stationary or limited

  • Relocation: Complex to impossible

  • Commissioning: Day to weeks

  • Noise: Compressor noise

  • Energy consumption: compressed air, compressor

  • 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 ZH lifting platform 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 ZH lifting platform 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 ZH lifting platform 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 ZH lifting platform 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 ZH lift last?

The 48-volt battery of the ZH lifting platform 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 ZH lift charged?

The ZH lifting platform 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 ZH lifting lift lift?

The ZH lifting platform 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 ZH lifting lift typically used?

The ZH lifting platform 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 ZH lifting lift from pneumatic lifting aids?

Pneumatic lifting aids are dependent on the compressed air infrastructure and are therefore stationary. They lift heavier loads up to 1,200 kg and are designed for continuous operation. The ZH lifting lift is mobile, freely movable, battery-powered, and requires no installation. It complements the portfolio where flexibility is more important than maximum lifting capacity.

07 Is the ZH lifting platform subject to UVV inspection?

Yes, the ZH lifting platform, 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.

READY FOR YOUR PROJECT
SOUNDS LIKE YOUR APPLICATION?

Speak directly with our engineers. We will analyze your lifting task and configure the appropriate ZH lifting platform, including the necessary fixtures.

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