What Determines the Price of a Freight Elevator?
A manufacturer of hydraulic freight elevators explains how quotes are set and what the elevator costs to run after installation.
Six factors that set the quote
| Factor | Donam hydraulic freight elevator range | Effect on price |
|---|---|---|
| ① Rated load | Up to 1,000 kg – 5,000 kg | A higher load needs a larger cylinder diameter and a bigger pump and motor. |
| ② Travel (floors) | Max. 26 m | Longer travel needs a longer cylinder. With 2:1 roping, the cylinder stroke is half the travel plus a margin. |
| ③ Speed | Max. 30.9–34.38 m/min (by load) | Higher speed needs more oil flow (pump) and more motor power. |
| ④ Car and entrance size | Car width 1,200–5,000 mm Entrance height 2,000–3,000 mm | The car's own weight is part of the pressure calculation, so a larger car needs a larger cylinder and motor. |
| ⑤ New / remodeling | 20 remodeling projects (2022–2025) | For a replacement, the existing hoistway and equipment must be checked before a quote can be given. |
| ⑥ Building and machine room | No reinforcement of the upper structure Machine room can be placed freely | A traction elevator needs time and money to reinforce the upper structure; a hydraulic elevator does not. |
Car sizes and speeds by load are listed in full under Elevator/Lift Specifications.
Worked example: a 3-ton freight elevator
This example comes from our cylinder and power unit selection guide. With a rated load of 3,000 kg, a car weight of 3,000 kg, a speed of 20 m/min, a travel of 8,200 mm and 2:1 roping, the selection is:
- Cylinder rod diameter 195 mm, stroke 4,350 mm
- Total pressure 47.2 kg/cm², oil flow 300 ℓ/min
- Motor 29 kW
To try other loads and speeds, use the selection calculator.
Is a hydraulic elevator cheaper to install than a traction elevator?
According to Donam Engineering's data, a hydraulic elevator costs about 15–20% less to install than a traction elevator and is cheaper to maintain. The reasons:
- No reinforcement of the building's upper structure is needed. Installing a traction elevator in an old building first requires a safety review of the upper structure.
- There is no counterweight, which saves about 12% of the hoistway area.
- The machine room can be placed in the basement, at the top or wherever suits the building and site.
- Installation takes less time than a traction elevator.
- The car descends under its own weight, so going down uses no energy.
However, the maximum travel of a Donam hydraulic elevator is 26 m, so it suits low-rise buildings and heavy loads. See Hydraulic vs. traction elevators for a full comparison.
Real installations (freight elevator remodeling)
| Year | Site | Load (floors served) | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 대구오페라하우스 (Daegu) | 3.0 t (2 floors) | 19 m/min |
| 2024 | (주)다농 (Jeonju) | 3.0 t (4 floors) | 18 m/min |
| 2024 | 한국다이요잉크(주) (Ansan) | 5.0 t (4 floors) | 26 m/min |
| 2024 | 한림수협 (Jeju) | 5.0 t (2 floors) | 20 m/min |
| 2024 | 자연그대로 (Yangju) | 3.0 t (4 floors) | 20 m/min |
| 2023 | 선산우체국 (Gumi) | 1.0 t (2 floors) | 20 m/min |
All remodeling projects, including car elevators, are listed under Remodeling, and new installations under Projects.
Running costs: main part prices and replacement intervals
| Part | Sales price (KRW) | Replacement interval |
|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic power unit and accessories | 3,500,000–5,000,000 (by kW and spec) | 10 years |
| Rupture valve (fall-prevention valve) | 1,000,000 | 10 years |
| Flow restrictor | 4,800,000 | 6 years |
| Control panel (complete) | 8,000,000–12,000,000 (by kW and spec) | 15 years |
| Car door operator | 1,500,000–4,200,000 | 3 years |
| Car door safety edge | 75,000–1,500,000 | 5 years |
| Overload detector | 300,000–1,000,000 | 4 years |
| Emergency intercom (wired, 1 ch) | 950,000 | 5 years |
| Buffer | 300,000–500,000 | 20 years |
The full list of part prices and replacement intervals is on the maintenance parts price list (Korean).
A hydraulic elevator has fewer components than a traction elevator, so there is less to maintain, and because the motor and pump run immersed in oil, mechanical wear is low. The hydraulic oil, however, should be replaced every 1–2 years and its temperature managed. See Hydraulic elevator oil care.
To get a quote quickly
Send us the following and we will quote after checking the site conditions:
- Use: freight, car or lift
- Rated load (tons or kg)
- Number of floors and travel height (from the lowest to the highest landing floor)
- Required speed (m/min)
- Car size (width × depth) and entrance arrangement (one side / front-and-rear through)
- New installation or replacement (remodeling) — for a replacement, how long the current elevator has been in service
- Site location (region)
Frequently asked questions
Up to how many tons can you build a freight elevator?
Donam hydraulic freight elevators are specified from a rated load of up to 1,000 kg to 5,000 kg. Recent remodeling projects include 1.0 t, 3.0 t and 5.0 t freight elevators.
How many floors can it serve?
The maximum travel is 26 m. The number of floors depends on floor heights, so please give us the travel height when you ask for a quote.
Are lifts quoted the same way?
Lifts are not standard products; they are built to suit the site, so we quote after checking the site.
When should an old freight elevator be replaced?
Under normal conditions, the replacement intervals are 10 years for the hydraulic power unit, 15 years for the control panel and 20 years for the drive. Actual life depends on use and environment — see Remodeling and contact us.
Freight elevator quote
Tell us the rated load, floors, speed and whether it is new or a remodel, and we will reply quickly.
Based on Donam Engineering's elevator specifications, advantages of hydraulic elevators, cylinder and power unit selection guide, maintenance parts price list (July 2019) and remodeling records. Written October 2026.