How to Select a Dumb Waiter for Your Business

Would you like to ease the movement of materials at your manufacturing facility? Read on and discover some of the key factors that you should bear in mind when selecting a dumb waiter from the variety available.

The Travel Distance

Dumb waiters vary based on the distance that they can cover. You should therefore measure the height to which you would like your dumb waiter to travel before you make a selection. For instance, a dumb waiter that can travel a distance of 50 feet may not be suitable for your facility if your interest is in moving materials to a height of 30 feet.

Number of Stops

Different models of dumb waiters are designed to make a specific number of stops during their travel. Think about how many stops you would like your dumb waiter to make so that you narrow down your options to the models that can make those required stops.

Weight Capacity

Consider how heavy the materials that you want to move are. Dumb waiters have a maximum weight that they were designed to carry safely. It is therefore advisable to select a dumb waiter whose maximum carrying capacity is slightly higher than the typical loads that it will be carrying. That excess capacity will act as a buffer in the event that you have to move a load that exceeds what you normally move. Secondly, a higher weight rating ensures that the equipment will last longer since it will not be carrying loads at 100-percent capacity at all times. Carrying maximum capacity loads accelerates component wear.

Doors and Finishes

Dumb waiters have different cab door designs. For example, you could buy a dumb waiter with collapsible cab doors in case you would like to limit the space requirements of the dumb waiter. Alternatively, you may select bi-fold or roll up doors for your dumb waiter.

Dumb waiter cabs usually have two major finishes (stainless steel and powder-coated steel) that you can select from. Select the finish that will address your needs. For example, stainless steel may be suitable if the dumb waiter will be exposed to saltwater at your facility. Powder-coated steel can suffice if the dumb waiter will not be frequently exposed to corrosive materials.

The dumb waiters that you select will perform as expected if you follow the suggestions in the discussion above. Consult an expert in case you have other concerns, such as how to overcome obstacles at the installation site, about any aspect of the selection, installation and maintenance of the dumb waiters. 


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