High Travel Lift Moves Stage Props 23 ft.

High Travel Scissor Lift T3 for Lyric Opera of Chicago moves stage props to 23 feet in 20 Seconds.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is a non-profit founded in 1954 that produces and performs world-class opera. They were faced with three challenges when looking for a way to improve how they moved stage props from basement level to stage area, which is 23 ft. above.

1. What would be the best method for lifting stage props 23 ft. above and fit within their existing space that is between pillars?
2. Their existing equipment was starting to age and becoming too slow. Timing is critical during performances to move props quickly.
3. They were faced with budget constraints since this project was being funded with city grants.

Typically, with an application like this one, Autoquip would look at a freight lift first because it’s designed to move high-capacity materials between levels. However, in this case the customer could not have the overhead structure of a 2 or 4 post freight lift blocking the access to stage level. Rather, Autoquip recommended the Tork 3 to fit the customer’s space and structure restrictions.

The Tork 3 is built with three sets of vertically stacked scissor that are pinned directly together, stabilized, and raised simultaneously by common hydraulic cylinders. This lift equipment was custom built to specification and included a capacity for up to 4,000 pounds and travel up to 250”. The platform was built to 48”x120” to fit within the pillar width. Autoquip provided a high-flow power unit to raise the lift 250” in 20 seconds. A soft start and stop feature was also added to the lift, so that the load would not be jarred as it started to rise or lower.

Specifications & Features:

Product: Tork Lift T3

Model #: T3-250-040

Capacity: 4,000

Platform: 48×120

Travel: 250

Actuation: Hydraulic

Power Unit: 40HP, 25 Gallon Per minute

Special Hydraulic Control Valves for Soft Start/Stop

AQ Project Ref. #119780

By working with the customer to understand the application demands and site requirement, Autoquip was able to provide a custom solution that solved for all three challenges.

1. The T3 is a much faster and safer lifting method that will move the stage props to stage level within 20 seconds.
2. The T3 is priced economically which met the funding requirements of the city grant.
3. The T3 is custom built to spec, which will fit the existing structural space and travel distance to stage level.