What is mechanical parking and which type to choose
What is mechanical parking?
Mechanical parking is a conventional car park upgraded with machinery and hydraulics. A car is driven onto a platform, the platform rises, and a second car can park in the space freed up underneath. The same floor area therefore holds more vehicles. It is also known as vertical parking or vehicle stacking.
Powerlift mechanical parking lifts let two cars park in the space of one. The system is hydromechanical: a load-bearing steel structure moved by hydraulic cylinders. It suits places where space is tight, such as municipal, hotel, restaurant and residential car parks.
Independent vs dependent type
Powerlift parking lifts come in two standard solutions. The key difference is whether the upper car can leave without moving the lower one.
Independent type (POWERLIFT.HVL.ID)
Each car uses the lift independently; the upper and lower car can enter and leave without waiting for each other. This requires a pit of suitable width and depth at the installation site. It is the natural choice where drivers park and collect their own cars.
Dependent type (POWERLIFT.HVL.D)
The upper car is dependent and the lower car is independent: before the upper car can leave, the lower car has to be driven out of the lift. No pit is needed; installation is simple and the lift can be relocated if required. It works well where there is parking staff, for example municipal and hotel car parks or businesses offering valet service. Because of this way of working, the dependent type is also referred to as semi-automatic parking.
Solutions outside this range (parking for vehicles larger than cars, systems stacking more than two cars, rotary or fully automatic parking systems) are custom-built and assessed project by project.
Key features
- Suitable for cars of all makes and sizes, including SUVs, saloons and hatchbacks
- Hot-dip galvanised steel structure, designed for outdoor use
- Hydraulic cylinders protected inside the structure; integrated hydraulic unit with no external unit or hose installation
- Hydraulic safety valves and a mechanical locking system
- Electronic photocell safety system with audible and visual warnings
- Key-operated control panel and emergency stop button
- Modular design: several lifts can operate side by side
Manufacturing and installation
Powerlift mechanical parking lifts are manufactured in Denizli. Sales, installation, service and spare parts are provided by Hidroteknik, the authorised dealer of Powerlift products. Installation is carried out across Turkey, and lifts can also be shipped ready for assembly. Safety requirements are defined for each project and stated in the quotation and technical documentation.
Which type suits you?
Three questions decide it: Can a pit be built on site? Will drivers or parking staff move the cars? How many lifts will stand side by side? If a pit is possible and every car must be able to leave on its own, consider the independent type; if you need quick installation without construction work and staff manage the cars, consider the dependent type.
Quotes and information
See the mechanical parking lift page for details and installation photos. Send us your site dimensions and photos via the contact page and we will help you choose the right type.
