Choosing the wrong conveyor system or lift equipment can stall your operation for weeks and cost thousands in downtime. Whether you're equipping a warehouse, manufacturing floor, or distribution centre, the options are wide — and the differences between them matter. This guide breaks down what to look for so you can buy or hire with confidence.
Understanding the Main Equipment Categories
Before diving into specs, it helps to know what you're actually comparing. Conveyor systems and lift equipment solve different problems, and sometimes you need both.
Conveyor Systems move goods horizontally or at a slight incline across a fixed path. Common types include:
- Belt conveyors – best for uniform, lightweight to medium-weight items (up to ~500 kg/m); widely used in food processing and e-commerce fulfilment
- Roller conveyors – ideal for boxes and pallets; gravity-fed versions require no power and suit low-budget setups
- Chain conveyors – handle heavy loads and harsh environments; common in automotive and steel manufacturing
- Screw/auger conveyors – purpose-built for bulk materials like grain, cement, or powders
Lift Equipment handles vertical movement or precise positioning:
- Scissor lifts – stable platforms for maintenance work or load positioning, typically rated 300 kg to 1,500 kg
- Pallet stackers – electric or manual units for moving pallets to racking height (usually up to 5.5 m lift height)
- Vertical reciprocating conveyors (VRCs) – industrial alternatives to freight elevators; move goods between floors without a licensed operator requirement in most regions
- Dock levellers – bridge the gap between truck beds and warehouse floors; hydraulic models handle up to 6,500 kg
Key Specifications to Compare
When you're doing a conveyor systems lift equipment comparison, don't just look at price. These are the numbers that actually affect your operation:
Load capacity – Always verify the rated load and the dynamic load (moving weight vs. static weight). A conveyor rated for 200 kg/m static may derate under continuous heavy use.
Speed – Belt conveyors typically run 0.1–2.5 m/s. Faster isn't always better; fragile goods or manual pick stations may need 0.3 m/s or slower.
Lift height and travel distance – For vertical equipment, confirm the maximum lift height matches your racking or mezzanine level with clearance to spare.
Drive type – Electric is the standard for indoor use. Battery-powered or pneumatic options suit environments where cabling is impractical.
Control systems – Basic on/off vs. variable speed drives (VSDs) vs. full PLC integration with conveyor networking. VSDs alone can cut energy use by 30–50% on variable-load lines.
Duty cycle – Continuous duty (24/7 warehouse) demands a different motor and gearbox spec than intermittent duty (occasional loading dock use).
New vs. Used vs. Hire: What Makes Sense
Buying new makes sense when the equipment will run in a permanent, high-utilisation role and you need full warranty coverage and customisation. Budget £8,000–£40,000+ for a modular belt conveyor line; £15,000–£80,000 for an installed VRC system.
Buying used or refurbished can cut costs by 30–60%, but inspect drive motors, belts, and control panels carefully. Ask for maintenance records and confirm spare parts are still available for older models.
Hiring suits seasonal peaks, project-based work, or sites where you need equipment for 3–18 months without capital expenditure. Scissor lift hire typically runs £100–£350/week depending on capacity; pallet stacker hire from £60–£180/week.
Red Flags When Evaluating Suppliers
Not every quote is created equal. Watch out for:
- Vague delivery lead times with no contractual commitment
- Lack of CE marking or relevant safety certifications (UKCA post-Brexit in Great Britain)
- No in-house installation or commissioning team — third-party installation adds cost and dilutes accountability
- Warranty that excludes wear parts or limits coverage to 6 months on industrial-grade equipment
- Suppliers who won't provide reference customers in a similar industry
How to Shortlist the Right Provider
Start by mapping your exact material flow: what moves, how heavy, how far, how often, and to what height. Turn that into a written spec sheet before contacting anyone — it filters out unsuitable vendors fast and gets you like-for-like quotes.
Mercoly makes it straightforward to compare vetted Material Handling Equipment suppliers in one place, so you're not starting from scratch with each enquiry.
Once you have two or three shortlisted quotes, ask each supplier for a site survey. Any reputable conveyor or lift equipment provider will insist on one before finalising a proposal — if they skip it, that's a warning sign.
Final Checklist Before You Commit
- Confirm installation, commissioning, and operator training are included or clearly itemised
- Check ongoing maintenance contract terms and response time SLAs
- Verify lead time against your operational deadline
- Ensure the supplier holds public liability insurance of at least £5 million
Start your comparison today and get quotes from trusted Material Handling Equipment specialists who match your exact requirements.