Vertical Conveyors in Houston, TX — Elevation Change in the Smallest Possible Footprint
When there's no floor space for a ramp, go straight up. Lone Star Automated Systems designs, supplies, and installs continuous and reciprocating vertical conveyors and gripper elevators that lift boxes, cases, trays, and bags to and from any height you require — quietly, reliably, and with minimal maintenance.
Continuous or Reciprocating — Matched to Your Rate
Every vertical conveyor answers the same question — how do I move product between levels without giving up floor space? — but two very different machines answer it.
The reciprocating (discontinuous) vertical conveyor lifts one load at a time on a platform: robust, extremely stable on its steel structure, and nearly maintenance-free. Its flat-belt drive is completely silent and, unlike a chain-driven system, needs no lubrication or tensioning.
The continuous high-speed vertical conveyor is a module-based product lift that never stops moving — a steady stream of carriers delivers up to 3,000 products per hour at the surprisingly low price of a discontinuous unit, handles ascending and descending flows, and can even work as a vertical sorter.
Need elevation change with a ramp instead? See incline belt conveyors — or spiral conveyors for continuous flow in a round footprint.
Vertical Conveyors & Elevators We Design & Install
From a single mezzanine lift to gripper elevators feeding packaging lines overhead, we size each machine to your product, rate, and elevation change.
Reciprocating Vertical Conveyor
A discontinuous product elevator that excels in robustness and needs minimal maintenance — its steel structure is extremely stable under all circumstances. The flat-belt drive is completely silent and eliminates the lubrication and tensioning a chain-driven system demands.
Capacity: easily hoists boxes, trays, crates, and bags weighing up to 100 kg (≈220 lb) • ideal to roughly 300 movements per hour • compact design uses very little floor space.
Continuous High-Speed Vertical Conveyor
A continuous product lift with the surprisingly low price tag of a discontinuous conveyor. The module-based, energy-efficient design effortlessly transports boxes, cases, trays, and bags to and from any height you require — and serves both ascending and descending flows, even doubling as a vertical sorter.
Capacity: up to 3,000 products per hour • particularly versatile across product types • minimal floor space.
Pro-Gripper Elevator
Securely elevates or lowers products between opposing gripper chains while using very little floor space — with finger chains for delicate handling or bulbs/D-bulbs for heavy duty. Handles jugs, cases, round packaging, and tapered products.
Typical range: product widths 1.5"–11.5" • elevation change 42"–204" • speeds 15–215 FPM • loads to 10 lbs per linear ft • up or down • operator/forklift access aisles.
Case Gripper
The heavy-duty sibling of the Pro-Gripper: built to elevate and lower cases and other heavier products — carrying them up, over, and back down to clear aisles, machinery, and operator walkways.
Typical range: product widths 1"–10" • elevation change 18"–60" • speeds 7–200 FPM • loads to 20 lbs per foot • C-flow and S-flow configurations.
Vertical Lift vs. Spiral vs. Incline Belt
| Factor | Vertical Conveyor | Spiral Conveyor | Incline Belt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Footprint | Smallest — straight up | Small — round tower | Largest — needs ramp length |
| Flow | Reciprocating (batch) or continuous | Continuous | Continuous |
| Rate | ≈300 cycles/hr reciprocating; to 3,000/hr continuous | High continuous throughput | Limited by incline angle and belting |
| Load class | To 220 lb per platform load; gripper styles for lighter product | Cartons and cases | Light-to-medium product |
| Learn more | This page | Spiral conveyors | Belt conveyors |
Vertical Conveyor FAQs
What is a vertical conveyor?
A vertical conveyor is a product lift that moves boxes, cases, trays, crates, or bags between floor levels, mezzanines, or machine heights using minimal floor space. Unlike an incline conveyor, which needs a long ramp footprint, a vertical conveyor elevates product straight up or down in a compact steel frame.
What is the difference between continuous and discontinuous vertical conveyors?
A discontinuous (reciprocating) unit lifts one load at a time on a platform — ideal to roughly 300 movements per hour with loads to 100 kg (≈220 lb). A continuous unit moves a steady stream of products on circulating carriers without stopping, reaching up to 3,000 products per hour, serving ascending and descending flows, and even acting as a vertical sorter.
How much weight can a vertical conveyor lift?
Reciprocating vertical conveyors easily hoist boxes, trays, crates, and bags weighing up to 100 kg (about 220 lb) per load. Gripper-style elevators handle lighter individual products — typically 10–20 lbs per foot of conveyor — at much higher continuous rates.
What is a gripper elevator?
A gripper elevator raises or lowers products by gently gripping them between opposing belts or chains — finger chains for delicate products, bulb chains for heavy duty. Gripper elevators handle jugs, cases, bottles, round packaging, and tapered products, with elevation changes up to 204" and C-flow, Z-flow, and S-flow path configurations.
Should I use a vertical conveyor, spiral conveyor, or incline belt?
Use an incline belt when you have space for a ramp and want the simplest solution; a spiral for continuous high-rate flow in a round footprint; and a vertical conveyor when floor space is tightest or elevation change is large — reciprocating for lower rates and heavy loads, continuous or gripper style for high rates.
Does Lone Star Automated Systems install vertical conveyors in Houston?
Yes. We're headquartered in Houston, TX and provide layout, design, supply, and installation of vertical conveyors, gripper elevators, and complete elevation-change systems throughout Houston, the Gulf Coast, and all of Texas. Call 713-532-4444 for a quote.
Vertical Conveyor Design & Installation Across Texas
Lone Star Automated Systems is headquartered at 2500 Citywest Blvd., STE 150, Houston, TX 77042 and serves manufacturers, distribution centers, food and beverage plants, and warehouses throughout the Gulf Coast and statewide.
Ready to Spec Your Vertical Conveyor?
Tell us your product sizes, weights, rates, and the elevation change you need. We'll recommend reciprocating, continuous, or gripper technology — and quote the complete lift with controls and guarding.
713-532-4444