Resources › Frequently Asked Questions
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A vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) is a material lift that moves goods between two or more levels. It is a safe, code-compliant and much less expensive alternative to a freight elevator for pallets, carts and supplies, covered by the ASME B20.1 conveyor safety standard.
Wizard is family-owned and operated by founder Dave Butler and his two sons.
Yes. We design and manufacture our own hydraulic, mechanical, sidewalk and casket lifts. We also source and install equipment from industry leaders and stand behind it the same way.
Our home base is Fairfield, NJ. We service NJ, PA, NYC and NY State, and ship lifts nationwide with factory support for the installation.
Yes. We have delivered projects for national brands. Whether it is one lift or a multi-site rollout, every job gets the same attention.
The people doing the work. One team handles your project from the first call through the final walkthrough.
For one, two or three stories, mezzanines and docks, a hydraulic lift is usually the most economical choice. For taller buildings, more floors or heavy daily traffic, a mechanical lift is the better fit. See Mechanical Lifts
Often, yes. We have built lifts inside existing stairwells with no structural changes. We look at the space and build the lift and enclosure to fit.
Usually a shallow one so the platform sits flush with the floor. If a pit is not possible, a ramp at the lower level can work instead. We confirm it while preparing specs.
For one, two or three stories, mezzanines and docks, a hydraulic lift is usually the most economical choice. For taller buildings, more floors or heavy daily traffic, a mechanical lift is the better fit. See Hydraulic Lifts
We work with proven, American-made VRC manufacturers and pick the right lift for your job. We spec, install, inspect and service them, so you deal with one team from start to finish.
Mechanical VRCs can travel up to 100 ft and serve multiple levels.
Nothing sits above the top landing. A regular lift has an enclosure or mast above the top floor. A sidewalk lift rises through trap doors in the sidewalk, and when it is down the doors close flush with the pavement.
Often, yes. We measure the existing vault and build the new lift to fit it.
The lift arrives fully built. A boom truck sets it into the prepared vault in a single pick, then it is connected, tested and inspected.
Almost always. We can handle permits, inspections and testing if needed. Permits, Inspections & Testing
No. Sidewalk lifts carry materials only.
No. A casket lift carries caskets and supplies only, not people. That makes it much less expensive to buy, install and maintain than an elevator.
Usually, yes. We build the lift to fit, including older funeral homes with tight footprints.
No. Casket lifts carry caskets and supplies only.
Yes. We service, maintain and repair casket lifts from any and all VRC brands. Service & Maintenance
No. Surface-mounted and portable dock lifts sit on the floor. A pit-mounted lift sits flush with grade so pallet jacks roll straight on.
Autoquip dock lifts range from about 2,000 lb up to 15,000 lb, depending on the model.
Yes. The platform stops at the height of each truck bed for a level transfer.
Autoquip builds them. Wizard sells, installs and services them.
A small freight elevator for moving food, files and supplies between floors. It carries materials only, never people.
We source them from a proven manufacturer and match the unit to your application. Wizard installs and services them, so you deal with one team.
Capacities from 75 to 500 lb, with car sizes from 18 x 18 x 24 in up to 36 x 36 x 48 in. Custom sizes are available.
Dumbwaiters are covered by the ASME A17.1 elevator code. Our units are ETL certified to ASME A17.1 and A17.5.
Yes. We repair, upgrade and maintain dumbwaiters of any brand. Service & Maintenance
Vasari is a brand of Autoquip, built in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Wizard installs and services them across NJ, PA, NYC and NY State.
The standard 4-post underground lift needs a 24.5 in pit, with overhead clearance equal to the travel plus 6 in. Telescoping models work with less overhead.
7,000 lb standard, or 14,000 lb on the two-vehicle option. Standard lifts allow up to 4,000 lb on a single axle at the front edge.
Yes. The top deck can be finished with tile, pavers, concrete or sod so it blends in when the lift is down.
It runs only with a key and code, stops the moment the button is released, and can use cameras, motion sensors and photo eyes to stop if anyone is in the way.
Yes. We repair, inspect and maintain lifts of any brand. Service & Maintenance
Almost any: boxes, gaylords, tote bins, drums, pails, bales, hoppers and custom containers. The skip and hold-down are designed around your exact container, and one dumper can often handle several sizes.
Hydraulic dumpers use cylinders to lift and tip, which suits floor-level and mid-height dumping. Skip hoists carry the container up a tower on a cable or chain drive for very high dump points and long travel.
A dumper that raises the container into a sealed dust hood before tipping, so powders and fine materials discharge without dust or contamination.
No. Hydraulic dumpers are free-standing and ship fully assembled and pre-wired, so most installs only need a level floor, anchors and power.
Yes. Dumpers can be loaded by conveyor or AGV and tied into your plant controls.
A proven manufacturing partner builds them. Wizard supplies and services them, so you have one team from quote to start-up.
Our core area is 0 to 50 miles from Fairfield, NJ, which covers the NYC metro and northern and central NJ. We cover 50 to 100 miles on a standard schedule and take on larger installs up to about 200 miles. Beyond that, we offer factory supervision and support throughout the installation.
Yes. We ship nationwide with an installation manual and drawings, and we offer factory supervision and support throughout the installation. A Wizard technician can also travel to supervise on site.
Yes, if needed. We can file with the local building department and get the lift ready for inspection. Some customers handle permits themselves. See how it works
We go over it while preparing specs: pit, power, structure and access. The approval drawings show your contractor exactly what to prepare.
We bring the right equipment for the site. Boom trucks handle curbside picks, and rough-terrain telehandlers position equipment where a crane cannot reach.
We test it, get it inspected and walk your operators through it at hand-off. After that, our maintenance plans keep it running.
Yes. We repair, inspect and maintain lifts from any and all VRC brands, not just the ones we built or installed.
No. General maintenance and repairs are available any time, contract or not. A contract adds scheduled visits, 10% off parts and labor, and a direct line for repairs.
It depends on how hard it works. Twice a year suits lower-usage equipment. Four times a year is our standard for daily-use lifts. Monthly visits fit high-traffic, multi-shift or critical-uptime equipment. We will recommend a schedule when we see your lift.
Contract customers save 10% on parts and labor invoices for repairs while under agreement.
We service NJ, PA, NYC and NY State. Call us if you are not sure your location is covered.
In most areas, yes, and requirements vary by state and city. We can handle permits, inspections and testing if needed. Check VRC codes by state.
A routine annual test of the lift and its safety and operating devices. It confirms the equipment is working the way it should between full-load tests.
A full-load test done on a longer code cycle. It confirms the lift performs safely under its rated load.
A hands-on check every 6 months. We test gates and interlocks, safety and operating devices, controls, and the hydraulic or chain drive, then keep a written checklist on file for your inspector. Required intervals vary by state and city.
Category 1 tests are annual. Category 5 tests run on a longer cycle set by the code in your area. We recommend a periodic test every 6 months. Check the requirements for your state, or call us and we will tell you what is due.
Yes. We test and inspect lifts from any and all VRC brands.
Yes. We can file permits if needed and help keep your certificates current.
The type of lift, where it is, and the date of the last test or inspection if you have it. A copy of your current certificate helps too.
Assign the number per your office standard. Material lifts are typically placed in Division 14, Conveying Equipment.
Yes. It is a Word file built to be edited. Choose between the bracketed options, fill in the blanks and delete the specifier notes before issuing. For Architects & Specifiers
Material lifts (VRCs) are covered by ASME B20.1, the conveyor safety standard, plus any state or local requirements. Some states regulate VRCs under their elevator code, so check our VRC State Codes page.
Yes. Equipment and anchorage reaction loads can be signed and sealed by a PE licensed in the project state when required. Slab and anchor design remain by the project engineer.
Yes. We manufacture, install and service our lifts, so one firm is responsible from submittals through inspection.
Hydraulic VRC and hydraulic sidewalk lift specs are available now on our Architects & Specifiers page. A dumbwaiter spec is in progress. Call us for a project-specific edit in the meantime.
