Choose by site first: two-level lifts and stackers for 1–4 cars per bay, puzzle (lift-slide) systems for 10–200 cars over 2–6 levels, rotary carousels for 8–20 cars on a two-bay footprint, plane moving systems for large basements, and automated towers when land is scarce and you need 20–100+ cars on one footprint.
Every mechanical parking project is a trade-off between four things: how many cars you need, how much ground and height you have, how quickly users expect their car back, and what budget covers civil works as well as equipment. This guide walks through the five system families we manufacture and shows where each one fits.
Start with the site, not the catalogue
Before comparing systems, measure three things: the clear footprint (length × width), the clear height from finished floor to the lowest beam or duct, and whether you can dig a pit. These three numbers rule out more options than any brochure. A residential basement with 3.4 m clear height and no pit points to two-level or tilting lifts. A 6 × 7 m corner plot next to a hotel points to a rotary carousel. A 40 × 30 m basement under an office tower points to puzzle or plane moving systems.
The five system families at a glance
| System | Typical capacity | Levels | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-level lift / stacker | 2–4 cars per bay | 2–4 | Homes, dealers, small residential basements |
| Puzzle (lift-slide) | 10–200 cars | 2–6 | Apartments, offices, hospitals, retrofits |
| Vertical rotary | 8–20 cars per unit | 4–11 positions | Very small plots, hotels, government buildings |
| Plane moving | 50–500+ cars | 2–6 per module | Large basements, malls, public car parks |
| Automated tower | 20–100+ cars | 5–20+ | Dense city centres, landmark buildings |
Two-level lifts and stackers
A two-post or four-post lift raises one car so a second can park underneath. It is the simplest way to double a bay, and the upper car must be removed before the lower car can leave unless you choose a pit model. Tilting lifts angle the platform so they work under lower ceilings. Triple and quad stackers extend the same idea to three or four cars and suit storage, collectors and dealers where cars do not move every day.
Browse two-level parking lifts or triple and quad stackers.
Puzzle (lift-slide) systems
Puzzle systems arrange pallets in a grid. The ground level slides sideways and upper levels lift and lower, so every car can come down to the entry level without the driver moving another car. The rule of thumb is that each level except the top keeps one empty space for shuffling, which is why a 3-level, 5-column system parks 13 cars rather than 15. They are modular, need little or no pit, and are the most common choice for residential and office retrofits.
Vertical rotary carousels
A rotary system runs pallets around a vertical chain loop like a Ferris wheel. It stores 8 to 20 cars on a footprint of roughly two standard bays, which makes it unbeatable on a tiny plot. Retrieval time grows with the number of positions, so rotaries suit residents and staff who park for the day rather than high-turnover retail.
Plane moving systems
Plane moving (also called shuttle or PPY) systems use a carrier on each level that runs along a central aisle, plus a lift that moves cars between levels. Several carriers work at the same time, so throughput stays high at peak hours. They are the best fit for large, regular basements and public car parks.
Automated towers
Tower systems combine a central high-speed lift with storage bays on both sides. Cars enter a ground-floor bay, the driver leaves, and the system stores the car automatically. Towers deliver the most cars per square metre of land and can be clad to match the building, which is why they are popular in city centres and as car-display towers.
What actually drives the cost
- Steel weight per space: taller systems need heavier columns and bracing.
- Drive and control: hydraulic lifts cost less than VVVF motor-chain drives with PLC control and card access.
- Civil works: pits, slab reinforcement, fire protection and power supply are often larger line items than the equipment.
- Finish and climate: hot-dip galvanising and outdoor cladding add cost but extend life in coastal or humid sites.
Our parking capacity planner gives a first estimate of spaces for each system so you can compare like with like before asking for a quote.
Next step
Send us a sketch with the footprint, clear height, the number of cars you need and how often they move. Our engineers will reply with a recommended system, a layout and a quotation, usually within one working day.
FAQ
Which parking system gives the most cars per square metre?
Automated towers and plane moving systems give the highest density because they remove driving aisles and ramps. A vertical rotary carousel gives the best density for a very small plot of roughly two parking bays.
Which system is fastest to retrieve a car?
Two-level lifts and puzzle systems move one pallet at a time and usually deliver a car in about one to two minutes. Plane moving systems run several carriers in parallel, so they keep queues short during peak hours.
Can I start with a small system and expand later?
Puzzle and stacker systems are modular. Columns can be added later if the steel frame and foundation were designed for it, so tell us the final capacity at the start.
