The Complete Guide to Choosing a Turntable
Carparking can absorb enormous amounts of valuable space in a building, much of it just for turning space. Hercules Carparking Systems has a space-saving solution and can provide reliable access for vehicles in a tight space, avoiding the need for reversing and multiple-point turns.
RTA guidelines for development should always be met which states: “all vehicles should enter and leave in a forward direction”.
So how do you decide on which turntable to buy?
Step 1: Size & Capacity
When considering a car turntable the smallest turntable recommended must at least be 1 metre wider than your car wheelbase. However, in order to benefit most from your investment, we can advise you to install the largest possible turntable that your location and budget will allow.
If you still need more help deciding on size, keep in mind that a 4.5 metre diameter turntable is big enough for most cars on the road.
Our sizes range from 3.5 metre up to 100 metre. We can design and manufacture vehicle turntables in any size to suit your project requirements. The only limitation is your imagination.
The load capacity of the turntable can vary between 3 tonnes up to 100 tonnes.
Step 2: Look and Feel
To excavate or not to excavate?
With our Hercules turntables you have a choice between a regular “pit type” turntable, meaning the top surface will lay flat with the driveway. This turntable is suitable for either indoor or outdoor locations. Alternatively, you can have a turntable that can be installed on an existing concrete slab and doesn’t not require “a pit.” This turntable is surrounded by a ramp which allows you to drive onto the turntable. These turntables require additional space due to the surrounding ramp and are only suitable for indoor locations.
If you choose our regular pit type turntable, you have another choice to make. What type of top surface finish?
Top surface finish options include:
- Diamond Tread Steel
- Polished Aluminium
- Timber
- Tiled
- Concrete
The pit type turntables also have the option of the motor location being either inside/underneath or outside/next to the turntable. Generally, speaking if space is an issue you may decide to have the motor inside/underneath the turntable. If space is not an issue and you prefer a tiled / concrete top finish, then we would suggest that the motor be located outside/next to the turntable. This not only provides easier access for technicians when servicing the turntable motor, but it also reduces the pit depth required for the turntable which means you save money on excavation costs.
Our turntables can be operated either by a switch on a wall mounted control box or remote-control. The turntables move both clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Turntables installed outdoors or near saltwater locations have the option for the steel parts to be manufactured in stainless steel.
The Difference
Many turntables in the market utilise a friction drive, which rely on a drive wheel pushing on an inner frame to rotate the table mechanism which is subject to more wear and tear and therefore more maintenance issues. The friction drive turntables are noticeably noisier in their operation then the Hercules turntables.
The key feature of our turntables is the Pin-Gear Drive mechanism which ensures smooth, reliable operation with minimal wear and tear.
Pin-Gear Drive is a special form of fixed axle gear transmission. The large wheel with cylindrical pin teeth is called pin wheel. It can be divided into outer gearing pin gear transmission, inner gearing pin gear transmission and the rack gearing pin gear transmission.
As the drive wheel is a rounded gear it engages smoothly and quietly, in a simple design, low cost and quick and easy overhauls compared to general friction drives. Suitable for high duty cycles, heavy duty applications, harsh environments from water to dust and minimal lubrication requirements.
Advantages of the Pin-Gear drive system:
- Elimination of friction wheel slip.
- Elimination of periodic friction wheel spring adjustments. Spring fade over time.
- Ability to maintain precision rotation/angular accuracy and tracking. This is particularly important with antenna testing turntables and in other uses where backlash reduction or elimination is critical.
- Fewer moving parts to maintain.
Our Offer
We can offer two types of quotes
- Supply and Installation price (excludes pit preparation)
- Supply Only including transport to site (excludes installation & pit preparation)
