New installations
Site survey, design and installation of hydraulic passenger and goods lifts for new builds, refurbishments and listed buildings.
Hydraulic lift specialists. Install, service, modernise.
Smooth, low-noise hydraulic lifts for low and mid-rise buildings across London, Kent and the South East. Engineered, maintained and upgraded by direct-employed UK engineers.
From new installations and power-unit upgrades to LOLER inspections and 24/7 breakdown response, we keep hydraulic passenger and goods lifts compliant with EN 81-20, BS 5655 and LOLER 1998.
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- 24/7 response
- London, Kent & South East
- LOLER-ready reporting
- Direct-employed engineers
Install, service, modernise. Three pillars of hydraulic lift expertise.
A complete hydraulic lift offering from a UK engineering team that has delivered new installs, ongoing servicing and full modernisations for over a decade.
Service and repair
Planned maintenance, oil and valve management, fault diagnosis and 24/7 breakdown response from direct-employed engineers.
Modernisation
Power unit replacement, controller upgrades, valve block swaps and ride quality improvements that extend asset life.
Specialist hydraulic lift repairs
Common faults we diagnose and fix on hydraulic passenger and goods lifts, grouped by system area.
Cylinders, seals and oil
3 services, ram seals, oil management, hoses
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Ram seal replacement
Cylinder and jack seal kits replaced where oil leaks, cabin drift or weeping cylinders are reducing reliability.
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Hydraulic oil and tank servicing
Oil flush, change and contamination management, with biodegradable hydraulic oil options on request.
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Hose and pipework replacement
High pressure hose, supply pipe and return line replacement to prevent leaks and keep operation safe and quiet.
Valves and pressure controls
4 services, valve blocks, levelling, rupture valves
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Valve block leak repairs
Sealing surface remediation, gasket and O-ring replacement to stop leaks at the valve block and pump manifold.
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Valve block replacement
Like-for-like or upgrade swaps for Bucher, Blain, GMV and Algi valve blocks where sealing or control performance is lost.
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Levelling and pressure switches
Calibration, fault diagnosis and replacement of levelling valves, pressure switches and relief valve adjustments.
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Rupture and overspeed valves
Installation and testing of rupture valves and overspeed devices for EN 81-20 compliance and safe lowering.
Power and modernisation
2 services, full power pack swaps, controller upgrades
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Power pack and pump replacement
Full power unit swaps including pump, motor and tank assembly when serviceable life is exhausted or noise levels rise.
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Controller modernisation
Modernise dated relay or PLC controllers with current microprocessor systems for clearer fault diagnosis and longer service life.
Not seeing your fault here? See our lift faults guide or request a survey.
Hydraulic or traction. Which lift type is right for you?
Hydraulic lifts excel in low to mid-rise buildings. Traction lifts suit high-rise and high-traffic sites. Here is how we guide the choice.
When a hydraulic lift is the right choice
- Best for
- Low and mid-rise buildings up to around 6 storeys or 18 metres of travel.
- Strong fit
- Heavy goods loads, retrofit sites and heritage buildings without overhead machine-room space.
- Commercial case
- Lower upfront installation cost and manual emergency lowering on power loss.
When traction may suit better
- Best for
- High-rise buildings above 6 storeys with longer travel distances.
- Strong fit
- High-traffic sites with frequent stops, faster speeds and regenerative drive options.
- Watch-outs
- Consider traction when plant room space below the shaft is limited.
See our passenger lifts page for traction lift services.
Not sure which applies? We confirm the right system during the site survey.
Where hydraulic lifts work hard
Buildings and sectors where we install, service and modernise hydraulic lifts every week.
- Residential blocks and mixed-use developments
- Healthcare facilities, care homes and accessibility-led sites
- Goods and service lifts in retail and back-of-house operations
- Education campuses and public buildings
- Listed and heritage retrofits where shaft and plant space are tight
- Low-rise commercial offices and mixed-tenant buildings
What we install, service and upgrade
Hydraulic systems need specialist attention and clear reporting at every stage.
- Power units, motors, pump assemblies and tank management
- Valve blocks, silencers and oil temperature regulation
- Cylinders, jacks, pistons and seal assemblies
- Hoses, pipework and spill containment checks
- Controls, safety gear and emergency lowering systems
- Biodegradable oil options and controller modernisations
Hydraulic lift standards and compliance
We design, install and maintain hydraulic lifts to the standards expected of UK duty holders, managing agents and facilities teams.
- EN 81-20 and EN 81-50. Safety rules for the construction and installation of new hydraulic lifts and their components.
- BS 5655 Part 11 and 12. Specification for safety upgrades and improvements to existing hydraulic lifts.
- Lifts Regulations 2016. UK regulations governing the supply and conformity of new lifts and lift safety components.
- LOLER 1998. Statutory thorough examinations of lifting equipment. We coordinate LOLER inspections and act on findings.
More on UK lift compliance in our compliance resources.
Why Durant Lifts
Specialist hydraulic lift expertise with direct engineer accountability.
- Direct-employed UK engineers, no subcontracting
- Family-run business with clear, named accountability
- Reports written for managing agents and duty holders, not just engineers
- Focus on safe, lasting fixes over quick patch work
- 24/7 emergency response across London, Kent and the South East
Need full lift support?
We coordinate maintenance, repairs, upgrades and compliance in one plan.
- Maintenance contracts for planned servicing.
- Lift repairs for breakdown response.
- Surveys and modernisations for upgrades.
- LOLER inspections for statutory compliance.
Related hydraulic lift services
A full lift programme from one specialist UK engineering team.
- Lift maintenance contracts for planned hydraulic servicing.
- Surveys and modernisations for power unit and control upgrades.
- Lift repairs for hydraulic faults and breakdowns.
- Emergency call-outs for urgent hydraulic lift attendance.
- Goods lifts for heavy duty hydraulic goods applications.
- Passenger lifts for traction lift services.
- Lift faults guide for diagnostics and recurring issues.
Hydraulic lifts FAQ
Common questions on hydraulic lift installation, servicing, modernisation and compliance.
Do you service both direct and roped hydraulic lifts?
Yes. We install, service and maintain both direct acting and roped hydraulic lift systems across passenger and goods applications.
How do you handle hydraulic oil leaks?
We inspect the power unit, hoses, valve block and cylinder seals, then provide clear recommendations for repair, reseal or replacement. Where appropriate we recommend biodegradable oil options.
Can you improve ride quality and levelling?
Yes. We adjust valves and control settings to improve ride comfort and levelling accuracy. Where the controller is dated, we offer control system upgrades and ride quality tuning.
Do hydraulic lifts require LOLER inspections?
Yes. Hydraulic lifts are subject to LOLER 1998 thorough examinations, typically every 6 months for passenger lifts and every 12 months for goods only lifts, subject to risk assessment.
Do you offer emergency call outs for hydraulic lifts?
Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency call outs and trappings response across London, Kent and the South East.
How long does a hydraulic lift last?
A well-maintained hydraulic lift typically lasts 20 to 25 years before major modernisation is needed. Power unit and oil management are the main service items, while cylinders and rams can last considerably longer.
How much does a hydraulic lift cost in the UK?
Hydraulic lift cost depends on travel, capacity, finishes and shaft works. New low-rise installations typically start in the low five figures and rise with capacity, finish and travel. We provide itemised quotes after a free site survey.
Can a hydraulic lift be installed in a listed or heritage building?
Yes. Hydraulic lifts are a popular choice for listed and heritage buildings because they need less overhead headroom and fit into compact shafts. We work closely with conservation officers and architects on retrofit projects.