CASE STUDY · BESPOKE HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING

Bespoke Hydraulic Roof Lifting System for a Mobile Bar

A hydraulic lifting solution engineered to raise the roof of a converted double-decker mobile bar for use, then return it to a lower position for transport.

Hydraulic Engineering Hydraulic Lifting Bespoke Engineering Mobile Equipment

Converted red double-decker mobile bar with its roof raised

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Creating usable headroom without compromising transportability.

This project involved the hydraulic lifting of the substantial roof structure on a converted double-decker bus being used as a mobile bar and event venue.

The roof needed to move between two very different positions. When the vehicle was set up for an event, it needed to be raised to open up the upper deck. When the vehicle was ready to travel, the roof needed to be lowered again.

That made this a practical bespoke engineering problem rather than a straightforward off-the-shelf installation. The lifting arrangement had to be designed around the existing vehicle, the roof structure and the way the finished mobile venue would be used.

THE CHALLENGE

A hydraulic system designed around the vehicle.

The converted bus had to work as both a functioning road vehicle and a practical event space. The fixed roof position limited the usable space on the upper deck, but the roof also had to remain capable of being lowered when the vehicle was moved.

The engineering challenge was therefore to create controlled hydraulic movement around an existing mobile structure, while keeping the finished arrangement practical for the end user.

Provide hydraulic lifting for the roof structure.
Allow the roof to be raised when the venue is deployed.
Return the roof to a lower position for transport.
Develop the system around the physical constraints of the converted bus.
Provide controlled, repeatable movement rather than a simple uncontrolled lift.

OUR SOLUTION

Bespoke hydraulic lifting, built for the application.

Active Hydraulics engineered the hydraulic lifting arrangement specifically for the mobile bar application. Rather than treating the roof as a standard lifting load, the system was considered in the context of the converted vehicle and the way the roof would be operated.

The hydraulic system provides the force required to move the roof between its raised and lowered positions, giving the finished vehicle the flexibility it needed for event use and road transport.

The focus was on a practical engineering solution: a hydraulic system that performs the required movement reliably and is suited to an unusual piece of mobile equipment.

Double-decker mobile bar with the bespoke roof lifting system in its raised position — The raised roof creates additional usable space on the upper deck of the finished mobile venue.

ENGINEERING FOCUS

Designed for movement, use and transport.

The value of the project was not simply in making the roof move. The hydraulic lifting system had to make sense as part of the finished vehicle and its operating cycle.

LiftHydraulic movement raises the roof to provide the required headroom when the mobile bar is in use.

LowerThe roof can be returned to its lower position when the vehicle needs to be transported.

IntegrationThe hydraulic arrangement was developed around the existing converted vehicle and roof structure.

ApplicationThe finished system is suited to a specialist mobile venue rather than a standard industrial installation.

THE RESULT

A mobile venue with a practical hydraulic roof-lifting solution.

The completed system allows the double-decker mobile bar to change configuration between event use and transport. Raising the roof opens up the upper deck and creates the additional headroom required for the venue, while lowering it returns the vehicle to a more practical transport position.

It is a good example of the type of unusual engineering requirement where a bespoke hydraulic solution can be developed around the actual application.

BespokeEngineered around the converted vehicle and roof structure.

HydraulicControlled lifting and lowering of the substantial roof structure.

PracticalDesigned around both event operation and road transport.

HAVE A SIMILAR ENGINEERING CHALLENGE?

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If you need a bespoke hydraulic lifting system or have an unusual hydraulic engineering requirement, talk to Active Hydraulics about the application.

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