1.20.2026 / 6-minute read

Vertical Swine Transfer System: Multi-Story Pig Housing Elevator Solution

Overview

The Vertical Swine Transfer System is a customized elevator solution designed specifically for multi-story pig housing facilities.

It enables the safe, efficient, and biosecure vertical transportation of pigs between floors in modern high-rise pig farms.

The system is engineered to meet the unique challenges of livestock transport, including load stability, hygiene management, and automation compatibility.

This solution supports both sow and finishing pig buildings, ensuring smooth operations in large-scale, vertically integrated pig production.

Basic Parameters

Category	Specification
Building Type	Sow Building (7 floors), Finishing Building (6 floors)
Units per Building	4 elevators per building
Rated Load	Sow: 2000 kg; Finishing: 1600 kg (with impact resistance)
Car Size	Sow: 8 m²; Finishing: 6 m²
Capacity per Trip	Sow: 8 sows or 120 weaned piglets; Finishing: 12 pigs or 30 nursery pigs
Speed	≥15 m/min
Drive System	Motor + chain drive
Car Sealing	Fully sealed, IP65 rated
Material	Structure: Q235B carbon steel; Car: 5052 aluminum panels
Functions	Wash, disinfect, dry (>60°C)

Challenge

Biosecurity Risks: Moving pigs between floors can spread contaminants if not properly managed.
Space & Efficiency: High-density vertical farming requires fast, reliable, and space-saving transfer methods.
Animal Welfare: Pigs are prone to stress and aggression during transport; the system must ensure safety and minimize fighting.
Durability: Equipment must withstand high humidity, corrosive environments, and frequent cleaning with chemicals.
Precision Alignment: Accurate stopping at each floor (±20 mm error) is critical for smooth loading/unloading.

Workflow

Preparation: The transfer car is cleaned, disinfected, and dried prior to use.
Loading: The car aligns precisely with the floor’s loading port. Internal sliding doors open to allow pigs to enter.
Transport: The sealed car moves vertically at ≥15 m/min. Ventilation fans maintain air circulation.
Unloading: At the destination, the external flip-door opens (automatically or via button). Pigs exit smoothly.
Post-Transfer: The car undergoes complete wash-disinfect-dry cycle to prevent cross-contamination before the next use.

Solutions

Fully Sealed & Integrated Wash-Dry System: The IP65-rated sealed cabin is constructed with smooth, corrosion-resistant aluminum panels, enabling fully automated high-pressure washing, chemical disinfection (with 2% NaOH, chlorine-based agents, foam), and high-temperature drying (>60°C) cycles. This closed-loop process is crucial for strict biosecurity.
Optimized Dual-Door Access System: Features internal dual sliding doors allowing independent loading from two separate housing units on the same floor. The external automated 90° flip-door, driven by a motorized reducer, ensures rapid, controlled, and safe unloading at the destination, minimizing stress and escape risks.
Heavy-Duty & Corrosion-Resistant Construction: The system is built around a robust steel frame (Q235B, hot-dip galvanized) designed for high live loads and impact forces from animal movement. All components, including stainless steel (304) chains, sprockets, and moving parts, are selected for exceptional dubility in high-humidity, high-corrosion environments.
Precision Lifting & Positioning Control: Utilizes a reliable motor-and-chain drive system with anti-jump devices and a four-point lifting mechanism for stable hoisting. Equipped with position sensors and PLC to achieve floor alignment accuracy within ±20 mm, ensuring seamless docking with floor ports.
Enhanced Animal Welfare & Environmental Features: The cabin includes forced ventilation fans to maintain adequate air exchange and temperature during transport. Interior LED lighting reduces animal stress. A rotating floor drain ensures rapid wastewater discharge post-cleaning.
Comprehensive Safety & Protection Systems: Incorporates multiple safety interlocks, limit switches, and emergency stop functions on all doors and the lift mechanism. The protective structure around the guide rails prevents accidents. The system is designed to operate safely under the specific wind and snow loads of the project location.
Smart Automation & Ease of Maintenance: The workflow is semi-automated with simple push-button controls for operators. Key components like the drive system and door mechanisms are designed for easy access and serviceability. Standardized brand components simplify maintenance and part replacement.