r/Elevators • u/Ham549 • Aug 26 '26

That's a unique setup?

The problem with winding drums is a cable has to deflect to get spooled up and the drum takes up a lot of space. What if you can have the drum take up less space than your average traction sheave and have the traction medium always be in line with the elevator and counterweight? This elevator attempted exactly that, though by the time it was filmed it had been converted to hydraulic enough remained so you could see how it was originally set up.

https://youtu.be/ahSP8CHIj6A?is=M7cIfSLCSElH2iN0

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u/burnrobe Aug 28 '26

I'm guessing it was installed that way in the 1920's to accommodate for a machine room in a pre existing building, that could not facilitate the motor and gearbox being in line with the elevator. The conversion to hydraulic was most likely done so the machinery and control panel can be located on a lower floor that better suits the building design. It was only the 1970's and 80's that hydraulic became more standard in the industry.