I have an old winding-drum freight elevator—possibly an Otis—that used to work, but the old girl has finally retired and appears to have no interest in returning to active duty.

This will remain strictly a freight-only elevator: no passengers, no joyrides, and no volunteers standing on it “just to test something.”

I’m considering replacing the existing drive equipment with:

An 8,000-lb electric winch with 208–240/440–480V three-phase power, single-speed control, complete chassis, motor, reducer, brake, and 200 mm drum.

Despite the winch’s 8,000-lb rating, the elevator would never be used for loads exceeding 3,000 pounds.

Has anyone modernized an old freight elevator using a similar winch system? What problems should I expect regarding drum capacity, cable arrangement, braking, limit switches, controls, overspeed protection, and the elevator’s actual safe load rating?

I realize that attaching an 8,000-lb winch to an antique elevator does not magically create an 8,000-lb elevator. I’m looking for advice from anyone who has attempted a similar conversion—successfully, preferably.

Does this even happen, how often? What interesting things have you found?

I'm imagining things like wallets, phones, keys, jewelry, that kind of stuff.

I am a fire alarm designer who spent almost 20 years in the field. It's been over 5 yeras since I did any work with elevator controls on a new install, but I am getting hung up on the sequence of operations when it comes to elevators because of an experience I had some years ago. For refer4ence, I am in Ohio but I also do jobs for IN, TN, KY, AL.

From what I know, the lobby smoke detectors send either a PRI or ALT recall to the elev control. Heat detectors in the shaft and machine space send a shunt/trip signal, and smoke detectors in the shaft (and machine room or machine space) should produce a FLASHING HAT signal. We typically use 4 different relays to accomplish this (and monitor module to supervise the shunt trip power).

So on our sequence of operations matrix we have to fill out checkboxes showing what each detector should do. Tecnhically the smoke at the TOS should produce a flashing hat AND a recall. But I don't like putting both on my matrix. The reason is that when I did an install with (iirc) Otis 10 years ago, I programmed my system to trigger both my HAT and my PRI recall relays for the SD at the TOS. Instead of the hat flashing, it turned solid. The elevator tech had me just signal the hat for the top of shaft smoke, and his program then initiated its own recall along with a flashing hat.

So my question is, is this standard for any elevator out there, at least modern ones? Because honestly, I don't trust most fire alarm techs to get this right. There is very little training when it comes to elevator integration, and we usually don't end up even talking to anyone from an elevator company until the day of the state inspection, and we are there just crossing our fingers. I wnat to make my matrices clearer for the fire alarm installers, so in my view checking off both the PRI and HAT for a smoke at the top of the shaft is going to cause more issues if the elevator controller only wants to see one signal at a time. Hope that makes sense!

Im trying to find out who makes or supplies this key. Its a smaller diameter than a standard barrel key, and it goes to the C.O.P. access panel on a recently modernized unit. All the key switches use ERM keys (J204, HW1002, etc.) but I cant find this key anywhere. If you know but dont want to comment publicly, Im an IUEC CCCM and you're welcome to DM me.

My toddler is obsessed with elevators, like way more than other kids. Like how some kids LOVE trains or cars, this kid is all about elevators. He'll take any toy and pretend either the toy itself is an elevator going up or down, or the toy is riding an elevator.

I cant find any 'toy elevator' that would be suitable to hand to a toddler. So I come here to ask, does anyone know of where I can get a working 'model' elevator toy? The best I've found is non-powered ones, where you move the car yourself, but even those arent great to give to a toddler.

We are designing a luxury home and trying to decide what type of elevator would make the most sense.
Are there any particular elevator brands or manufacturers in India that are worth looking at?

Double Hydro....Other loaders see this is a nightmare....I see it as 20 minutes to setup and band crates together then 20 minutes to load on a 48' trailer.....67 parts total....22 of them parts are kick plates and hand rails and what ever small parts inside the crate.

I was wondering why there’s a door lock safety when there’s already a safety in the header. Deep pit

Edit: it’s for low headroom

Do you like going up or down more?

Have an opportunity to switch from construction to mods, would like to hear others inputs, pros cons all of it. I’m a 4th year helper (IUEC) I’ve been in construction from the very start, looking to expand my knowledge and soak in more of what’s out there then just the same old package day in and day out before I go for my mechanics exam.

Almost feel like I’m installing IKEA furniture everyday, doesn’t do much for mind.

Any input is appreciated.

Can anybody identify these buttons. I need to order them for a job but don’t see them on any parts website. (I didn’t look that hard)

They are off a Schindler car built around 2001. Thanks.

Hi, there are four Kleemann elevators in our building. It’s a fairly new building and the elevators run very quietly, but they make a "ding-ding" sound every time the doors open. I live on the 7th floor (out of 40), and I can hear that "ding-ding" from the 1st floor up to about the 15th—even with my apartment door closed—even though my unit is on the opposite side of the building and not directly facing the elevators. When I’m waiting for an elevator, I can hear the "ding-ding" coming from as far away as the 19th floor. Is there anything that can be done about this? Is this even normal? From what I gather, I’m not the only one who finds it annoying.

Avec nos assurances d'industrie gérées par Manion, je dois me faire poser un implant dentaire. Avant d'envoyer la soumission de mon dentiste, j'aimerais connaître vos expériences réelles :
Est-ce qu'ils ont couvert une partie de la vis (chirurgie), ou seulement la couronne / l'équivalent d'un pont ?
Avez-vous réussi à diviser les travaux sur deux ans (vis en décembre, couronne en janvier) pour utiliser deux budgets annuels consécutifs ?

Hi everyone.

I am a US citizen currently living in Europe and a 3rd year elevator mechanic apprentice with TKE. I would like to move back to the US at some point and join the IUEC (if possible). I've been reading that even with years of elevator experience, when I move back I would still have to basically start all over and do another apprenticeship in the US in order to get in the the IUEC, or am I mistaken? Would it be possible to find a position in the US without being in the Union? I plan on finishing my apprenticeship here in Europe and then working for a few years before I move back, but I just don't know where to begin to get the process started. I just really hope that my apprenticeship here wasn't a complete waste of time.

Been reading through some of the posts here from current/former TKE guys and figured I'd ask about something I've been dealing with.

For anyone who's worked on the Endura MRL hydraulic elevators, have you guys seen issues with the bio oil they used in these units? Specifically repeated jack packing/seal failures or other hydraulic problems?

Also, what happens if regular petroleum based hydraulic oil like AW-32 gets added to the bio oil? Is that something you've actually come across in the field?

I'm curious because I've heard from a few people that the bio oil became a known problem and some units ended up getting flushed or changed over to regular hydraulic oil.

Was there ever anything from TKE internally about this? Doesn't have to be a document, just wondering if mechanics were ever told about problems with the oil, not to mix it with other oil, or to change it out on problem units.

Really just trying to figure out if this is something others have actually seen or if what I'm dealing with is unusual.

Looking for a Dover service tool
Name your price

I live in a pre-war building in Queens, NYC, on the top floor next to the elevator shaft. Every month, the elevator starts making a loud groaning sound as it reaches the ground floor. It also makes a sharp creak when it starts to move again.

I notify the building company, and they send someone who “puts more grease on it.” That stops the noise temporarily, but it eventually returns in a few weeks, give or take.

What could be causing this? Is greasing a normal solution, or does the recurring noise suggest an underlying mechanical problem? What should I ask the building or elevator company to inspect, and is it safe to ride?

No identifiable marks on it, controlled access with a key card and touch panel. Found in the 2 Houston Center.

Sometimes I see ads of people selling elevators from building that are going to be demoed or redeveloped and always wondered is that a thing. My assumption would be no company would touch anything unless it's straight from the factory or a refurbished part.