Modular elevator product overview

Find the best modular elevator for your project.

The first place to start is an overview of the main types of elevator drive systems.  Click on any header to view and download drawings for standard models.

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Hydraulic Elevators

Hydraulic elevators are supported by a piston (or pistons), also called jacks, located at the bottom of the elevator pit.  To move the elevator up, an electric motor activates a pump, which pushes hydraulic oil into the jack.  The oil causes the piston to push up, raising the car.  To move the elevator down, a valve releases the fluid from the jack, allowing it to move back down, lowering the car.  Hydraulic elevators are used for low-rise applications of 2-6 stories and travel at a maximum speed of 200 feet per minute. The machine room is typically located adjacent to the hoistway at the ground level. 

Holeless Hydraulic

Products Overview
Hydraulic pistons are mounted to the pit floor on either side of the car and attached to the car crosshead. The power unit in the machine room pumps oil into the jacks to raise the car and opens the valve to release the oil back into the tank to lower it.
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Machine Roomless (MRL) Hydraulic

Products Overview
This is a variant of holeless hydraulic and contains the machine room components inside the hoistway, accessed by a door on the side. The tank sits on the pit floor; however, the valve is accessed from the ground floor door.
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In-Ground Hydraulic

Products Overview
A hole is bored in the center of the pit, and a hydraulic piston, encased in a PVC liner, is set into the hole and attached to the bottom of the car platform. The power unit pumps oil into the jack to raise the car and opens the valve to lower it.
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Roped Hydraulic Elevators

Roped Hydraulic ElevatorThis is a hybrid hydraulic/traction drive system. These elevators have the piston attached to a sheave with a rope passing through it. One end is attached to the car, while the other is secured at the bottom of the hoistway. It acts as a pulley, allowing two feet of car travel for every one foot of jack travel. Roped hydraulic elevators extend the total rise of a hydraulic system to approximately 60 feet without installing a jack below the pit level. Roped hydraulic elevators are custom and can be built to your unique project specifications.

 

Traction Elevators

Traction elevators are lifted by ropes that pass over a sheave (pulley) attached to an electric motor above the elevator shaft. The other ends of the ropes are attached to counterweights. They are used for mid and high-rise applications and have much higher travel speeds than hydraulic elevators. These make the elevators more efficient by offsetting some of the weight of the car and occupants so the motor doesn’t have to move as much weight. An electrically controlled brake between the motor and the reduction unit stops the elevator, holding the car at the desired floor level. The machine room is at the top of the hoistway and contains the machine and controller.

 
Geared Traction Elevators

These elevators are operated by a motor, which drives a worm-and-gear-type reduction unit, which spins the hoisting sheave. While the elevator rates are slower than in a typical gearless elevator, the gear reduction offers the advantage of requiring a less powerful motor to turn the sheave. These elevators typically operate at speeds from 125-500 feet per minute and can carry heavy loads.

Gearless Traction Elevators

These are some of the most used elevator types for tall buildings. The sheave is directly attached to the motor, and there is no reduction box or gears. Gearless traction elevators are capable of speeds up to 2,000 feet per minute. Also, they have a maximum travel distance of around 2,000 feet so they are the most common choice for high-rise applications.

 

Machine Roomless (MRL) Traction

Products Overview
The top of the hoistway houses a small gearless machine. This machine moves the car up and down via cables, sheaves and counterweights. A small space outside the hoistway houses the controller.
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Overhead Traction

Products Overview
A machine room, located at the top of the hoistway, houses both the controller and either a geared or gearless machine. The machine moves the car up and down via cables, sheaves and counterweights. Overhead traction elevators are typically found in mid and high-rise applications.
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Elevator Options

Which one is best for your project?  The table below summarizes the capabilities of each.

Option Holeless Hydraulic MRL Hydraulic In-Ground Hydraulic MRL Traction Overhead Traction
Travel Limit 60 24 100 Unlimited Unlimited
Most Cost Effective Travel Range Up to 30' Up to 24' 30'- 60' >60' >60'
Maximum Speed 200 fpm 200 fpm 200 fpm 500 fpm 500 fpm geared or 2000 fpm gearless
Maximum Capacity Unlimited 4000 lbs Unlimited 5000 lbs Unlimited
Footprint Smaller Medium (Machine Room Space) Smaller Larger (Counterweight Stack) Larger (Counterweight Stack)
Machine Room Best at lowest level adjacent
can be remote or on other floor.		 Inside hoistway Best at lowest level adjacent
can be remote or on other floor.		 Controller in control space
best at top level adjacent
can be remote or on other floor.		 Top of hoistway
accessed from roof.
Lead Time *8 Weeks *8 Weeks *8 Weeks 22-24 Weeks 22-24 Weeks
Option Holeless Hydraulic MRL Hydraulic In-Ground Hydraulic MRL Traction Overhead Traction
Travel Limit 60 24 100 Unlimited Unlimited
Most Cost Effective Travel Range Up to 30' Up to 24' 30'- 60' >60' >60'
Maximum Speed 200 fpm 200 fpm 200 fpm 500 fpm 500 fpm geared or 2000 fpm gearless
Maximum Capacity Unlimited 4000 lbs Unlimited 5000 lbs Unlimited
Footprint Smaller Medium (Machine Room Space) Smaller Larger (Counterweight Stack) Larger (Counterweight Stack)
Machine Room Best at lowest level adjacent
can be remote or on other floor.		 Inside hoistway Best at lowest level adjacent
can be remote or on other floor.		 Controller in control space
best at top level adjacent
can be remote or on other floor.		 Top of hoistway
accessed from roof.
Lead Time *8 Weeks *8 Weeks *8 Weeks 22-24 Weeks 22-24 Weeks

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