Traction machines   are the most expensive, all other things being equal. Traction machines are also much more efficient, requiring only half the electrical power of a drum or hydraulic. TIGER LIFT traction elevators run on 115 volt current. Other advantages include no separate machine room and no need for heavy structural walls. In some applications, the cost to provide 220 power, or a machine room, or structural walls outweighs the additional cost of the traction unit. Traction elevators are also fail-safe with regard to electrical system failure. Traction equipment generally requires less maintenance than hydraulic equipment. <see specs>

Hydraulic machines are have gained wide acceptance in all applications, from residential to heavy duty freight. In the TIGER LIFT line, we offer both direct and roped hydraulic. Direct hydraulics are less expensive, but most require a well hole for the hydraulic cylinder. For applications with travel 12' or less, the well hole is generally not a problem, and the direct hydraulic is the most cost effective. For applications exceeding 12', or where site conditions preclude a well hole, the roped hydraulic is usually the most cost effective, as the added expense of the roped mechanism is usually less expensive than providing the well hole. Hydraulic elevators are fail-safe with regard to electrical system failure. Ride quality is excellent thanks to modern control valves. Submersible pumps make for very quiet operation, equivalent to a pool filter pump. Hydraulic machines require 220 power, a separate machine space, and at least one load bearing hoistway wall. While a hydraulic requires a lot of electrical power to go up, it requires none at all to go down. This inherent characteristic makes it very easy to move a hydraulic elevator during a power failure. <see specs>

Drum machines should be limited to residential applications, where budget is a primary concern. Operational noise tends to be higher than other units, and the ride quality, especially starting and stopping is generally inferior to other drive systems. Drum machines require a structural machine room floor or overhead beams to sit on, whereas other models have all the load transmitted to the pit floor. There is an inherent safety concern with drum drives. If the motor contactor welds shut and all electrical safety devices fail, the machine is capable of pulling the car into the overhead, possibly causing damage to the elevator. Elevator Concepts LTD drum machines include a primary power machine final limit, driven directly by the winding drum, which will remove all power from the unit in the event of overtravel due to the failure of normal control devices. Drum machines are also the most inefficient, and require the most electric power to operate for a given capacity - 220 volt power is required. <see specs>