About Traction Elevators
Electric traction elevators are the most common and adaptable type of elevator. They can serve 2 floors or 200, but are most commonly used when the total travel distance exceeds 40 feet.
As a commercial elevator installation specialist, Mid-American Elevator designs and installs traction elevator systems for commercial, industrial, and transit buildings, with speeds up to 1,200 feet per minute and capacities to 40,000 lbs.
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Traction Elevator Types
Mid-American Elevator can provide and install any of the different traction lift types:
- Overhead geared traction elevators: These use a gearbox to regulate motor speed and are ideal for cost-effective mid-rise operations.
- Overhead gearless traction elevators: Drives the sheave directly for high speeds and smooth operation in taller buildings.
- MRL (Machine Room Less) elevators: Places machinery in the hoistway to save space.
- Basement machines: Locates drive machinery at the pit or ground level for buildings with overhead restrictions.
- Inclined traction elevators: Custom-angled solutions for unique pathways and specialized settings.
- Outdoor traction elevators: Weather-resistant systems engineered for exterior environments.
- Explosion-proof traction elevators: Sealed units designed for hazardous industrial areas.
- 1:1 and 2:1 roping: Cable configurations balancing speed and lifting power.
- Compensation chains and cables: Stabilize cab weight and traction over long travel distances.
Geared vs Gearless Traction Elevators
The main difference is speed and travel height. A geared traction elevator system uses a gearbox to regulate motor speed. They are cost-effective choices for mid-rise buildings operating at moderate speeds. Conversely, a gearless traction elevator system connects the motor directly to the drive sheave. Eliminating the gearbox allows for much higher speeds, smoother ride quality, and less mechanical wear, making them the standard choice for high-rise elevator systems with heavy traffic.
Traction vs Hydraulic Elevator Systems
A hydraulic elevator sits on a steel piston that pushes the cab up from the bottom. The pit floor carries the entire weight of the system, which simplifies building construction. This design works well for buildings up to 50 feet of travel, but fluid mechanics limit the speed.
A traction elevator, on the other hand, hangs from cables and uses a counterweight to balance the weight of the cab. The motor only turns the drive sheave to move the weight difference between the cab and the counterweight. This balancing mechanism cuts power consumption and allows the system to run at high speeds over unlimited distances. You can see how these compare on our hydraulic elevator page.
Where We Operate
Our Chicago team handles Chicago elevator installation and maintenance for commercial and transit properties, with additional branches in Washington, D.C., New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Seattle. See all our locations.
Why Mid-American Elevator?
Mid-American Elevator is capable of doing more than installation. Our experienced, skilled professionals can also modernize and service your traction elevator system. We meet all your elevator requirements, expertly and with the highest level of customer service – no matter your location, industry, or age and condition of your system.
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