1960's Mechanical Elevator In Action

Old Otis Elevator Mechanical Room.

[@justderpy3043]

I’ve never ever seen a fly all governor, something you see on a steam engine, be used on an elevator.

[@steamtrainjr1606]

This is an Otis elevator. I have some very detailed pictures of an installation of a simar vintage installed on a 6ish story building. Very interresting systems, with the fully mechanical switching devices.

[@Macintoshiba]

Unthinkable, that Such an old elevator would still work. You'd think a relay would fail, eventually, or the mechanical parts would wear. I guess things were built different back then, huh

[@Lift.Tracker]

Oh, yes. Things were built to last back then. These machines require lots of maintenance though, however they have a very long life. New ones are the opposite. Low maintenance, but short life. I think it would be possible to achieve lifts / elevators which are both low maintenance and long life. If we were to combine the newer technology (which makes it low maintenance) and the old motors (which make it last long), then I think that would be brilliant! But unfortunately there are other things to consider such as energy efficiency and manufacturing costs.

[@Macintoshiba]

@@Lift.Tracker I had an interesting conversation with my boss yesterday, about repair vs replace. Theoretically, Repairs are still possible, but not viable for most customers. The example he stated: Elevator without Engine room (so the Motor is at the top of the shaft (which is sadly becoming the new standard because nobody wants to spend extra money for a dedicated engine room up-top)) without a gearbox attached to it. That motor starts doing funny noises. Whether you repair or replace, that Motor has to come off. Youll have ro suspend the cabin with a chain hoist, Take care of the ropes etc. For both repair and replace. Once that motor is off its mounts, you cant easily get it down (since the elevator now no longer works). Repair: Set up a "framework" in the shaft (usually attaching mounts to the opposite side of the shaft to then lay down some thick wooden planks to hold the mechanics on the top floor) Take off the Old motor (involves another chain hoist) Get that Motor down to ground level Take the motor back to the company Locate the fault Order the spare parts (unless those spare parts happen to be around in a dusty corner somewhere in the company) Repair the motor Get the motor back to the Customer Get the Motor back up there (again, Chain hoist, but a Huge effort nevertheless since the elevator is out of action) Put the Motor back. Replace: Get the new motor upstairs using the elevator (manually, if necessary, using the turnwheel) Repeat the process of Setting up the cabin, dealing with the ropes, setting up the "Framework" etc. Take the old motor off Slap that new motor in there Configure the elevator controls for the new Motor And youre done! So the Point im trying to make is, no, Repair isnt impossible, but it is way more expensive or both company and the customer. In case of the elevator, repair would shutdown the elevator for weeks, if not months, aswell.

[@Davesand2003]

Cool

[@SilverandCigars]

No floor 13! Thats how it was done