Commercial lifts compared
Traction vs hydraulic lifts for commercial buildings
Quick answer
For offices, apartments, clinics and other busy buildings, traction is the stronger choice. A traction lift moves the car with ropes or belts over a motor-driven sheave, usually with a counterweight, and handles high cycle counts and higher speeds well.
That is why every Lift Ease commercial passenger elevator is electric traction. We don’t offer hydraulic commercial passenger lifts, because traction has a superior duty cycle and long-lasting reliability in high-use commercial settings.
Side by side
Electric traction vs Hydraulic
| Feature | Electric traction | Hydraulic |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A motor turns a sheave that moves ropes or belts, usually with a counterweight balancing the car. | A pump pushes oil into a cylinder and a ram lifts the car. It lowers under its own weight. |
| Duty cycle | Built for frequent, all-day use. The Zenith DDA is rated for high cycle counts. | Generally suited to lower-traffic, low-rise buildings. |
| Speed | Zenith DDA 0.3 to 1.0 m/s. E1 1.0 to 2.0 m/s. | Generally slower, suited to short travel. |
| Building height | Low and mid-rise developments: E1 travels up to 35 m. Zenith DDA for busy low-rise buildings. | Typically low-rise buildings. |
| Capacity | Zenith DDA 1100 × 1400 mm car. E1 up to 2,500 kg, passenger and goods. | Depends on the system. |
| Ride control | VVVF control (E1) for smooth, efficient starts and stops. | Smooth start and stop, controlled by the pump and valves. |
| Oil | No hydraulic oil. | Hydraulic oil in a sealed system, checked at each service. |
| Power | Zenith DDA single phase 230VAC. E1 three phase. | Depends on the system. |
| Machine room | None. Zenith DDA and E1 are machine-room-less (MRL). | Older systems often have a pump room beside the shaft. |
| From Lift Ease | Zenith DDA and E1 passenger elevators, installed in 2 to 4 weeks once the site is ready. | No hydraulic passenger elevators. Our RB150 platform access lift has a hydraulic variant for low-duty access. We also service and repair existing hydraulic lifts. |
Hydraulic figures are general. Lift Ease commercial specifications come from our Zenith DDA and E1 product pages.
Why duty cycle matters in a commercial building
Duty cycle is how hard a lift works: how many trips it makes in an hour and across a day. A home lift might make a handful of trips a day. A lift in an office, clinic or apartment block can run almost constantly at peak times.
Traction drives are designed for that kind of continuous use, and VVVF control keeps starts and stops smooth while managing the motor efficiently. That combination of duty cycle and long-lasting reliability is why we only install electric traction for commercial passenger elevators.
Where hydraulic fits
Hydraulic lifts are proven and smooth, and many older low-rise commercial buildings still run them. Hydraulic is a good fit where duty is low: homes, which is why our Vector Pro home elevator is hydraulic, and access lifts, which is why our RB150 platform lift is available with a hydraulic variant (its standard drive is electric screw).
If your building already has a hydraulic lift, our technicians service and repair hydraulic systems, including checks on fluid levels, pressure systems and seals. When it is time to replace it, we will quote an electric traction lift.
Our range
Lift Ease commercial passenger elevators
Both of our commercial passenger elevators are electric traction.
Electric traction
- Zenith DDA Electric traction (MRL)
Commercial passenger elevator. 1100 × 1400 mm car, 0.3 to 1.0 m/s, up to 10 levels (G+9), built for high cycle counts. Machine-room-less. Single phase 230VAC.
- E1 VVVF traction (MRL)
Commercial. 1.0 to 2.0 m/s, up to 2,500 kg, up to 35 m travel, passenger and goods. Machine-room-less. Three phase power.
Need short-distance access rather than a full cabin? Our RB150 platform lift uses an electric screw drive as standard, with a hydraulic variant available. RB150 platform lift →
Choosing
Which is right for your building?
Choose electric traction if
- The lift will be used often, all day, by staff, residents, patients or the public.
- You need speeds from 0.3 m/s up to 2.0 m/s, or capacity up to 2,500 kg.
- You want a DDA-compliant 1100 × 1400 mm car (Zenith DDA).
- You want long-lasting reliability with lower oil-related maintenance.
Hydraulic may still make sense if
- Your building already has a hydraulic lift that is in good condition. We can service and repair it.
- It is a private home rather than a commercial building. See our Vector Pro.
- You need a low-duty platform access lift rather than a passenger elevator. See our RB150.
Our commercial estimators prepare a detailed proposal, typically within 48 hours.
Common misconceptions
Myths debunked
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Myth A commercial lift always needs three phase power.
Fact Not always. The Zenith DDA commercial passenger elevator and the RB150 platform lift run on single phase 230VAC. The E1, built for higher speeds and loads, uses three phase power.
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Myth Every lift needs a machine room.
Fact Many modern lifts are machine-room-less, with the drive inside the shaft or lift tower. Every Lift Ease lift is machine-room-less. The Atlus is a fully contained screw system, and even our hydraulic Vector Pro needs only a small cupboard for its pump, with no machine room.
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Myth Installing a lift takes months.
Fact Once the site is ready, a Lift Ease home lift typically installs in 1 to 2 weeks, a Levare in about 2 days, an RB150 platform lift within a week, and a commercial passenger elevator in 2 to 4 weeks. Design, approvals and building works come first and vary by project.
FAQs
Questions we get asked
Why does Lift Ease only install traction commercial lifts?
Because electric traction has a superior duty cycle and long-lasting reliability in high-use commercial settings. We don’t offer hydraulic commercial passenger lifts.
Is traction more energy efficient than hydraulic?
In general, yes. A traction lift’s counterweight balances much of the car’s weight, so the motor only has to move the difference. A hydraulic lift has to push the whole car up. Actual use depends on traffic and the building.
How fast are your commercial lifts?
The Zenith DDA runs at 0.3 to 1.0 m/s and the E1 at 1.0 to 2.0 m/s.
Do I need three phase power for a commercial lift?
Not always. The Zenith DDA runs on single phase 230VAC. The E1 uses three phase power.
Can you service our existing hydraulic lift?
Yes. Our technicians service and repair hydraulic systems, including fluid levels, pressure systems and seals, and lifts from all major manufacturers.
How long does a commercial lift take to install?
Our Zenith DDA and E1 passenger elevators typically take 2 to 4 weeks once the site is ready, and the RB150 platform access lift is installed within a week. Design, approvals and builder’s works come first.
How do I get a commercial quote?
Our commercial estimators prepare a detailed proposal, typically within 48 hours.
Planning a commercial lift?
Tell us about your building and our commercial estimators will prepare a detailed proposal within 48 hours.