We are looking to modernize several elevators - all 11 stops. Existing machines are geared, Hollister-Whitney, basement traction - most in machine rooms on the roof in sidemount configuration, two in a basement machine room.

Any recommendations on geared vs gearless for the mod? Are gearless even a viable option given the existing basement/sidemount machines?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Hollister Whitney made and still make good machines. So unless you were unhappy with response times or your building use has changed greatly I would just rebuild the machines you have. You will save alot of money and have very reliable machines. The rebuild will probably include new AC motors and you may need new worm and gears or you may not only a good elevator man, or consultant or even a rep from Hollister can steer you in the best direction.

It may be more cost-effective to just replace the machine. Take into consideration the labor involved in replacing the ring and worm gears, mounting and lining up a new motor and this is assuming that the break and drive chive are in good condition. There would be no reason to go to gearless machines that I can think of.

Thanks for the input.

In this thread it appears everyone is recommending gearless:
http://www.vatortrader.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=23822

Most consultants we've spoke with seem to suggest the trend is gearless. If that's the case, wondering if in 20-25 years we would wish we had gone gearless - if for example it becomes harder to find good support for geared, higher maintenance costs, etc.

We've had issues with a machine not being maintained properly leading to very costly repair. Maybe that just means we need better quality service - but wondering if gearless is more foolproof and if that's a legitimate benefit.

Side question: Has anybody on the forum seen or did a geared to gearless, basement or side mount o/h application?
Thanks

Ya, we did a geared to gearless mod on 4 basement traction cars last year. They turned out really nice. They had old Dover geared machines and we put in SC400 German machines. Thyssen discontinued the GD series geared machines so we’re really pushing geared to gearless. Usually it’s a Torin machine but I’ve also seen Imperial on one job. From a service standpoint though, I sure prefer the gearless machine.

What in particular is it that you like about gearless from the service standpoint?

Any thoughts on the Hollister Whitney gearless machine - I don't hear them discussed as much (from vendors we've spoken to). Maybe more costly?

Less moving parts, no oil, less mess, less maintenance. I don’t have any experience with the Hollister Whitney gearless machine.