Happy Holidays All,

You didn't mention if the Rotary is a passenger of freight. A freight in a fat rendering plant is one thing. A little Ole 2 stop hydro is another.

Is the elevator running with a current permit?

Is a qualified Union Elevator company maintaining the equipment?

JKH gave you some pretty good advice for an elevator manufactured by some obscure, long gone elevator company that built their elevators in the barn next to the stall where the Barn Cat had her last litter of kittens.

But...........This is a Rotary, there are still hundreds or maybe even thousands of these things still safely hauling passengers and freight every day. Why? because they are simple.

The rub here as it is with all older hydraulic elevators is the underground plumbing and the valve. Underground plumbing corrodes and valves wear out. When that happens leaks start that can lead to unsafe conditions. Life threatening accidents are rare but do happen.

The other option is: Install a new life time jack along with a new valve. or better a new pump unit. Completely service the unit and replace worn parts. Note here: Don't let them tell you parts are no longer available.

One reason for that is, Rotary didn't manufacture most of their electrical components (with the exception of some door equipment which is available thru elevator parts suppliers.) but purchased them from suppliers that are still in business.

Complete Modernization would be great. Unless generic equipment is used, when completed you will have a brand new elevator that will be obsolete in about week, only the company that put it in can service it properly and therefore it costs an arm and a leg for a service contract. Also, requires a 400 page manual and various hand held electronic devices with little blinky lights and numbers to keep it running.

The bottom line here is: Before you do anything you have to get to local elevator inspector involved. He's the guy that will tell you what can or can't be done.

OK, Guys...not preaching to the choir here. Doin this tongue in cheek. As you guys know I supply information and diagrams. Gotta tell ya.......the stuff that come across my desk is unbelievable. In most cases it's comprehensive and informing. But,hundreds of pages just for a little hydro. The manuals are updated almost weekly and when they get really thick. The companies either add .something or change the name of the product line.

Please work safe you guys so you can enjoy the holidays to come.

Jim