Found out something wild about elevator counterweight speeds

I was reading an old trade manual from the 70s I picked up at a flea market in Cincinnati, and it mentioned that for some of the faster hydraulic lifts back then, the counterweight could drop at over 500 feet per minute during a full load test. That number really threw me, because I mostly work on modern traction units where it's a more controlled descent. The manual said they had to use special buffers and guide shoes just for testing, not regular service. It got me thinking about how much force is really moving in that shaft when things are at their limit. I've done plenty of tests, but seeing that specific figure from a different era of tech was a surprise. Has anyone else come across specs for older systems that seem crazy by today's standards?

2 comments

2 Comments

walker.hayden16d agoMost Upvoted

Tbh "over 500 feet per minute" for a counterweight is insane. Honestly sounds like a controlled demolition more than a test.

ryanh9116d agoMost Upvoted

That speed is fast but it's not unheard of for a planned drop test. They have to test the system's limits to find failure points. Calling it a controlled demolition feels like a big leap without seeing the full test plan. Sometimes engineering tests look extreme on purpose. I'd want to see the official report before jumping to that conclusion.