Hydraulic vs. Traction Elevators: What Is the Difference?
Compiled from the data of a company that has made cylinders and power units for hydraulic elevators since 1989.
In a hydraulic elevator, the power unit (motor, pump, tank and control valve) pumps oil into a cylinder that pushes the car up, and the car descends under its own weight. In a traction (rope) elevator, a traction machine winds ropes to raise and lower the car, with a counterweight on the other side. This difference changes installation cost, building requirements and travel height.
The differences at a glance
| Item | Hydraulic | Traction |
|---|---|---|
| Installation cost | About 15–20% lower than traction | Baseline |
| Installation time | Shorter than traction | Baseline |
| Building upper structure | No reinforcement needed | Reinforcement costs time and money; old buildings need a safety review of the upper structure |
| Where the load goes | Building foundation | Building walls, etc. |
| Hoistway area | About 12% saved (no counterweight) | Space for the counterweight |
| Machine room location | Basement, top or elsewhere to suit the site | — |
| Energy | Similar to traction going up; no energy going down (descends under its own weight) | Similar to hydraulic going up |
| Maintenance | Fewer components; motor and pump run immersed in oil, so little mechanical wear | More complex maintenance |
| Travel and speed | Max. 26 m, max. 30.9–34.38 m/min (Donam spec, by load) | — |
The hydraulic entries come from Donam Engineering's Advantages of hydraulic elevators and specifications. "—" marks items our data does not compare.
Advantages of hydraulic elevators
For building owners
- About 15–20% lower installation cost than traction, and lower maintenance cost.
- No counterweight saves about 12% of the hoistway area, and because vertical loads need not be considered, hoistway columns can be smaller.
- The machine room can go wherever suits the building's structure and use.
- Can be installed in old buildings or extensions without reinforcing the upper structure.
- With a separate machine room, little noise is heard inside the elevator.
For installers and maintenance companies
- Fewer components than traction, so less to maintain.
- Parts are easy to source, so you are not tied to one company's maintenance contract.
- Even in an emergency, problems can be handled without entering the top of the car or the top of the hoistway.
Limits of hydraulic elevators
- Travel: the maximum travel of a Donam hydraulic elevator is 26 m. It does not suit buildings that need more.
- Speed: maximum 30.9–34.38 m/min depending on load.
- Oil care: the hydraulic oil should be changed every 1–2 years. Above 55 °C, pump and oil life shorten, so busy sites need ventilation or an oil cooler. See Hydraulic elevator oil care.
Buildings that suit a hydraulic elevator
- Low-rise buildings with up to 26 m of travel
- Sites that move heavy loads such as freight or vehicles (company data: especially efficient for heavy loads)
- Old buildings or extensions where the upper structure is hard to reinforce
- Sites where a machine room at the top of the building is difficult
All 20 of Donam Engineering's remodeling projects in 2022–2025 were hydraulic freight elevators (1.0–5.0 t) and car elevators (2.0–3.0 t). Specifications are in Car elevator specifications and Elevator/Lift Specifications; quote criteria are in Freight elevator price.
Frequently asked questions
Does a hydraulic elevator use more electricity?
According to Donam Engineering's data, it uses about the same energy as a traction elevator going up, and none going down because the car descends under its own weight.
How many floors can a hydraulic elevator serve?
The maximum travel of a Donam hydraulic elevator is 26 m. The number of floors depends on floor heights, so check by travel height.
Can a traction elevator be converted to hydraulic?
It depends on the site: hoistway size, travel and where the machine room can go must be checked. Send us the site details and we will review them.
Hydraulic elevator consultation
Tell us the use, rated load, floors and whether it is new or a remodel, and we will suggest the right system.
Based on Donam Engineering's advantages of hydraulic elevators, elevator specifications, hydraulic catalogue and remodeling records. Written October 2026.