Blog - 14/01/2025
Everything You Need To Know About : Traction Vs. Hydraulic Vs. Screw Driven Lifts
Preliminary to installing a new lift there is a lot to take into consideration. The shapes, the colors, the length of the mirrors, controls, etc. but we never look at what would be best suited to us. So let us get a fair understanding of how each one of them functions and what they have best to offer.

Traction Lifts
A traction lift is a box on steel ropes connected to an electric motor. The sheaves have a counterweight attached to balance the load of the elevator car and the traction on the ropes raises and lowers the lift.
Pros –
- The main benefit of a traction lift is its higher speed as compared to the other varieties.
- The chief advantage of the traction lift is its cost as it is quite affordable if the customer already possesses a shaft, pit, and machine room.
Cons –
- Traction makes use of home lift technologies that require maintenance 12 times a year (every month) because of the complexity of its machinery making them extremely high maintenance in nature.
- They consume a lot of space.
- These lifts require a 5-6 ft pit. which is an enormous risk as it may cause groundwater flooding which can void house warranty and insurance if it touches the foundations making it an expensive affair.
- It requires a separate machine room.
Hydraulic lifts
A Hydraulic Lift is the most common type of lift. It works on the principle of an electrically powered pump that pushes pressurized hydraulic fluid – typically oil — to a jack lifting system and a piston within a cylinder at the base of the elevator pushes the car up and down.
Pros –
- Hydraulic Lifts are usually cheaper to install.
- They occupy less space as compared to a traction lift, as the lift shaft requires about 10 percent less area.
- These lifts are also extremely effective when high loads need to be moved making them best for goods and cars.
Cons –
- The probability of leakage is higher which means you need an expensive oil top ups or your cabin will stop short of the floors which makes it impossible for wheelchairs or the elderly to get out of the lift and if you are unlucky a big leak can make you redo your entire interiors and may also leave a stench.
- The oil capacity of a Hydraulic lift is a minimum of 100 L which increases the safety risk factor as it is toxic and highly flammable.
- It consumes a lot of space considering the oil tank and electric box need a dedicated area.
Screw-Driven Lifts
Screw-driven lifts are a system of elevation that is designed for homes and is growing in popularity with each day due to its simplicity, cost, and maintenance requirements as well as because of its space saving ability. A giant steel screw runs from top to bottom of the lift, one in which a platform or cabin is attached with a nut and when the motor turns the nut, the lift moves up or down.
Pros –
- Usually, screw lifts are comparatively cost-effective.
- Screw lifts are unbelievably safe.
- The simplicity of its mechanism makes it extremely easy to maintain which means it only requires maintenance twice a year.
- Extremely space-saving as platform + screw + drive + own shaft combo results in smaller footprints, no pit, no machine room, no oil tank, and no electric box.
- They are easy to install and usually take only 7-10 days with minimal civil work.
Cons –
- The speed of a screw lift is not quite fast as compared to traction lifts or hydraulic lifts for safety reasons it is limited to 0.15 m/s as per EU regulations.
- Weight restrictions on screw lifts are a little lower as compared to hydraulic or traction lifts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the main types of lifts, and how do they differ?
The three main types of lifts are:
- Traction Lifts: Use a counterweight system and steel ropes or belts to move the lift car.
- Hydraulic Lifts: Operate using a hydraulic piston and fluid pressure.
- Screw-Driven Lifts: Function using a rotating screw shaft to move the lift platform.
Each type has different mechanisms, advantages, and ideal use cases.
2. Which lift type is best for residential use?
Screw-driven lifts are often preferred for homes because of their compact design, smooth operation, and ease of installation. However, the traction lift is also a great option for multi-floor homes and provides a quiet and energy-efficient ride.
3. Do screw-driven lifts require a machine room?
No, screw-driven lifts are machine-room-less (MRL) and require and with Cibes home lift not even a pit required, insignificant space, settling on them a phenomenal decision for homes and structures with restricted establishment regions.
4. Which type of lift is the quietest?
Traction lifts and screw-driven lifts are generally quieter than hydraulic lifts, which can produce noise from the pump and fluid movement.
5. Are screw-driven lifts safe?
Yes! Screw-driven lifts are planned with cutting-edge well-being highlights, for example, crisis stop capabilities, auto-lock instruments, and battery reinforcement frameworks for smooth and secure activity.

For more information, please contact Cibes Lift brand home lifts at Cibes Lift (india) Pvt. Ltd.
Lift showroom in Gurugram
Ground, Emaar Mgf The Palm Drive Vatika Professional Point, Badshahpur, Sector 66, Gurugram, Haryana 122002
Lift showroom in Bangalore
Ward No. 67, 8th Block, Regent Sunnyside, Ground Floor, Corporation No. 581, Koramangala, Karnataka 560095
Lift (only-office) in Kolkata
1st Floor, Anuj Chambers, 24, Park St, Park Street area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016
For more information about our screw home lifts, please get in touch with us or dial +91 8800 887 887 to receive a callback and a quote.
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We offer lifts for any application, and regardless if you need a lift for your home, a school, an office, a hotel or a warehouse, we have the perfect lift model for you,a hotel or a warehouse, we have the perfect lift model for youa hotel or a warehouse, we have the perfect lift model for you
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