Elevator Tour - Oliver Building Elevator Machines with Dave from Otis elevator

Back in grade school I had a huge interest in power engineering / mechanical. I once asked my teacher if it would be possible to get a tour of the boiler room in the school. The crotchety old head custodian refused, in fact anytime I’d try to sneak a peak of the massive underground plant he’d quickly close the door. The miserable old guy told me it’s none of my business. You guys are extremely fortunate to have found an elevator mechanics as cool as Dave. He seems genuinely happy to give you a tour. I later went on to study industrial electrical in college, my instructor was a retired elevator mechanic amongst other things. The guy was a wealth of knowledge, taught me everything I know about motor control 30 years later I find myself looking after telecom DC plants. It’s a wild ride!

Great video. In 1973, a few of us were exploring the top floor of the new sciences library at Brown University when we discovered an unlocked door to the elevator machine room. There were the cable winding motors, motor-generators, and big relay boxes with relays clacking away. Just watching all this was great, and I could have easily stayed another hour. Amazing machines.

Years ago my parents were friends with a couple that lived in a penthouse atop of the Forsyth Barr building in Dunedin, New Zealand which was then known as the mission building and the guy was the caretaker. I have had the opportunity to see the machine room there. Also my Mum used to work as a office worker/ payroll clerk for Otis New Zealand in the 1990's. I used to go down to the workshop and the boys were always happy to answer any questions I had.

Great memories for 75 me. Thanks! I still have the last few ounces of Otis Elevator Co Solvent #2, the best refined mineral solvent ever. Almost odorless. Otis treated the public very well. Quality. . .

My son is 2and half year old now and he is OBSESSED with elevator! Wherever he sees tall buildings he wants to go in and have an elevator ride. I'm doing my best to support this hobby :b recently we found your videos and he loves your video with elevator! Like this video, can can watch this again and again and never gets bored. Thanks for uploading these and Keep up the good works !

That is greatest tour. Many lovers dreamed about such tours. Now we need only friendly operators :)

Wow, the otis guy was very cool to guide the visit to this gorgeous motor room

I installed Otis elevators for over 3 years. Very hard and heavy job.

Working in RF and IT I can say that I have pulled miles of CAT5/6, fiber and coaxial cables through elevator shafts. One building that I have radio repeaters up on the roof the Otis guys modified one of the elevators roofs so we could fit the 10 foot tower sections and broken down DB series antennas in the car. They Otis guys are a cool bunch of people though.

Very Impressive! Those MG sets for the low-mid elevators are massive! The freight elevator's gear-less machine 1st time I've seen one with this sort of brake drum past the communicator.

Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.

Affascinante! E' il tipo di impianti che preferisco, è evidente la passione per cura e precisione dei dettagli fatti da persone ambiziose del lavoro, è un onore poter lavorare su questi ascensori e chi lo fa è fortunato!

Great Tour Jared

I've had a few unauthorized tours of elevator mechanical rooms in my construction and locksmithing career, none topped the 1910 US Grant Hotel in San Diego in the early 80s. Two cars had been modernized in the 60s, two were originals. Of those two only one worked and I was lucky enough to take a ride in it. I also got to take a ride in the freight elevator and the elevator they used for loading in the basement, the kind that opened on the sidewalk. The best part was the mechanical room, watching the equipment and seeing all of the relays in action. I have been in more modern mechanical rooms, one from the late 60s and another from the late 80s, those were a bit less interesting.

Never got to see inside that 411M controller where the "magic happens" (Otis adds the "M" designation when it's a modernization.) I worked on 401 Elevonic and one mod job with 411M and 335 geared controls. Having a building with 25 floors of freight doors in constant use would keep a tech busy!

I don't recall ever seeing that old rack'n'pinion hall door relating. I've seen quite a few of those old hall door mechanisms.

I just found this channel. I'm enjoying elevator facts & history. Thanks...

Great Tour wish i could get to see an elevator machine room

me: IS THAT OLD OTIS BLACK BUTTONS IN FREIGHT ELEVATOR!??! Otis guy: * doesent tell *

Those 60hz transformers sound like they want to bite 😀 I'm always interested in electronics stuff, especially the distribution systems, haven't seen much of that with my own eyes. They are always properly behind locks of course.