Marathon Lift: Your alternative to hydraulic cylinders, screw jacks, and rack-and-pinion drives

The maintenance-free rigid chain technology in the Marathon Lift combines a compact footprint, positioning accuracy, and predictable operating costs in a versatile lifting system. Compared to hydraulic, screw, and rack-and-pinion drives, this offers a number of decisive advantages.

	Marathon Lift	Hydraulic Cylinder	Spindle hoisting drive	Rack and pinion drives
Maintenance	Maintenance-free	Regular (oil, seals, filter)	Regular (lubrication of spindles)	Regular (lubrication of gearing)
Installation space requirement	low - through flexible chain and integrated chain box	high - through separate aggregate, cylinder and cables	medium to low - depending on type and hoisting length	high - continuous rack and pinion over full hoisting length is necessary
Energy efficient	high - energy consumption only when moving	low - pressure maintenance also necessary when downtime	medium - continuous drive needed	medium - friction loss in gear mesh
Environmentally-friendly	high - no re-lubrication required	low - hydraulic medium with leakage risks and disposal costs	medium - re-lubrication required	medium - re-lubrication required
Service life	≥ 1 million cycles maintenance-free	depending on quality of maintenance and sealing	depending on type of spindle and load profile	high - maintenance and lubrication at regular intervals
Smooth operation	jerk-free and even	smooth - depending on valve and control design	generally quiet, but noise may occur at high speeds	vibrations and noise may occur in gear mesh

The Marathon Lift for your application

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Why is the Marathon Lift rigid chain system maintenance-free?

The Marathon Lift rigid chain system is maintenance-free because it is based on the self-lubricating Marathon rigid chain with sintered bushings containing special lubricants and does not require external lubrication systems. Conventional lifting systems, on the other hand, require regular lubrication or oil changes, whether they are hydraulically, spindle-driven, or rack-and-pinion driven. The rigid chain, deflection, and special sprocket show no significant wear even after over a million motion cycles. For plant operators, this eliminates scheduled maintenance downtime for the lifting system and lubricant costs, while plant availability increases significantly. This is particularly beneficial in 2- and 3-shift operations.

How compact is the Marathon Lift rigid chain system compared to hydraulic and rack-and-pinion lifting systems?

The Marathon Lift rigid chain system houses the rigid chain in an integrated chain box, allowing it to remain compact even with large stroke heights. The ML500 achieves a minimum overall height of just 170 mm with a system length of 535 mm. Hydraulic lifting systems, on the other hand, require additional installation space for the power unit and piping in addition to the cylinder, and rack-and-pinion drives become space-intensive with long travel distances. The small footprint allows for integration even into very narrow vehicle frames, such as in automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or compact assembly platforms.

How precisely does the Marathon Lift rigid chain system position compared to hydraulic lifting systems?

The Marathon Lift moves to every lifting position with millimetre precision, without springback or sagging, even during extended periods under load. This distinguishes it from hydraulic systems, which can give way due to pressure and must continuously expend energy to maintain position. The patented deflection system and the U-profile outer plates of the rigid chain additionally ensure smooth, jerk-free operation, even with varying loads and high cycle frequencies.

How efficient is the Marathon Lift rigid chain system compared to hydraulic lifting systems?

The Marathon Lift consumes energy exclusively during the actual lifting motion. A hydraulic system, on the other hand, requires energy even when stationary to maintain system pressure. Over the entire service life of over one million cycles, this difference adds up significantly. Added to this is the elimination of hydraulic oil and external lubricants. This reduces procurement costs for operating supplies as well as disposal expenses, while simultaneously improving the system’s environmental footprint.