What is a common disadvantage of hydraulic elevators compared to traction elevators?

Hydraulic elevators typically operate at slower speeds compared to traction elevators, which is a significant disadvantage in certain applications, particularly in high-rise buildings. This is largely due to their design and operational mechanics. Hydraulic elevators use a piston driven by hydraulic fluid to move the cab, leading to lower speeds than the rope-and-pulley system used in traction elevators, which can achieve much higher speeds more efficiently.

In contrast, factors like energy consumption, lifting capacity, and complexity are not necessarily inherent disadvantages of hydraulic elevators when compared to traction elevators. Hydraulic systems can sometimes be more energy-efficient for low-rise applications, have sufficient lifting capacity for many uses, and while installation may vary based on site conditions, it is often not significantly more complex than traction systems. Hence, the slower speed directly impacts their operational efficiency, especially in buildings with multiple floors, making it a notable disadvantage.