[LeelandS]

It was mentioned earlier in the thread, but having a worm gearbox driving your elevator is a viable solution. We used the RAW Box from AndyMark this season and we were relatively pleased with it.

The RAW Box is backdrive-resistant, and once you have your motors hooked up to it, it can easily hold the weight of several totes and a can without any power from the motors. The only time we found the elevator would be forced down is when we were carrying 6 totes and a can, but 5 totes and a can was fine. We had the motor controllers (Victor SRXs) in brake mode, and combining that with the natural resistance of the gearbox (which took the brunt of the force), our elevator motors typically ended extended practice sessions at a slightly warm temperature. I think we enjoyed it more because we didn't have to devote more time and resources to a "proper" braking system.