Elevator Packing: The 35% Secret to Killing Breakaway Friction
April 22, 2026
April 22, 2026
If you’ve ever chased a rough start, blamed the valve, and still couldn’t smooth it out—the issue might be hiding in the packing.
When a hydraulic elevator starts with a jerk, makes noise during travel, or struggles to move smoothly, the issue often isn’t the pump or controller—it’s likely the packing. Elevator packing plays a quiet but critical role in system performance. Get it right, and you improve ride quality, reduce wear, and extend the life of your equipment. Get it wrong or let it degrade, and you introduce friction, leaks, and costly downtime.
Let’s break down what elevator packing is, why it matters, and how the right solution can reduce breakaway friction by up to 35%. In real terms, that means smoother startups, fewer callbacks, and less strain on your system components.
Elevator packing is a series of seals or rings installed in the cylinder head of a hydraulic elevator jack. Its job is to contain hydraulic fluid under pressure while still allowing the plunger to move smoothly up and down.
In simple terms, it’s what keeps the system sealed without slowing it down while preventing oil leakage.
Elevator packing is typically made from combinations of:
A packing set often includes:
Each component works together to balance sealing force and movement—too tight, and you get drag; too loose, and you get leaks.
Not all packing is created equal. Different configurations are designed to handle varying pressures, temperatures, and performance needs. In fact, many kits include a combination of types of seals to ensure top performance.
Common types include:
V-Ring Packing
U-Cup Packing
Spring-Loaded Seals
PTFE-Based Packing
Composite / Multi-Lip Systems
For a deeper dive into configurations and specifications, ADAMS provides detailed breakdowns in our parts catalog.
Routine inspection is the difference between proactive maintenance and unexpected shutdowns. Here’s a straightforward way to evaluate packing performance in the field:
Question: Is the system losing oil at an abnormal rate?
Measure how much fluid is bypassing the seal over time. Excessive leakage is a clear sign of worn or failing packing.
Question: Does the plunger show scoring, oil film inconsistencies, or buildup?
Look for:
These can indicate seal wear or improper contact. A donut shaped sanding ring can remove scratches but excessive wear will require piston or jack replacement.
Question: Is friction generating excess heat?
Higher-than-normal operating temperatures often point to increased friction within the packing system. This is often accompanied with a foul, burnt oil odor.
Question: Is the packing maintaining proper system pressure?
A drop in pressure performance can signal internal leakage or seal degradation.
During your inspection, these are some telltale signs replacement may be in order:
Breakaway friction is the resistance an elevator must overcome to start moving from a complete stop.
When packing degrades or is poorly designed:
Reducing breakaway friction isn’t just about comfort—it’s about system health and efficiency.
At ADAMS Elevator, packing isn’t treated as a commodity—it’s engineered for performance.
So what makes “pressure-balanced” packing different?
It comes down to geometry.
Traditional seals can concentrate pressure unevenly across the sealing surface, leading to:
ADAMS’ pressure-balanced design distributes hydraulic pressure evenly across the seal lips, which helps:
The result?
Source: ADAMS Elevator Parts Catalog, pp. 9–10
This is especially noticeable in elevators with rough startup behavior, where improved packing can immediately smooth performance.
If you’re managing multiple hydraulic elevators, packing might not always be top of mind—but it should be.
Upgrading to high-performance packing can:
And because packing directly impacts friction, it’s one of the simplest ways to improve system performance without major equipment changes.
Elevator packing may be hidden but its impact is anything but invisible.
If you’re seeing rough starts, increased noise, or signs of leakage, it’s worth taking a closer look. The right packing solution doesn’t just fix problems, it prevents them.
And in many cases, it can unlock smoother operation with up to 35% less breakaway friction.
Not sure which packing is right for your system? ADAMS can help you match the right solution to your application and performance goals. We offer a full range of solutions engineered to keep your systems running smoothly.