Abstract: A platform is mounted on a frame for vertical movement on the frame. The platform is raised and lowered using a pair of drums mounted for both rotational and translational movement on the frame. Cables on the drums and connected to the platform tend to rotate and translate the drums. The translation is resisted by brake bands wrapped around the drums, which in turn prevent rotation of the drums. For raising and lowering purposes, the drums are equipped with chain sprockets and drive chains that may be driven to rotate the drums about their axes and also to translate the drums in a direction opposite the translation caused by the weight of the platform. This unloads the band brakes and allows the platform to move.