Abstract: A Lifting device for a lifting carriage, such as for a rack serving apparatus, having a drive mechanism comprising a motor drive, a winding drum driven by the motor drive, and a belt that is unwound from and wound onto the winding drum and serves to lift and lower the lifting carriage along a mast, where the belt may advantageously be configured as a flat belt. A control roller is arranged between the winding drum and the lifting carriage such that an angle of wrap greater than 20 degrees of the belt around the control roller is achieved.