A system in which two parallel, grooved sheaves are coupled. These sheaves are driven directly from a hoisting engine. One sheave is set at a slight angle to the vertical so that the rope will pass freely from one sheave to the other. The hoisting rope passes around the drive sheaves and then to a takeup sheave, which is mounted on a horizontally movable carriage to take up slack or to change the hoist from one level to another. A tail rope is used in this system, although it may not be absolutely necessary.