text: how many pounds can a 1 horsepower motor lift? what about a 5 horsepower motor? what about a 10 hp? 20? 50? i need to know... because i am installing an elevator and i don't want a brand new motor to suddenly break apart under heavy load. well you can use 1 hp motor and use it to lift 1million ton, but it would take one hell of a long time for it to lift...  horsepower is a measure of power not energy...it's horsepower not horseenergy...  dude you are f'ing dumb...