Why three motors?

The way it is arranged in the photo does look a little odd. Any idea what the tonearm with the wooden armpipe is?

This is typical german engineering. If one motor fails you still have instant replacement on hand.....

Please illuminate me

Simple answer: That's Higher End

*Sad* Personally I feel discriminated with a 1 motor Design.

This is typical german engineering. If one motor fails you still have instant replacement on hand.....
06-07-10: Dertonarm

Dertonarm,
Drag of the dead motor would have to be made up by the other two motors.

Hiho,

Did you find any manufacture literature on the TT?

With three motors, why have ONE side of the belt touching the platter?
06-06-10: Hiho

Agree.... All that motor HP available and so little belt to platter contact.

Hello Jea48, these motors in the TW Raven are so good, that they won't have any problem with one dead fellow (which in turn would have no friction if he should ever fail - which I can't believe would happen anyway). If one dies indeed, I am sure that this would literally went unnoticed.
It is typical german (over)-engineering.
That strange arrangement with the one side belt in tangent contact only must have a sonic benefit.
I am sure and confident, that this is a feature of the original design.