A vertically-translatable load/unload, LUL, ramp system for a reduced-head hard disk drive, HDD, the system comprising a ramp assembly, wherein the ramp assembly comprises: a translatable LUL ramp member; characterized by a translatable lever member coupled with the LUL ramp member and configured for mechanical interaction with a head-stack assembly, HSA; a plurality of interconnected structural elevator interfaces coupled with the LUL ramp member; and a plurality of flexures interconnecting the elevator interfaces with the LUL ramp member, wherein the ramp assembly has a first operational state and a second operational state; wherein, in the first operational state: a zero or negligible force is applied to the lever member by the HSA; and a distal end of the LUL ramp member is positioned such that an outer perimeter of a recording disk of an HDD is disposed within a channel at the distal end of the LUL ramp member; and wherein, in the second operational state: a sufficient force is applied to the lever member by the HSA; and a distal end of the LUL ramp member is positioned such that an outer perimeter of a recording disk of an HDD is free of a channel at the distal end of the LUL ramp member. wherein the ramp assembly comprises: a translatable LUL ramp member; characterized by a translatable lever member coupled with the LUL ramp member and configured for mechanical interaction with a head-stack assembly, HSA; a plurality of interconnected structural elevator interfaces coupled with the LUL ramp member; and a plurality of flexures interconnecting the elevator interfaces with the LUL ramp member, a translatable LUL ramp member; characterized by a translatable lever member coupled with the LUL ramp member and configured for mechanical interaction with a head-stack assembly, HSA; a plurality of interconnected structural elevator interfaces coupled with the LUL ramp member; and a plurality of flexures interconnecting the elevator interfaces with the LUL ramp member, wherein the ramp assembly has a first operational state and a second operational state; wherein, in the first operational state: a zero or negligible force is applied to the lever member by the HSA; and a distal end of the LUL ramp member is positioned such that an outer perimeter of a recording disk of an HDD is disposed within a channel at the distal end of the LUL ramp member; and wherein, in the second operational state: a sufficient force is applied to the lever member by the HSA; and a distal end of the LUL ramp member is positioned such that an outer perimeter of a recording disk of an HDD is free of a channel at the distal end of the LUL ramp member. a zero or negligible force is applied to the lever member by the HSA; and a distal end of the LUL ramp member is positioned such that an outer perimeter of a recording disk of an HDD is disposed within a channel at the distal end of the LUL ramp member; and wherein, in the second operational state: a sufficient force is applied to the lever member by the HSA; and a distal end of the LUL ramp member is positioned such that an outer perimeter of a recording disk of an HDD is free of a channel at the distal end of the LUL ramp member. a sufficient force is applied to the lever member by the HSA; and a distal end of the LUL ramp member is positioned such that an outer perimeter of a recording disk of an HDD is free of a channel at the distal end of the LUL ramp member.