Magnetic tape device, magnetic recording device, and tape lifting method for magnetic tape device

A tape lifting method for a magnetic tape device, the magnetic tape device comprising a magnetic head that comes into contact with a magnetic tape that travels, a head actuator that holds the magnetic head and moves in a first direction and a second direction, and a tape lifting mechanism comprising a lifter arm that comes into contact with the magnetic tape to separate the magnetic tape from the magnetic head, the first direction and the second direction being along a width direction of the magnetic tape, and the second direction being opposite to the first direction, the method comprising:

• moving the lifter arm in a push-out direction using a driving force of the head actuator in conjunction with the head actuator moving in the first direction;
• separating the magnetic tape from the magnetic head by the lifter arm pushing out the magnetic tape in response to the lifter arm moving in the push-out direction;
• moving the lifter arm in a retreating direction using the driving force of the head actuator in conjunction with the head actuator moving in the second direction, the retreating direction being opposite to the push-out direction;
• and
• bringing the magnetic tape into contact with the magnetic head by the lifter arm separating from the magnetic tape in response to the lifter arm moving in the retreating direction.