Purchasing or specifying hoists to lift heavy objects in close proximity to equipment and/or personnel is a decision that deserves thoughtful consideration. In this article, we will identify some important items to factor into your decision-making process.
Download a complete guide to selecting the right hoist for your application.
When selecting a manual hand chain hoist, the rated capacity should be at least as high as the weight of the heaviest load to be lifted and no higher than the rated capacity of the pad eye, monorail system or other overhead structure from which the hoist will be suspended.
In addition to the factors listed above for manual hoists, when determining the capacity requirement for an electric or pneumatic hoist we must not only consider the weight of the heaviest load to be lifted, but we must also determine the Mean Effective Load ( MEL) and apply the MEL factor of .65.
For more detail refer to ASME HST-1, Performance Standard for Electric Chain Hoists, Section 1-1.1 through Section 1-2.4.2
Chain hoists can be suspended in a fixed location or they can be trolley mounted by means of a top hook or mounting lug. Trolleys can be rigid or articulating. Trolley traverse can be plain (push type), hand geared or motor-driven. See below for examples of typical chain hoist suspension types.
It’s appropriate to group these three parameters together because they are closely related. Simply put, the length of lift is the distance the load hook can travel between its fully lowered and fully raised positions.
Reach is equal to the difference in elevation between the hoist suspension point (pad eye or trolley beam running surface) and the hook saddle in its lowest position.
Headroom is the distance from the hoist suspension point and the fully raised hook saddle. For a hoist with top-hook suspension, the headroom dimension is the distance between the saddle of the top hook and the saddle of the fully raised lower hook.
Operation type refers to the power source used to drive the hoisting motion. Operation types include manual, electric or pneumatic (air) power. Some of the criteria for determining which of these types are best for a given application include initial cost, availability of utilities, duty cycle, lifting speed requirement, operating environment and more.
Manual hand chain hoists have the lowest purchase price, making them ideal for applications involving temporary or infrequent use, low capacities, short lift height and when power sources are not available.
Electric and pneumatic hoists offer faster lifting speeds, are more ergonomic and are better suited than manual hoists for heavy-duty cycles, high capacities and long lifts.
Air hoists require a substantial volume of compressed air for operation and are often used for applications involving long lifts or high duty cycles and in areas where electric power is impractical or unavailable. Air motors tend to be self-cooling, providing nearly unlimited run time capability. And, because there is no risk of electrical arcing, air hoists are also used in some hazardous areas where flammable gases or dust may be present. One downside is that air hoists tend to be significantly louder to operate than electric or manual hoists.
Electric hoists can have a lower purchase price than pneumatic hoists. They do not require the purchase and installation of an air compressor and are normally quieter than air hoists to operate. If suitable electric power is available, electric hoists are selected more often than pneumatic for most general lifting applications. Electric hoists can also be equipped with special motors and controls to make them suitable for use in designated hazardous areas.
The American Society of Engineers (ASME) and The Hoist Manufacturer’s Institute (HMI) have developed and published standards for hoists, including hoist duty ratings. These duty classifications are based on numerous factors, including the number of lifts performed per hour over a given work period, the average and maximum load that is lifted, the frequency at which the maximum load is lifted, the average distance the load is raised and lowered, and the maximum number of stops and starts per hour. The table shown below is provided for reference to help you understand the significance of duty class ratings provided by the hoist manufacturer for their products.
Hoist lifting speeds vary widely and should be considered carefully before making a selection. Generally speaking, faster lifting speeds are preferred for long lifts or for shorter lift applications in which a high number of lifting/lowering cycles must be completed in a relatively short period of time.
The weight of the load to be lifted, along with the required lifting speed and hoist gear ratio, determines the torque requirement, which in turn dictates the motor horsepower required to provide that torque. Higher horsepower motors can add to the size, weight and power consumption of a hoist, as well as its cost.
The most common lifting speeds are between 8 and 32 FPM. CMCO offers powered hoists with speeds as low as 3 FPM and as high as 64 FPM.
Some electric hoists are designed to operate on either 120 or 230vac, single-phase power. These hoists are typically ¼ to 2-ton capacity and are most often used in home workshops, garages, and some light manufacturing facilities. Most industrial facilities throughout North America are wired for 208, 230, 460 or 575v, 3-phase, 60 Hz power. The most common are voltages are 240v and 480v, although 575v is also frequently used in Canada. It is important to verify your available power supply before attempting to purchase or specify an electric hoist.
To reduce the risk of serious injury due to electric shock, most electric hoist controls do not run on the full line voltage that is supplied to the hoist motors. Instead, they utilize transformers to step down the control voltage to 120v or 24v. The majority of hoists in the U.S. feature 120v controls.
Hoists can be equipped with a variety of different control types. The most common are single-speed or two-speed contactor controls. Two-speed contactor control also requires a special motor with two-speed windings.
Another available control type is the variable speed drive (VFD), sometimes also referred to as an adjustable frequency drive (AFD). This solid-state control system adjusts AC motor speed and torque by varying motor input frequency and voltage. For example, a variable speed hoist that runs at 20 FPM on 60 Hz power would operate at roughly 10 FPM if through a VFD control the frequency is reduced to 30 Hz.
Closed-loop variable frequency drive systems, also known as flux vector drives, take VFD control to another level, using an encoder on rotating components, such as hoist motor shaft or gearbox output shaft, to send feedback to the control module. This type of closed-loop control system can provide extremely accurate speed control and load spotting and can be used in conjunction with a programmable logic control (PLC) to automate the lifting and lowering functions based on preset parameters. Another significant advantage of a flux vector hoist drive is dynamic braking, which provides softer stops and can significantly extend the life of the motor brake.
The majority of electric chain hoists come equipped with a hard-wired control pendant that is suspended from the hoist, trolley or crane (where applicable). In some cases, hard-wired pendant stations may also be wall-mounted. Wireless radio remote control systems are also available and can allow the operator to control hoist functions from anywhere within the general vicinity of the hoist. Radio control pendants can also be smaller, lighter weight and more ergonomic than a hard-wired pendant.
Download a complete guide to selecting the right hoist for your application.
Before selecting a hoist, it is important to consider any dimensional constraints that exist in the area where the hoist may be used. Issues such as headroom clearance, side clearance along the length of monorail or crane beam, and end approach are particularly critical clearances.
The term “end approach” (see dimension “A” to the right) can be defined as the distance between the centerline of the lifting hook and the end of a monorail beam, bridge beam or runway on which the hoist is operating.
This is important as it relates to the ability to center the hoist over the load to be lifted to avoid side pulling. Learn more about the dangers of side pulling.
Standard chain hoists are designed for “normal operating conditions.” Conditions such as temperature extremes, unprotected outdoor areas, salt-laden marine environments, corrosive atmospheres, classified hazardous areas, clean rooms, and wash-down areas, among others, may require hoists with special modifications or optional features that are designed for those locations.
We hope the information in this article provided insight into some of the considerations that should be taken before buying or specifying a hoist. Selecting the right hoist for the application can be the first step towards safe, efficient and ergonomic movement of materials. For further assistance with your overhead lifting requirements, please contact our application experts.
Unless you’re a seasoned veteran, choosing the right hoist to buy can be a daunting task. But have no fear. This guide will make things absolutely clear about which hoist is right for your specific need. Without further ado, let’s walk step-by-step through the Ultimate Hoist Buyer’s Guide.
A hoist is a machine specifically designed to raise and lower loads that are too heavy for manpower alone. Hoists have a drum or wheel around which wraps either a chain or rope which controls whether the load is raised or lowered. Most hoists are electric-powered, but they can also be pneumatic (air-powered) or manually operated. To learn more, check out our article explaining what hoists are, as well as some examples and tips when operating them.
Generally speaking, hoists are used for lifting and lowering heavy loads. However, hoists are used in many different industries for various applications. To be more specific, hoists are used for construction purposes, in the automotive industry, and even in the aerospace industry. In fact, we compiled a list of 15 use cases for hoists in various industries.
The first step to determining which hoist you should buy is in researching which general type of hoist will best suit your needs. After that is determined, we can nail down the specifics. So what are the different types of hoists?
Manual chain hoists are not powered by electricity or air pressure but rather by lever-action or a hand chain. Operating a manual hoist, i.e. raising or lowering the load, is done by cranking the lever or by pulling either end of the hand chain.
Manual chain hoists are not ideal for every scenario. However, there are plenty of situations where a manual hoist is the best solution. Let’s review some advantages and disadvantages of using manual hoists over a powered hoist.
Advantages of Manual Chain Hoists:
Link to Hebei pillar hoisting machinery
Disadvantages of Manual Chain Hoists:
In our experience, CM hand chain hoists are some of the best in the industry and they offer a large selection of products. However, we also put together a list of the top 3 best manual chain hoists if you’d like to do some more research. With that said, these are our favorite hand chain hoists in the CM line and they all come with a lifetime warranty.
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Electric chain hoists are powered by electricity and utilize chains as opposed to wire rope to lift their load. Instead of having to manually crank a lever, the operator of an electric chain hoist need only push a button to raise or lower the cargo.
Just as manual chain hoists are not ideal for every scenario, electric chain hoists have their pros and cons. Ultimately, the choice to purchase this type of hoist will depend on your intended use case. Let’s look at those pros and cons.
Advantages of Electric Chain Hoists:
Disadvantages of Electric Chain Hoists:
According to our experts, the best electric chain hoists are manufactured by Budgit, CM, Coffing, and Harrington. However, we also put together a list of the top 5 best electric chain hoists if you’d like to do some more research. With that said, these are some of our favorite electric chain hoists from the aforementioned brands.
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Air chain hoists, also known as pneumatic chain hoists, are powered by compressed air. Instead of cranking as you would a manual hoist or connecting it to a circuit, pneumatic hoists are instead connected to an air compressor.
Air-powered hoists are the perfect choice for certain situations but not for others. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of air hoists.
Advantages of Air Chain Hoists:
Disadvantages of Air Chain Hoists:
There are several hoist manufacturers that produce air chain hoists. However, we have found Budgit air-powered hoists to be some of the best in the industry. With that said, feel free to review our list of the top 3 best air chain hoists if you’d like more information. Yet, these are certainly among the best pneumatic hoists out there.
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Wire rope hoists refer not to the source of power, i.e. electric or air, but rather to what connects the hoist to its load. Therefore, wire rope hoists can be either air-powered or electric-powered.
Chain hoists are more common than wire rope hoists. However, wire rope hoists also have the greatest utility within particular industries. Depending on the circumstances, these will be the best type of hoist for the job at hand.
Advantages of Wire Rope Hoists:
Disadvantages of Wire Rope Hoists:
Out of all wire rope manufacturers, we’ve found Yale to be among the most reliable brands. They’ve been a leader in the hoist manufacturing business for over a century. We have a few Yale wire rope hoists featured below or feel free to browse all wire rope hoists by clicking the button below.
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Now we know of the different types of hoists available: electric chain hoists, air chain hoists, manual chain hoists, and wire rope hoists. Now it’s time to determine what capacity, lift height, and other factors you should consider when choosing a hoist.
If you have further questions after this section, I highly recommend you check out our FAQ section or reach out via our contact page.
To determine what capacity you will need for your hoist, it’s important to first determine the weight of the maximum load that will be lifted.
For example, if you will be lifting loads with a maximum weight of 1.5 tons, you will need a hoist with a capacity of at least 1.5 tons. Otherwise, your device will fail and you will risk injury or worse. However, it’s common practice to choose a capacity with at least 1/4 or 1/2 ton more than the weight of your heaviest load.
Another important factor when choosing the right equipment is the lift height, otherwise referred to simply as ‘lift’. To determine the lift needed, measure the distance between the load and the point at which the hoist will be mounted, then subtract the hoist headroom (the distance between the load-bearing hook and the point where the hoist will connect to the beam/trolley).
There are a few factors to consider for choosing a power source for your wire rope or electric chain hoist. First, you will have to determine if the voltage you have access to. Common voltages for powered hoists are 115V, 230V, 460V, and 575V. Next, you will need to know the phase of your power supply, either single-phase or three-phase. Typically larger and industrial workplaces will run three-phase power and have voltages over 230V. Lastly, you’ll need to determine hertz, the unit of measurement frequency, or the change in state or cycle in alternating current, of one cycle per second.
Air hoists, also known as pneumatic hoists, have a connected up-and-down control pendant similar to regular hoist systems. However, they also come with the added floating functionality provided by the compressed air that powers them. The beauty of the floating air function is that it allows for weightless vertical movement.
Hand chain hoists are operated by a loop of lifting chains to raise and lower their load. These are often an ideal match for construction, automotive, and hobbyist applications.
Lever hoists, also known as ratchet hoists or a come-along, allow the operator to pull, lift, and position materials in horizontal or vertical directions through a lever or crank mechanism. These provide easy rigging and operation with 360° rotation of the lever and top swivel hook.
Lift speed refers to the speed at which the hoist can raise/lower objects. The necessary lift speed will vary greatly between hoists and their various uses. Some may be single-speed or multi-speed. When determining the appropriate lift speed, there are a few factors to consider: the type of load being lifted, the weight of the load, the surrounding environment, and the space around the load.
Pendant control cable length refers to the length of the cable of the pendant control. The standard push button drop is equal to 4 feet less than the lift. Special lengths for pendant cable drop can be configured to meet specific needs as well.
Suspension refers to the mounting type of the hoist. There are two options for hanging a chain hoist, Hook mount or Lug mount. A Hook mounted hoist will come from the factory with a hook attached to the top of the body. There are two common types of hooks available, rigid and swivel. The rigid hook is in a fixed position, whereas the “swivel” hook-mounted hoist can rotate up to 360 degrees.
A trolley refers to the beam on which the hoist is mounted. There are 3 common types of trolleys; plain trolley, geared trolley, and motorized trolley. A plain/push is operated by maneuvering the trolley along the beam by human power via the hoist operator. A geared trolley is used by pulling a chain hanging from the trolley to maneuver the hoist along the beam or track. The motorized trolley option has a motor attached to the side of the trolley wheels and usually has its own control pendant.
I-Beam flange width refers to the width of the flanges at the top and bottom of the beam. The horizontal elements of the “I” are flanges, while the vertical element is the web. The web resists shear forces while the flanges resist most of the bending moment experienced by the beam. Beam theory shows that the I-shaped section is a very efficient form for carrying both bending and shears loads in the plane of the web.
In order to choose the right hoist, there are a number of factors that must be considered. For instance, hoist type, capacity, lift height, lift speed, voltage, and more. Once you have identifies the attributes needed for your hoist, feel free to browse our shop or request a quote if you need something beyond what we have listed. We’re determined to help you find the right lifting equipment!
If you want to learn more, please visit our website hand hoist supplier.