HOISTSBUYING GUIDE

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HOISTS A ThomasNet Buying Guide

Hoists are mechanical or electro-mechanical lifting

devices that rely on mechanical advantage to move

objects vertically and support hanging loads. Hoists

distribute weight by using pulleys or gears to transfer

low force over long distances into larger forces applied

over shorter distances. The chain or rope is wound around a barrel / drum or wheel and further wound

around other gears or pulleys with different radii, some of which can be in the load block. This

configuration is called the reeving and determines how the force of a load will be distributed or

transferred. Hoists are used in fixed or mobile applications and can be used for general purpose lifting or

designed for special purposes, such as removing an engine from a car. Hoists typically incorporate a

hook at the fixed end that connects to a crane or trolley and a hook at the moveable end which engages

the load.

Types of Hoists

Manual Hoists Manual hoists, sometimes referred to as chain falls, are ratchet (lever-actuated) or hand chain operated

lifting devices. A manual hoist uses two different chains, the hand chain used to control the lifting and

lowering action and the load chain, which supports the load. Compared to most powered hoists, manual

hoists typically have the following characteristics:

Initial costs are lower

Easier to transport, portable

Requires more work to lift heavier loads

Longer lifting time compared to powered varieties

Usually prone to more wear and tear over time than powered models

Powered Hoists Powered hoists come in 3 varieties, electric, air/pneumatic and hydraulic. Compared to most manual

hoists, powered hoists typically have the following characteristics:

Faster lifting speeds

Wider range of lifting capacity

Pendant or controller operated

Electric models are prone to overheating with frequent use

Air/Pneumatic models are useful where sparking is a concern

Applications and Industries Hoists are used anywhere lifting and moving a load is required, not restricted to industrial applications.

Hoists have a wide range of applications including lifting cargo, construction materials, engines and

warehouse stock.

Industries where hoists are used include, but are not limited to:

Aerospace

Automotive

Construction

Logging

Marine

Manufacturing

Medical

Mining

Considerations Operating time, frequency of usage and load all factor into the life of the hoist. These factors as well as

travel distance and speed will also affect the lifetime of the trolley, where applicable. Using equipment

above recommended parameters will lower the product lifetime.

The required effort to operate a manual hoist (lever or hand operated) should be within the limits of the

operator.

The lifting capacity of the hoist should not be higher than the weight capacity of the structure that will

support the hoist.

For most applications requiring regular lifting of 2 tons or more, a motorized trolley is recommended.

Structural components such as the load block or hook add to the overall weight being lifted, keep this in

mind when assessing lifting needs.

Specialty or custom hoists are often available from certain manufacturers.

New vs. Used As with any equipment it is important to assess the condition of a used or refurbished hoist. Inspection

of the hoist rigging equipment as well as regular maintenance of the hoist is highly recommended. If

possible, obtain the serial number for the used item. This will help identify the design specifications and

limitations as set by the manufacturer. Although not common, failure in the support structure or line

material can occur. It is important to be aware of the regulations outlined by OSHA Standard 1910.179,

“Overhead and Gantry Cranes,” outlines information regarding the operation and safety of overhead

cranes.

ASME Performance Standards The ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) provides standards for most hoist types,

applications and components. These standards are available on the ASME website provided in the

general resources section below.

Important Attributes

Lift Capacity Lift capacity is the weight that can be supported by the hoist. This is determined by the tolerance of the

line material as well as the frequency of use, power source and the structure on which the hoist is

suspended. Select a hoist with a lifting capacity higher than your heaviest load.

Line Material The line material is the media through which a force will be applied to lift an object. The most common

line materials used are chain and wire rope or cable. For smaller/lighter loads rope and strap or webbing

can be used.

Power Source The power source provides the energy which will eventually turn the gears that raise or lower the line

material. The most basic chain hoists are operated by hand chains or levers. Electrically powered hoists

are the most commonly used on heavy loads. Portable hoists can be powered by combustion of fuel

such as gasoline and diesel. Air and hydraulically powered hoists are commonly used in environments

where the sparking of electrical units is a concern.

Suspension Type Simple hoist models can be suspended or mounted in stationary locations by being hooked or bolted

onto permanent fixtures or movable stands. Other models have built-in equipment that allows them to

be attached to overhead trolleys, such hoists can be pushed or pulled along rail or can use self-

contained motorized units.

Lift Height The lift is the distance from the load hook at its highest position to the load hook’s lowest position. The

combination of the headroom and lift is called the reach.

Lift Speed Lift speed is the rate at which a load can be lifted. Some models have multiple or variable speeds. The

lift speed can be affected by the load weight and height. Higher capacity hoists tend to have lower lifting

speeds. Some models have multiple speeds which can provide flexibility when working with a range of

loads.

Headroom The headroom of a hoist is the distance from the rail or tread on which the hoist sits and the hook which

is attached to the load. Similarly, for stationary models, this can be measured as the distance from the

point at which the hoist is mounted and the lifting hook. Before choosing a particular hoist it is

important to know how it will be suspended or mounted as well as where it will be used. Be sure the

hoist can operate freely without obstructions.

Related Product Categories Winches are mechanical devices consisting of rotating drums, powered manually or electrically,

which produce drawing forces on cables for hauling or pulling.

Cranes are mechanical assemblies used for lifting and/or moving a variety of items.

Pulleys are wheels or drums which are attached to shafts or axles. There are two types of

pulleys: belt pulleys, which are used to transmit power, and rope pulleys, which are used to lift

or move objects.

Beam Trolleys are mechanical devices or assemblies consisting of sets of rollers mounted in

frames, which roll along girders or beams, and are used for transporting products or materials

within a work area.

Resources

General https://www.asme.org http://www.hss.doe.gov/nuclearsafety/techstds/docs/standard/std1090-07_chapter_8_hoists.pdf http://www.mhi.org/hmi http://www.mhi.org/downloads/industrygroups/osha/HMI_HOISTBASICS_AND_STANDARDS.pdf http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9830 http://web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/healthsafetyguide/B15.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoist_(device) http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-hoists.htm

Industry Specific http://www.aceindustries.com/default.aspx http://beatonindustrial.com/hoists/how_to_select_a_hoist_9_questions_you_must_answer/#.UbcmDdiXQ4c http://www.intlairtool.com/news/1111/industrial-hoist-selection-a-buyers-guide.html

http://www.naicranes.com/cranes/hoists.htm

http://www.naicranes.com/engineering/technical_reports/ecchn.pdf

White Papers http://www.lemkeindustrial.com/media/Test%20Fixture%20White%20Paper.pdf