6 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Hoist

Selecting the right hoist for your industrial lifting is crucial in ensuring safe lifting, long product life, and economic viability. Multiple factors can determine which hoist you must choose. Here are the six leading factors that will help you select the right hoist model for your application.

1. Type of hoists

The first thing you need to determine is the type of hoists that you need for your application. Primarily, there are three main types of hoists, namely, manual chain hoists (chain pulley block), lever hoists, and electric chain hoists (ECH).

Manual chain hoists use manual lifting for their workloads and are ideal when lifting is done infrequently since operators have to pull the hand chain every time. They are used for relatively lower lifting capacities and are easy to carry around within any facility. Another plus point is their low purchase and installation cost – compared to powered type hoists.

Lever hoists are more flexible and are ideal for pulling or fixing loads in different positions. Normally, it is equipped with a freewheel function where the load chain can be adjusted freely to the desired positions efficiently.

Electric chain hoists operate on electric power and have higher lifting capacity as compared to the other types. Additionally, they can be operated more frequently as it can be operated effortlessly by push button pendant. It is an ideal choice for your production/manufacturing facility.

2. Type of suspension or trolley

If you are going for a chain hoist, then you also need to choose the type of suspension that you want to use with your hoist. Your chain hoist can either be suspended from a fixed location using a top hook – or can be mounted over a trolley.

As hooks are fixed, they do not allow for any cross-travel (or CT) movement. On the other hand, trolleys are available in the following types:

  • Plain or push type trolley: These are lug-mounted trolleys that can be operated through push movement. They do not offer much control over precision.
  • Geared trolley: These lug-mounted trolleys can be operated using a hand chain. While they offer precise movement, it would require more effort when using long travel length.
  • Motorized trolley: These are motor-driven trolleys that can be frequently operated. Plus, they offer high precision in movement.

3. Capacity

Another important factor when it comes to selecting your hoist is the rated capacity. For hoists, the rated capacity must be higher than the heaviest load that you expect to be lifted. Also, the structure where the hoist will be suspended, either beam or crane, should also be strong enough for that load.

For electric hoists, determine the capacity by considering the state of loading. There is a criterion called Hoist Classification, in which the state of loading can determine the hoist life. If you choose a higher capacity in comparison to the actual load, the hoist life will be longer, but the initial purchase price will also be higher. The balance between each factor leads you to the best capacity selection for your application.

4. Required lift height

While selecting the hoist model, it is also important to consider the height of the lift using the following parameters:

  • Lift length or the distance that a loaded hook can cover between its lowered and a raised position.
  • Reach or the distance between the hoist suspension and the hook in its lowest position.
  • Headroom or the distance between the hoist suspension and hook in its raised position.

5. Lifting speed

Applicable only for electric hoists, lifting speed is a crucial factor when selecting the right hoist. Faster speed in lifting is required for longer distance lifts or lifting applications that comprise multiple lifting-lowering cycles within a short duration. Whereas lower speed is suitable for lifting where precision is required.

6. Power Supply

This factor is again only applicable for electric hoists. Voltage can vary from region to region, but there are single-phase power-operated hoists and three-phase power-operated hoists. Single-phase power hoists are suited for lighter loads, about up to 500kg or 1t. In factories and warehouses, three-phase power is more common, and you will have a higher choice for lifting capacity.

Besides these six factors, you can also select hoists with other additional features like mechanical brakes or overload limiter, etc. – depending on your diverse lifting needs.

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