Factors to Consider When Selecting a Hoist

Hoisting & Lifting Equipment | How To's | By | Feb 17,

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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.

 

Determining Required Capacity

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

 

Selecting a Suspension Type

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.

Choosing Lift, Reach & Headroom

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.

Understanding the Operation Type Needed for Your Application

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.

Determining Required Duty Class

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.

 

Picking Your Lifting Speed

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.

 

Determining a Power Supply

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.  

 

Selecting a Control Type for Your 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.

 

Choosing a Control Pendant

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.

Understanding Dimensional Constraints

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.

 

Determining Needs for Special Environments

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.

If you&#;re in the market for a new manual hoist, it&#;s important to know what type of hoist - Lever Hoist or Chain Hoist - will provide you with the most benefits e.g cost-saving and efficient operation. Whether you own factories, auto shops, or warehouses, this manual hoist guide will help you pick the right one.

Fig.1 If you' re in a hurry, these are our popular chain block and lever hoist picks.

 

3 Manual Hoist Facts: Keep your Work out of Trouble

With working load limits (WLL) up to 50 tons, Manual Chain Hoists are widely used in multiple industries for moving heavy objects without power supply. Here are their key features and benefits:

1. Lift very heavy loads without hurting your back by using mechanical advantages

A manual hoist turns a strenuous labour-intensive work process into a highly efficient one to minimize work-related musculoskeletal disorders caused by manual handling and awkward or tiring positions.

Want more information on What Is a Chain Hoist? Feel free to contact us.

498,000 workers suffered from work-related musculoskeletal disorders that caused 6.9 million working days lost in /. The construction industry was the worst sector among all - Health and safety at work for Great Britain  

 

The device eliminates the need for a team of workers to lift a heavy load up to 50,000kg down to one person, so your workers can do other activities while one lifts the load. This, in turn, increases productivity meaning you&#;ll be saving time and money.

2. No power supply required and cost-saving

As no electricity is required, it's especially advantageous for lifting work in open-air grounds and places where no power supply is available. They're small in size and well-fit in a toolbox for easy carrying, especially Yale Handy - 250kg lever hoist with a length of 24 cm only. These portable tools are great for drifting loads when no overhead crane is available or there is limited access. More examples will be shown in the next chapter.

If the budget plays a big role in deciding what type of hoist to buy, manual chain hoists are one of the more cost-efficient options. 

3. Simple design with trouble-free operation

If your business operates at a small venue, a manual chain hoist will be a great choice since it&#;s portable. Its simple design also makes it easier to repair and maintain. There are no wires or motors to sift through during inspection. If you&#;re looking for a low-maintenance hoist, you&#;ve found the one.

Fig.2 Yale Lever Hoist (Left) and Yale Chain Block (Right).

 

Lever Hoist vs Chain Hoist: Which is Better for You?

Both lever hoists and chain hoists (or ''chain blocks'' / ''block and tackle'') are portable and easy to maintain without electricity supplied. Chain hoists move a load by pulling a chain while lever hoists by cranking the lever/handle forwards and backwards. A chain hoist with a greater capacity of up to 5 tons is typically used vertically whereas a lever hoist has the advantage of being able to lift in vertical and horizontal positions.

Here is an infographic of chain block and lever hoist comparison in terms of capacity, lifting mechanism and use. 

Fig.3 Lever Hoist vs Chain Hoist.

1. What is A Chain Hoist?

A chain hoist (known as a ''chain block'' / ''chain fall'' / ''block and tackle) is a mechanical device containing a hand chain and lifting chain. Typically used vertically, it raises or lowers a heavy material by pulling down on the hand chain. A small pulling force will be turned to a larger force to handle heavy objects thanks to the lifting mechanism.

&#;Fun Fact: Many customers have asked the difference between chain hoist and chain block. While they are now used interchangeably, ''Chain Block'' is a relatively old term to describe this kind of tool and commonly used in the Asian lifting industry.

How does a chain hoist work?
Once a small pulling force is applied to the hand chain, it's transformed over a long distance to make a hand-chain wheel turn a series of cogs, axles, gears, and sprockets. They increase the mechanical work applied when pulling the chain many times, and in turn rotates the second lifting chain to lift or lower your heavy load. The whole process transfers a small force over a long distance to a large force over a short distance, explaining why a chain hoist is great for lifting heavy loads when speed is not important.

Capacity
As a force multiplier, it gives you the ability to lift very large loads up to 50,000 kg (See Yale VSIII Chain Block) with ease by using mechanical advantage. Its working load limit (WLL) is greater than a lever hoist's one.

How To Use A Chain Hoist?
Common ways to suspend a hoist is by attaching it to a beam with a beam clamp or to a secure anchor with a shackle. If the load has to be moved from one place to the other, a trolley will be the right suspension choice that can traverse the length of the beam flange it is attached to, carrying the load to the desired place with minimal effort. After securing the hoist and the load, you can put it to use for your application by pulling the hand chain by hands.

Applications:
A chain block is ideal for high vertical loads, unlike a lever hoist that has to be used next to you. You can still operate the pulling chain from the ground even when the hoist is positioned up high. Most hand hoists are used for infrequent maintenance applications where speed is not a requirement. They should not be specified for continuous lifting applications, especially when long lifts are required. Typical uses are to:
&#; Lift and hold beams and pipes in place for welding or bolting operations
&#; Maintain a turbine for critical lifts and installs where precise, micro-movements are required
&#; Be used as coal gun hoist in the wind energy industry
&#; Install and remove valves in the oil & gas sector Lift pumps, generators, or other heavy equipment in water treatment facilities
&#; Lift loads from the higher levels on construction sites
&#; Remove engines from cars easily in automotive garages
&#; Lift items to and from the belt in assembly-line factories
&#; Others: machine shops, workshops, or warehouses farms etc to load or unload goods. In some industries where the risk of an explosion is high such as metal processing companies and energy production companies, an explosion-protection-rated chain hoist should be considered.

2. What is A Lever Hoist?

A lever hoist or called a come-along is a device with a lever/handle, operated in most positions, including horizontally and vertically, for applications like pulling, dragging, stretching and positioning heavy loads across industries by operating the lever with one hand. The design of a lever hoist is similar to that of a hand chain operated hoist. 

&#;Fun Fact: Lever hoists are actually more often used for pulling and securing than they are for lifting. - Based on 200 interviews conducted by the University of Wuppertal (Germany) across 10 countries.

How Does a Lever Hoist Work?
Ratchet lever hoists have a ratchet and pawl system fitted with a load chain. A manual action of cranking the handle/lever forwards and backwards allows the system to turn, making the chain pass over it to either bring in the chain or advance the chain out, i.e. to move the load.

Capacity:
Its capacity is generally lower than a hand hoist's capacity, but it can still move a load up to 10,000 kg (See Pull Lift C85). 

How to Use a Lever Hoist?
Instead of pulling a chain, this mechanical device has a lever that can be cranked up and down to move an object. By switching the pawl rod lever, you can easily change the operation direction, i.e. to raise/lower the object (See details below).

Unlike hand hoists, lever hoists, especially small devices, can be operated using just one hand. Speed is not a characteristic of them. 
&#; To raise the load: Turn pawl rod lever to the lifting position (&#;) and operate the lever with a pumping action.
&#; To lower the load: Turn pawl rod lever to the lowering position (&#;) and operate the 
&#; To adjust the chain length: Turn pawl rod lever to the neutral position (central). The chain can now be pulled in both directions and the bottom hook will be quickly brought to the required position.

To suspend a lever chain hoist, the top hook of the hoist can be attached to a shackle, beam clamp, push trolley or other secure supports. To secure a load, the bottom hook can be attached to an object directly if the load has an appropriate fitting or via lifting slings with a shackle. If it is for pulling or tensioning, the top and bottom hooks are usually secured to the objects via lifting slings.

Fig.4 Yale Ergo 360 used for lifting and pulling.

 

Applications: 
Lever hoists are ideal for machinery alignment, maintenance, repair and installation in many industrial areas thanks to their capability of vertical and horizontal movements. They're heavily used on construction sites, railroads; in the wind energy industry, utilities, lumber yards and mining environments. The compact size is critical while working in the extremely cramped engine compartment in a tight space, or in confined places underneath a car. Some typical applications would be for:
&#; Aligning pipes, plates, and beams for welding or bolting operations
&#; Pulling conveyor belt and/or rails together to make connections during install, maintenance, and repair
&#; Opening railroad car doors
&#; Moving parts, such as yaw motors, into place during maintenance of a wind turbine
&#; Tensioning utility lines (used together with wire grips)
&#; Straightening poles 
&#; Pulling tree stumps from the ground
&#; Installing fences
&#; Pulling pipe
&#; Stretching wires
&#; Lifting and lowering in some industries where the risk of an explosion is high such as metal processing companies and energy production companies. (An explosion-protection-rated lever hoist should be considered.)

 

7+ Popular Manual Hoist Uses in your Daily Life

Manual hoists are also broadly used in non-industrial areas. 50% of our manual hoist enquires are from general consumers who intend to use them at home or on the farm. They also comprise a large number of the lever-operated hoists sold. Here're the applications we have come across the most:

A. Chain Block:

• To lift motorcycle engines and frames on their own
• To lift things up to a storage area in the garage
• To lift the motorcycle off the ground for an easier oil change
• To lift a garden tractor front end about 3-4 feet to clean the mowing deck and change the mowing blades

B. Lever Hoist:

• To lift sailboat out of the trailer
• To pull a 10,000-pound dozer/backhoe up onto a trailer
• To pull a generator out of a boat.
• To be used to help with tree removal.
• To lift, reposition and align marine engine (big block) without actually removing it from the boat.
• To lift the front of a zero-turn mower to change blades.
• To be attached to a small work crane to lift around 100 lbs of steel cover

 

Best 3 Hoist Picks: You Can't Go Wrong with Them

Lever Hoist vs Chain Hoist is well covered. Next, let's take a look at the manual hoists our MTN rigging experts handpicked for us!

#1  Yale VSIII Block and Tackle 

This chain block has been designed to prevent canting, or jamming, of the hand chain, ensuring the smooth running of the hand chain, load chain, and drive pinion. You can purchase this hoist knowing your production won&#;t be halted by malfunctioning of the hand chain. Also, this medium-duty manual chain hoist is perfect for outdoor use as it has the fully enclosed stamped steel housing. If your business operates outdoors, this hoist will meet your needs.

PS: We understand the importance of lifting safety for every business so we provide chain hoist bag (chain container) option to house the slack chain, reducing lifting hazards. You don't need to worry about the chain hoist bag size because we will select the properly fitted one for your order.
PPS: The heavy-duty range from 10,000kg to 50,000kg has lately been added.

#2  Yalelift 360 Block and Tackle 

It has a revolutionary design that contains a 360-degree rotating hand chain guide which allows the user to flexibly and safely operate the hoist from all directions or in confined spaces. With this device, operators are no longer within the danger zone as before. It is also very suitable for heavy industrial applications. 

Combined with a manual trolley, it provides the horizontal motion of the hoist along a beam/bridge rail, creating even more flexibility in the application of the Yalelift 360.

#3 Coffing Lever Hoist

When it comes to lever hoist, CM's Coffing Lever Hoist with the capacity of 750 kg is the prime example of an economical, user-friendly lever chain hoist. All have been tested at 125% of rated capacity and inspected per ASME B30.21. You can ensure a prolonged service life with proper lubrication to this lever hoist.

Coffing Lever Hoist [ US market only]

Coffing - The Man who Invented the Chain Hoists
Date back to the early s, Fred W. Coffing was busy creating the chain hoist in his barn workshop while the rest of the country suffered during the great depression. He successfully developed the Coffing Hoist Company in Danville and sold the Coffing hoists to utility companies and many farms. Thanks to the rise of circus acts in the USA at this time, Coffing hoists were on demand. A well-known high wire professional, Huburt Castle, said Coffing hoists were the safest and most reliable gear for tensioning a wire. 

 

You can find our Yale manual chain hoists at a very affordable price at MTN SHOP.

 

Reasons for Not Choosing Manual Hoists

While manual chain hoists are effective for lifting and lowering materials across industries, electric hoists in a number of instances should be considered depending on your applications. Here are some situations where you may consider switching to an electric hoist:

• Speed is the criteria for your work and you need to keep things running efficiently.

• Loads to be lifted/lowered can't enable you to physically stand close to the chain for operation.

• A long lift, e.g. lifting a load over 18 meters
• A heavy load to be handled
• Transport the hoist with heavy loads 

  along the long runway beam

 

8 FAQs by Chain Block and Lever Hoist Users

What Is A Lever Hoist?

Lever hoists is a portable mechanical device. It can be used horizontally and vertically for applications like pulling, dragging, stretching and positioning heavy loads across industries by operating its ratchet lever with one hand. That's why it's also called ratchet lever hoist.

How Does A Lever Chain Hoist Work?

A lever hoist has a ratchet and pawl system fitted with a load chain. A manual action of cranking the lever forwards and backwards allows the system to turn, making the chain pass over it to either bring in the chain or advance the chain out, i.e. to move the load.

How Do You Use A Lever Hoist?

After securing the top hook and the load, you can: 1/Raise the load: by turning pawl rod lever to the lifting position (&#;) and then operating the lever with a pumping action. 2/Lower the load: by turning pawl rod lever to the lowering position (&#;) and then operating the lever with a pumping action. 3/Adjust the chain length: by turning pawl rod lever to the neutral position (central). The chain can now be pulled in both directions and the bottom hook will be quickly brought to the required position.

How Does A Chain Hoist Work?

Once a small pulling force is applied to the hand chain, it is transformed over a long distance to make a hand-chain wheel turn a series of cogs, axles, gears, and sprockets. They increase the mechanical work applied when pulling the chain many times, and in turn rotates the second load chain to lift or lower your heavy load.

How Many Types Of Chain Blocks Are There?

There are mainly 3 types of chain block/chain hoist - fitted with a top hook, push trolley and geared trolley - for different suspension methods. (More will be discussed below)

How Do You Attach A Chain Hoist?

Common ways to mount a chain hoist is by attaching it to a beam with a beam clamp or to a secure anchor with a shackle. If the load has to be moved from one place to the other, a trolley will be the right suspension choice that can traverse the length of the beam flange it is attached to, carrying the load to the desired place with minimal effort.

Can I Use A Chain Hoist To Pull Horizontally?

(Hand) chain hoists, typically, can only be used vertically. If they are used to move the load horizontally, the chain will get jammed and gears inside can be damaged to shorten the lifespan. However, some chain hoists with a 360° rotating hand chain guide that allows hoists to operate horizontally.

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