What is an electric wire rope hoist?

29, Apr. 2024

 

What is an electric wire rope hoist?

What’s A Rope Hoist? Basics of Electric Wire Rope Hoists & Rope Hoists


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Electric Wire Rope Hoists Basics Overview: What's an electric wire rope hoist? What are the main types of rope hoists? What are the uses of electric wire rope hoist? How to select the right electric wire rope hoist for your application? How to inspect an electric wire rope hoist? Everything you want to know about electric wire rope hoist are presented for your reference.

What is an electric wire rope hoist?

The Electric wire rope hoist is one of the most in-demand products where there is a need for lifting weights up to 20 tons. It is one commonly purchased product from us. The assurance of quality offered by us has made the wire rope hoist quite popular among users. The versatile options available with the Hoist give more reliability, and henceforth we have emerged as one of the most trusted suppliers of electric wire rope hoist.

In most of the weight lifting locations, requirements keep changing as per the ongoing work. So, the rope hoist offered by us has been customized to fit all sorts of needs. The versatility management is taken into special consideration to give absolute satisfaction to clients. The custom-tailored option is one prime benefit of associating with us. Either you need a Hoist for your building or runway; an electric wire rope hoist is well adjusted for both cases. It is available in a double girder model or monorail both. You can choose as per your need, for easy movement swivel trolley would do the perfect job, for turning radius, flexible trolley model is a great fit, and for normal usage, normal hoist trolley is what you all need.

You simply put your needs to us, and we will offer you the most suitable match for the job. The wire rope hoist availed by us is sturdy and flexible enough to suit the tough jobs. Those who need wire rope hoist for a hazardous environment are served as well. We offer rope hoist for these typical environments too. In general, it is suggested to get full EOT Crane as this offer safety of the lifting equipment. But, those who are working on a limited budget can have Electric Wire Rope Hoist and use it in the available crane they have. The best part is offered servicing of the whole crane even in case you only buy the electric wire rope hoist from us.

What does an electric wire rope hoist do?

Hoists are electro-mechanical systems that use mechanical advantages to sustain hanging loads and move objects vertically. Mechanical hoists work by distributing weight using gears or pulleys and converting low-range force over long distances into huge forces over short distances. It works by winding a wire rope around a drum or a passing chain over a sprocket and then over different radii of gears and pulleys. This is referred to as reeving, and it is crucial in deciding how the load's force will be distributed.

Hoisting equipment is utilized in both mobile and stationary operations, as well as for general lifting. They can also be utilized for specific tasks like removing automotive engines and the like. They work by securing a hook to the load's fixed end, which connects it to a trolley and crane, and a hook to the load's moveable end, which engages the load.

Let's have a look at how different types of electric hoists are classified and what characteristics they offer.

CD Single Speed Electric Wire Rope Hoist

  • Lifting Capacity: 0.5 ton, 1 ton, 3 ton, 5 ton, 10 ton up to 32 ton
  • Lifting Height: 6m to 50m
  • Lifting Speed: 3.5m/min to 8m/min
  • Working Class: M3, M4
  • Ambient Temperature: -20℃ to 40℃

MD Double Speed Electric Wire Rope Hoist

  • Lifting Capacity: 0.5t to 32t
  • Lifting Height: 6m to 48m
  • Lifting Speed: 3.5/0.35m/min to 8/0.8m/min
  • Working Class: M3
  • Ambient Temperature: -20℃ to 40℃

Fixed Type Electric Wire Rope Hoist

  • Lifting Capacity:0.25t to 50t
  • Lifting Height: 3m to 100m
  • Lifting Speed: 0.33~8,Single or Dual Speed
  • Working Class: M3, M4
  • Ambient Temperature: -20℃ to 40℃

Travelling Electric Wire Rope Hoist

  • Lifting Capacity:0.25t to 50t
  • Lifting Height: 3m to 100m
  • Lifting Speed: 0.33~8,Single or Dual Speed
  • Working Class: M3, M4
  • Ambient Temperature: -20℃ to 40℃

Types of electric wire rope hoists and their applications

What are the main types of electric wire rope hoists?Let's take a look at some of the most common hoist equipment and how it's used.

  • Fix Form Hoist: This type of electric wire ropehoist is utilized when the application only requires vertical motion to be handled by a hoist. The most typical use of this sort of hoist is for "goods lifts," in which the hoist is positioned at the top of the building and the stuff is hoisted at various floor levels. It is foot mounted in the case of a wire rope hoist and top hook mounted in the case of a chain hoist.
  • Push-Pull or Geared Trolley Hoist: It is a type of hoisting equipment that has a piece of hand-operated trolley at the top with a wheel for manual lateral motion. Typically, the load-bearing capacity is up to 3 tonnes. This type of hoist is ideally suited for a Jib Crane.
  • Electric Trolley Wire Rope Hoist: The Electric Trolley Wire Rope Hoist is heavy-duty electric equipment that can be used in harsh environments. One of the fastest moving hoists is this one. It has an electric motor for lifting and another for lateral movement, and it can carry a load of more than 20 tonnes under the monorail beam. More substantial load-bearing capabilities can be designed into specific power travel hoists. This Hoist is capable of delivering the needed results, particularly in steel mills and chemical industries.
  • Double Rail Hoist: The double rail hoist was created with the sole purpose of supporting double-girder cranes. In the industry, it's also referred to as the crab hoist. Double girder cranes are frequently utilized for long periods of time, necessitating the usage of specialist hoisting equipment. This is where the crab hoist moves along smoothly and completes its task.
  • Flame Proof Hoist: The name perfectly defines its function, and it is essential in fire-prone areas. Chemical industries and oil refineries are two common places where this Hoist is needed. Its working capacity is comparable to that of a standard hoist, and it may be controlled electrically via a handheld pendant.
  • Flexible Trolley Hoist: This is the most adaptable hoisting equipment available, with plenty of maneuverability. It's especially beneficial in circumstances that necessitate cross-movement. It can effortlessly navigate around twists and turns and modify its direction when necessary. They are essential in large warehouses and manufacturing plants.
  • Other types: In addition to the conventional electric hoists mentioned above, there are a few variations of electric hoists that are modifications of the fundamental types. The double rail type hoists and the suspension hosts are two popular variants that work on the same concept but have various applications in different industries.

What's vital to remember is that if you're going to buy a wire rope hoist, you should be conversant with its specifications. Of course, becoming technically sound is impossible, but knowing important features and significant requirements will always come in handy. In addition, you must consider the type of Hoist you require as well as the role it will serve.

Low head room rope hoist up to 32 ton

Low head room wire rope electric wire rope hoist

  • Eelectric wire rope hoist type: wire rope hoists with low headroom & low profile design
  • Lifting capacity of low headroom wire rope hoist: 1ton to 32 ton
  • Lifting height of of low headroom wire rope hoist:6m,- 30m,
  • Lift Speed of of low headroom wire rope hoist: 0.8-8m/min
  • Working class of low headroom wire rope hoist: M3-M4
  • Click for more on low headroom wire rope hoists.

Explosion proof rope hoist up 16 ton

Main parameters of the explosion proof wire rope hoists:

  • Hoist Type: BCD wire rope hoists with features of explosion proof , spark resistance and flame proof
  • Lifting capacity of explosion proof wire rope hoist : 0.5~16t
  • Lifting height of explosion proof wire rope hoist: 6~18m
  • Working class of explosion proof wire rope hoist: M3
  • Ambient temperature of explosion proof wire rope hoist: -25~40℃
  • Click for more on explosion proof electric wire rope hoist.

Metallurgical use heavy duty ladle hoist up to 10 ton

Metallurgical use wire rope electric wire rope hoist

  • Hoist crane Type: metallurgical use wire rope hoists, ladle hoists
  • Lifting capacity of ladle electric wire rope hoist : 1~10t
  • Lifting height of ladle electric wire rope hoist: 6~18m
  • Working class of ladle electric wire rope hoist: M5
  • Ambient temperature of ladle electric wire rope hoist: -10℃~+60℃
  • Click for more on ladle handling wire rope hoists.

Double hook wire rope hoists 0.5 tonto 32 ton

Double hook wire rope hoists

  • Lifting capacity of double hook wire rope hoists : 0.5t to 32t
  • Lifting height of double hook wire rope hoists : 6m to 50m
  • Lifting speed of double hook wire rope hoists : 3.5m/min to 8m/min
  • Working class of double hook wire rope hoists :M3, M4
  • Ambient temperature of double hook wire rope hoists : -20℃ to 40℃
  • Click for more on double hook wire rope hoists.

Advantages of standard featured wire rope hoist

The electric wire rope hoist is weatherproof and portable. There must be an easy-to-maintain electrical control system as well as an extra chain for lifting at higher heights. To avoid any complications, the hoisting gear box, motor, and break should all be contained in a single compact unit. What's the advantages of electric wire rope hoist?

The following are some of the advantages of typical electric wire rope hoists:

  • Electric wire rope hoists have a compact form that allows for crane modernization based on current industry need and supply.
  • Electric wire rope hoists are simple to use and operate, and they are readily accessible on the market.
  • Provides assurance of safety and prevents material damage.
  • This is a time-saving technology because it completed tasks in a matter of minutes rather than hours.
  • The use of an electric wire rope hoist is particularly safe for lifting heavier loads and requires no personal effort.

Working with an electric wire rope hoist is a difficult task, but wire rope makes it simple, and its greatest qualities are important for finding the best wire rope hoist.

How to select the right electric wire rope hoist for your application?

  • Check with your team to see what weight needs to be recorded on the site for load lifting. Then choose an electric wire rope hoist with a capacity that exceeds your daily requirements. This increases the Hoist's durability while also lowering the chance of an accident. You can improve the safety, quality, and durability of your work site with this basic maintenance. By selecting the appropriate product, you may increase your work pace while also ensuring that you are prepared if the need for additional weight lifting arises in the future.
  • Expected Number of Lifts: It's also important to examine how many lifts are expected on a daily basis. The tensile strength necessary for various weights and turn numbers is just as important as the other parameters. The tensile strength required varies depending on the material. So, when purchasing a machine, keep an eye out for the estimated number of lifts and select the appropriate model.
  • Assess your Future Requirements: A company's success is dependent on its ability to grow and expand. For better returns, one must broaden one's horizon over time, which necessitates better investment. As a result, when you buy a hoist, you consider it an investment in your company. Make sure to factor in future needs when making an investment so that it pays off in the long term.
  • Prioritize your requirements: When purchasing a wire rope hoist, the most prevalent concept is that it must be sturdy, robust, and long-lasting. However, this is not the best strategy. Instead, look at what kinds of things need to be boosted at your site, and if there are any smart products on the list, emphasize them. Hoists with professional control and reinforced ropes are more suitable than those that are just rough and tough. Grip, flexibility, and material requirements all differ depending on the situation. Prioritize your needs and get a hoist that will meet them the most effectively.

Choosing between a wire hoist and a chain hoist: Wire hoists are more precise for lifting heavier loads. A chain hoist is better for small-scale tasks since it executes the job more compactly. As a result, both are suitable in different ways, and the option should be made based on the sort of task. When precision is required, variety is required, and applications can vary even on normal days; wire hoists are chosen over chain hoists. If you're looking for a more cost-effective option, the chain hoist is a good option. It is more cost-effective. These are small and are commonly used in small businesses as an alternative to wire hoists.

As a result, you must determine the type of lifting need, environmental conditions, budget, and number of lifts. Analyzing these variables will assist you in selecting the Electric Wire Rope Hoist that will provide the most value to your company.

How to check an electric wire rope hoist?

How to checkan electric wire rope hoist? The Electric Wire Rope Hoist, as the name implies, uses electricity to lift big loads with the aid of a rope-wrapped drum. Rope hoists are used in industries to carry huge goods up and down. These wire rope hoists may be handy and beneficial in situations when standing is dangerous. The electric rope hoist can safely raise weights ranging from 500 kilograms to 20 tons. However, before purchasing a hoist, make sure you discuss your needs with the company so you don't run into any problems later.

Using a hoist is a tricky job; its operation can be done comfortably if the operator handles it the right way. Before you use any rope hoist for the first time, you should get well versed with its working components. We suggest that an individual with working and composition knowledge has fewer chances of an accident.

Here are few tips that may help you improve electric wire rope hoist safely:

Purchasing the perfect wire rope hoist

First and foremost, be certain you're acquiring the correct electric wire rope hoist for your industrial demands. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever

As a result, make sure the product you buy is the best fit for your industry. This is only done if the load demand as well as the application have been carefully stated. You can use the internet for assistance or suggestions.

Do all the checks

A kit of electric wire rope hoists includes an instruction manual with operation instructions. Before using an Electric Wire Rope Hoist, it is recommended that you do a few checks and tests.

Checking if the voltage satisfies the motor's requirements is one of these tests. Also, check if the lubricant is filled or not, as well as all of the limit switches. The test ensures that the hoist is in good working order and can be used for an extended period of time.

Ensure that nobody is under the hoist

Before you use the rope hoist, be sure no one is standing underneath the hook. It is possible to take it normally, but this is highly dangerous. As a result, make sure no one is standing underneath the hoist while it is operating.

Following these guidelines, it's critical to understand how to operate an electric wire rope hoist.

How to use an electric wire rope hoist?

Electric motors, gearbox, rope drum with rope guides, and a large wire rope with a hook make up an electric wire rope hoist. These hoists are designed to transport big things in a range of environments, including extreme heat while welding, furnaces, acidic environments, and over the burners. It is recommended that you have clear criteria before purchasing and utilizing a hoist and place your order appropriately. You'll need instructions and training for using the wire rope hoist from a rope hoist provider or from electric wire rope hoist professionals on a regular basis.

Step by step instructions

  • Check the voltage of your hoist to make sure the motor voltage matches the voltage of your available power supply. Only connect the hoist to the power source after you've double-checked everything. The voltage is related to the hoist's speed. Even if the change is minimal, the speed obtained will differ from that stated in the instructions.
  • Inspect the lubrication- Double-check the lubrication. You must make sure that the gearboxes are filled to the recommended oil or grease grade during this procedure
  • Test control pendant switches- Before the electric hoist carries the load, check your control pendant switches. By pressing the emergency stop button and ensuring that the wire rope hoist stops moving, you can test it. Turn the emergency stop button to the left, as illustrated over the switch, to release it.
  • Test for wire rope tangling by lowering or lifting the rope all the way to ensure it is not tangled. Make sure to disentangle the rope if it has become twisted. If the rope is twisted, wait until it is untangled before continuing.
  • Check the Limit Switches- This is a critical check that must be performed. Press the up button all the way to test the hoist limit switch. When the hook reaches the top of the hoist, the limit switch should disconnect. Press the down button to repeat the test.
  • Test Cross Travel Motion- To move the crane to the right or left, press the second set of arrows on your control switch. Take the hoist to the monorail's far end or the Crane Bridge to make that the cross travel limit switches are operating.

To test the long travel motion, move the crane horizontally using the third set of arrows on your control switch. By moving the crane to the far end of the gantry rails, you can make sure the cross travel limit switches are functional.

To lower the crane for a test run, press the down arrow in the first set of arrows on your control switch. You can hoist your weight by pressing the up arrow after your hook has been linked to it. To get the load to its destination, use the second and third sets of arrows.

Applications

The Electric wire rope hoists are widely used on overhead bridge crane, gantry crane, and jib cranes either in the configuration of single girder crane design or double girder crane design and also the electric wire hoists can be hung on H beam or i beam girder or liner curved beams for loads or products handling in various industrial applications such as in factories, warehouse, workshops, workstations, factories, wharf, mines, fright yards and others, etc.

Electric wire rope hoist for single girder hoist cranes

The standard electric wire rope hoists is a typical single girder hoists which are widely used on H beam or i beam girder or liner curved beams or installed on single girder overhead crane, single girder gantry crane and single girder jib cranes for light and moderate material handling.

The single girder electric wire rope hoists are typically used on single girder overhead hoist crane systems. With the monorail hoist trolley, the single girder electric wire rope hoists are attached and move along the bottom beam girder flange. The standard wire rope single girder hoists are normally adopted in the applications where there is no working height restrictions under the beam. For low headroom application, the low headroom electric wire rope hoists will be a better selection.

Overhead electric wire rope hoist crane
Electric wire rope hoists used on single girder overhead travelling crane. Contact us to get more on Electric wire rope hoist crane design and hoist crane price.

Electric wire rope hoist gantry crane
Electric wire rope hoists used on single girder overhead travelling gantry crane. Contact us to get more on Electric wire rope hoist crane design and gantry hoist crane price.

Electric wire rope hoist jib crane
Electric wire rope hoists can be used on various jib cranes including pillar jib crane, wall mounted and wall travelling hoist jib crane, etc. Contact us to get your process designed rope hoist crane and crane price.

Portable gantry crane
Electric wire rope hoist also can be used on small gantry cranes for light duty material handling with features of small, convenient and economical. Contact us to get portable hoist gantry crane and price.

Single girder ladle handling hoist crane
Speacially designed Electric wire rope hoist for ladle handling which can be used on single girder overhead crane for ladle handling with high safety and cost-effective.

Electric wire rope hoist low headroom crane
The hoist crane is a special designed single girder overhead crane with the lifting hoist placed at aside of the main girder to improve the lifting height. It is a low cost low headroom electric wire rope hoist crane.

Electric wire rope hoists for double girder hoist cranes

Double girder hoist is developed on the basic of single speed & double speed Electric wire rope hoist, which is consisted of electric wire hoist, rope hoist trolley, hoist trolley motor, hoist trolley wheel,and hoist trolley frame,etc. With double girder hoist design, the electric cable hoists can be used on double beam overhead cranes and double girder gantry cranes for general material handling.

The hoist trolleys also called hoist crabs are designed for double girder cranes which are good hoisting solutions for heavy duty overhead material handling with higher safe working loads . A hoist crab rides on the two crane girders and runs along the top edge, with the rope with hook moving up and down between the two girders to attach to the load. The double girder hoist crab system enables the maximum possible height of lift under the crane beam, however, because the double girder hoist crab trolley sits on top of the beam, more height will be required above the crane beam girders, up into the roof space.A double girder electric wire rope hoist is typically used in areas where heavy duty lifting equipment is needed such as heavy foundries, large factories and manufacturing plants.

Electric wire rope hoist with hoist trolley
Electric wire rope hoist with hoist trolley are widely used on double girder cranes, including double girder overhead crane, double girder gantry crane, double girder truss crane, or processed industrial cranes, etc.

Double girder overhead crane
Double girder electric wire rope hoist crane is one of the most economical heavy duty overhead crane for various industrial application. Contact us to get customized double girder hoist crane design and good price.

Double girder gantry crane
Double girder gantry crane with electric wire rope hoist for outdoor material handling.The box girder hoist gantry cranes can be designed in various configurations for your selection.

Goto DJHOISTWINCH to know more.

Truss gantry crane
Truss girder gantry cranes are desigend with high wind resistance, which are widely used in windy area. Customized truss gantry cranes are available.

Electric wire rope hoist crane with double girder crane design
Wide specifications, various designs, heavy duty application, good hoist crane price.

Customized Electric wire rope hoist crane
Customized electric wire rope hoist trolley cranes are available for your specific application and lifting requirements.

Get your customized electric wire rope hoist

Versatility entails custom-tailored solutions for all of your lifting requirements. If you have the space, go with a normal headroom hoisting trolley; if you don't, go with a low headroom type. Flexibility is crucial, and it's available in single or double girder configurations. Do you require a swivel trolley for better mobility? When movement is restricted, how about a permanent hoist? The wire ropes are durable, flexible, and tailored to your precise reeving needs. Tell us what you need, and we'll find a hoist that fits.Wire rope hoists are also available for use in hazardous settings.

Article by Bella

,who has been in the hoist and crane field since 2016. Bella provides overhead crane & gantry crane consultation services for clients who need a customized overhead travelling crane solution.Contact her to get free consultation.


Factors to Consider When Selecting a Hoist

Hoisting & Lifting Equipment | How To's | By | Feb 17, 2020

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 are looking for more details, kindly visit Explosion Proof Wire Rope Hoist.