How to avoid key mistakes to get the best hoist equipment?
Purchasing a hoist that’s too slow for the operation.
- A slower speed means lower horse power and a cheaper price.
- The slower speed means it takes longer to do their job.
- Avoid this issue by checking the speed of the unit you’re replacing.
Buying a push trolley when a powered trolley is needed.
- When purchasing a trolley, here’s a general guideline: If an operator can safely push on the load at all times, then a push trolley will be fine.
- However, if the load is dangerous to handle, if there’s an opening in the floor, or if the operator needs to stand away from the load, then a motor-driven trolley is required.
Buying a manual hoist for a long lift application.
- Manual hoists, units that lift and lower the load when the operator pulls the hand chain, are designed for relatively short heights.
- Any lift more than 6 meters really needs to be made by a powered hoist.
Purchasing a custom hoist with a finish unsuited for the environment.
- Hoists made standard by most manufacturers are finished with paint suitable for indoor use.
- If you need hoisting equipment for use outdoors or in an area where harsh chemicals are present, a special finish (for example – primer, finish coat, and/or urethane top coat) is well worth the extra cost for longer lasting equipment.
- No matter what, never purchase a custom hoist without any finish.
- Declining the paint charge might seem like a savings, but the unit will likely be rusted before it hits your factory floor.
Purchasing a standard Electric hoist for a hazardous location.
- Hazardous locations are defined by the National Electric Code by Class, Group, and Division.
- Electric hoists and trolleys must be specially configured for the requirements of the particular application.
- Using a standard hoist in a hazardous location could cause a catastrophic accident.
Buying a single reeved hoist when true vertical lift is required.
- If you need the hoist to place an object precisely in one spot, then you need true vertical lift and double reeved wire rope hoist.
- Single reeved wire rope hoists are adequate for any application that doesn’t mind “hook drift’ – or, when the wire rope cable moves on and off the drum during the course of raising and lower the hook.
Purchasing a standard duty unit for a heavy duty cycle and trying to compensate with a higher capacity.
- Let’s say you have a 5 ton application where the hoist unit is used multiple times a day. It’s often rationalized that a 10 ton capacity hoist will be able to do the job since it can lift twice the load. However, this isn’t the case.
- To accommodate a high duty cycle, upgrade the hoist motor, the hoist brake and the controls.
- Specify heat treated sheaves and trolley wheels. Upgrades on a 5-ton capacity hoist will extend the operating life of the unit and save money overall.
Contact us for questions about standards hoists or specialty applications.
