Chain hoists, hand hoists, or lever hoists? They all look the same, but how do they work and what are the benefits of each?
When it comes to chain hoists, there are a number of different options to choose from. Whether it is a manual hand chain hoist, lever hoist, or electric chain hoist, each system has its own pros and cons.
Do powered chain hoists work the same as manual chain hoists?
The biggest difference between a powered chain hoist and a manual chain hoist (besides the motor) is that the motor works with the brake to ensure the load is held securely while lifting.
When the electric hoist is running, all the power goes to the motor. But when the motor stops, the power automatically switches to the brake. This eliminates the chance of human error and ensures the hoist is safe to use.
A manual chain hoist is typically used in areas where you don’t have to lift heavy loads very often. While these hoists work great, they are very slow and not ideal for frequent use.
What Makes Electric Chain Hoists Tick?
Electric chain hoists are operated with a pendant or radio control rather than by hand like a manual chain hoist. This makes them easier to use and safer because you can stand away from the load while you lift it.
Most electric motors can run at high torque for about 30 minutes. They also have an electric and mechanical braking system to hold the load in place.
You can get single-speed, dual-speed, or variable speed with most electric chain hoists. Single-speed is the most common, but dual-speed and variable speed are better when you need to move and position loads more precisely.
Electric chain hoists can also have smart features that make them easier to use, like systems that automatically adjust the lifting speed to reduce the load from swinging.
They also have more safety features and sensors to keep you from overloading the hoist.
How does a lever chain hoist work?
A lever chain hoist is the lowest profile and arguably the cheapest hoist solution available. It is a simple system made up of a geared ratchet that is operated by a hand-sized ergonomic lever.
The ratchet will commonly have three positions:
- “Up” to raise the load
- “Down” to lower the load
- “Neutral” to allow for free-chaining.
Free-chaining disengages the ratchet mechanism from the chain so that you can manually reduce or increase the chain length. This is usually for the process of attaching or removing the load from the hook because it allows you to take up or reduce slack in the chain.
Most lever systems are designed to be incredibly simple to use with just one hand. They are generally used for smaller loads but some models can lift up to 3 tons.
A lever hoist is ideal when you need it portable and infrequent – for example, to aid in installations on multiple sites. It’s an incredibly flexible and practical hoisting solution for low-use cases.
How Does a Hand Chain Hoist Work?
A hand chain hoist is also called a chain block. It has a chain loop that you control by hand to turn a chain wheel. This chain wheel is connected to a short driveshaft and gear system. It multiplies your effort to drive a slow-moving, high-torque gear to lift or lower the load. The gear system also has a brake pawl to keep the load from slipping.
The gear system is designed to make it easy for you to lift loads with little effort. This means you can lift heavier loads with less effort.
Each chain hoist has a maximum load capacity that is determined by the gearing. This means that as you lift heavier loads, the speed at which you lift or lower the load slows down.
Like lever chain hoists, hand chain hoists are less expensive than electric chain hoists. This makes them a good choice when you don’t have to lift things very often in a manufacturing, production, or general work environment.
