A chain hoist, or chain fall, is a mechanical device for lifting and lowering heavy stuff with ease. You operate it by hand, so it’s great in places where you don’t have power. It’s simple enough that you can use it safely and easily by yourself, and it’s more about being precise than being fast when you’re lifting things.
Parts of a Chain Block
Here’s what you need to know about the parts of a chain block:
- Chain: The chain that lifts and supports the weight of the load. It’s made of strong steel to handle heavy loads.
- Chain Lever: The chain you use to control the lifting mechanism. You pull it to lift or lower the load.
- Hook: The hook at the end of the chain that you use to attach the load. It’s strong and secure.
- Sprocket: The wheel that drives the chain. It connects the gearbox to the chain, so you can lift things.
- Pawl: The part that stops the chain from going the wrong way. It makes sure the load stays up by preventing the chain from slipping.
- Gears: The parts that make the chain go up and down. They make the chain stronger, so you can lift things.
- Brake: The part that stops the load from moving. It keeps the load from falling and makes sure it stays up when you lift it.
- Gearbox: The box that holds the gears. It keeps the gears safe and makes sure they work right.
- Handle: The handle you use to control the chain. You use it to lift and lower things.
How Does a Chain Block Work?
To use a chain block, first you gotta hook the load to the lifting hook. The lifting chain, wrapped around two wheels, tightens its grip when you pull the hand chain. This action creates a loop inside the machine, which creates tension that lifts the load off the ground.
You can hook chain blocks to lifting slings to lift the load more evenly. These slings can be made of chain, webbing, or wire rope.
What Do People Use Chain Blocks For?
People use chain blocks to lift and lower heavy things with control and safety. They use them in construction, manufacturing, transport, and maintenance. They’re great when you can’t lift something by hand or it’s not safe to do so. They’re also good when you don’t have power. You can use them by yourself, and you can use them safely. For example, you could use a chain block if you’re a mechanic and you need to lower a hoist into place gently. You could use one if you’re a mechanic and you need to get a motor out of a tight spot. You could use one in a factory to lift heavy things onto a conveyor belt.
What’s the Difference Between a Chain Block and a Chain Hoist?
When people talk about chain blocks and chain hoists, they’re usually talking about the same thing: equipment that uses chains to lift heavy stuff. But there is a difference. A chain block is a manual lifting device. A chain hoist can be either manual or electric.
Chain blocks have a number of advantages:
- No Power Required: They’re operated by hand, so they’re great for places without power or where power is limited.
- Easy to Operate: They’re simple, so one person can operate them.
- Easy to Move: They’re small and light, so they’re easy to transport and set up.
- Inexpensive: They’re usually cheaper than electric hoists, so you don’t have to spend as much money to get started and to keep them running.
- Low Maintenance: They don’t require as much maintenance as more complicated lifting equipment, so you don’t have to spend as much money to keep them running.
Some of the big downsides to chain hoists are:
- Slow: They’re not good for jobs where you need to lift and lower things quickly because you have to do it by hand, and that takes longer than an electric hoist.
- Weak: They usually can’t lift as much as an electric hoist, so you can’t use them for really heavy stuff.
- Limited: They’re usually only for lifting stuff straight up and down, so you can’t use them to lift things at an angle or sideways.
How to Buy a Chain Block
When you’re buying a manual chain block, make sure it’s got enough capacity for what you want to lift and look for brands that give you the best protection in terms of safety (overload protection). Look for brands that give you the best value in terms of how long they last and how much they cost you to own.
Watch out for brands that use non-standard chain sizes because that can affect your productivity when distributors don’t have stock. Non-standard chains also usually cost a lot more than standard chains and there’s no quality improvement in them.
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Our Range of Manual Chain Blocks
We have a range of manual chain blocks that are a cost-effective, safe and portable alternative to electric chain hoists. With load capacities from 250kg to 30 tonnes, our chain blocks have galvanised load chains, corrosion-resistant stainless-steel housing and reliable safety brakes. They are compact and robust, making them ideal for a range of industries, ensuring secure and precise lifting operations.
