Unless you&#;re a seasoned veteran, choosing the right hoist to buy can be a daunting task. But have no fear. This guide will make things absolutely clear about which hoist is right for your specific need. Without further ado, let&#;s walk step-by-step through the Ultimate Hoist Buyer&#;s Guide.
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A hoist is a machine specifically designed to raise and lower loads that are too heavy for manpower alone. Hoists have a drum or wheel around which wraps either a chain or rope which controls whether the load is raised or lowered. Most hoists are electric-powered, but they can also be pneumatic (air-powered) or manually operated. To learn more, check out our article explaining what hoists are, as well as some examples and tips when operating them.
Generally speaking, hoists are used for lifting and lowering heavy loads. However, hoists are used in many different industries for various applications. To be more specific, hoists are used for construction purposes, in the automotive industry, and even in the aerospace industry. In fact, we compiled a list of 15 use cases for hoists in various industries.
The first step to determining which hoist you should buy is in researching which general type of hoist will best suit your needs. After that is determined, we can nail down the specifics. So what are the different types of hoists?
Manual chain hoists are not powered by electricity or air pressure but rather by lever-action or a hand chain. Operating a manual hoist, i.e. raising or lowering the load, is done by cranking the lever or by pulling either end of the hand chain.
Manual chain hoists are not ideal for every scenario. However, there are plenty of situations where a manual hoist is the best solution. Let&#;s review some advantages and disadvantages of using manual hoists over a powered hoist.
Advantages of Manual Chain Hoists:
Disadvantages of Manual Chain Hoists:
In our experience, CM hand chain hoists are some of the best in the industry and they offer a large selection of products. However, we also put together a list of the top 3 best manual chain hoists if you&#;d like to do some more research. With that said, these are our favorite hand chain hoists in the CM line and they all come with a lifetime warranty.
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Electric chain hoists are powered by electricity and utilize chains as opposed to wire rope to lift their load. Instead of having to manually crank a lever, the operator of an electric chain hoist need only push a button to raise or lower the cargo.
Just as manual chain hoists are not ideal for every scenario, electric chain hoists have their pros and cons. Ultimately, the choice to purchase this type of hoist will depend on your intended use case. Let&#;s look at those pros and cons.
Advantages of Electric Chain Hoists:
Disadvantages of Electric Chain Hoists:
According to our experts, the best electric chain hoists are manufactured by Budgit, CM, Coffing, and Harrington. However, we also put together a list of the top 5 best electric chain hoists if you&#;d like to do some more research. With that said, these are some of our favorite electric chain hoists from the aforementioned brands.
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Air chain hoists, also known as pneumatic chain hoists, are powered by compressed air. Instead of cranking as you would a manual hoist or connecting it to a circuit, pneumatic hoists are instead connected to an air compressor.
Air-powered hoists are the perfect choice for certain situations but not for others. Let&#;s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of air hoists.
Advantages of Air Chain Hoists:
Disadvantages of Air Chain Hoists:
There are several hoist manufacturers that produce air chain hoists. However, we have found Budgit air-powered hoists to be some of the best in the industry. With that said, feel free to review our list of the top 3 best air chain hoists if you&#;d like more information. Yet, these are certainly among the best pneumatic hoists out there.
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Wire rope hoists refer not to the source of power, i.e. electric or air, but rather to what connects the hoist to its load. Therefore, wire rope hoists can be either air-powered or electric-powered.
Chain hoists are more common than wire rope hoists. However, wire rope hoists also have the greatest utility within particular industries. Depending on the circumstances, these will be the best type of hoist for the job at hand.
Advantages of Wire Rope Hoists:
Disadvantages of Wire Rope Hoists:
Out of all wire rope manufacturers, we&#;ve found Yale to be among the most reliable brands. They&#;ve been a leader in the hoist manufacturing business for over a century. We have a few Yale wire rope hoists featured below or feel free to browse all wire rope hoists by clicking the button below.
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Now we know of the different types of hoists available: electric chain hoists, air chain hoists, manual chain hoists, and wire rope hoists. Now it&#;s time to determine what capacity, lift height, and other factors you should consider when choosing a hoist.
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To determine what capacity you will need for your hoist, it&#;s important to first determine the weight of the maximum load that will be lifted.
For example, if you will be lifting loads with a maximum weight of 1.5 tons, you will need a hoist with a capacity of at least 1.5 tons. Otherwise, your device will fail and you will risk injury or worse. However, it&#;s common practice to choose a capacity with at least 1/4 or 1/2 ton more than the weight of your heaviest load.
Another important factor when choosing the right equipment is the lift height, otherwise referred to simply as &#;lift&#;. To determine the lift needed, measure the distance between the load and the point at which the hoist will be mounted, then subtract the hoist headroom (the distance between the load-bearing hook and the point where the hoist will connect to the beam/trolley).
There are a few factors to consider for choosing a power source for your wire rope or electric chain hoist. First, you will have to determine if the voltage you have access to. Common voltages for powered hoists are 115V, 230V, 460V, and 575V. Next, you will need to know the phase of your power supply, either single-phase or three-phase. Typically larger and industrial workplaces will run three-phase power and have voltages over 230V. Lastly, you&#;ll need to determine hertz, the unit of measurement frequency, or the change in state or cycle in alternating current, of one cycle per second.
Air hoists, also known as pneumatic hoists, have a connected up-and-down control pendant similar to regular hoist systems. However, they also come with the added floating functionality provided by the compressed air that powers them. The beauty of the floating air function is that it allows for weightless vertical movement.
Hand chain hoists are operated by a loop of lifting chains to raise and lower their load. These are often an ideal match for construction, automotive, and hobbyist applications.
Lever hoists, also known as ratchet hoists or a come-along, allow the operator to pull, lift, and position materials in horizontal or vertical directions through a lever or crank mechanism. These provide easy rigging and operation with 360° rotation of the lever and top swivel hook.
Lift speed refers to the speed at which the hoist can raise/lower objects. The necessary lift speed will vary greatly between hoists and their various uses. Some may be single-speed or multi-speed. When determining the appropriate lift speed, there are a few factors to consider: the type of load being lifted, the weight of the load, the surrounding environment, and the space around the load.
Pendant control cable length refers to the length of the cable of the pendant control. The standard push button drop is equal to 4 feet less than the lift. Special lengths for pendant cable drop can be configured to meet specific needs as well.
Suspension refers to the mounting type of the hoist. There are two options for hanging a chain hoist, Hook mount or Lug mount. A Hook mounted hoist will come from the factory with a hook attached to the top of the body. There are two common types of hooks available, rigid and swivel. The rigid hook is in a fixed position, whereas the &#;swivel&#; hook-mounted hoist can rotate up to 360 degrees.
A trolley refers to the beam on which the hoist is mounted. There are 3 common types of trolleys; plain trolley, geared trolley, and motorized trolley. A plain/push is operated by maneuvering the trolley along the beam by human power via the hoist operator. A geared trolley is used by pulling a chain hanging from the trolley to maneuver the hoist along the beam or track. The motorized trolley option has a motor attached to the side of the trolley wheels and usually has its own control pendant.
I-Beam flange width refers to the width of the flanges at the top and bottom of the beam. The horizontal elements of the &#;I&#; are flanges, while the vertical element is the web. The web resists shear forces while the flanges resist most of the bending moment experienced by the beam. Beam theory shows that the I-shaped section is a very efficient form for carrying both bending and shears loads in the plane of the web.
In order to choose the right hoist, there are a number of factors that must be considered. For instance, hoist type, capacity, lift height, lift speed, voltage, and more. Once you have identifies the attributes needed for your hoist, feel free to browse our shop or request a quote if you need something beyond what we have listed. We&#;re determined to help you find the right lifting equipment!
In many hazardous work environments, lighting is an essential tool to ensure the safety of workers. However, in areas where explosive gases, vapours, or dust are present, the use of traditional lighting sources such as incandescent bulbs or fluorescent lamps can be dangerous. That's where Intrinsically Safe lighting comes in. In this definitive buyers guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about IS lighting, including what it means, why it's important, how it's certified, and what to consider before buying.
Intrinsically Safe is a term used to describe equipment that is designed to operate in hazardous environments without posing a risk of causing an explosion or fire. This means that IS equipment is constructed in a way that it won't ignite or create sparks, even if it encounters flammable materials. Intrinsically Safe lighting is designed to prevent sparks or hot surfaces from igniting flammable substances in the air.
The use of Intrinsically Safe LED lighting is critical in hazardous work environments because it minimizes the risk of ignition and explosion, which can cause severe damage to people and property. In addition, LED lights are highly energy-efficient, which can save money on energy costs while reducing the carbon footprint. LED lights also have a longer lifespan than traditional lighting sources, which means less maintenance and replacement costs.
LED lights are made up of electronic components, such as resistors and capacitors, which can generate heat when electrical energy passes through them. It's unusual for LED lights to catch on fire, making them a safe option. They operate at a low temperature, which is the cause. One of the main reasons why light bulb fires occur is overheating. If the bulb heats up excessively, it may harm the fixture, melt it, or heat the surroundings to the point of igniting a fire.
Intrinsically Safe products are certified by testing agencies such as UL, CSA, and ATEX. These agencies evaluate the design and construction of the product to ensure that it meets the necessary safety standards. The certification process involves rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure that the product will not cause an explosion or fire in a hazardous environment. Products that pass the certification process receive a certification mark indicating that they are safe for use in hazardous environments.
Intrinsically Safe lights are designed to prevent sparks and heat from igniting flammable substances, while explosion-proof lighting is designed to contain an explosion if it occurs. Explosion-proof lights are typically constructed with thicker, more durable materials that can withstand an explosion without shattering or breaking. Both types of lights are suitable for use in hazardous environments, but the choice depends on the application's specific needs.
When choosing intrinsically safe (IS) lighting, there are several key considerations to keep in mind. In this definitive buyer's guide, we will explore these factors and why you should consider purchasing intrinsically safe (IS) lighting from SharpEagle.
The first step in selecting intrinsically safe lighting is to determine the hazardous classification of the work environment. Different environments require different types of intrinsically safe (IS) lighting, such as explosion-proof, dust-ignition-proof, or non-incendive lighting. Choosing a lighting solution that meets the specific classification requirements of your work environment.
The lighting requirements of the work environment will also impact the selection of intrinsically safe (IS) lighting. Consider factors such as the size of the area that needs to be illuminated, the type of work being performed, and the brightness level needed. This information will help determine the type and number of lights needed.
The light source is another important factor to consider. Intrinsically safe lighting can use either LED or fluorescent bulbs. LED lighting is generally more energy-efficient, long-lasting, and has a brighter light output. Conversely, fluorescent lighting is less expensive upfront and offers a wider range of colour temperatures.
The power supply for intrinsically safe (IS) lighting must be specially designed to prevent any electrical energy from sparking and igniting the atmosphere. There are two types of power supplies: AC and DC.
There are different types of intrinsically safe (IS) lighting solutions available, including handheld flashlights, headlamps, and area lighting. Consider the specific needs of your operation and choose the type of lighting that best suits your requirements.
The brightness and colour temperature of the light are important factors to consider. Make sure the lighting solution provides sufficient brightness for the task at hand and that the colour temperature is appropriate for the environment.
Battery life is an important consideration, especially for portable lighting solutions. Look for lights with a long battery life that can withstand extended use in hazardous environments.
SharpEagle is a trusted supplier of intrinsically safe lighting solutions that meet the stringent safety standards required in hazardous work environments. Here are the reasons why you should consider purchasing intrinsically safe lighting from SharpEagle:
If you're looking for reliable and safe lighting solutions for hazardous work environments, SharpEagle is a trusted provider of intrinsically safe lighting products. Our high-quality, custom solutions and excellent customer service make us a top choice for businesses prioritizing safety and quality. Your employers and your business would never have to compromise on safety when it comes to lighting in hazardous environments. Choose us for intrinsically safe lighting solutions that meet the highest safety standards.
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