If you've been asking yourself the question "what is a manual chain hoist?", look no further, you're in the right place.
In this article we're going to give a full breakdown of what this is and how they can help you by looking at what they are, how you can use them, why you might need them, different types, and more.
There are various different types of this lifting equipment, which you will discover further down in this article, and at Lifting Equipment Store USA (LES USA) we aim to ensure our customers are informed about all our products. That's why in this article we wanted to give you a full breakdown of what this innovative equipment can do for you and your business.
And this isn't the first time we've spoken about them, either. You can check out our article '5 Different Ways You Can Use Manual Chain Hoists' to read a variety of ways on how this piece of lifting gear can help you.
If by the end of the article, or at any point in this article, you are wondering if it's the right product for your business, then please contact an experienced member of the LES USA team and we will be happy to discuss a tailored solution for your business challenge.
Let's start nice and easy by answering the following question...
WHAT IS A MANUAL CHAIN HOIST?
The innovative piece of lifting equipment is also known as ‘Chain pulleys’ or ‘Chain blocks’ are widely used throughout the industry. They can be a preferred option despite the labor involved during usage.
It's important for you to know that this particular piece of equipment is only designed for hoisting and lowering loads, NOT for pulling so make sure all your team or the people operating the equipment are aware of the differences in machinery as using this to pull could damage the products your handling or cause a dangerous incident.
All of these variations are a versatile lifting solution that is suited for a variety of work settings and is especially useful if you need to be lifting loads in areas where no power is available.
This lifting item provides you with a lightweight manually operated industrial hoisting solution and you can often find them utilized in factories, warehouses, and remote areas where power is not accessible.
The pulleys are great for precision lifting and can be supplied with an array of specification options to suit a wide variety of specialist applications and the harshest environments.
So now you know have a solid understanding of what this piece of kit is and it's likely you'll have a better idea of if you need one for your business or current challenge or not. If you do need one, you now might be thinking something along the lines of: "Ok, I need one of these but I have no clue how to use one". This leads us nicely into our next section...
HOW YOU CAN USE ONE
We wanted to outline how you can use this handy piece of equipment for two reasons. First, so you know how it might be suitable specifically for the challenge you've got. And second, because at LES USA we always want to make sure our website visitors and customers are informed of how to use lifting equipment in a safe and effective manner.
First, attach a connection hook to hold the hoist mechanism for support and then guide the hoist directly below the connection hook and lift by the hook-on top of it. Set the hoist hook onto the connection hook and let it hang down.
Then place the load being hoisted under the hoist and straighten it out as much as possible. The more off-center it is, the more twisting and straining will be put on the hoist, therefore try and keep it straight.
Wrap the hoist's lower chains around the load below it and secure them as tightly as possible by slipping the hooked end of the chains into the furthest link on the other end. Removing this slack will make lifting the load easier and more efficient as the grip will become tighter.
Pull on the front side of the hoist towards yourself with long, straight movements. Then keep pulling until you have hoisted the load as far as you need and slowly let go of the chain. You can then lower the load by pulling from the other direction so that the load is safe on the floor.
You've likely now got some ideas bouncing around in your head about how you can use it for your business. However, you might be thinking if it's the right solution for you compared to another piece of lifting equipment. The next section can help you make your mind up about whether you should choose this piece of equipment or not.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE ONE?
There are many reasons why you may want to purchase one and there are additional reasons why you should purchase it from LES USA which you can find out by contacting us.
Firstly, this innovative piece of lifting equipment can increase your productivity by speeding up your lifting operations and make it easier to get essential tasks completed ahead of time. Doing a process quicker means your team has time to invest elsewhere.
Secondly, using a manual version will decrease the risk of manhandling large loads. This will increase your workplace safety and will reduce the likelihood of injuries occurring in your workplace and will keep your workforce, or anyone on the site, in a safer position.
Thirdly, they are convenient, specifically when compared with an electrically powered product. If you have an electric version, you will need to make sure it's within reach of a source of power.
However, due to these being manual, it can be moved and repositioned wherever you like within your workspaces floorspace (within reason) which makes it an adaptable product to the environment it's in.
DIFFERENT TYPES
There are a number of worldwide suppliers of engine cranes that you can choose from and we always recommend you buy a reputable brand from manufacturers such as CM Hurricane, Coffing LHH, and Chester Zephyr.
Whether you are purchasing from LES USA or not, we always recommend you do your research and ensure you are buying from a trusted brand as this adds another layer of security that your business is using a premium and trusted provider.
You can see below an overview of different versions of this product to give you an idea of what they might be used in. We just happen to offer each of them so you can click the link to be directed to the product page to get more detail on the specifics of that product.
CM HURRICANE 360
The CM hurricane has a 360-degree rotating hand chain, operates at any angle, patented design, durable with a 44,092lbs capacity with a lifetime warranty.
COFFING LHH
The Coffing LHH is a low-cost option that has an up to 50-ton capacity and a standard lift of 10ft. A lifetime warranty is also available with this product.
CM HURRICANE 360 INTEGRATED TROLLEY HOIST
The CM Hurricane has a 360° Rotating hand guide, it durable and has a 44,092Lbs capacity along with a lifetime warranty.
CHESTER ZEPHYR ARMY
The Chester Zephyr Army is popular within the oil and gas industry and has up to 10-ton capacity. It can be plain or geared while coming with a 4:1 design factor.
CHESTER ZEPHYR STEEL LOW HEADROOM PLAIN TROLLEY
The Chester Zephyr Steel Low Headroom Plain Trolley is made of steel and is fully customizable and has a 24-ton capacity. It is a low headroom design and is a geared trolley.
CHESTER ZEPHYR LOW HEADROOM GEARED TROLLEY
The Chester Zephyr Low Headroom Geared Trolley is fully customizable and has a 24-ton capacity. It has a low headroom design and is a geared trolley.
SPECIAL APPLICATIONS
There is a range of special applications for this product that start from the standard all the way through to unique designs from industry-leading manufacturers that are designed in a way to meet your exact requirements.
Here are a few examples of situations where you can find special applications.
Stainless steel versions can be used to withstand harsh environmental conditions for offshore industries due to their strong design.
Dark blacked-out versions can be found to be in use in the entertainment industry as they minimize visibility and keep the focus on what needs to be shot on screen or what needs the center of attention in the public eye.
The food industry is another example of where you might see this piece of lifting gear in action. If you're in the food industry and need lifting equipment, you can find ones that use food-safe lubrication and have special finishes to the item.
If you work in an environment that is subject to flammable situations or using chemicals, tools, or environments where there's the risk of explosions, you can have ATEX/spark resistant versions that are great to use as they can increase safety precautions.
Of course at LES USA, we're always able to discuss with you the exact requirements of the task you might have and can supply you with tailored products for your specific challenge, so please contact us to see if we can help provide a custom product for your business.
CONSIDERATION POINTS WHEN BUYING THIS EQUIPMENT
No matter what style you choose, typical weight capacities should be your first consideration when buying. This is so you do not exceed the maximum weight that the hoist can lift.
For example, if you need to lift 1.25-ton you will need our 1.5-ton capacity version. If you go beyond the maximum capacity, then damage to you or the product may occur.
The height of the lift is also imperative to know before you make a purchase. Standard heights begin at 10ft so check our products for more details to see which bests suit you.
Regarding suspension, pulleys are supplied along with a top hook for suspending. Some applications may demand a girder trolley or beam clamp for the stationary or active horizontal traverse along a girder beam.
At LES USA we supply the full range of accompanying suspension types as well as those with integrated suspensions such as the Yale ITP Integral Trolley Hoist that features many benefits such as an additional closed height saving compared to separate components.
You can expect chain bags to be sometimes used on the underside of the hoist body. They tend to store all that excess load as it leaves the hoist. This product is not always necessary, but it may be a product you might want to consider buying.
We always want to make sure we've given you as much information as possible to make an informed decision, so whether you decide to purchase from us today, down the line, or not at all, we always make sure to check your equipment regularly to ensure there is not any damage to the product. This will avoid any damage happening to your hoists, or any of your other lifting products, and decrease the likeliness of any personal injuries or property and goods damage within your workplace.
DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED ONE?
You now have a full overview of what this piece of lifting gear is, how it works, examples of what special applications are available, and have like gauged if you need one for your business.
However, don't think that's just it and we won't give you any more information, as although we’ve given a breakdown of how a manual hoist can help businesses in general, we haven’t given you an example of how it might be right for your business.
So if it is the case where you're thinking you might need one but aren't entirely convinced, the team at LES USA is always happy to help you find a tailored solution to your problem and you can contact the experienced team to discuss a bespoke solution that's suitable to you.
