02 Mar 2022
WONDERING IF YOU NEED MANUAL CHAIN HOISTS? HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Following our new distribution partnership with Armorgard, here at Lifting Equipment Store UK, we would like to take this opportunity to discuss the importance of hazardous substance storage, and provide you with some easy to remember tips and tricks to ensure that you’re storing your chemicals, in turn, guaranteeing the safety of your onsite personnel – afterall, your safety is always the priority.
WHAT IS A MANUAL CHAIN HOIST?
It's a simple mechanical device that can be used by you and your team to pull or lift objects and loads of all shapes and sizes that include bulky, awkward shaped, sharp, and heavy wide objects.
You'll find that the rigging equipment uses a gear transmission and chain to lift a load to ensure a smooth and level lifting process.
You'll find that this item has breaks that prevent the load from slipping which should minimise the potential for the load to slip or cause injury to you, the operator, your team, or anyone else for that matter. This means you can have complete confidence in this product to secure your load. Additionally, the great factor about this item is that it requires minimal effort and is a great alternative hoist for lower capacities.
HOW DO THEY WORK?
Manual chain hoists are a simple yet effective piece of equipment for you and your team to use. They are different in the way they work to electric chain hoists with the main difference they are manually operated. You can find out more about electric chain hoists and if that will be better suited to your challenge by reading the article 'Reasons to buy a Yale electric chain hoist'.
You will find that at the top of the chain, the drive wheel and the drive chain sit in the groves of the wheel. This allows the chain to create a force to turn the wheel. From there, there's a shaft that runs through the entire wheel to a gear that is situated in the middle of the wheel. This then drives the two gears on either side.
The small gear has a lower number of teeth, but this isn't an issue because when one gear is not engaged the other is. There is also a rachet that has teeth and when rotated it stops any back dragging from occurring.
However, you can manually back drag if you need. There is a clutch that disengaged the ratchet wheel and allows you to turn the wheel anticlockwise to lower the load if necessary.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR OPERATING A MANUAL CHAIN HOIST
When you're transporting any piece of equipment there is always a risk when loads are lifted by hoist - particularly when the equipment is not being used properly or is poorly maintained.
If the lifting process is done incorrectly, incidents and other serious injuries could result.
The team at LES always advises their valued customers on the safety considerations to take to ensure a safe, easy, and effective lifting process takes place. If you're unsure about the safety considerations you need to be taking when using any equipment from LES, you can always contact a member of the experienced team who will be able to walk you through the safety steps and give you more information for your specific situation.
WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN USING THIS EQUIPMENT
When you're using any piece of equipment, whether it's rigging and lifting related or not, you should always make yourself aware of how it operates. If you aren't sure, you should get a trained professional to demonstrate it to you.
You should only use this item when you are lifting loads and loads that are recommended. Never transport people, and always make sure you have a clear space underneath the load to avoid any injury from occurring if the load were to slip.
Similar to a number of other pieces of equipment, the manual chain hoists have a maximum capacity and it is your job to ensure the load stays within its set capacity range. Going over the hoist's capacity can result in damage to the hoist or ineffective lifting. Therefore, you should always check all your equipment regularly.
We advise that you please always avoid using any equipment that you think is damaged since this can put you and your workers at risk of serious injury or even death.
DOES YOUR COMPANY NEED MANUAL CHAIN HOISTS?
You now have a good understanding of what this piece of equipment does, how it works, safety measures to take to ensure you and your workers stay safe.
If you are in an industry that needs to lift smaller loads then manual chain hoists can be a suitable solution for your business and current challenge.
You can always contact an experienced member of the LES team to see how this product can help your business.
