Electric Chain Hoist

YOUR GUIDE TO ELECTRIC CHAIN HOIST SYSTEMS

At Lifting Equipment Store, we're proud to be the leading supplier of top-tier industrial and entertainment Electric Chain Hoists. Look at our Electric Chain Hoist selection.

When it comes to lifting and suspending heavy loads, Electric Chain Hoists stand out as a paramount tool. At Lifting Equipment Store, we're proud to be a leading supplier of top-tier industrial and entertainment industry. These powerful devices effortlessly manage loads of up to 20,000kg (20 tonnes), enabling you to focus on your operations with confidence.

We now offer a selection of our high-quality electric hoists for quick purchase online, streamlining your buying process. However, we understand that the specifications of lifting equipment can be complex, and selecting the right model is crucial. That's where our experienced and trained Sales Team comes in. They're ready and eager to guide you through the decision process, ensuring you choose the perfect Electric Chain Hoist model for your unique requirements.

WHAT ARE THE BEST ELECTRIC CHAIN HOISTS?

There's no 'best' electric chain hoist as each manufacturer design hoists for specific applications and environments. If you're looking for an everyday electric hoist that will suit most, we'd recommend either the Yale Electric Chain Hoist or the Stahl ST Electric Chain Hoist. We see most of these hoists go into industrial environments or even warehouses. Each hoist is affordable, corners haven't been cut in quality. They're designed and manufactured in Germany and they've innovated the industrial hoist market.

If you're looking for a more bespoke solution, due to the environment conditions, this can be anything ranging from being used outdoors to a in a port or even a super clean environment such as a pharmaceutical plant, we'd recommend a GIS Electric Hoist that has better enclosures and a stainless steel chain to protect it from rust or chemicals in the air. 

When it comes to working on a site that only provides a single phase power outlet, the CM Lodestar Electric Chain Hoist can operate at 110v, 230v or 400v. These electric hoists are designed and built in the USA and are very popular in the rental market due to their long lifespan and little maintenance.

ABOUT ELECTRIC CHAIN HOISTS

A Powered Chain Hoist is built to customer specifications, so please bear in mind that there is not a simple 'all for one' price. We ask all clients to have the following information to hand before submitting a request for quotation:

• Required Height of Lift (distance from the hoist unit to the load level)
• Safe Working Load (the max weight required to lift)
• Required Voltage (110v, 230v or 400v. 50Hz or 60Hz. Three phase or single phase.)
• Beam Flange Width (this helps us determine which beam trolley will be suitable)
• Indoor/Outdoor usage (for outdoor we have to apply special technology to the hoist)
• Approx. required number of lifts per hour (this helps work out the duty cycle to ensure the appropriate motor is supplied)
• Environment - Indoor, Outdoor, Explosive environment, food processing plants, nuclear etc.

Not sure which electric hoist is right for your application? Check out our buyer's guide to electric chain hoists, covering key considerations like suspension type, hoisting and travel speeds, and the questions to ask before making a purchase.

HEIGHT OF LIFT:

This is the length of the chain from the hoist unit to the load level, it is usually measured in meters.

SAFE WORKING LOAD (SWL):

This is the maximum allowed weight to be hoisted using the hoist unit. Anything over this weight means you will not be covered by the hoist's test certificates and could cause fatal injury if ignored. Always ensure that your structures and beams are also capable for the hoist SWL.

ELECTRIC HOIST SUSPENSION TYPES

HOOK:

This is where the top of a hoist unit features a 'Top Hook' which easily attaches the hoist to a trolley or beam clamp. Ideal for temporarily suspending off a trolley or beam clamp.

LUG:

This is where the top of the hoist unit has a closed suspension lug (also known as a suspension eye). This is ideal for a hoist permanently being suspended on a trolley or beam clamp.

PUSH TRAVEL TROLLEY:

Is a method of suspension that involves suspending a hoist from a beam with the ability to traverse manually. It allows the unit to travel horizontally across a beam enabling the hoist to travel with or without its load by the operator simply pulling the unit along the beam. When choosing a trolley you should always choose one that matches your hoist's SWL.

GEARED TROLLEY:

Same as a push trolley however instead of the operator pushing or pulling the trolley himself a hand chain is provided which turns the wheels on the trolley to make the unit travel, this is ideal for more precise movements and for heavier loads.

ELECTRIC TRAVEL TROLLEY:

Exactly the same function as a manual trolley however the user pushes a button on the pendant control or radio control to operate the horizontal travel of the trolley. Electric travel trolley's can be dual or single-speed operating. We also supply these as a complete package with the hoist and controls or separately.

CHAIN CONTAINER:

A chain container can be useful if you like to keep your operating area tidy. The slack unused load chain that usually dangles down the side of a load when the hoist hook is raised can easily scratch or damage a fragile load (or maybe you just require the chain to be out of the way).

As you begin to hoist your load a chain container will collect the slack load chain in a container attached to the main hoisting unit, these come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the extra load chain. For outdoor use these usually include holes for water drainage.

FALLS OF LOAD CHAIN:

Falls of Load Chain: This is never usually a key element of specifications however it does mean: the more falls of chain the more chain required and there for costs can rise (not that much though). When a hoist has one fall of chain it means there is one single chain leg from the hoist unit to the bottom hook. When there is more than one fall (Ie. two falls) there is double the amount of load chain required as there are two legs of load chain going from the hoist unit to the bottom load hook. This is all done using a single length of chain that reeves through the bottom hook in the same way a wire rope hoist would work with a bottom block.

The advantage of a single fall is that with many hoist modes the capacity can be doubled by retro fitting a two fall bottom block, the disadvantage of this is that your hoisting speed and height of lift is halved (unless fitting a new longer chain). Operators often prefer two fall hoists as the double legs of chain prevent the hook/load from swinging as much and steady the load more.

ELECTRIC CHAIN HOIST HOISTING SPEEDS

SINGLE SPEED:

This means your Electric Chain Hoist will have one lifting speed, this can be fast or slow depending on the model. Ideal for when budgets are tight or simply user preference. All single phase models feature single speed only. Hoisting speed is measured in meters per minute.

DUAL SPEED:

This means that the Electric Chain Hoist can lift its load using two separate speeds, usually one faster speed and one slower speed. The slower speed is usually used when a load is to be slowly lifted/lowered in to position or when the load is fragile. The faster speed is for regular use.

TRAVEL SPEEDS (ONLY FOR ELECTRIC CHAIN HOISTS FEATURING ELECTRIC TRAVEL TROLLEYS)SINGLE SPEED:

is when the electric beam trolley can transport the hoist along a RSJ beam at a single operating speed. The Electric Chain Hoist cannot move faster or slower along the beam, single speed is idea for when budgets are tight or simply operator preference. All single phase models feature single speed only.

DUAL SPEED:

This means that your hoist unit attached to the electric travel trolley trolley can be moved along the beam easily using two different speeds controlled by the pendant or radio control units. The trolley can travel on a slow speed or higher speed this is easily controled by the operator for a more movements.

INDOOR & OUTDOOR USAGE

When specifying your hoist requirements you may be asked if your Electric Chain Hoist is for indoor or outdoor usage.

INDOOR:

All of our standard units are manufactured for regular indoor use. So you don't have to worry if you are using your Electric Chain Hoist indoors unless the area is damp or subject to heavy moisture.

OUTDOOR:

When using an Electric Chain Hoists outdoors you must specify this when ordering. Outdoor Electric Chain Hoists vary from manufacturer but some of the common adjustments that are made are- Stainless Steel brakes, Weather proof jackets, IP65 protection level and drainage holes where applicable.

5 QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK YOURSELF BEFORE BUYING AN ELECTRIC HOIST

There are many things when you're configuring an electric hoist online, in our opinion, here is what you must consider before purchasing:

1. Do you have a load rated beam to attach the hoist to? You're about to lift a load that the hoist is rated to, but is your structure above capable of the same?

2. Do you have the means to supply power to an electric hoist? You may need to consider purchasing a cable festoon system to allow the hoist to travel from end to end of your beam.

3. What environment are you using the hoist in? For example, if you're using a hoist at the seaside to lift boats, have you ensured your load chain and bottom block have adequate corrosion resistant coatings?

4. Have you weighed the products you're lifting? You must never guess what weight your load is, if you're unsure and do not have the means to weigh it, always go over your estimate to ensure you're not overloading the electric hoist.

5. How often are you using the it? Electric hoists have a duty rating, meaning they require a period of rest so the motor can cool down. For example, most high quality hoists have a duty rating of 50%. So in an hour cycle, the hoist can be continuously used for 30 minutes, and then it will needed to be rested for the remaining 30 minutes. Ensure your electric hoist motor can accommodate your usage cycles.

BESPOKE ELECTRIC HOISTS

Our manufacturers are able to design and implement your specific requirements needed for an electric hoist. Whether it's a super low headroom base unit or an ATEX rated chain hoist we will be able to make this for you. Contact our sales team to get your bespoke solution. 

BRANDS ON OFFER

♦ Stahl ♦ Yale ♦ Demag ♦ Verlinde ♦ Morris ♦ Donati ♦ Kone ♦ GIS ♦ Kito ♦ Hadef ♦ LES