Facts about Hoists and their uses

A hoist is a mechanical or pneumatic device used primarily for raising and lowering heavy loads and material handling of freely suspended (unguided) loads by means of a drum or lift-wheel around which a rope or chain wraps. It usually consists of a block and tackle—a combination of one or more fixed pulleys, a moving pulley with a hook or other similar means of attaching loads, and a rope (or cable) between them.

Hoists are conductive to efficient performance in any manufacturing or storage facility. Hoists allow for loads to be moved throughout the facility without taking up valuable floor space as they operate overhead. Hoists are an ergonomic solution for heavy lifting of goods that reduce strain on the workforce.

Let’s look at some useful facts on hoists and their uses in various applications.

Overhead Hoists can be classified on the basis of two factors – operation and lifting medium.

Types of hoists based on lifting medium:

• Wire Rope – Utilizing a wire rope to lift or lower a load, these hoists are driven by electricity or air.
• Chain – Outfitted with either link or roller chain to lift or lower a load, these hoists can be manually operated, pneumatically driven or electric powered.
• Lever – Operated manually by an operator who raises or lowers a lever to activate a ratchet and pawl configuration, this action enables the hoist to lift or lower the load incrementally, or to apply or release tension. They can be equipped with a chain, rope or web strap.

Types of hoists based on operation:

• Pneumatically powered – The pneumatic (air) powered hoists are operated by grasping and activating a control device. The control device has push buttons or levers that energize, through a series of valves and other air components, an air motor. The air motor transmits power through the hoist gearing to the hoist load chain sprocket or hoists drum; thereby, lifting or lowering the hoist load hook.
• Electrically powered – The electric hoists are operated by an electric motor that works on electricity.
• Manually powered – The manually operated hoists are operated by grasping and pulling a continuous hand chain suspended from the hoist. As the operator pulls the hand chain, the hand chain wheel turns and transmits power through the hoist gearing to the hoist load chain sprocket.

Uses of Hoists

• Assembly: Moving products through production processes or assembly lines
• Positioning: Securing a component for additional work
• Transportation: Loading finished products onto open trailers or railcars to be transported
• Staging: Holding work-in-process for remaining production processes
• Storage: Transporting heavy items to and from storage areas
• Warehousing: Moving large, heavy products to and from docks

Hoists are commonly used for the aforementioned applications in a number of industries like automotive, construction, commercial printing, manufacturing, newspaper, paper, steel, warehousing, and distribution.

Conco offers a range of Air Hoists by JD Neuhaus with different capacities to suit your needs. To know more about our hoists, contact us.