Is your operation better served with a wire rope hoist or a chain hoist? Understanding your specific application and work environment are essential in answering this important question. Other factors, like lifting height, duty rating, capacity, budget and environmental constraints also play significant roles in the determination process. Here’s a head-to-head comparison to take some of the mystery out of this critical decision.
Generally, electric wire hoists are better suited to lifting heavier objects (one ton to 30+ ton capacity) than chain hoists. They also excel in situations involving a high lifting height, precise positioning needs or loads that need to stay up for longer periods of time.
That said, wire rope hoists are not ideal for such manually operated lifting devices as jib cranes, smaller gantry cranes or hand-push bridge cranes. Typically, the traverse movement of these types of cranes is achieved by physically pulling on the hoist load hook or lower block. In wire rope hoists, this can frequently lead to the wire rope becoming unseated from its grooved drum or damage to the rope guide, creating a safety hazard and requiring replacement.
Wire rope hoists are also not advised for applications where minimized contamination and ease of cleaning are major concerns. Applications like clean rooms, food processing, or medical and high-tech manufacturing all lend themselves more readily to electric chain hoists are compact and typically contained in an enclosed body, making cleaning easier.
Speaking generally, the chain hoist is preferable to the wire rope for lifting lighter payloads (1/8 to 5 ton). Lighter in weight and more compact in size, chain hoists tend to be easier for users to operate than its more heavy-duty counterpart. As such, the chain hoist is typically the best choice for assembly lines, providing true vertical lifting force and wider left/right limit distances than wire rope hoists Chain hoist can also reduce maintenance and repair costs, and be used in multiple environments.
When mounted on jib cranes, gantry cranes, bridge cranes or monorail systems, electric chain hoists can provide superior coverage to that offered by wire rope hoists. This makes them ideal for hand-push trolleys operating on jib cranes, gantry cranes and hand push bridge cranes.
Depending on hoist capacity, operating speeds for chain hoists can range from 5 FPM up to 65 FPM, with lighter capacities operating at faster speeds and higher capacity units operating at slower speeds. Most electric chain hoists and motor-driven trolleys are available at one or two speeds and variable speeds.
Electric chain hoists are however not ideal for applications involving excessive dust, dirt or debris, as the lubricated chain links attract particulate, creating an abrasive compound that accelerates chain wear. This can cause additional damage to the internal pocket wheel, increasing the potential for overall equipment failure.
CraneWerks stands out as your top pick for reliable and long-lasting overhead crane and hoist solutions, delivering material handling options across the nation. Our services are crafted to ensure your compliance with OSHA standards, maintain the optimal performance of your overhead lifting gear, and foster a secure workplace for your staff. From essential OSHA-mandated inspections to proactive maintenance, repairs, and comprehensive employee training, CraneWerks is your trusted partner every step of the way.
In the late 1990s, CraneWerks noticed that the American crane industry was in trouble. Big overseas companies were making huge inroads into the US market by setting up their own sales networks. Their seemingly unlimited resources and capabilities made it increasingly difficult for independent US dealers to stay competitive.
Against that backdrop, CraneWerks was founded in 1997 with a vision: give independent American dealers a chance to compete in their own backyard by giving them the opportunity to say “Yes” to all their customers’ overhead material handling needs.
The actions we take in our lives create lasting reverberations, often enduring beyond our time. Roger Graham, a cherished member of the CraneWerks family for 18 years, was a remarkable and generous individual whose actions and words have left a lasting impact. His legacy continues to resonate with those who had the privilege of knowing or working with him. In honor of his memory, the Roger Graham Scholarship is presented each year to a deserving local high school senior pursuing education in a trade school.