When you business needs to lift or move about heavy things, it’s important to have the right equipment. If not, you run the risk of injury to your employees, all kinds of equipment problems and damaged materials. A chain hoist is a good idea for many reasons, but do you buy a lever chain hoist, electric hoist, and what size should you choose? Let’s look at some of the options you have, to give you a better idea.
How Much to Lift?
The first thing to consider is your lifting needs. This determines the capacity of your hoist. When checking out capacities you might think you only need a two ton unit, but you may be better off going to the next highest rating.
You also need to know how much chain you need. This determines how far you can raise and lower your materials. For example, suppose the beam you plan to mount on is 15 feet above the floor. You need a minimum of 15 feet of chain lift and it is always best to add a few feet to be sure. Remember, a little longer is better, because you cannot add on to a chain and good chain can be expensive if you need an entirely new chain.
Benefits of Manual Hoists
A manual lever chain hoist is only designed to handle so much weight. If you have large lifting needs, you may need to consider an electric model. However, you will find several benefits with a manual hoist, such as:
* Cost – when you figure the cost of manual vs. electric there really is no comparison. If you are having a hard time deciding which kind of lift to use, cost could be the determining factor.
* Portability – a manual hoist can be installed in a number of places and an easily be taken down.
Electricity – if you are going to use an electric hoist, you will need a power source. This could mean running a new two phase or three phase power line in your shop or plant.
* Size – you can buy a lever action manual hoist large enough to handle as much as 9 tons.
Benefits of Electric Hoists
* With an electric hoist, just about anyone can operate the unit. It is as simple as pushing a button.
* Electric hoists can be designed to handle very large loads and you can purchase wire rope units for extremely large loads.
* For permanent installations electric units are a good choice and they will add efficiency to your operation.
Whether you buy an electric or manual lever chain hoist, choosing the right equipment provider is an essential part of the process. A good supplier helps you make the right decisions and provides professional guidance and advice.
