Precise and effective lifting is vital in all sorts of industries and a chain block is the solution that can lift up to 50 tons with ease for years.
I will be going through some guidelines on how to pick out an invaluable piece of equipment for streamlining your load lifting processes and answering some questions you may have while on the search for the right chain block - questions like:
What are the dangers of using one?
What do I need to know before buying?
What are the features I need in a chain block?
What is ATEX and why would I need it?
What are the different chain blocks available?
Chain blocks are used for lifting heavy loads vertically and while speed isn't a key requirement, precision is. They can be used safely and easily by just one person, like if a mechanic needs to carefully lower an engine into a vehicle, or if a car needs to be pulled out from a dangerous spot. They are used in factories to lift objects to and from the conveyer belt, and they can be used in construction to lift heavy loads safely to high levels.
The hoist is suspended using a beam clamp or trolley from the top hook and is operated with two chain loops, the lifting chain and the hand chain. The hand chain is wrapped around a wheel that supports the lifting mechanism and when this chain is pulled, the lifting chain then lifts and lowers the load. The object then can be moved easily along with the trolley.
They don't need electricity or oil to run.
They are cheaper than electric hoists.
They are easily maintained and repaired.
Theare:
The disadvantages are:
They are slower than electric hoists.
They may have certain requirements for the areas they are installed in.
Theare:
An adjustable chain end stop is placed on a chain to prevent the load from falling in the case of a brake failure. They should be connected to the loose end of the load chain so that there is at least 1 link left free.
They are used as a precautionary measure against brake failure and should not be used solely as a main limit device.
They are available to handle capacities ranging from 750kg up to 10,000kg and suit a range of different chain diameters. The capacity should not be exceeded for safety reasons and the correct diameter should be considered.
The chain end stop can be adjusted to move along at any point of the chain by operating the safety device and pushing the slider. When released, it locks onto the chain and the safety lock stops the chain from moving through the hoist if there was a malfunction. It should be placed less than 20mm from the chain block and should be re-positioned after each use.
As with any lifting equipment, safety is paramount. And peace of mind can only be guaranteed when you purchase a well established brand with a good reputation. There are a number of brands that make strong and durable equipment but I will take Yale as a prime example. With a variety of options available, a good quality chain hoist is going to resilient and long lasting so you can get your money’s worth out of it.
The Yale VSIII is available from capacities of 250kg up to 50,000kg
The VSIII range of hand chain hoists have a low overall height which allows for optimal use of headroom.
Strong safety latches for the hooks which can rotate 360°
The load chain runs smoothly with precision machined guide rollers.
All of the parts are high quality which ensure a long service life; gearbox bearings, side plates, load chain sheave, housing cover, strong bolts between side plates, and the reinforced hand wheel cover for increased stability.
For protection when using outdoors, it has a fully enclosed stamped steel housing.
Also, for corrosion prevention, it has zinc-plated and yellow-chromated brake components, load chain, and guide rollers.
The Yale 360 is available from capacities of 500kg up to 20,000kg
A revolutionary twist on a the chain block is the ability to operate the hand chain in any position with the rotating hand chain guide. Being able to use a chain block from the side of the load or horizontally pulling is especially useful when in confined spaces.
The low headroom of the 360 chain block allows for maximum use of the lifting height.
Safety is under control when you can use the chain hoist effectively from any position outside of the danger zone meaning greater flexibility and precision.
For corrosion protection, the Yale 360 is comprised of yellow-chromated or galvanised high quality parts and an enclosed stamped steel housing to protect internal components.
It has a new patented brake system which has improved maintenance, safety, and quietness.
The hardened load sheave has four precision machined pockets which allow accuracy in the movement of the load chain.
The Yale Corrosion Resistant is available from capacities of 250kg up to 4000kg
An increased life expectancy is ensured with a zinc-plated load chain and stainless steel hand hoist.
The performance of other chain hoist is usually affected over time due to corrosion.
The stainless steel chain hoist and protective coating on this chain block extend the service life of its components so it can be used in industries such as; food processing, chemical uses, or farming and sewage treatment.
The Yale ATEX 360 is available from capacities of 500kg up to 20,000kg
A step up from all other chain blocks, this model is complete with ATEX protection for use in potentially explosive environments.
It has all the features of the above models with added ATEX features;
Extremely low headroom.
Enclosed robust stamped steel housing protecting internal parts.
The revolutionary 360° rotating hand chain guide for flexibility in confined spaces.
Patented brake system for quiet and safe operation
Zinc-plated and yellow-chromated parts to prevent corrosion.
Enclosed chain guide and gearbox for protection.
The hardened load sheave with four precision machined pockets for accuracy
Hooks with safety latches and rotation.
Drop forged load and suspension hooks, made of high tension steel, that yield under overload instead of breaking.
Explosion protected with spark resistant coating.
Copper-coated suspension and load hooks.
Manual chain hoists can be a crucial component in any industry and the right one is bought and it is used with caution, it will a solid investment. However there are common ways that people will misuse them- putting anyone and anything around them at risk.
If you want to get the most out of it, here are just a few things to avoid doing:
A common way people tend to misuse it is to exceed the maximum capacity leading to not only unsafe working conditions but also irreparable damages to the hook of the hoist.
Making alterations to the chain block is a good way to void the manufacturer's warranty while putting everyone in danger. Do not try to make modifications to make lifting any easier- the hoist is built the way it is to ensure that it can easily and safely lift up to its working load limit.
When the load being lifted spins, the chain twists with it and will get jammed into the gears of the hoist that may lead to irreparable damage.
If you’re not careful enough, there is a chance of the chain fall running into the load, damaging the housing or causing the chain to jam.
Using chain blocks slowly and carefully is the most efficient way of working. Pulling on the chain too fast could cause the load to spin and the chain to fall off the sprocket and crash into nearby objects. This can also happen by pulling on the chain too hard which can also spread the chain links. So loosen your grip, and go slowly to easily avoid any of this.
Chain blocks are specifically designed to lift loads vertically with the load placed directly under and centered. Side pulling is when the load is not under the hoist and there is an attempt to lift it at an angle.
This is even more dangerous when the load is on a raised surface and it is lifted of it from the side with such force that a pendulum effect is caused. As the load attempts to center itself under the hoist, it will swing rapidly and can cause serious harm to anyone in the vicinity, it also causes stress on the hoist, trolley, and beam and could cause irreparable damage to them.
So just to recap;
Keep the load under the maximum capacity of the hoist.
Don’t make any modifications to the hoist, it’s perfect just the way it it.
Make sure the chain is kept straight and the load is centered directly below.
Take it easy when lifting, slow and careful is efficient.
The advantages of a manual chain hoist outweigh any alternative like a wire rope hoist. When you choose the right one, they are low cost, low maintenance and lightweight, making it simple to move locations if needed.
The wrong way to go about buying a hoist is by making decisions based on price. If you pick the right one for the job, a hoist can be long lasting without any trouble. It can be dangerous to use one that isn't protected enough or has a lower capacity than what is needed. It will be worth your money and time to invest in the safest option so your hoist perform at its best throughout its long life.
If a chain block is needed for different applications or in different environments it may be necessary to purchase more than one type. Otherwise it will wear faster and cause productivity and safety issues.
There are some aspects to consider to help inform your choice of chain block:
Weight capacity
Lift distance
Suspension
Environment
The first thing you need to establish before buying is the maximum amount of weight you will be lifting, not just in one go, but throughout an average day.
The majority of hoists are calibrated in quarter or half ton increments so you need to round up your expected capacity to the nearest number. Even if the weight you will be lifting weighs a little over 1000kg, you will need to get the 2000kg chain block.
Always pick a hoist with a larger capacity than what you usually lift. This is because of the duty cycle - if you lift many loads of 1000kg in a day, you should consider getting a hoist with a larger capacity to reduce wear and tear and increase the life of your chain block.
When buying a manual chain hoist you will need to choose an option for the height of lift - this is the distance from the hoist to the load that is being lifted. A height of lift of 3 meters or 6 meters is common. This is important so you can avoid the cost of replacement when you realise that the size you bought is unusable.
There are two common types of ways of hanging the chain hoist, with lug suspension or hook suspension. The lug suspension comes as standard on most chain hoists and is ideal to use in a confined space with little headroom.
Keep in mind the type of place the chain block be used. Is it hot, cold, explosive, or caustic. This aspect determines the durability of the hoist and what kind of protection is needed. If an unsuitable hoist is chosen, it’s lifespan may be compromised as well as performance.
High temperatures can lead to gearbox leakage.
Low temperatures can cause components to seize.
Extreme changes in temperature can lead to condensation.
Caustic workplaces can be corrosive to equipment.
Explosive environments can be hazardous when working with machinery.
There are plenty of industries that require explosion protection and spark resistant materials and equipment. From the obvious oil and gas works but also agriculture and wood working can have potentially hazardous areas which cause and avoidable threat to the safety of materials and lives.
Purpose built for use in explosive environments, ATEX hand chain hoists all have spark-resistant, copper-coated suspension and load hooks, stainless steel chains, and bronze trolley wheels.
So is explosion protection necessary?
For electrical and mechanical machinery, ATEX is a vital feature to guarantee the safety of your workers and produce. The protection it provides prevents the ignition of an explosive mixture of gases and combustible materials. For when you need to take an extra precautionary measure on top of eliminating high temperatures and sparking.
The potential for explosions is often overlooked in many industries, here are just some hazardous environments where you should consider using ATEX equipment:
• Gas suppliers
• Chemical industry
• Waste disposal sites
• Waste management companies
• Energy production companies
• Metal processing companies
• Wood-processing companies
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Refineries
• Recycling companies
• Paint shops
• Agriculture
• Food and animal feed industry
Now that you know the variety of chain blocks available, you can make an informed decision and choose the perfect fit for your job. Regardless of the industry you’re in, whether its outdoors or explosive, there is the right choice for you.
At Lifting365.com there is a range of high quality Yale Chain Blocks Products and Adjustable Chain End Stops in capacities that range from 250kg up to 50,000kg and all come CE marked with documentation.
Selecting The Right Chain Hoist – A Checklist
Selecting the correct chain hoist for your application can be a confusing task. We’ve compiled the list below to help answer your question, “How do I select a chain hoist“, or “What kind of chain hoist do I need?“.
Manual and electric chain hoists are used for a variety of lifting reasons. The how to checklist below is going to help simplify which hoist will work best for you and your application.
For Expert Advice, Call Us Today! 800-724-4052
Capacity:
First we’ll need to know the weight of whatever it is you are picking up? Once we have this number we will round up to the nearest 1/4 ton, 1/2 ton, or ton. Depending on the manufacturer, the 1/4 ton and 1/2 ton increments will usually stop being offered after 3 tons of capacity. What does this mean for you? If your load is just over 3 tons in weight (6,000 lbs), you may have to upgrade to a 4 Ton chain hoist to ensure a safe pick and proper functioning of your new chain hoist.
Lift:
Next we’ll need to determine the amount of lift your application requires. To determine lift you will need to know two critical pieces of information. First, where will your chain hoist hang from; and secondly where will the load to be picked be located in relation to the chain hoist. Finding your lift number will be nothing more than subtracting the resting location of the item to be picked from the hanging location of the hoist. For example, if your item to be picked is located on the factory floor, and the beam the chain hoist sits on is at a height of 22 feet, then you will need at least 22 feet of chain lift with your new hoist. When in doubt, always add a couple feet of lift to be safe; chain is sold by the foot and it can not be added to the existing chain. For example, if it turns out you will need 23 feet of lift, you will have order a completely new chain which can cost hundreds of dollars; if you had added 1 extra foot to your lift before ordering your chain hoist, the difference would probably be within $20. It’s a costly mistake that can easily be avoided.
Speed:
Next we’ll need to determine the speed in which you would like to lift your item. This can be a tough decision to make for someone who does not have a lot of experience with lifting, and may best be left to a professional to answer. Traditional speeds can range from just a couple (2 or 3) feet per minute to 16 and 32 feet per minute. Some new hoists, especially air hoists can lift around 100′ per minute
The speed in which we lift items will be dependent upon a multitude of factors; the primary factor being safety. Need expert advice? Call us 800-724-4052. Some of the factors that must be known to safely pick a lifting speed are the following: What will be lifted? Is it fragile? Could it break/snap if it is jolted off the ground too quickly (such as a large piece of glass/stone)? What is the surrounding environment like? Is their adequate space around the pick to safely operate the hoist at the desired speed? Again, this question is usually best answered under the direction of a professional in the field. Call us today to discuss your application 800-724-4052
Electric Hoists
Will your application require an H2-Light Duty hoist, or an H5-Severe Duty hoist? Click here to lean more about electric chain hoists.
Electric Hoists
Incoming Power
Next we need to determine your power source. If you will be using single phase power, you will have to determine if the volt supply is 115 (what we find in our homes) or 230 (what our home dryers plug in to and often found in small machine and carpentry shops). Larger factories and industrial workplaces will usually be running on three phase power; three phase voltages range from 208, 230, 460, and 575. If you do not have this information, you should reach out to your power supply company; choosing the wrong voltage can instantly fry your new hoist, costing you thousands of dollars in replacement costs before you even get to use it.
Control Voltage
In line with the above question, you will need to determine which control voltage you prefer to send to the handheld pendant. This is usually one of two options, 115 volt or 24 volt. If possible, 24 volt is the desired option for safety.
Pendant Control Cable Length
The pendant control cable length is known as “push button drop” in the lifting industry. This is how far down from the chain hoist you would like the hand control to hang in the air. Standard push button drop is equal to 4 feet less than the lift. Using the example above, if you have 22 feet of lift, the standard hand pendant or push button drop will be 18 feet below the chain hoist, or 4 feet above the floor in this application.
There are times when the pendant drop will have to be a special length, and not the standard 4 feet less than lift. For example, some applications call for a chain hoist to lift an item from a hole in the floor that goes below floor level. In this situation you could have 35 feet of lift, but the factory floor may be only 22 feet below the where the hoist hangs. If we applied the standard rule, our pendant drop would be 31 feet below the chain hoist, but that means the operator standing at 22 feet below the chain hoist will have 9 feet of extra cable dragging on the floor, a serious safety hazard. In this instance, the pendant drop would deviate from the standard and we would specially order the drop to be 18 feet so the pendant hangs 4 feet above the factory floor, an ergonomic position for most people.
Air Chain Hoists
Air Chain hoists are designed for an H5-Severe Duty hoist class for nonstop continuous use throughout the workday.
Air Chain Hoists
Type of Suspension
Next we will discuss how the chain hoist will be suspended. There are two common options for suspending or hanging a chain hoist, Hook mount or Lug mount. With Hook mount, the chain hoist will come from the factory with a hook attached to the top of the body. This hook will rest inside an opening on the trolley, a rolling device that rests on the Beam (explained in greater detail below). There are two common types of hooks available, rigid and swivel. The rigid hook is just as it sounds, it does not swivel and therefore the chain hoist can not rotate 360 degrees on the trolley as in the case with a “swivel” hook. The swivel hook is also just as it sounds, allowing for the chain hoist to spin clockwise or counterclockwise during operation.
Next is the Lug suspension option. A lug suspension is available on almost all chain hoists, and becomes particularly useful when there is limited headroom for mounting and operating the hoist. A lug suspension forgoes the hook we discussed above, and makes the hoist mountable to the trolley with just a couple of bolts/lugs.
Type of Trolley
There are a few different options when choosing a trolley, but first lets define what a trolley is. A trolley is a device that rests and rolls along the Beam your chain hoist will operate from. There are 3 common types of trolleys, we will discuss all three below.
Plain Trolley: Also known as a push/pull trolley, a plain trolley is the simplest form of trolley available. As discussed above, the hoist will hang from this trolley by either a hook or lug mount. A plain trolley will move the chain hoist along the Beam by human power via the hoist operator. The operator will grab either the hook or the item being lifted and pull or push the item to move it in the desired direction along the Beam.
Geared Trolley: A geared trolley is the next step up in ergonomics. With this option, the chain hoist operator will pull on a chain hanging from the trolley (much like a manual overhead door operator), and the trolley will use it’s gears to roll the trolley wheels along the Beam instead of human push/pull power as we discussed with the plain trolley. When ordering a geared trolley, one must specify the hand chain drop required. Standard hand chain drop is 4′ less than lift, similar to the pendant station or push button drop we discussed earlier. If you need help determining this number, please call us at 800-724-4052.
Motorized Trolley: The motorized trolley option is the most ergonomic of all the options we’ve covered. This option is exactly what it sounds like, instead of a plain push/pull trolley, or manual geared trolley, this trolley will have a motor attached to the side of the trolley wheels. A motorized trolley can have it’s own control pendant that will hang down from the beam in close proximity to the chain hoist pendant. Another option is to have a qualified installer such as Beaton Industrial wire the trolley into the chain hoist and bring the controls down to the same pendant control used by the chain hoist itself; keeping all controls on one push button station, and thereby creating a more efficient and ergonomic operator environment. A trolley speed must be specified when ordering a motorized trolley. Industry standards are 35 fpm and 75 fpm, but accommodations can be made for fragile, or sensitive loads that require a little more finesse. To determine a safe trolley speed for your lifting application, contact a professional – 800-724-4052.
Hand Chain Hoists
Hand chain hoists come in a variety of capacities ranging from 1,000 lbs. to 100,000 lbs. See all the different model options here!
Hand Chain Hoists
Type of Beam
There are three common types of beams in which we can use to hang a hoist. Correctly identifying your type of beam is imperative to ensuring your chosen trolley will operate and roll properly.
I-Beam: An I-beam, also known as H-beam, W-beam or WF-beam (for “wide flange”), is a beam with an I- or H-shaped cross-section. The horizontal elements of the “I” are flanges, while the vertical element is the web. The web resists shear forces while the flanges resist most of the bending moment experienced by the beam. Beam theory shows that the I-shaped section is a very efficient form for carrying both bending and shear loads in the plane of the web.
WF-Beam: Also known as a Wide-Flange Beam is the most common I-beam found in applications in the United States. A Wide-Flange beam have flanges in which the planes are nearly parallel; unlike the “S” style beam which has a tapered flange.
Patented Track: A patented track beam is similar in conception to the standard S and WF I-Beam with one significant difference; The bottom flange of a patented track has a 3.25″ wide flange made of specially hardened steel with a raised lip to form a perfect rolling surface. The specially hardened bottom flange is then welded to the upper portion of the beam. Patented Track beams are generally more expensive than the other two options, however the buyer also gets what they pay for, an extremely rugged beam meant for harsh repetitive environments where precision and consistency is of the utmost importance. Many military facilities and aircraft maintenance hangers will rely upon the Patented Track.
When purchasing your hoist, it is imperative that you inform your hoist distributor of the beam height, flange width, and the degree of taper if dealing with a “S” style I-Beam.
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