Hand Chain Hoists

Manual Hand Chain Hoist

What is a Manual Chain Hoist?

A manual chain hoist, also known as a chain block, is a hand powered tool operated using a combination of hand chains, load chains and a pulley system. Lever pullers or ratchet hoist also fit under the umbrella of manual chain hoists. Although these hoists are operated differently using a lever or ratchet rather than the hand chain to lift or move a load.

How Does a Manual Chain Hoist Work?

A manual chain hoist is operated by pulling down on the hand chains, which then moves the load up via the load chain with steel hooks. These steel hooks on the end can be swapped out for a swivel hook and in most cases will have safety latches. The safety latch will ensure the hoist operators stay safe and prevents the rated load from becoming unlatched while lifting. Internal gears of a hoist will determine the number of times you need to pull on the hand chains in order to move your load up or down. Depending upon the rated load, two hoist operators can use this tool in tandem pulling on the load chain. Since the majority of manual chain hoists are a compact design, it makes for easy rigging of the majority of jobs, especially in tight quarters. A load limiter on a hoist is going to ensure that an operator does not overload the hoist by attempting to lift more that the rated capacity of the hoist. This would result in a load chain snapping or the hook giving out, causing the hoist to come off the lifting point it was attached to.

Chain hoists are simple in design and have been used for a long time to raise large weights. Chain hoist technology uses a mechanical advantage to convert little force over a lengthy distance into huge force over a short distance by utilizing numerous bigger and smaller gears within the chain hoist mechanism.

What is a Manual Chain Hoist Used For?

Various industrial applications are going to require the use of a hoist to move both light loads and heavy loads within a large space like factory or a small tool shop. It's not just strictly limited to lifting large objects, the hoist can be used to assist in bringing tools from one area of a shop to another or holding a grinding tool above the worker to then lower into the workspace when needed. Chain hoists are also used to secure loads of cargo on truck beds.

Manual Hoists are used in countless applications across all industries that involve the movement of heavy objects. These portable and lightweight devices are equipment pieces used to move objects in automotive, construction sites, manufacturing, maintenance, emergency services, entertainment, and transport. It's because of its size and weight that it makes for easy rigging. All of these applications require a slow and steady movement of equipment of components with ease.

Hand chain hoists provide an economical and easy to use way of lifting heavy loads. The continuous looped chains allow for pulling in any direction, while two separate wheeled units make it possible for either end to engage with pockets recessed within them that activate the gearbox; this drives whichever side you choose when using reeved fall stands depending on what capacity your specific model has available - construction work being one common example where they're often used!

What Type of Material is a Manual Chain Hoist Manufactured From?

Typically these hoists are going to be manufactured using steel construction or aluminum construction or a combination of both materials. Those hoist that are manufactured from steel are obviously going to provide greater durability, especially when used in industrial applications that are extremely rigorous. If your concern is the hand chain hoist weighing too much to maneuver, then you'll want to consider an aluminum option which won't be as bulky but can still provide a great amount of lifting power.

Lifting Capacities and Lift Heights

The capacity of a manual chain hoists is going to start at 1/8 ton, then 1/4 ton and 1/2 ton to 1 ton. Eventually, the choice in manual hoists can go as high as 25 tons of lifting capacity and are relatively affordable compared to other types of hoists available. When considering a manual hand chain hoist, you must first determine the weight of the load that will be lifted. A manual chain hoist rated capacity is the maximum allotted weight a load can lift. For example, if you're lifting mostly 2-1/2 to 4 tons daily, select a 5 ton capacity hoist. Once stationed, manual hoists highly reduce stress exerted on the body normally used to lift a heavy load and increase the productive capacity of any operation. This is because with a hand chain hoist, a task can be performed solely by one person. Prior to the invention or application of manual hoists, multiple people were required for an operation to assist in manual labor. Keep in mind that a ton is 2,000 pounds. A typical manual hoist can lift loads from 5 feet up to 50 feet in lifting capacity. Standard "lift" options include 5 FT, 10 FT, 15 FT, and 20 FT. A longer lift is required if the maximum length the load has to travel is above these footage options, and can be selected in our store up to 50 FT. If you have never bought a hoist, lift is the amount of chain required to reach the mounted hoist to the location you are lifting loads from hoist.

Manual Chain Hoist Brands Offered

CM Manual Chain Hoist

CM, Columbus McKinnon, offers a wide variety of manual hand chain hoists.

Harrington Manual Chain Hoist

Uesco Cranes offers all manual hand chain hoists that Harrington Hoists produces.

Chester Manual Chain Hoist

Hand chain hoists from Chester Hoist range in capacity from 1/4 to 25 tons and are made in the United States.