Manual Hand Chain Hoists

A manual hand chain hoist is an unpowered hoist used to vertically lift and lower loads. It usually consists of a hand chain, load chain, upper hook, lower hook, and hoist body. The upper hook is connected to the hoist body and is used to secure the hoist for lifting. The lower hook is attached to the load chain and is attached to the load to be lifted. Pulling down the hand chain turns the lifting mechanism, where multiple gears increase the mechanical work applied to hand chain using gear ratios, eventually turning the sprocket the load chain is looped around. The lifting mechanism is designed to do most of the work for you. A rachet or braking system ensures that the load does not slip back on the operator. While slow to lift loads, this system allows an operator to easily lift loads with multiple ton capacity.

Key Features and Benefits:

Lift Heavy Loads With Less Risk of Injury: A manual hoist turns a strenuous labor-intensive lift into a highly efficient one to minimize on the job injuries caused by manual handling of loads and awkward or tiring positions.
No Electricity Required: As no power supply is required, these hoists can be used in many more areas than a motorized hoist.
Initial and Long-Term Savings: Not only are these hoists going to be cheaper than a motorized counterpart, but they also won't increase your utility bill. In addition, these fully mechanical units are much easier and cheaper to maintain, repair, and inspect.

Lever Chain Hoists vs Hand Chain Hoists

While there are similarities between lever chain hoists and hand chain hoists, they are better suited for different situations.

Lever chain hoists are able to lift in most positions, including horizontally and vertically, where hand chain hoists are typically only used vertically.
Hand chain hoists in general have higher working load limits than lever chain hoists.
A hand chain hoist will usually require two hands to operate, where a lever chain hoist can be operated with one.
Unlike lever chain hoists, hand chain hoists are ideal for high vertical loads. The hand chain can be easily operated from the ground even when the hoist is positioned up high.

Proper Installation

To suspend a hand chain hoist, the top hook of the hoist can be attached to a shackle, beam clamp, push trolley or other secure supports. To secure a load, the bottom hook can be attached to an object directly if the load has an appropriate fitting or via lifting slings with a shackle. Be sure that your hoist is rated appropriately for the load before using.

Applications

Hand chain hoists are great options to replace the manual lifting process in assembly lines and other material handling areas. They can be used in manufacturing facilities, construction sites, auto shops, and warehouses. In industrial applications, hand chain hoists are most often used as an in-plant tool for periodic maintenance applications. A typical use might be for lifting pumps, generators, valves, pipe or other heavy equipment.