Many years ago, in a small village in Africa, a group of warriors with too much free time on their hands decided that since there was no war going on (where they could showcase their strength), they had to find something that would keep the knowledge of their strength and fighting prowess alive in the hearts of the villagers, especially the maidens. After spending much time thinking of an act of pure strength they could perform, a smart warrior came up with a “smart” idea which they all gleefully accepted.
Keep your seats, we’ll tell you the great plan. Close to the village, there was a mighty Iroko tree that was a major landmark. It had been there since anyone could remember. Their big plan was to cut it down and catch it with their bare hands as it fell. Well, this story was passed down to the next generation by the weak warriors who claimed illness or other such excuses, and so could not participate in this show of strength. Just in case you don’t understand what happened, they all died. The on-rushing trunk of the tree crashed into their outstretched hands, crushing both hands and men into the ground beneath. The morale of the story in the words of Kenny Rogers is, “you don’t have to fight to be a man.”
Fast-forward to today. There may still be some folks who feel the need to show off their strength by lifting heavy stuff like car engines and the like. Well, good for them. With a chain hoist, you can lift massive loads without breaking a sweat. For those who aren’t keen on showing off their strength this way but want smart ways to lift heavy loads and get their jobs done without stress, this guide is for you.
As with all
tools, whether it’s a specialized one like an
MIG welder or a simple and general one like a
ratchet, there are specifications that need to be considered before making a choice. We will, in this guide, show you how to pick out the right chain hoist for you by considering these factors.
Price
Price is certainly a major factor to be considered when choosing a chain hoist. A chain hoist can cost hundreds of dollars. Factors that can affect its price include the material used, the length of the chain, and the quality of the build, among other factors.
From our research, we found that you can actually get a good chain hoist for between $35 and $300. These may not have all the bells and whistles of the expensive models, but you can be sure they’re of good quality and can get the job done in most situations. This price range at least puts it within the reach of most people. Be sure, however, to watch out for cheap hoist chains. Sometimes if the price is too good to be true, it is.
Look at our price range, consider your budget, and pick the product that works best for you. Remember, to get more features, you’ll need to pay more.
Features
There are a number of factors that
must be considered if one is to choose a chain hoist that will serve the required purpose perfectly. To help you choose correctly, we shall list and discuss some of these important factors here.
Some of the factors to seriously consider include:
- Capacity
- Lift
- Material
- Load Brake
- Safety Issues
Let’s see how these affect our choice.
Construction and Design
A chain hoist helps lift or lower loads. This means that one important factor to consider is the weight capacity of the hoist. On average, many chain hoists have a lift capacity of between 500 pounds and over 4000 pounds. It is therefore vital that you choose a hoist that has the capacity to consistently lift the kind of weight you’ll be dealing with.
After determining the weight capacity that’s right for you, you’ll need to consider the lift height that will suit your work and environment. The lift height simply refers to how high the chain hoist can lift the load. The two factors to consider will be where the chain hoist is fixed and where the load to be lifted is (or where it is to be dropped). If you don’t get a chain hoist with the right length of chain, you’ll have to get a new set of chains, which can cost you some good money.
Lifting these heavy weights certainly puts a strain on the equipment. This brings us to the issue of the material the hoist is made from. The chain hoist is broken into three distinct parts: the lifting chain, the mechanism, and lastly the hook. All of these play important roles and must be made of tough materials to ensure safety and durability.
Most chain hoists are made of steel, though some are made of aluminum. If you’ll be lifting massive weights, then you will be better off with steel. In fact, look for those made with heat-treated steel for added strength.
Another thing to consider is the type of load brake it has. The load brake is important as it makes your operation safer. Most people prefer chain hoists with the Weston-style load brakes over the mechanical- or friction-based types. If you can, go for those with Weston-style load brakes.
Performance and Ease of Use
The capacity of your chain hoist cannot be over-emphasized. Never exceed the weight capacity of your chain hoist. In fact, it’s better to get one that has a much higher capacity than you will ever need. That way, you’ll never be in danger of exceeding its weight limit. An accidental dropping of heavy loads can cause serious injuries and even death.
Confirm that the chain hoist you’re buying has met the safety requirements of the regulatory bodies. A certification will be issued for this. Additionally, always check the chains of your hoist to ensure the links are still intact. Once you begin to notice some wear and tear, fix it if you can, or change the chain.
You’ve read through the guide thus far, so you have seen major factors you should consider when making your choice. The decision as to which brand and model of chain hoist will be best for you lies squarely with you. We’ve provided you with background information that will help you decide. As we begin to review our top five products, look carefully for the features that matter to you and grab the product that presents you with the features and functions you need.
Wow! You’ve finally come to the end of this guide and review. We do hope you found it informative. Hopefully you now know exactly what you need and can easily pick out the chain hoist that’s built for you. Without wasting any more time, go right ahead and place your order. But on the other hand, if you need more options, go ahead and check out what else these brands have on offer.
