Chain hoists facilitate the raising and lowering of heavy loads using a chain. Offering a greater lifting capacity that can be achieved with manual lifting alone, chain hoists work through a system of gears or pulleys which provide a mechanical advantage.
Commonly used in locations such as construction, marine vessels, manufacturing and warehouses, chain hoists make it possible to lift heavy objects safely and efficiently.
But when it comes to the type of chain hoist that’s right for your application and overall usage requirements, sometimes a manual chain hoist can prove more favourable.
Here is an overview of what manual chain hoists are along with the advantages they can provide.
What Is A Manual Chain Hoist?
As the name suggests, manual chain hoists involve manual operation as the user pulls on the chains to move the gear mechanism.
The two other types of chain hoists include electric chain hoists and pneumatic chain hoists.
There is a need to have different types of chain hoists to allow for precise, safe and practical lifting in different scenarios.
In the case of a manual chain hoist, it does not require electricity to work meaning that when it’s not possible to use an electric chain hoist, the required task can still be completed even without power.
How To Use A Manual Chain Hoist
A manual chain hoist (also known as a hand chain hoist) works by physical effort from the user.
The operator pulls the hand chain continuously which works to turn a series of internal gears.
This gear system is intuitive as it is capable of multiplying the amount of force being delivered by the user, which makes it possible to lift extremely heavy loads with minimal effort.
When the operator stops pulling the chain, the hoists automatically stop moving. This not only offers the ability to lift loads with extreme precision but also enhances safety. The load will remain suspended in place until the user resumes pulling on the chain.
When Should You Use A Manual Chain Hoist?
Manual chain hoists are lightweight, portable and don’t require electricity to work. This opens up their usage potential to a variety of environments, including those which have access challenges.
Commonly, this includes construction and industrial environments, particularly where there is a need to complete maintenance tasks in challenging circumstances (i.e. due to a lack of space for equipment or a lack of electricity).
Suitable for lifting light to medium-heavy loads, manual chain hoists can also offer a budget-friendly option compared with other chain hoist types. If the lifting task is sporadic or infrequent, manual chain hoists can also be ideal.
Overall, manual chain hoists provide the advantage of precise lifting. Therefore, they also make sense to use when there is a need to lift with extreme care to protect against damage to the load, people or the nearby surroundings.
Shop Manual Chain Hoists At Metreel
Manual chain hoists can provide a lot of advantages for your lifting operations, especially on sites that don’t have access to electricity or where precision lifting is required.
Metreel is a leading UK supplier of hoists including manual chain hoists. Head over to our manual chain hoists product page to learn more or to place an order.
You can also discuss your lifting requirements with us in greater detail by giving us a call on 0115 647 0157 to speak to our sales team.