Choosing the right standard lifting hoist for your operations can make your lifting processes more efficient, reliable, and safe. Wire rope hoists are used in many different operations performing many different jobs. These lifting devices can meet a wide range of operational needs from standard lifting to specialized lifting motions. Today, we are talking about wire rope hoists and built-up hoists, or open winches, and the features that make them equipped for different lifting conditions.
Duty Ratings of Overhead Cranes and Standard Lifting Hoists
The hoist is an integral part of the crane so both must work together and must have a matching duty rating. Duty ratings and classifications of standard lifting hoists and cranes ensure that the equipment is suitable for the application. Determining the duty of a wire rope hoist and/or crane is dependent on many factors including the lifting frequency, operating environment, and many other details related to lift speed, capacity, and lift height.
In addition, there are different governing bodies in the U.S. and Canada for classifying duty, including the Crane Manufacturers Association of America (CMAA), ASME, OSHA, the Hoist Manufacturers Institute (HMI), and more. Lifting equipment manufacturers like Demag manufacture hoists and cranes to the specific, standardized duty service classifications set by these organizations. A crane manufacturer and crane dealer can help you determine your duty cycle requirements and what equipment will meet your needs.
Standard Wire Rope Hoists
Standard wire rope hoists are an everyday tool to complement your operations. These standard lifting hoists and crane combinations are not likely to be used for production processes. When a standard wire rope hoist is added to a crane, the lifting operation is infrequent or light service. It may be lifting in a standard environment where extremes like temperature or high dust are not present. The hoist itself is not customized to specific needs but is available in standardized lift heights, capacities, voltages, lift speeds, and other specifications.
The Demag DVR rope hoist is well equipped as a standard wire rope hoist in many applications. Available in commonly used specification combinations, the DVR can provide reliable, efficient, and safe standard lifting hoist operations. It was designed to be configurable and flexible to fit a variety of lifting situations.
Non-Standard Wire Rope Hoists
When a standard lifting hoist won’t work for your application, the next step is to look for wire rope hoists equipped to handle more specialized requirements. A non-standard wire rope hoist is more customizable to your unique needs. Specifications that can be customized include a longer lift height, higher lift speeds, different reeving options for true vertical lift, and operation in extreme environments.
A harsh or extreme environment can put more stress on the mechanics of your standard lifting hoists. Examples of extreme environments include high or very low ambient temperatures, high moisture, caustic environments, or high amounts of dust. Equipment optimized for these environments includes additional protections against the elements present. Specialized components could include motors, electrical components, and protective plates for outdoor applications.
True Vertical Lift
Application-specific requirements can also create the need for a non-standard wire rope hoist. True vertical lift is necessary for certain applications where precision is critical. This is achieved with different reeving options which allow the hook to lift and lower the load without drift.
Some crane applications require a standard lifting hoist that will fit into a specific envelope, like a side approach or a low headroom application. These situations require a hoist configured to fit within these limitations. Other application-specific requirements could include the need for hardened sheaves due to a heavy load operating under a short span of rope.
DH Wire Rope Hoist
When you need to lift in an extreme environment or with high capacities, consider the Demag DH wire rope hoist. The DH wire rope hoist can handle capacities up to 100 tons and is flexible and configurable to meet your needs.
It can be outfitted with Co-Axial F10 motors for extreme environments like galvanizing. It can also be configured with an optional load hold brake to hold heavy loads, commonly found in aviation or aircraft operations. This load hold brake can also function as an emergency load halt brake as an additional safety option for your operations.
Cranes and hoists can complete specialized motions with heavy loads. When you require specialized motions, you must look at the options available in non-standard lifting hoists. A specialized motion could include flipping a load, tandem lifting with two hoists, the need to eliminate load sway, or long cross-travel motions across a long runway.
Open Winch Applications
When we think of the heaviest capacities, toughest environments, and high customization needs, this is when an open winch, or built-up hoist, application may come into consideration. Open winches may be used when your lifting capacities are over 150 tons with very long lift heights, very fast lifting speeds, and high-duty class, E or F. This type of lifting hoist device can be easier to modify to meet your needs than other hoists.
You’ll commonly find a built-up hoist in use in garbage handling, die handling, shipbuilding, bucket cranes used to make and transport cement, mining, and scrap handling. Built-up hoists are specialized for use in powerhouse stand-by cranes due to the long lift needed in these applications.
The Demag MPW open winch is designed to meet your unique needs and be modular and reliable for your operations. With load capacities up to 235 tons and flexible reeving options, the MPW offers easy maintenance and customization to meet your needs.
There are many ways to lift a heavy load using a wire rope hoist or open winch. Whether your operations require a standard or specialized lifting device, there are options out there for you. Choosing the right standard lifting hoist for your operations requires a knowledgeable crane manufacturer and crane dealer.
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