Are you in the market for a reliable hoist to do all the heavy lifting in your workshop? We’ve put together a list of the differences between electrical and manual chain hoists. We hope this comparison will help you make an informed decision about which of our hoists would work best for you. Bur first thing’s first:
Why choose a chain hoist?
Compared to their counterparts, chain hoists are easier to maintain and operate because they’re designed for loads of about 10 tons and below. Chain hoists differ in that they provide true vertical lift, which means they lift loads directly upwards with no option for lateral movement.
This is essential for applications requiring extremely precise vertical placement. Chain hoists are handy and economically savvy alternatives for less demanding jobs in workshops and tricky environments that can’t cater for wire rope hoists.
Note: powered chain hoists come in three categories: electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic. We’ll only be focusing on the first.
Electrical vs Manual
- Input vs output
Electrical chain hoists require electrical energy to operate, meaning you’ll need to plug into a power supply to make it work. This can be problematic for many reasons, mainly the costs incurred as well as the limitation on its mobility. On the flip side though, the electrical input is what allows these hoists to lift heavier loads than their manual counterparts.
Manual chain hoists don’t need any kind of electrical input to lift their loads. This grants them greater versatile compared to their electrical counterparts; it makes them easy to transport and allows them to operate in harsh conditions. The only downside though is that it puts a limit on the load capacity since it needs manual input.
- Cost and maintenance
Electrical chain hoists are much more expensive than their manual counterparts for obvious reasons. They need electricity to work, and that doesn’t come free. They also need to be maintained more often which can dent your pocket. But, again, it’s all worth it considering the load capacity these machines have.
Manual chain hoists on the other hand are much cheaper to buy, operate and maintain. The only pitfall is the relatively weak output; but if you’re someone who doesn’t need to lift anything above 10 tons, you’ll want to consider Going for manual.
Get in touch today to find out which type of chain hoist is the perfect fit for your project!