Please recommend a chain hoist ,

[pharmvet]

I have come to the conclusion that I could really use a chain hoist. I have never owned one. For those of you who use one, please make me some suggestions and or recommendations. I think I want a manual one, and most certainly want a one made in USA. What tonage and chanin length would your recommend?
Any certain brands? Any and all info welcomed. thanks

 

[adirondackmtnman]

I have come to the conclusion that I could really use a chain hoist. I have never owned one. For those of you who use one, please make me some suggestions and or recommendations. I think I want a manual one, and most certainly want a one made in USA. What tonage and chanin length would your recommend?
Any certain brands? Any and all info welcomed. thanks

Tonnage depends on what you'll want to lift with it. Me, I'd buy a step above that. TSC sells some decent ones for around $100...not sure if you'll find many made under Uncle Sam's roof anymore, and it can't hurt to look, but you'll pay the premium for it. I'm also not sure if you can get them in varying chain lengths...let us know what you find.

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[RoMad]

If you want a good quality one, go to a welding supply and you should find a good selection. You can get them in pretty much any chain length you want. If you are going to be mounting it in your shop don't get one with may more chain than you will ever use. A lot of chain can get in the way.
I prefer a come-a-long as you can use them in any direction, but if you are only lifting things up a chain hoist is nice because you can stand on the ground and pull the chain.
What are you plannning on picking up with this hoist?

 

[k0ua]

I have a chinese one I got at a farm store, I use it to lift heavy things in the shop. It is just 1/2 ton, but it sure is useful. It is very easy to use and takes all the strain out of lifting heavy things. Much easier to use than a "come a long", it is almost effortless. It was about $30

James K0UA

 

[Mendonsy]

What tonage and chanin length would your recommend?

The answer to both of those depends on where you are planning to hang it.
Make sure the chain is long enough to reach the floor and that the hoist doesn't have more capacity than the structure it is hanging on will support.

 

[RobertBrown]

Tonnage depends on what you'll want to lift with it. Me, I'd buy a step above that. TSC sells some decent ones for around $100...not sure if you'll find many made under Uncle Sam's roof anymore, and it can't hurt to look, but you'll pay the premium for it. I'm also not sure if you can get them in varying chain lengths...let us know what you find.

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To the contrary, tonnage depends on what your are going to hang it from.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

To the contrary, tonnage depends on what your are going to hang it from.

I'm not sure how that's contrary to my statement. If the chainfall can pick it, one would verify (with any sense at all,) that what they're hanging it from would also have sufficient strength to support the load, no?

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[MillWeld]

I have 2: a 2 ton one mounted on my log arch for lifting logs and a 1 ton one mounted overhead in my barn for general purpose use. They are both Asian and they have served me well for years.
Bob

 

[mikehaugen]

Don't get way bigger than you think you'll need because the gear ratio will be painfully slow. If you buy a 2 ton model and are only lifting 500# with it, you will be there for a while and your arms will get pretty tired.

 

[wmonroe]

How are you going to mount it? On a I-beam with a trolley or a fixed location? This winter I'm going to install a chain hoist at my place and am trying to decide if I want to do a beam with a trolley.

 

[dave1949]

Those rolling gantry type beams look very handy. Portable to anywhere in the building and it removes any doubt about how much can be suspended from the beam, and/or how much the ceiling can support.

 

[RobertBrown]

I'm not sure how that's contrary to my statement. If the chainfall can pick it, one would verify (with any sense at all,) that what they're hanging it from would also have sufficient strength to support the load, no?

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Excellent point! Well said!

 

[newbury]

I just bought an inexpensive 2 ton from HF. I've carried it around to different sites but now have it hung over an I beam in a shop. I can back my dually under it and unload most things.

A good thing to pair it with is a

truck crane. I mounted one on some plywood so it doesn't take up space in the bed all the time..

A few months ago I had to pick up a Bel-Saw planer that must have weighed about 500lbs. I got it into my F350 with the crane and it was easier to take it out with the hoist. Placed it on a pallet and now roll it about with pallet forks.

 

[Scooby074]

Columbus Mackinnon (CM) is a good brand. They used to make much of their stuff here, but now it varies depending on what line you buy from . Like alot of things (particularly involving safety), good hoists made here cost ALOT. It can be many times the price for the premium line from a manufacturer compared to the "import" line for the same capacity from the same company. Like comparing CM's 622 at $200 for a 1/2 ton to their Cyclone at $1000 for the same capacity

Another good brand is Kito. Made in Japan. Quite common in industry.


Capacity and chain length depends on what your lifting. I have a 1 ton gantry with about 12' of chain. This is in my barn with 8' ceilings. If I build a new place though, It will have much higher ceilings so I can take advantage of that extra chain.

Really recommend a gantry with a cross trolley. Even better if it is on wheels so you can roll it around. You can buy or build one.

Gearing up a proper chain hoist, trolley and gantry , one that is safe (that you'd "trust" with your life) and made in a respectable place like Japan, Germany, US or Canada will not be cheap.

 

[k0ua]

On my cheapie Chinese (Grip brand) 1/2 ton model I shortened the hand chain, as it was too long and just unneeded from the low ceiling it is hung from. I cut a link and re-welded it back together. I can't find where I welded, it so I must have done a good job. Mine is hung from a basement 2x12 so I would not try to actually lift 1000 lbs with it, maybe about half of that. I see no reason if you needed more hand chain or even more lift chain you could not extend them if needed.

James K0UA

 

[MacLawn]

Oh no, now I done found something else I need! I thought a come along was just another way of saying chain hoist? What's the difference? I've used a heap of them over the years, just didn't know the difference. Chain hoist use chains, come along has belt?

 

[mikehaugen]

A come-along uses a ratcheting lever to draw either a chain or wire cable. A chain hoist uses a loop of chain to lift or lower another chain. As mentioned, a come-along cane be used in any direction (as in pulling sideways) a chain hoist works best vertically (as in lifting).

 

[MacLawn]

Thanks, Mike. I need a come along then.

 

[woodsmith]

My other half says I have a winch habit!

I have a selection of random winches well into double figures ranging from 12vdc and 240vac electrics, differential chain, geared chain, worm drive chain, cable come-along, manual tow truck cable hoist, and a small electro-hydraulic crane.

All I need really is somewhere in my workshop to hang the winches so I can use them!:laughing:

I generally use them for pull-lifting trees and stuff into my trailer or pulling an engine from a car using a scaffold frame.
The cable come-along gets the most use as it is the lightest relative to capacity and also doesn't have a bucket of chain dragging about when I need to take it somewhere.

 

[LouieJunior]

I use a chain hoist to lift my john boat out of the way when not in use.

http://db.tt/s42olZrO