To make sure you choose the appropriate lifting equipment, there are several key elements to identify, which include:

• How exactly do you intend to use the equipment;
• Frequency of use;
• The speeds needed to meet the plant’s production cycle;
• The budget allocated to the purchase of the appropriate lifting equipment. Obtaining the wrong equipment can result in significant maintenance costs.

For some equipment with a low operating cycle, basic information may be enough to make a good selection. For equipment with a high operating cycle or special conditions, more information will be needed to ensure proper selection.

Here is a short guide (to download) in order to help you gather most of the relevant information.

For more information, we invite you to contact one of our representatives in your area.

Terrebonne, Qc - 1.888.968.0588
Québec, Qc - 1.888.650.0588

The hoist is the lifting mechanism of your equipment. For the purchase of a crane, jib cranes or a monorail, selecting the appropriate hoist is essential, because this component is one of the most heavily relied on.

Electric chain hoist

• Main advantages
• Compact design which provides a better approach of the hook at the ends (no drum)
• More cost efficient than a wire rope hoist (design with less machining and electronics)
• No lateral movement of the hook when ascending or descending (True Vertical Lift)
• Lifting capacity up to 6,300 kg (available up to 35,000 kg in the non-standard)
• Smaller and more robust hook assembly
• More compact, takes less space

• Main disadvantages
• Reduced speed range
• The space taken by the chain bag
• Some accessories are not available

Electric wire rope hoist

• Main advantages
• Fast lifting speeds
• Recommended for long hook races
• No space to consider for the chain bag
• Standard lifting capacity up to 250 MT (metric ton)

• Main disadvantages
• The core of a steel cable can be harder to inspect
• More expensive
• Additional cost to forecast if a True Vertical Lift is needed

Finally, it is important to note that maintenance costs and product lifetime are similar. The load chain can last up to 30 times longer than a steel cable, minimizing downtime. In return, a lifting chain is more expensive than a steel cable.

It is worth remembering that the first part of the load test is to lift a load equal to the rated load of the crane in order to test the brakes, stroke limits and other mechanisms of the equipment. In addition, during the load test, the vertical deflection must be measured. The acceptable deflection criteria varies according to the design of the equipment.

In the second part of the test, 125% of the rated load is raised. The equipment must be able to lift and move the load without difficulty, without necessarily reaching maximum speed.

Following these tests, a report must be produced showing the results and it must be kept in the equipment logbook.

This load test is a recommendation of the American ASME B30.17 Overhead and Gantry standard. However, in Canada and in Quebec, reference should be made to CSA B167 Cranes: Design, Inspection, Testing, Maintenance and Safe Use, which is a mandatory crane design standard.

CSA C22.2 No. 33 M1984 of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, which is mandatory in Quebec, reads as follows: "In the case of a multiple motor overhead crane, there must be a main contactor to simultaneously shut down all conductors supplying the current required for the crane's movements. The contactor shall be operated by a stop-reset command located near the crane operator's control station. "

• So, an emergency stop is mandatory for the following equipment:
• Overhead crane with electric hoist and motorized trolley and / or motorized overhead crane
• Jib cranes with electric hoist and motorized trolley and / or motorized rotation
• Monorail with electric hoist and motorized trolley
• Gantry crane with electric hoist and motorized trolley and / or motorized movement.

Periodic inspection of your lifting equipment is an important task that should not be neglected. For this reason, it must be carried out by a crane inspector with at least 8000 hours of experience in this field (or supervised by such an inspector or engineer). Under NO circumstances should a person with less than 2000 hours of experience in this field be able to inspect lifting devices.

The CSA B167-16 standard is very clear on this. In addition to having 8000 hours of experience, crane inspectors must have recognized professional qualifications (electrician, industrial mechanic, etc.). It is also possible to supervise apprentice inspectors indirectly. To do this, the supervisor of the apprentice inspector must have the necessary skills and experience and he must be consulted by the apprentice for each anomaly and defect. The supervisor must also approve the inspection report. Articles 6.2.1, 6.2.2 and 6.2.3 will further guide you in clarifying the requirements.

Yes. The CSA B167-16 standard in effect in Canada requires that these devices be inspected in the same way as overhead cranes. Here is the list of equipment affected by this requirement: overhead cranes, jib cranes, wall jib cranes, monorails, gantry cranes, hoists and other lifting equipment with characteristics similar to those listed above.

A lifting equipment must be inspected at least once a year. But the frequency can go up to four times a year depending on the nature of the equipment (crane class). The checkpoints are operational, mechanical, electrical and structural. The inspection report issued must be kept securely and is the starting point for the next assessment.

• Here are the inspection requirements as stated by CSA B167-16:
• Classes A and B (infrequent and light duty): annually;
• Classes C and D (moderate service and heavy duty): semi-annually;
• Classes E and F (Intensive and Continuous Intensive): Quarterly
• Special Service: As recommended by an engineer or the manufacturer of the lifting equipment.

In all cases, the recommendations and requirements of the manufacturer must be considered. It should also be noted that periodic inspections are based on the visible and auditory characteristics of the lifting equipment and they usually do not involve disassembly (unless it is clearly necessary, which would be considered maintenance). Section 6.5 of CSA B167-16 will explain everything you need to know about periodic inspections. If there aren’t any periodical inspections on your lifting equipment, a CNESST inspector forbid all operations on the equipment. If a work accident happens, the owner is punishable by law.

Indeed, it is possible to make a lift above the rated capacity of the crane, but under certain conditions.

• Some important points to respect according to CSA B167-16 and ASME B30.2-2011:
• Do not exceed 125% of the rated capacity of the equipment
• Must be treated as a special event, for example 1 to 2 lifts per year
• The crane runway must be able to support the load, check with an engineer
• Inspection before and after the lift must be done by a qualified inspector
• Keep a record of all surcharges
• Have a lifting plan approved by an engineer

Below you will find a tutorial video to help you replace your transmitter.

The answer is available in our PDF document on lifting and handling equipment compliance (downloadable PDF document, in French only).