How to choose the right industrial hoist - Comprehensive guide

By Jean-Philippe Toutant
Technical representative at Premium Industrial Group inc.

If you need to buy or replace a hoist, you might think it will be a simple choice: "a standard hoist" or "the same one I already have." However, many buyers tell us they were surprised by the number of questions they had to ask themselves — and by the consequences of making the wrong choice.  In fact, the hoist is the most heavily used component on a lifting device, which makes choosing the right one all the more important.

At Premium Industrial Group, we help dozens of companies each year to choose the right lifting equipment. We know that choosing a hoist is not just a question of price, but also of safety, durability and efficiency.

In this article, you will discover the important factors to consider to carefully choose your hoist, avoid costly mistakes, and speed up your selection process.

Let's start with the most important factors, which are essential for making the right choice.

The three basic elements for choosing a hoist: application, capacity, and speeds

1. The application

What will you be using your hoist for? This will determine your choice. What does that mean in concrete terms? Consider the following questions :

For more details on this important first step, see the article " Need an overhead crane : where to start? ", at step 1 . The principle for choosing a hoist is the same as for choosing an overhead crane.

Since there are many possible configurations and features for your hoist, the application will allow you to eliminate options that are not suitable.

2. The capacity

Your lifting capacity will have a significant impact on your choice, particularly when determining whether you hoist should be chain or wire rope.

For example, a hoist with a capacity of less than 3 tons will generally be a chain hoist, while a hoist with a capacity of more than 5 tons will usually be a wire rope hoist. However, for anything between these two capacities, both options are possible and available. For more information on choosing between a wire rope hoist and a chain hoist, see the article " Wire rope hoists vs chain hoists : How to make the right choice " 

3. Speeds

The up and down speed, but also the travelling speed, is an important matter and depends greatly on the application.
In general, modern equipment is designed with two speeds as standard. Some types of equipment, which are becoming increasingly common on the market, operate with variable frequency drives. To understand how this type of speed control works, see the article " Speed drive vs contactor: what to choose for my overhead crane? ".  The principle is similar for hoists  / trolleys.

It's possible to have slower or faster speeds, depending on your needs. Let's look at some concrete examples where these three elements can help make the right choice.

Typical example where application, capacity, and speeds influence the hoist selection

For example, a steel company such as Acier Picard loads steel trailers several times a day. For this type of application, you will probably want faster speeds to reduce waiting time. In this case, a wire rope hoist would be more suitable. 
However, other companies, such as Machitech, load 5-ton machines onto a trailer once a week. For this type of application, you could consider a 5-ton chain hoist with slower speeds.

That said, in order to guide you toward the ideal hoist for your needs, your lifting specialist will need to analyze other important information with you.  
 

Other important information for choosing the right hoist

After analyzing the three most important factors, there are a few other details to consider before making your final selection.

Top running hoist (double girder)

Under running hoist (single girder)

Manual trolley

 

For example, what type of equipment will your hoist be installed on? This information is relevant for determining the right choice of trolley. Another useful piece of information : what is the type of power supply available? 

Your specialist will need this information to advise you. It’s therefore worth gathering it before you consult them. But is there anything else you should check to make sure you’re making the right choice?

What else should check when choosing a hoist?

Value for money

A high-quality hoist requires less maintenance and costs less in the long run. Even if the price quoted seems attractive, it could cost you more in the long run if maintenance is required more frequently.

The cost and availability of replacement parts also influence the long-term investment. For example, some wear parts are readily available from a local supplier, while others must be ordered from abroad, with delivery times of several weeks. 

💡Tip : Before buying, make sure that parts are easy to find and at a reasonable price.

Space requirements 

Some hoists take up more space vertically which reduces the available lifting height. When looking to achieve greater lifting height, this factor can be decisive in choosing a hoist. There are low headroom hoists on the market that have smaller overall footprints.
For more information on this feature, see the article " The 5 solutions to increase the lifting height ", and see solution 4 . 

Compliance

Canadian hoists are subject to strict standards that must be met, such as the CSA standard. Hoists from Europe or Asia may not be approved in Canada, which could lead to safety risks or legal issues in the event of an accident.

A checklist to help you choose your hoist

Choosing a hoist is a strategic decision that affects your productivity, your safety and your profitability.
You now understand what factors are essential to making an informed choice and avoiding costly mistakes. The next step? You can use our checklist to gather all the necessary information before contacting your specialist. This list is designed for overhead crane projects, but many of the items will be useful and will help you not forget anything.

At Premium Industrial Group, we regularly help industrial companies with the strategic choice of their hoist — and we know that this choice is often more complex than it seems.
Thanks to our field expertise and our extensive range of models, we can guide you towards a suitable and cost-effective choice.
If you wish, click on " Contact a specialist " and our experts will help you make the right selection.