Hoists are used to lift and lower heavy loads and are valuable pieces of equipment in the many industrial settings. When choosing a hoist for your lifting applications, it’s important to choose one that is best suited to your operations in the long term.
Not only will you need to think about the amount of weight your hoist will typically be lifting, but you’ll also need to think about the preferred speed and the height you’ll need for the lift. Do you have a suitable power supply? once you’ve decided this, you should consider whether manual or electric is best suited to your requirements. You should choose a hoist that can cater to both your present and future needs, which is why you should be critical when making your decision.
With a wide range of hoists to choose from, it’s best to start by choosing whether an electric hoist or a manual hoist is better for you. In this blog, we compare the differences between electric and manual hoists and identify the benefits of each so that you can make an informed decision.
| Benefits | Manual Hoist | Electric Hoist |
| Easy to transport | Yes | No |
| Typically more affordable | Yes | No |
| Durable | Yes | Yes |
| Range of speed settings | No | Yes |
| Fast movement | No | Yes |
| Move heavy objects with ease | - | Yes |
| High precision | - | Yes |
Electric hoists (also known as electric chain hoists) are used for lifting or lowering material with the use of its electric motor and controller to easily lift and lower, with the ability to adjust the speed of some hoist models.
Most ideal for industrial purposes, electric hoists are ideal for more frequent and everyday usage, where faster lifting is required. They make light work of heavy objects in comparison to when manual hoists are used.
One of our best-selling electric hoist is the Yale CPV/F Electric Hoist With Integrated Trolley which is ideal for carrying loads above 1000kg and for moving them across long distances, making it the perfect choice for frequent use. It offers a smooth start up, self-braking and boasts a compact and robust structure with low overall height. Now available at Lifting Gear Direct is the latest, 2nd generation Delta electric hoist, offering, quality, reliability and cost effectiveness and the DEH models are kept on the shelf for super quick delivery.
One of the main advantages of using an electric lifting hoist is the speed in which lifting and lowering can be done. Some of the slower models can reach 1.5 metres in one minute, whereas some of the faster electric hoists can reach 12 metres per minute. This means that if you are looking for a fast electric hoist, you should take this into consideration and electric hoists will all have different speeds. With the quick speeds, you’ll be able to complete lifting operations much more efficiently and faster.
Electric hoists are easy to use, meaning that less work is required to lift heavier loads in comparison to manual hoists. This means that if you’re intending to use the hoist for frequent operations, you will most likely benefit more from an electric hoist.
With lifting made much easier, the operations can be carried out without compromising on safety, therefore protecting the load and individuals using the electric hoist.
While electric hoists are more costly than manual hoists, they are inexpensive compared the cost of sick pay and down time due to muscle injuries from manual lifting and are therefore one of the most popular options in the industry due to their efficient operations even in demanding conditions. They are hassle-free, can be easily operated with basic, touch button controls and lift goods with high precision.
Manual hoists are a simple device made from durable, high-grade steel. While manual hoists are extremely easy to move around, however, they do require more effort to lift heavier loads in comparison to electric hoists.
When choosing a hoist that suits you, you should understand that manual hoists are designed for hoisting and lowering loads, and aren’t designed for pulling.
Our best-selling manual hoist is the LGD Chain Hoist which boasts a number of different lifting capacities. The hoist is ideal for heavy industrial use or tough mining operations. The different lifting capacities for the manual chain block range from the smallest at 0.5 tonnes, to the largest hand chain block at 5 tonnes. This means that the hoist should cover the majority of everyday lifting tasks.
The main types of manual hoisting devices include ratchet lever hoists, chain blocks, block & tackle and the pull winch.
Manual hoists work by hand, so no power supply is required to lift loads. This means that manual hoists can be used virtually anywhere, as long as they can be anchored securely. As manual hoists are generally easier to move around than electrical, they work perfectly for when you’re regularly on the move.
In comparison to electric hoists, manual hoists are more affordable and are perhaps best used for light lifting although heavy duty models are available and suitable for lifting really heavy loads often 20 tonne and more. As they do not require electricity, they are also much cheaper to run.
Manual hoists are safe to use, durable and are lightweight, making it a firm favourite for those in the industry who are unable to transport the heavier electric hoist.
There are a wide variety of hoisting equipment to choose from which will be best suited to specific lifting applications and therefore it is a good idea to think carefully about the type of hoist you need and for what type of application that will influence your choice of electric or manual hoist.
We believe in keeping our customers informed, so we are happy to help if you need to learn more about any of the powered electric hoists or manual models we sell. We can also provide you with maintenance and inspection services that Lifting Gear Direct can carry out
To find out more, call 01384 76961 or get in touch with us using our contact form.
