Electric Hoist Selection Guide

I. First, Distinguish Between the Two Major Categories: Wire Rope Electric Hoists & Electric Chain Hoists
This constitutes the most fundamental classification; the first step is to choose between these two options.
1. Wire Rope Electric Hoists
Characteristics: High lifting capacity, high lifting height, smooth operation, relatively heavy self-weight, slightly larger physical dimensions.
Applicable Scenarios:
Rated Load: 1t ~ 80t (primarily for heavy-tonnage lifting).
Lifting Height: High lift (typically > 6m; can be customized to tens of meters).
Continuous Operation: High-frequency, long-duration lifting operations in factories, workshops, ports, and large warehouses.
Complementary Equipment: The primary hoisting unit for bridge cranes, gantry cranes, and overhead traveling cranes.
Environment: Standard indoor industrial settings; outdoor factory areas (rain-proof versions available).
Not Recommended For: Confined spaces, workstations with limited headroom, frequent inching/jogging operations, or scenarios requiring precise positioning.
2. Electric Chain Hoists (Chain Type)
Characteristics: Compact size, lightweight, robust structure, significant advantage in low-headroom environments, precise positioning capabilities, and affordable pricing.
Applicable Scenarios:
Rated Load: 0.25t ~ 20t (primarily for small to medium-tonnage loads).
Space Constraints: Low-headroom environments such as low-ceiling workshops, individual workstations, mold rooms, and areas adjacent to machine tools.
Operation Modes: Frequent inching/jogging, short-distance lifting, precision hoisting, and equipment maintenance.
Flexible Application: Use with manual trolleys or fixed suspension mounts; temporary lifting tasks; integration into assembly lines; auto repair shops.
Working Conditions: Intermittent operations; light-to-medium load lifting at specific workstations.
Not Recommended For: Ultra-heavy loads, or continuous lifting over extreme heights and long distances. II. Selection Based on Installation Type
1. Fixed Electric Hoists
Structure: Suspended in a fixed position only; lacks horizontal travel capability.
Selection Scenarios: Vertical lifting of materials, loading/unloading at fixed workstations, single-point hoisting, and fixed-point lifting on assembly lines.
Common Types: Primarily electric chain hoists; small-tonnage electric wire rope hoists may also be selected.
2. Traveling (Trolley-Mounted) Electric Hoists
Categorized into Manual Trolleys and Electric Trolleys.
Manual Trolleys
Selection Criteria: Low frequency of movement, short travel distances, manually pushable, limited budget.
Scenarios: Small workshops, maintenance workstations, occasional horizontal lifting and transport.
Electric Trolleys
Selection Criteria: Long-distance and high-frequency horizontal movement, fully automated operations.
Scenarios: Standard overhead cranes, large warehouses, cross-span operations on production lines, heavy material transfer.
3. Low-Headroom Electric Hoists (Specialized Models)
Specific Selection Criteria: Extremely low plant ceiling heights, confined overhead space (where standard hoists cannot be installed).
Preferred Choices: Low-headroom electric chain hoists / Low-headroom electric wire rope hoists.
III. Selection Based on Usage Frequency / Working Class (Core Industrial Metric)
National standards classify hoists into Light, Medium, Heavy, and Extra-Heavy classes; this classification directly determines the equipment’s service life and safety performance.
A1–A3: Light Duty (Intermittent Use)
Operating Conditions: Used for <2 hours per day; occasional lifting, equipment maintenance, temporary hoisting tasks.
Selection: Standard electric chain hoists; standard commercial/light-duty electric wire rope hoists.
A4–A5: Medium Duty (Standard Industrial Use)
Operating Conditions: Daily workshop production, warehouse transfers, standard 8-hour daily operations, moderate start-stop frequency.
Selection: Industrial-grade electric wire rope hoists / Reinforced electric chain hoists (the mainstream, general-purpose models on the market).
A6–A7: Heavy Duty (High-Frequency, Heavy-Load Use)
Operating Conditions: Steel mills, foundries, mining operations, logistics sorting centers, continuous non-stop operation on assembly lines, frequent start-stop cycles.
Selection: Specialized metallurgical hoists, heavy-duty electric wire rope hoists, explosion-proof models / High-Temperature Specialized Model: Strictly Prohibited to Use Standard Light-Duty Hoists
A8 Extra Heavy-Duty Class
Operating Conditions: Heavy-duty metallurgy, port operations, heavy-load assembly lines, 24-hour shift operations.
Selection: Professionally customized heavy-duty hoist, equipped with a dedicated motor and reduction mechanism.
IV. Selection Based on Special Environments (Specialized models are mandatory for specific operating conditions)
1. Explosion-Proof Environments (Chemical plants, oil & gas facilities, dusty workshops, flammable/explosive locations)
Mandatory Selection: Explosion-proof electric hoist (Explosion-proof chain / Explosion-proof wire rope).
Classification: Ex d II CT4 / Ex d II BT4; must be matched according to the specific explosion-proof rating of the site.
Prohibition: Direct use of standard electric hoists is strictly prohibited due to the risk of explosion.
2. High-Temperature Environments (Metallurgy, heat treatment, forging workshops)
Selection: Metallurgy-specific electric hoist (High-temperature resistant motor, thermal insulation shielding, heat-resistant wire rope / chain).
Applicable Environment: Ambient temperature > 40°C, or close-range contact with high-temperature workpieces.
3. Humid / Corrosive Environments (Coastal areas, docks, chemical workshops, pickling zones)
Selection: Anti-corrosion, waterproof, or stainless steel component models.
Chain Hoists: Priority is given to zinc-plating or anti-corrosion treatment for the chain; the entire unit features waterproof sealing to prevent electrical leakage and corrosion.
4. Outdoor / Open-Air Use
Selection: Rain-proof electric hoist; the motor and electrical control box feature rain-proof and dust-proof sealing.
For areas with strong winds, an additional wind-resistant device is recommended.
5. High-Dust Environments (Mines, building material sites, grinding workshops)
Selection: Enhanced dust-proof model; features sealed motors and electrical systems to prevent dust ingress and subsequent malfunctions.
V. Quick Selection Guide by Tonnage and Lifting Height (Simplified Reference Chart)
Table
Operating Conditions | Recommended Model
0.25t ~ 5t: Limited space, low-ceiling workshops, workstation lifting | Electric Chain Hoist (Fixed-mount / Manual Trolley)
1t ~ 20t: Standard workshops, medium ceiling height, general lifting applications | Standard Electric Wire Rope Hoist (Electric Trolley)
20t ~ 80t: High tonnage, high lift, heavy-duty workshops / ports → High-Tonnage Wire Rope Electric Hoist
Any tonnage, minimal headroom (low clearance) → Specialized Low-Headroom Hoist (Chain hoist preferred)
Temporary lifting, auto repair, mold handling, frequent inching operations → Mini / Light-Duty Electric Chain Hoist
VI. Supplementary Selection Criteria: Single-Phase vs. Three-Phase Power Supply
Single-Phase 220V (Residential / Small Workshops / Small Shops)
Selection: 220V Residential Electric Chain Hoist (Tonnage typically ≤ 3t)
Scenarios: Sole proprietors, small-scale repair shops, home storage, locations lacking industrial three-phase power
Three-Phase 380V (Standard Industrial Power)
Selection: Full Industrial Series (Wire rope, chain, explosion-proof, metallurgical models)
Scenarios: All formal factories, workshops, and industrial sites (The industrial workhorse)
VII. Quick Summary (A One-Sentence Selection Guide)
High tonnage, high lift, main workshop overhead cranes → Wire Rope Electric Hoist
Low tonnage, limited headroom, workstation maintenance, frequent precision positioning → Electric Chain Hoist
Flammable/explosive environments → Explosion-proof models; High-temperature metallurgy → Specialized metallurgical models
Outdoor / Coastal environments (damp/corrosive) → Waterproof and anti-corrosion models
No three-phase power, small-scale/temporary use → 220V Single-Phase Electric Chain Hoist
High-frequency continuous operation → Select heavy-duty industrial models with high duty cycles; avoid light-duty residential models