1. Hoist and Cranes: Everything you need to Know
Not everybody knows what hoists and cranes are. If you are one of them, then it
good to familiarize yourself through this blog post. Hoists and cranes are lifting
equipments which are used in construction industries. They help in lifting heavy
materials with ease and help in saving both time and energy. Now let us look at
them individually.
Hoist: A hoist helps in lifting and lowering loads. This is done using a barrel or
drum around which a rope can be wrapped. You can operate a hoist manually or
through electricity. With the help of chain, you can operate at pneumatically
using rope for a lifting purpose.
Cranes: Cranes are usually used in manufacturing and construction industry.
Either fixed or mounted these are not permanent structures. Some cranes are
operated using a push button control station while some are controlled by the
operator. It is also possible to operate a crane with the use of radio/infrared
remote control.
Regular hoists may use a wire rope which can be wrapped around something of
cylindrical shape or they may use a load-chain which can be raised by a pulley to
involve the chain to lift the loads. Electronic hoists come with a hoist controller
which can have a number of features based on the preset specifications. Electrical
hoists are considered as the most economical form of hoists as they are cost
effective and it does not take a lot of efforts to repair them. Manual hoists need
extensive power to run them while electrical hoists bring down the cost on man
power and ensure more efficiency.
There are a variety of cranes including telescopic crane, tower crane, rough
terrain cranes, truck mounted cranes, crawler cranes, loader cranes, overhead or
suspended cranes and stacker cranes. Each crane performs unique functions.
They are designed differently too and used for various purposes.
Thus, hoists and cranes can be of tremendous use for safe and easy lifting and
material handling operations. They have been designed perfectly for powerful

2. and reliable operation. All needs to be done is proper and regular maintenance of
these lifting equipments. It extends the life of the equipment.
Construction business makes use of various types of goods and equipments.
Equipments to lift heavy loads are an important tool out of them all. Cranes and
hoists are used to lift heavy goods and move them from one spot to another.
They are a must in the construction business. Builders normally choose good
quality cranes and hoists that are strong and durable.
It is easy to find various types of cranes and hoists in the market. You need to
choose a type that is in accordance with your needs.
Cranes, unlike hoists, are used for a variety of purposes apart from lifting goods
and equipments. They can also be used in demolition of building. They can be
used to lift goods horizontally.
The various types of cranes available in the market are:
*Telescopic cranes: They consist of different fitted tubes.
*Tower cranes: They are fixed to the ground.
*Rough terrain cranes: They are usually mounted on an undercarriage.
*Truck mounted cranes: They are mounted on a truck.
*Crawler cranes: They are independent in terms of mobility.
*Loader cranes: They are fitted to a trailer.
*Overhead cranes: They are usually mounted on the assembly area’s side.
*Stacker cranes: They are used in warehouses.
Hoists, unlike cranes, are used only for lifting goods and equipments. They can
only be used in lifting goods and equipments vertically. The various types of hoists
available in the market are:

3. *Portable batter operated powered hoist: These are detachable hoists. They are
light weighted and can be made to work on different platforms. They are widely
used in providing assistance to elderly people.
*Permanently attached ceiling track hoist: They are not detachable like the
former type. They can be operated continuously without the help of battery. They
work on electricity. They are used in places where lifting needs to be done
excessively.
Other than the above mentioned types, hoists can also be classified on the basis
of their tracks and suspension. They can be classified on the basis of their lifting
capabilities, as well.
Cranes and hoists need to be chosen with care. You ought to opt for a type that is
in accordance with your need. Otherwise, you may not get the expected results
from them. They are necessary for any construction house. They serve an
important purpose over there. Besides, they are also used in manufacturing units
for the lifting of heavy weighted goods and machinery. They ease human efforts
and are advisable in any place which needs heavy weight lifting.
Safety Measures for Hoist and Cranes:
Proper inspection and maintenance are required by the quality assurance
committee in order to prevent injury and they can prolong the life of equipment.
According to the rules and regulations, only qualified people should perform
inspections. ANSI defines qualified “as a person who, by possession of a
recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing, or who by extensive
knowledge, training, and experience has successfully demonstrated the ability to
solve or resolve problems relating to the subject matter and work.” A schedule of
inspections and maintenance should be established and meticulously followed for
all crane and hoist equipment.
Training programs to understand the operation are available. Textbooks, existing
job hazard analysis or information from the Internet can provide a starting point
for training. District or forest employees may benefit from crane and hoist
training. If cranes and hoists are operated on your forest, contact your forester

4. regional safety officer to find out whether someone is available to conduct
training in your area.