A hoist is a device used to lift heavy objects or people. It can vary in form and function, from large material lifting machines to smaller units mounted to the ceiling of a warehouse. There are different types of hoists, including construction hoists, mining winches, and chain hoists.
A hoist is a device used to lift heavy objects, materials or even people. This device can vary in form and function, and while some larger material lifting machines may be mounted on the outside of a large building or structure, others are simply mounted to the ceiling of a warehouse or other large space and are used primarily to move small and medium-sized loads in a smaller space. Large units will function much like an elevator, while smaller units tend to function like a pulley system with a bucket attached.
Sometimes known as a construction hoist, a materials hoist mounted on the side of a large building travels along scaffolding rails bolted directly to the building structure. The trolley or bucket travels along the outside of this scaffold and is usually operated by a rack and pinion system. The scaffold rail itself is constructed in sections which can be stacked on top of each other, allowing the bucket to run level with the mounted rails. Building materials can be loaded into the bucket, as can personnel, to reach the highest levels of the building quickly and efficiently.
A mining winch works much like a construction winch, but instead of running up a building or structure, the mine material hoist runs down a shaft. This device is primarily used to transport people and materials to and from the depths of a mine, and looks and functions like a crude elevator. The exact design and function of this type of lift can vary, as these lifts have been in use for centuries. The first models were powered by steam or even water or animals.
Another commonly used type of material hoist is the chain hoist. This device is usually used in factories and warehouses to move heavy objects along the space. The lifting mechanism is mounted on a track that runs the length of the space and can move along the track mechanically. It can be controlled electronically and most often the user can walk around with the load being carried to monitor progress. A chain is lowered from the material hoist and a hook or other method of securing materials is attached to the end of the chain. Once the load is secured, the mechanism can pull the chain upwards, thus lifting the load for safe movement.
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