6.4.3 Lifting Media

The two principal lifting media used with electric power operated hoists are:

  1. Short link round steel chain.

  2. Steel wire rope.

Each has its own characteristics and the choice of the lifting medium imposes restrictions on the design of the hoist.

In hoists which utilize chain, the chain passes over a pocketed wheel, the slack side of chain hanging loose. A collecting box may be used to house the slack chain, but as this sits below the body of the hoist it restricts the height that certain loads may be lifted.

In hoists which utilize wire rope, the wire rope passes on and off a drum upon which it is stored. The range of lift is limited by the amount of wire rope that the drum can accommodate.