Difference Between Chain Hoists and Wire Rope Hoists

Currently, there are two main types of electric hoists widely used on the market: electric chain hoists and electric wire rope hoists. Based on different working conditions, you can choose a suitable electric hoist. This article briefly introduces the difference between electric chain hoists and wire rope hoists for reference.

Hoist Size

When comparing electric hoists of the same tonnage, chain hoists are generally smaller than wire rope hoists. This is due to their different construction.

Electric chain hoists are chain-driven, and the chain box is separate from the chain hoist, overcoming the problem of oversized reels on wire rope hoists. As a result, the dimensions of electric chain hoists are mostly smaller than those of wire rope hoists. The size difference becomes more significant as the lifting height increases because the wire rope is wrapped around the drum, which has a greater effect on the overall size.

Lifting Height

There is excessive pressure on one side of the drum and tension on the corresponding surface. The smaller the diameter of the drum, the greater the deformation of the wire rope, and the greater the pressure and tension on the corresponding surfaces. To avoid the wire rope wrapped around the drum causing elastic deformation, and ensure that these forces do not exceed the carrying capacity of the wire rope, the drum diameter of the wire rope hoist must be larger. Design specifications require that the diameter of the drum of an electric wire rope hoist be at least 20 times larger than the diameter of the wire rope.

On the other hand, electric chain hoists are connected by hinges, and the main force they are subjected to is tensile force. To reduce the compressive strength between the links and on the contact surfaces between the links and the sprocket, electric chain hoists usually use 5-groove or 6-groove sprockets, and sometimes 4-groove sprockets for lighter loads and lifting speeds. For these reasons, the pulleys on wire rope hoist reels and hooks are much larger than the sprockets on electric chain hoists of the same size. As a result, the hook spacing on an electric chain hoist is smaller than on a wire rope hoist of the same size.

This means that an electric chain hoist can achieve a higher lifting height than a wire rope hoist on a track of the same height.

Stroke Distance

The axis of the wire rope hoist is parallel to the track on which the trolley runs, whereas the axis of the trolley of the electric chain hoist can be mounted perpendicular to the track.

As a result, the chain hoist has a longer travel distance than the wire rope hoist under the same conditions and track length. Even if the axes are parallel to the track, the smaller axial dimensions of the electric chain hoist enable longer travel distances to be achieved than with a conventional vehicle. When the wire rope hoist has a greater lifting height, the reel length is also longer, which further affects the traveling distance.

Accuracy

During lifting, the wire rope hoist produces a horizontal displacement in the direction of the hoist axis due to the wire rope being wound axially around the drum. The higher the lifting height, the more often the wire rope is wrapped around the drum, resulting in a greater horizontal displacement of the hook.

On the other hand, an electric chain hoist ensures that the hook is precisely positioned along the vertical line of the chain, regardless of the lifting height.

However, many industrial cranes use wire rope hoists. So which one is better depends on your actual needs.

Summary

• Compared to wire rope hoists, chain hoists are much smaller, and for the same height, chain hoists are usually several or even dozens of times smaller.
• Compared to wire rope hoists with the same track height, electric chain hoists can achieve higher lifting heights.
• For the same track length, electric chain hoists can be operated over longer distances than wire rope hoists.
• The positioning accuracy of the hook is more precise with electric chain hoists than with wire rope hoists.
• Electric chain hoists are easier to install than wire rope hoists.
• Chain hoists have better performance in handling inclined loads than wire rope hoists.
• Chain hoists do not suffer from “loose rope” problems like wire rope hoists, resulting in a lower failure rate.
• The mechanical principle of the chain hoist extends its service life compared to wire rope hoists.
• Compared to wire rope hoists, electric chain hoists have a longer service life.

Although there are many differences between chain hoists and wire rope hoists, Henan Dejun Industry Co., Ltd provides material handling solution of both chain hoists and wire rope hoists according to your actual requirements.