Electric Chain Hoists | Columbus McKinnon

Our Yale and STAHL CraneSystems electric chain hoists offer performance, reliability and long service life for even the most demanding applications and heavy loads. They are available in various load capacities, lifting heights and configurations and can be adapted to your exact requirements. Our electric chain hoists are among the safest on the market and are equipped with a wide range of standard or optional features, such as slipping clutch for overload protection or limit switches to extend the service life and safety.

In addition to the stationary top hook or lug, there are different trolleys (push trolley, geared trolley, electric trolley) for all commercially available beam profiles and cranes in the product range.

Many industries have specific requirements for the electric chain hoists they need, which is why we develop and produce solutions for every industry. Our portfolio also includes special electric chain hoists for use in event and stage technology, for wind turbines, in clean rooms and for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

Overview of our high-quality electric chain hoists:

Areas of application for our electric hoists:

The most common areas of application for electric chain hoists are industry and production as well as service and assembly. In addition, they are also used in numerous other areas with special requirements. Here are some examples:

ATEX: All components come from our own production and ensure complete, high-quality explosion protection. They comply with the ATEX directives and IECEx regulations for mechanical and electrical explosion protection.
Stage applications: We offer electric chain hoists for holding stationary loads above people. Here, design requirements for electric chain hoists of DIN EN 14492-2:2019 come into play. We implement these increased safety requirements in our models. You will also find solutions for lifting loads with two or more electric chain hoists simultaneously in our range.
Food & Pharma industries: Strict hygiene laws often prevail in chemical and food processing, even the smallest contamination can have catastrophic consequences. Electric chain hoists from Columbus McKinnon also meet these requirements. With options such as stainless steel chains and hooks, FDA-approved surface finishes and special chain lubricants, our food-grade hoists and slings combine maximum versatility and hygiene. Our products help you transport your goods while ensuring a clean and hygienic environment.
Cleanroom: Special requirements for the cleanliness of the room air, the workplace, as well as the people working in it. To protect the products or the people - or both. Our electric chain hoists are used in electronics production as well as in the field of biological hazardous substances, the pharmaceutical industry or nanotechnology. A clean room is constructed in such a way that the number of airborne particles that are introduced into or created in the room is kept very low. This particle concentration refers to dust particles, microorganisms and germ counts.
Mobile use: For assembly work, our electric chain hoists with a low own weight in 230v versions with a load capacity of 250 kg to 500 kg are particularly suitable.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

What must be observed when using electric chain hoists?

Electric chain hoists must always be in perfect condition and provided with a legible identity plate.
Prior to starting work, the hoist including load carrying devices, equipment, supporting structure and suspension must be inspected for obvious deficiencies and failures. In addition, the function of the brake and the correct attachment of hoist and load have to be checked by carrying out a short work cycle of lifting and lowering or pulling / tensioning and releasing.
Inspect the load chain for sufficient lubrication and visually check for external defects, deformations, superficial cracks, wear or corrosion marks. A defective chain must be replaced prior to operation of the hoist.
Electric chain hoists equipped with double chain falls should be inspected for twisted or kinked chains prior to being put into operation. The chains of multiple fall hoists may be twisted if the bottom block was turned over.
Inspect top and bottom hooks for deformations, damage, cracks, wear or corrosion marks. A safety latch must be available and work effectively.
Electric chain hoists with obvious defects and units which have been subject to overload or other dangerous influences have to be taken out of service and may only be operated after test and repair if so required.
When selecting the proper product, make sure that the electric hoist is suitable to accept transportation, suspension, type of lashing devices and lashing points safely and without unintended movement (e.g. slipping).
Load chains must not be used in kinked or knotted condition.
The load must always be seated in the saddle of the hook. Never attach the load on the tip of the hook. This applies to top and bottom hooks.
The operator must ensure that the load is attached in a manner that does not expose himself or other personnel to danger by the electric chain hoist, chain(s) or the load.
During lifting operations the load and suspension hook of the electric chain hoist must be perpendicular to the load center to prevent pendle motion of the load.
The operator may start moving the load only after it has been attached correctly and all personnel are off the danger zone.
Before lifting make sure that the load can move freely.
After lifting or tensioning, a load must not be left unattended for a longer period of time.
Chain stops, slipping clutches etc. are overload protection devices and may not be used as regular load limiters.

What should be considered when buying an electric chain hoist?

Questions about determining the appropriate electric chain hoist:

Required S.W.L. : What loads will be lifted? Plan reserves for the electric chain hoist in order to be able to react flexibly to new applications.
Required lifting height: Determine the required lifting height for your application. Take into account the overall height of the hoist.
Lifting speed: What lifting speed in m/min is required, are two lifting speeds (main lift/fine lift) required?
Suspension: In addition to the stationary bracket and hook suspension, there are various types of manual trolleys (push trolley or geared trolles) and electric trolleys for all commercially available flange widths and beam profiles.
Control system: Which control system is required? Depending on the electric chain hoist, various options are available, such as pendant control, radio remote control or frequency controllers for infinitely variable speed control.
Environmental influences/protection class: Depending on the operating environment, there are different requirements for the electric chain hoist (e.g. normal - increased relative humidity - dust - dirt - special temperatures - explosive environments - offshore). The suitable protection class prevents the damaging effects of water, foreign bodies and dust.
Classification of the hoist: How often is the hoist in operation? (load cycles per hour - hours per day - days per week - distance travelled per lifting cycle)
Operating voltage: (230 v / 400 v / three-phase current / 1-phase alternating current, special voltages)
Power Frequency (50 Hz - 60 Hz)
Control voltage: direct or contactor controlled or frequency converter controlled

Do you need support? Our sales staff will be happy to advise you!

What does the rating or duty cycle mean for the electric chain hoist?

To prevent unacceptable heating of the electric motor, appropriate pauses for cooling must be observed during operation.

The duty cycle refers to a 10-minute cycle. For example, a value of 50% means that the electric chain hoist can be operated for 50% of the time, i.e. 5 minutes, and the remaining time to 10 minutes (= 5 min), currentless pauses are required to cool down the motor.

An electric chain hoist with a hoisting speed of 8 m/min and a duty cycle of 50% must stop after 40 m of hoisting at full load and take a break of 5 minutes.

For more information, see our user instructions.

What types of chain hoist controls are there?

Direct control: With direct control, all the mains voltage is applied directly to the control pendant of the electric chain hoist. By operating the control unit, the phases are rotated to reverse the lifting motion of the motor for raising and lowering.
Contactor control: With contactor control, only a low voltage of 42V is applied to the control bottle of the electric chain hoist. By using contactors, phase reversal is achieved, which increases work safety.

Frequency control: enable smooth acceleration and deceleration of the movement process as well as dynamic adjustment of the hoisting speeds. The exact placement of the load is also facilitated by the frequency control.