All industrial processes, be it on a ship dock or a warehouse, require the efficient movement of industrial loads from one point to another. Most facility managers are always on a sprint to keep up with the safest, most efficient mode of running their factories, and upgrading to an electric chain hoist is one of them.
What should you look for in an electric chain hoist? Transitioning from a manual chain hoist to an electric one or upgrading your hoist is a delicate procedure that you must match to your industrial needs and requirements. Small mistakes here can be costly in terms of money, product safety, health, or even litigation.
This is why managers should take the replacement or purchase of new industrial equipment very seriously. Some features you should consider as you search for your electric chain hoist system include;
Industrial space in any section of your industry will always be scarce. Other equipment, machines, and workers are competing for the efficient and productive use of that same space. Hence, the design of your new electric chain hoist should be as compact as possible.
Several dimensional constraints come into place when determining how compact your electric chain hoist is relative to the surrounding industrial structure. These include:
Before you purchase or finance new industrial equipment such as an electric chain hoist, you have to ensure that it is as quiet as possible.
Your electric chain hoist and all other industrial equipment have to create a safer, more productive environment. This is necessary to make you compliant with OSHA guidelines on occupational noise exposure.
Having your team working in a noisy industrial environment can lead to both temporary and permanent hearing loss. This can result in high health insurance expenses and lead to litigation and hefty compensations.
Moreover, an unhealthy working environment will make your team less motivated and take a toll on your productivity hence erasing the gains of buying the equipment in the first place. Noise pollution may also lead to high turnover, especially of elderly more experienced workers, leaving you with very high retraining and replacement costs.
As you go around purchasing your electric chain hoist, it is of utmost importance that you buy one from a reputable company. The equipment must meet all the set standards and get certification from the necessary regulatory bodies.
Some of these regulatory bodies that test and certify high-quality electric chain hoists include:
Using certified and tested equipment assures your team of a safe work environment with fewer chances of hazard or injury. It also keeps litigation at bay because any injury to your employees or anyone else for that matter due to industrial negligence can lead to a personal injury suit.
Most of all, certification means quality assurance. Buying a certified electric chain hoist leaves you rest assured that the product is reliable, well-crafted, and of high quality.
Your relationship with the electric chain hoist company should not end after shaking hands and the transfer of ownership. You should purchase your electric chain hoist from a manufacturer that offers a hefty bundle of after-sale services such as:
The manufacturer should offer a free installation manual of the electric chain hoist system or a tutorial /video with instructions on installing the electric chain hoist.
Since the efficient operation of the electric chain hoist system is not a guarantee, the manufacturer should offer a warranty in case the equipment malfunctions. A two-year warranty is sufficient for industrial equipment since most defunct equipment break down in their first few months due to the stress put on industrial products.
The best electric chain hoist in the market is one that promises precision. Lifting loads in an industrial set up requires accuracy and equipment that operate with a low margin of error. Some features that make electrical hoists more precise include:
Using non-precise equipment creates health hazards that may cause injuries to your team. Recurrent injuries may lead to higher health costs and even litigation that may end up with hefty compensation.
Equipment that does not guarantee precision may also damage the goods or products it lifts, leading to losses and liabilities.
Like many other machines typical of an industrial setup, the electric chain hoist uses precise human instruction for its operation. This means that the machine, especially the electric chain hoist, has to be as ergonomic as possible and imitate/receive instructions in the most precise manner possible.
Because an ergonomic electric chain hoist is easier to operate, it increases the users' productivity by cutting on time and resources used.
Remember how ergonomic jib cranes contribute to workplace safety, an ergonomic electric chain similarly reduces the chances of injury to your team because of its high rate of responsiveness that comes in handy when avoiding accidents.
The ease of installation is another factor that facility managers should consider as they replace their manual chain hoists or upgrade their electric ones.
Since an industrial set up is a living organism, you may need frequent transfer of equipment from one section of the industry to another. This requires installation and re-installation that may become expensive and time consuming over time.
To save on time, money, and to keep the profits from the productivity gains, it is imperative that a company sets its eyes on an electric chain hoist that is easy to install and relocate.
Most industrial equipment are exposed to strenuous tasks that lead to wear and tear and even malfunction. Electric chain hoist systems are no exception. Facility managers should go out of their way to purchase from manufacturers with a long history and reputation of creating durable products.
Some things they should look out for when searching for durable products include:
Buying a durable electric chain hoist comes with several benefits to the industry at large. First and foremost, it reduces the cost of constant replacement of the equipment that is expensive in the long run.
Moreover, durable industrial equipment has low repair and maintenance costs that can accumulate into hefty amounts of repair costs.
Gorbel® has spent a better part of the last four decades dedicated to making the highest quality lifting and safety equipment in North America. A class above, we have been part and parcel of the success stories of various businesses and have facilitated the growth of companies from startups to proud industrial heavyweights. For more information about electric chain hoist systems, contact us today and let us be part of your story.