Which is better? It depends on your application. As a general rule we have found that 3 ton is a typical crossover point. Below 3 ton we usually recommend chain, above we usually recommend wire rope.

Your application has a great effect on whether this holds true.

Some reasons one may work better than the other:

Side pull. Although manufacturers recommend that you only lift straight up, there are applications where some lifting at an angle is required. Chain hoists are much more forgiving for these applications.
High speeds. Except at low capacities chain hoists are not available at high speeds.
High frequency of use. Although many chain hoists are rated for heavy duty cycle our experience has been that chain has higher maintenance cost with high duty cycle.

How fast should your hoist lift? Lift speed is usually based on the height the product will be lifted, the frequency of lifts, and how delicately the product must be set down (this can also be accomplished with 2 speed or variable speed).

Increasing the speed can increase the cost of a hoist significantly so it is important to weigh the cost of slower operation with the cost of the hoist. As an example if you are lifting to the back of a truck you will need to lift about 5 feet. If you are lifting 20 times per hour, 5 days a week, and using a hoist with a lift speed of 10 FPM you will use (5lifts X 2 (up and down)/10 FPM /60 minutes per hour ) X 20 times per hour X 5 days per week X 52 weeks per year X $20.00 burdened hourly rate = $1,733.33 per year for labor cost. If you purchased a 20 FPM hoist you would save ½ of this or $866.67 per year.

The other factor in choosing a slower hoist is impatience. I have very little patience when lifting a slow moving load that takes 1 minute to lift high enough to place on a truck.

A manual chain hoist is much less expensive than a motorized hoist. Manual hoists should be considered when speed is not important and when lifts are very infrequent. When lifting heavier loads you should consider the fact that in order to lift a 5 ton load by hand you must pull over 200 feet of chain at 80 pounds of force to lift 1 foot.

If you need a trolley do you want push, hand geared, or motorized?

Push is much less expensive but if used in applications where operator cannot push from behind the load (if traveling over tanks), or if used frequently or with heavy loads (2 tons or over) can cause fatigue or back injury.

Geared trolleys are somewhat less expensive than motorized. The chain used to drive the wheels can get in the way in many applications.

Motorized trolleys are more expensive but have the advantage of ease of motion. If you decide on motorized trolley you need to specify the size of beam they will ride on and the speed you wish. Increasing speed on trolley typically does not increase the cost but load swing should be taken into account if fast speeds are used (a variable drive is useful with fast speeds). Slow speeds are typically about 30 FPM, medium about 60 FPM and fast over 100FPM.

Which brand is best? This depends on you application. We have found that every brand tends to have a market segment that do best in. Check the brand section of our web sight for mare information.

There are many options available on hoists. Whether an option is cost effective depends on your application.

The following is a list of some more frequently used options:

Chain container. Used on most electric chain hoists to store the extra chain.
Pendant operated horn to warn others of danger. OSHA states that crane systems “should” have a horn. “Should” is not mandatory but we strongly recommend it.
Strobe light activated on motion
Add multistep infinitely variable speed control. With variable speed control the speed ramps up and down at a programmed rate reducing load swing. Variable drives also allow very slow speeds when positioning loads, medium speeds when traveling with large loads or fast speeds when traveling empty.
Faster trolley. There typically is little of no added cost for the faster speed on the trolley but we recommend the variable drive when using faster speeds to reduce swing and allow easy positioning of the load.
Two speed hoist. Typically we do not recommend variable drive on the hoist. The hoist typically have a high horsepower motor which requires an expensive variable drive. The slow speed of a two speed hoist is typically slow enough for all uses except the most precise. There are 2 standard ratios with 2 speed hoists 3 to 1 and 5 to 1. We recommend the 5 to 1 in most instances because it provides a slower speed for positioning. ( Some manufacturers offer a creep 10 to 1 ratio. This is extremely slow and not very useful. We would recommend a variable drive if you need this kind of control)
Explosive environments. When used in explosive environments a Group, Class, and Division must be specified. (call for paperwork explaining what these mean) Explosion proof hoists are very expensive. One less costly way of achieving explosion proof is with an air operated hoist.
Spark resistant. This is a completely different option from explosion proof. Typically this includes Stainless of bronze wheels, chain, and hooks.
Remote control. Cost of remotes has come down recently as reliability has increased. Most modern remotes have a set frequency as well as a verification number that is sent with each signal. The carrier number is verified before the receiver will process any signal. Remotes are used in many areas where a pendant hanging from the hoist is not practical or efficient.
Dual brake. Many hoists come with a separate mechanical load brake in the gear box. Although a single load brake is adequate in critical applications or for customers who feel more comfortable with a secondary brake this is a good option to consider.
Limit switches. Although all manufacturers still do not add upper and lower limit switches as standard OSHA has stated that upper limit switches are mandatory (several manufactures have tried to skirt this by using an overload device as the limit which OSHA has clarified as not adequate.) Lower limits are required in some instances and we recommend them in all applications.
Trolley brakes or non- coasting mechanism are required on hoists used on cranes.
Space heaters are not used in most hoists indoors but are important if the hoist is used and stored outside in and environment where the sun will heat the hoist during the day and the moist cold night air will bring water into the motors or controls
Fusing. Branch fusing is required when on a crane. This means one set of fuses for the hoist and one for the trolley
Mainline disconnect operated from the pendant is required when used on a crane and we recommend it on all uses. This allows the operator to quickly cut the power to the hoist if a relay ever sticks. We recommend a momentary disconnect type if used.
Trolley safety lugs and bumpers are required on cranes and recommended on all uses.

Adverse environments, Corrosive, explosive, high temperature, etc., should be considered in the purchase of your hoist. We recommend you contact one of our sales representatives if you have any concerns. Options such as epoxy paint, stainless or zinc chain and hooks, rain covers should be considered in harsh environments.