Hoist (device)

A hoist lifts heavy things.

It uses a wheel or a drum. A rope or a chain wraps around it. This helps move things up and down.

Some hoists use hands to work. Others use power from air or electricity.

An elevator is a type of hoist. It carries people to different floors. Some hoists also move tools at building sites.

Long ago, people used water to power them.

Hoists make hard work much easier.

A hoist is a tool used to lift or lower heavy loads.

It works using a drum or a wheel. A rope, chain, or strap wraps around this wheel. When the wheel turns, the load moves up or down.

Many kinds of power can make a hoist work. Some use human hands. Others use electricity, air, or water.

An elevator is a common type of hoist. It carries people up and down in buildings. On big building sites, workers use construction hoists. These can move people or heavy tools. Some move both.

In mines, hoists are very important. They lift people and ore out of deep shafts. Long ago, people used animals or water for power. Later, they used steam engines. Today, most large mine hoists use electric motors.

Some hoists are made in large groups. These are called serial production units. Others are custom units made for special jobs. NASA might use a custom hoist for its work.

A hoist is a clever tool used to lift or lower heavy loads.

It works by using a drum or a lift-wheel. A rope, a chain, or a wire wraps around this wheel. When the wheel turns, the load moves up or down. Most hoists use a lifting hook to grab their loads. You probably see hoists every day without even knowing it. An elevator is a very common type of hoist. It uses a hoist mechanism to raise and lower the car.

There are many ways to make a hoist move. Some hoists use manual power from human hands. Others use electricity, air, or even water to work.

In big factories, people often use overhead hoists. These units can be part of a larger overhead crane. They use a lifting medium like a synthetic strap or wire rope. The way a hoist is hung is called its suspension. It might attach to a wall, a ceiling, or a trolley. This helps the machine move things in a very specific way.

People have been using hoists for a very long time. A book called De Re Metallica was published in 1556. It showed mine hoists powered by water, animals, or humans.

Later, Lord Armstrong used a water-powered chain hoist in 1884. This was at Cragend Farm in Northumberland. In the early 1900s, factories began making electric hoists in large groups. These are called serial production units. They are often cheaper and last about ten years. Custom hoists are more expensive but are built for much harder jobs.

Different jobs need different kinds of hoists.

Construction hoists are used on huge projects like hospitals. They move people, tools, or materials between floors. Some are called man-lifts or passenger hoists. They use cars that travel up tall mast tower sections. In mines, hoists are used to move people and ore. Some mines used large steam engines in the 1900s. Modern mines now use electric motors to move heavy loads.

Hoists are important for keeping work sites safe.

Because they lift heavy things, they must be inspected often. Groups like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers make rules for them. These rules help people design and use hoists correctly. In Europe, there are also special laws for lifting machines. Whether it is a small tool or a huge machine at NASA, hoists help us move the world.

A hoist is a specialized mechanical device designed to lift or lower heavy loads.

It functions by utilizing a drum or a lift-wheel. A lifting medium, such as a rope, chain, or wire rope, wraps around this rotating component. When the drum turns, the load moves vertically. Most hoists use a lifting hook to couple with their specific loads. One of the most common examples of this technology is the elevator. In an elevator system, a hoist mechanism raises and lowers the car to different floors.

In industrial settings, overhead hoists are frequently used. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) defines these as machinery units used for lifting unguided, freely suspended loads.

An overhead hoist is defined by three main factors: its lifting medium, its operation, and its suspension. The lifting medium is the component that transmits vertical motion, such as a synthetic strap or a chain. The operation refers to the power source, which can be manual, electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic. Finally, the suspension describes how the unit is mounted, using methods like a trolley, a ceiling, or a wall.

Hoists can be manufactured in two distinct ways: serial production or custom units. Serial production hoists are mass-produced and are generally more cost-effective. These units are typically designed for a ten-year life in light to heavy duty service. Custom hoists are more expensive and are built for heavy or severe duty service classifications. While serial units were once only for light work, their durability has improved since the 1960s. Today, a machine shop might use a serial hoist, but a place like NASA or a steel mill would likely require a custom hoist to meet specific performance needs.

Construction hoists, also known as buckhoists or man-lifts, are essential for large-scale projects.

These are used on high-rise buildings and major hospitals to move personnel and materials between floors. There are three specific types: utility hoists for materials, personnel hoists for people, and dual-rated hoists that perform both tasks. These machines consist of one or two cars, called cages, that travel vertically along stacked mast tower sections. To ensure precise control, modern versions often use a motorized rack-and-pinion system to climb the mast at various speeds.

History shows how hoisting technology has evolved alongside power sources.

In 1556, the book *De Re Metallica* documented mine hoists powered by water, animals, or human strength. By 1884, Lord Armstrong of Cragside used a water-powered chain hoist at Cragend Farm in Northumberland.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, stationary steam engines became common for powering mine hoists. For example, the Quincy Mine utilized a 4-cylinder cross-compound Corliss engine. Mass production of electric hoists began in the early 1900s, with Germany being among the first to adapt them.

In modern mining, hoisting is used to move humans, equipment, and ore within mine shafts. There are three principal types of mining hoists: Drum hoists, Friction (or Kope) hoists, and Blair multi-rope hoists. While older systems used direct current drives with thyristors, modern large-scale hoists utilize alternating current drives. These modern drives are often controlled by variable-frequency systems to manage the movement of heavy loads efficiently.

Because of the heavy loads involved, strict regulations govern the industry. In North America, the Hoist Manufacturers Institute (HMI), ASME, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide oversight. The HMI acts as a product council to promote the safe use of these machines. In Europe, the industry follows the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, which includes planned updates for 2027. Proper installation, regular inspection, and careful maintenance are required to ensure these powerful tools remain safe for all users.