Hydraulic Hoisting Equipment

According to Small, hydraulic hoists use a power-up/power-down control system that prevents the operator from allowing the load to free-fall. The main benefit of this system is that it does not allow the machine to exceed the safe-load traveling limitations of the hoist design. “With a mechanical hoist, loads can be allowed to free fall with the operator suddenly engaging the brake system,” says Small. “The resulting massive shock loads to the hoist frame can overpower the safety factors. This type of operation is impossible with a hydraulic hoisting unit.” Small cites the double braking system employed on the winch as a critical safety factor. “The braking system requires a minimum pressure to open up and allow the drum to rotate. In the event of hydraulic failure, the brake immediately engages, stopping the load in place,” he explains. “If this system fails, a secondary brake engages after a 10-foot drop, securing the load. This double braking system is much safer than rope/band brakes employed on mechanical units.” According to Small, with a powered system, the operator is able to conduct all hoist operations from a safe, secure location behind a fall protection system. The load can be lifted, swung in and lowered onto the roof deck before anyone comes into contact with it. “This differs from the mechanical hoist system where an operator must manually pull the load in over the roof deck,” he says. Finally, Small extols the virtue of the hydraulic hoist’s versatility. With the swing-boom design that allows a load to be swung in to the left or right, use of a hydraulic hoist is not restricted by a parapet wall or other obstruction. “The hoists can be set up to swing loads into a more accessible location,” says Small. “This is especially helpful when doing multiple level roofs where the available space for the hoist may be severely restricted.”