Having a safe and versatile lifter in your warehouse that doesn’t use electricity may sound impossible but it does exist and it is called an ‘air chain hoist’, also known as a ‘pneumatic hoist’. This type of hoist can be fine-tuned in order to be used with more fragile loads and since there is no electricity running through it, the risk of an electric shock is non-existent.

Also, these hoists can be used in explosion-sensitive environments. A tool that relies completely on the laws of physics is the best way to make your workplace more productive without compromising safety. However, you need to be armed with knowledge about the way it operates in order to be able to make the most out of it.

Basic Specs

The two most important specs of an air hoist are the pressure and volume which are needed to generate the power for the lifting. The former is measured in PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) and the latter in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) and if either of them is low, an air operated chain hoist won’t be able to operate efficiently.

Requirements

Knowing the required capacity of the hoist and lift will allow you to get an air hoist that will operate at its best, making your workflow more efficient. It’s important that the lift of the hoist has the right distance from the high hook point to the low hook point. This will also help you with finding the right trolley to go with it.

Production

High-duty cycle applications are where the air operated chain hoist feels most at home, as it won’t heat up due to continuous use. Since there is no electricity, there is also no motor and overheating isn’t an issue here – you can use an air hoist near to its maximum lifting point and still get the exact same results as you did the first time around. If your facility has a continuous production, well then this tool is for you.

Precision & Safety

While being fast isn’t that big of an advantage when it comes to air hoists, precision definitely is. So, if your production line thrives on it, then you are in the right place. An air operated chain hoist allows you to have more control over fragile pieces thus making it easier to transport them. In case you are constructing fibreglass materials, an air hoist will come quite in handy. If you happen to work around flammable gases or other delicate environments, an air hoist is a way to go since electrical ones can generate sparks.