As with any other kind of lifting equipment, the hoist simply has to be right. You need to know that it is going to be able to bear your load, lift it efficiently and safely, and perform the operation in a more streamlined way. This isn’t going to happen if you don’t use the right hoist.

If you do not need anything that is mechanised, then a manual hoist will be fine for your purposes. However, if you do need a more robust hoist with a higher capacity, then you will need a wire rope hoist or an electric chain hoist. Generally, an electric chain hoist will have a high capacity, but an electric wire rope hoist will have the highest capacity. It will often be able to lift loads up to 50 Tonnes, and you can choose different speed settings and control systems, like remote control or radio system connectivity.

Cranes and lifting equipment are really useful on site, helping speed up lifting processes and making them much safer. However, it is important to ensure they are looked after, so that the equipment will keep working as it should, in a safe way. You must inspect your equipment on a regular basis.

One of the most important parts of a crane to inspect is the sling. This takes the weight of the load and can, therefore, become damaged quite easily. Slings will only have a certain lifetime, so check with the manufacturer how long you should be using them – you shouldn’t use them beyond the time specified.

You will also have to carry out inspections regularly in accordance with LOLER and PUWER regulations. These will tell you the minimum amount you need to get equipment serviced. If you feel you should get it serviced and inspected more regularly, then that is fine – do what is right for your equipment and business.

An overhead crane is used to lift heavy loads on a building site or in other industrial environments. It might also be known as a bridge crane and it is a large structure that is permanently in place, unlike other smaller types of crane like a mobile crane.

An overhead crane has parallel runways, and a bridge that goes between them, which is where the term bridge crane comes from. It is different to a gantry crane because it is not supported by rigid legs.

There are many different fields and applications that make use of overhead cranes. Some of the main industries where you might find these particular types of lifting equipment are:

• Steel refinement
• Automobiles
• Paper mills
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Shipping

It can be used in lots of other applications as well – it depends on the best crane for your requirements. If you need to find out the best crane for you, it is best to ask a supplier. They will be able to carry out an assessment and find out what you would use your crane for, and how you can purchase the right kinds of lifting equipment for you. By seeing the site for themselves, any good supplier will be able to asses the space you have and advise you on your crane choices and the suitability of different crane models for your site.

Overhead cranes are usually used to transport materials from one area to another – they are not just for lifting. The main factor to take into consideration is the space required. Overhead cranes are never small and are always permanent, meaning they need to fit into the space available. You should think carefully about the type of crane you want and how you can accommodate it. If you have a smaller floor space, it might be that a jib crane or a transportable crane will serve you better for your specific purpose.

If you do decide on a bridge or overhead crane, here are some of the key benefits you will enjoy:

• Increased productivity. A crane helps lifting processes to take place quicker and with less effort. This means that more work can be carried out in the same space of time.
• Reduced costs. Whilst the initial cost of a crane is going to be quite high, it will be cheaper in the long run than hiring out transportable cranes as and when you need them. If you use cranes on a regular basis, an overhead crane will pay for itself quite quickly.
• Better health and safety. Using the correct kind of lifting equipment reduces the strain on staff. They will simply need to be educated in how to operate the crane, and from then on, their work will be much easier and much safer, as it reduces the need for manual lifting.

Some of the main components you need to know about are:

• The hook – used to support the load
• Hoist – used to lift the load
• Trolley – moves across the crane bridge
• Bridge – the load-bearing beam that the trolley attaches to

With Black Friday having just gone and Cyber Monday coming up, this could be a great time to stock up on power tools. If you are buying from trade suppliers, they are perhaps less likely to have sales on, as they will have heavily discounted prices on their equipment anyway. However, if you are buying from a high street retailer, there are lots of discounts around this time of year that you can capitalise on.

Make sure you look out for deals on any items that you are thinking of buying. It would be a shame to miss out. You may also be thinking about Christmas presents when people will perhaps want items like a new drill, or a lawnmower for the summer. Now is the time to buy, as long as you can find the items you want at a discounted rate. Look at all major retailers and compare prices to see if it is worthwhile.