Electric hoist question

[dante2]

I have a 110v 440# electric hoist that I use for removing a 125-150# hard top. It's has rather jerky stops and starts is this normal for these hoists? A ****** block was recommended from another source but it doesn't feel like it made much of a difference. Any suggestions?

 

[rlitman]

That's the nature of these single speed hoists. They also break strands when the wire crosses itself on the drum, so keep your mitts off the wire rope. One thing that helps is to lift in double-line with the block at the hook. It doesn't eliminate the jerkiness, but it halves it, since it halves the speed.

The best solution is a variable speed chain hoist, but they're $$$$.

 

[tncatadjuster]

Mine can be jerky but nothing compared to me, so I'm happy.

 

[GeoBruin]

Yes. They're not fine instruments. I have mine set for "double line pull" with a pulley block which helps a lot but it's still jerky.

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

that's how they are.

I also have issue with atv winch lowering ice shacks on a ramp trailer. I don't like the bang that happens when the shack sticks to the ramp, then lets go.

Plan is to use a small tire, maybe riding lawnmower front tire, as a flexible link in the connection. Should absorb the shock from the bang. Could/should also use a sling as a backup should the tire break.

I'd like to come up with something less janky looking than a tire, but haven't thought of it yet.

 

[rlitman]

that's how they are.

I also have issue with atv winch lowering ice shacks on a ramp trailer. I don't like the bang that happens when the shack sticks to the ramp, then lets go.

Plan is to use a small tire, maybe riding lawnmower front tire, as a flexible link in the connection. Should absorb the shock from the bang. Could/should also use a sling as a backup should the tire break.

I'd like to come up with something less janky looking than a tire, but haven't thought of it yet.

This is a double edged sword. The tire absorbs energy like a spring, but also has the ability to release that energy like a spring. Climbers like a dynamic rope so they don't break their spine when they fall and the rope catches them, and that's fine when the dynamic rope isn't storing energy, but I really prefer lifting and pulling with chain precisely because it doesn't store energy.

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

This is a double edged sword. The tire absorbs energy like a spring, but also has the ability to release that energy like a spring. Climbers like a dynamic rope so they don't break their spine when they fall and the rope catches them, and that's fine when the dynamic rope isn't storing energy, but I really prefer lifting and pulling with chain precisely because it doesn't store energy.

Could you go over the part where my falling ice shack is different from a climber falling?
I'm trying to save the gears in my winch just like saving the climber's spine.

 

[rlitman]

Could you go over the part where my falling ice shack is different from a climber falling?
I'm trying to save the gears in my winch just like saving the climber's spine.

I think it should be fine for lowering something, and the tire bead is quite strong. I just wouldn't use it for lifting or pulling. My bigger concern with stiction in lowering is that slack on a winch can lead to line crossing. That's a huge problem with wire. Less of a problem with something like Dyneema or a flat strap.

 

[dscheidt]

I had a buddy that had a similar set up. He rigged a manual chain fall in with his hoist, and used that for the delicate bit of getting the top on or off his truck. the hoist did the bulk of the lifting up into his loft where he stored it.

 

[y'sguy]

Yes. They're not fine instruments. I have mine set for "double line pull" with a pulley block which helps a lot but it's still jerky.

Yep, mine is similar. It is all a homemade rig I came up with. It works well, but you need to be cautious and go easy. My T-Bird hardtop is around 150 ibs. or so but you still don't want it getting away from you.
One could probably rig up an additional, larger pulley in between that was in some way soft or spring-loaded and set the winch to a 90-degree turn, but the engineering of such wouldn't be worth it to me for the trade-off.
It beat the heck out of calling on a helper to remove it and storing it elsewhere, then reversing the whole process to put it back on.