Jet chain hoists?

[Iron Beaver]

I have been offered a deal on a Jet chain fall hoist. The Jet hoist has slightly better features than a similar hoist I was contemplating, however...

It is hard for me to trust Jet, especially given they are the kind of the budget brand of JPW industries. On the other hand, some people seem to like them.

Does anyone have any experience with Jet chain fall hoists? Especially when used hard and frequently?

 

[pete379]

I have one, only used it close to capacity a few times, use it a lot at low loads its been okay. It is on a trolley along with an old eaton chainfall on the same I beam. they are both 1 1/2 ton hoists, a few times I have had a 5,500 lb load suspended by both of them. made me nervous,but it worked

 

[ive]

Used them about 15 years ago in industrial settings. Were green then. Worked fine.

I’d be concerned that it’s not the same build quality now. It was offshore made then….

In western Canada import made jet destroyed the Canadian tool makers like Gray by targeting their customers and distributors.

 

[RedneckWelder]

The lever hoists seem to be good.

don’t know anything about their chain falls or electric hoists but I’d imagine they are decent.

 

[rustyzman]

Had a few chainfalls at the old machine shop. Had a couple older CM's (excellent units) and then bought a couple brand new Jet ones for a couple horizontal mills so we could easily change pallets. We had one of the new Jets slip under load a couple times during a change with a KURT Clustertower on the hook. Big Slip, a couple foot drop. Total weight on the chainfall hoist was less than half the rated capacity. Luckily, the Clustertower did not hit the ground and no one got hurt. It certainly scared the **** out of the operator and the rest of us nearby. Jet took them back through the industrial supply we got them from and also had them pull all the remaining ones in stock at the supply house out of inventory.

I would say stick with a good brand you know and can trust. I won't use Jet for lifting equipment again personally.

 

[Jagmandave]

I have a good old US made Yale for sale if you're interested. I'm pretty sure based on the size of it that it will do anything you need it to.....I think it weighs about 100 lbs by itself!

 

[Iron Beaver]

Looks like a really nice hoist.

I need a 5 ton hoist at a minimum though. 8 ton would be even better.

 

[rustyzman]

I would have to suggest that if you are moving items that need that level of hoist capacity, look into a really good quality unit and stay away from the lower end stuff. If something lets go with 5-8 tons on the hook, bad things will happen fast, throughout the system.

Not that I recommend a lower quality unit even for light loads, because the danger is there too, but beyond a certain weight your risks increase dramatically.

Beyond the story I recounted previously, I also had a load of 12' long 1/4"x4.5" cold rolled bar cut through a double set of lifting slings due to a poorly chosen rigging/lift method and drop the 800lb load from about 4', right at my feet within inches. Scary stuff when that happens. Luckily again, no injury and a couple very important lessons learned. Not the hoists fault in any way, but the same kind of danger nonetheless.

Shortcutting lifting equipment is not worth it.

Stick to a quality industrial unit and choose one rated well beyond your expected load.

 

[Iron Beaver]

And that is why I was wondering...

Are JET hoists quality industrial equipment?

 

[Renegade1LI]

As a GC we do a lot of rigging, all public works projects, safety is a top priority, we never use import hoists, yale, harrington or coffing are usually what we buy. Can't afford a single mishap, jet is ok as imports go but I wouldn't chance it, spend the extra money & buy piece of mind, there's a reason the good ones cost more.

 

[matt_i]

For loads that heavy I would agree with others and don't go with a budget brand. Likely what is on the other end of the hook is valuable and deserves proper care.

It is going to be slow as Christmas to lift anything up, it all has to be accomplished by mechanical reduction and reeving while you are spinning the endless chain.