Wright MFG Co. 1 1/2 ton chain hoist

[Backyard Imports]

This chain hoist w/ integrated trolley was in the barn of the estate that we purchased. I have been trying to find out more about it but I am not having much luck. Google has turned up very little on this size of hoist by the Wright MFG Co. and nothing on something that has the trolley integrated.

I am hoping that someone on here may have some ideas where I can find a manufacture date, possible value (is it something collectible worth keeping or..?), and a source for original pics if I decide to restore (paint color, type, etc).

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Carla]

Hello, Backyard,

You have a so-called 'Army type' chain fall, most likely called such as they were used in heavy gun emplacements for handling the heavy projectiles in the underground concrete 'shell rooms', which had low ceilings with an embedded I-beam.

I have one like yours, except its the smaller 1/2 ton size, which i've restored some years ago. It lives on an I-beam over one of my lathes, for changing the heavy chucks.

The Wright make was built by a department of 'ACCO', the 'American Chain and Cable Company', which made several lines of industrial equipment, such as hydraulic presses.

I'd guess that yours was most likely built in the 1935-45 time-frame. in the build-up to the '39-'45 war, or during the war.

Restoring one of those is straightforward, but a bit tedious, as one must be meticulous in inspecting any overhead lifting gear, for the obvious safety reasons.

The Wright make is generally mechanically identical to the more common 'Yale spur geared' type of chain fall. You can find a Yale parts picture in one or another old catalogue (or someone here may be nice and scan the page for a photo here), which will show you the parts, from which you can see how it is assembled.

The pinion cage is pressed onto the load sheave, and can be removed with a suitable puller.

All the parts must be carefully solvent-cleaned and gently glass-blasted, so that you can inspect them very carefully for cracks, warpage, or other signs of abuse. I've never found damaged parts in any of the chain falls I've re-done, but a prudent person doesn't take any chances with overhead lifting gear.

Obviously, the load chain and hook must be blasted and tumbled, then very carefully inspected for any damaged links or signs of over-loading.

As a generality, 'restoring' on old chain fall means only having it all apart, cleaning/inspecting the parts, and, assuming the parts are undamaged, re-assembling with new bearings on the load sheave, and packing the gearing with a good sticky grease.

cheers

Carla

 

[Backyard Imports]

Carla.

Thank you for that information. I will now see what I can dig up as far as original pictures. If anybody here has an old catalog and wants to share a picture that would be appreciated as well.

I also found this when cleaning things out. Not as cool as an old gas station pump but if I can find an old 55 gallon drum to go with it, it will make a cool addition to my future display area.