Tips in Maintaining Hoists and Winches: Top Choices

Once you familiarize yourself with a few rules for maintaining hoists and winches, proper maintenance routines will be an easy task. Much of what these tools entail to work properly coincides with the usual safety measures provided by the OSHA or other relevant institutions.

In other words, every time you use a winch safely, you also use it properly – simple as that. For instance, when you check the cable for dust, debris, or mud in the drum, you subconsciously take care of your winch.

In the same context, when you check to see if a weighted winch sail is on the line, you are actually doing your best to hinder possible damage to the machine.

Continue reading to learn a few useful hoists and winches maintenance tips to care for your gear the right way. 

Inspect the Gear Regularly Before and After Use

The OSHA imposes performing certain checkups and particular tests on chain hoists. It should be made into a daily habit for the hoist operator (or the crane operator) to visually inspect the gear and make sure everything is in proper working condition.

At the end of the day, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and preventive maintenance can make you significantly safer. Regular maintenance and preventative care are great for ensuring the quality of the processes is optimal and helping minimize repairs.

So, here’s what you should do:

• Ensure the cable is dry and free of debris, dust, and other particles.
• Look for irregularities on the cable, like fraying, before and after use
• Check the mounting bolts regularly
• Make sure the cable is evenly spooled into the drum.

Make Cleaning an Annual or Biannual Habit 

Regularly servicing your hoisting gear keeps it in fine working condition. By doing so, you are also helping prevent frequent repairs and draining your budget for what could have been avoided. Also, always keep the working limits in mind when using the gear.

The usual wear and tear are expected, but premature repairs can shorten the lifespan of the gear.

Don’t Forget To Lubricate

Cleaning and lubricating your hoisting gear go hand in hand. When you clean it, remember to also lubricate it. This way, you’re practically doubling your maintenance performance, tending to two issues at a time. Lubricating your gear means you’re giving it optimal care to perform correctly.

Non-lubricated gear is exposed to friction, and friction leads to prominent and frequent wear and tear.

Test, Test, and Then Test Some More

A service load test is the standard test to perform on your hoisting gear. Do so twice a year to ensure the tools can withstand proper loads and elevate heavy loads. Since the chain and the hoist are part of the same tool, you should parallel-test both. That way, you’re saving time and rendering the gear efficient faster.

Do a service load test every three months and see how the chain hoist functions work during lifting differently sized objects at various weights.

Whatever Is Damaged Needs To Go

It’s only natural for chains to chafe over time. However, what’s unnatural is to neglect the wear and tear and continue as if nothing’s wrong with the gear. Make your working environment a safe place to work and always keep an eye on the look of the chains.

Whenever you spot the following kinks in the chains, replace them ASAP:

• Popping sound when in use
• Overly unbendable
• Stretched chain

The moral of the story is: to replace damaged hoists and winches so you can keep yourself and everyone around you safe.

Southeast Rigging: A Reliable Distributor of Rigs, Slings, Load-Securing Gear, and More!

Besides following the basic hoists and winches maintenance tips, you should also upgrade your gear from time to time. We at Southeast Rigging offer premier equipment for commercial and industrial use and can equip you with wire and synthetic ropes, rigging hardware, custom lifters, and more.

Get in touch with us, and let’s talk business!