Overhead Hoists

A reliable source for Overhead Hoists information and leading Overhead Hoists Manufacturers & Suppliers.

An overhead hoist is a hoist or crane attached to the ceiling, granary, or structure of a building. They have motors with pulleys, wire ropes, and chains. The motors can be hydraulically, pneumatically, or manually powered. Overhead hoists are widely used for their superior strength and lifting capabilities. Read More…

Overhead Hoists Overhead hoists are typically utilized in factories or industrial facilities where heavy objects need to be lifted and moved. These electric hoists are typically attached to horizontal beams which pass over top of several different work stations.
Request For Quote

Leading Manufacturers

Indianapolis, IN  |  317-231-8080

Brehob is a leading provider of high-quality electric hoists. Brehob’s seasoned professionals provide outstanding fabricating services, 24-hour emergency service, inside repair, customized training and more. Brehob is celebrating 70 years of excellent customer service and top-quality products. Contact us today!

Request A Quote

Brehob Corporation $$$

Fishers, NY  |  844-268-7055

Gorbel®, Inc. is an innovator and leader in producing bridge cranes for the industry. Gorbel® provides a wide variety of overhead handling solutions that handle loads from fifty pounds up to forty tons.

Request A Quote

Gorbel Inc. $$$

Waukesha, WI  |  800-272-6302

As a complete design, engineering & manufacturing firm, Superior Crane dedicates itself to an unwavering commitment to quality, reliability & customer service. We offer a full range of manual, air, and electric chain hoists, electric wire rope hoists and more. Custom fabrication, remanufacturing, testing & preventative maintenance is also available.

Request A Quote

Superior Crane Corporation $$$

Hermitage, PA  |  724-983-1000

We make hoist systems that are standard in the industry! All of our different styles of electric hoists are sure to exceed your expectations. We strive to provide the industry with high-quality products, and we bring years of experience that helps make your experience with us better. For more information, visit our website!

Request A Quote

G. W. Becker, Inc. $$$

Winston-Salem, NC  |  888-845-5646

At Piedmont Hoist & Crane, we want to take care of your overhead crane and hoist needs. Our hoist equipment includes CE hoists, PE hoists, rotating axle trucks, and fixed axle trucks. We also offer parts and repair, installation and modernization services to our customers. Call today or visit our website for more information about our electric hoist products, and what we can do for your...

Request A Quote

Piedmont Hoist & Crane, Inc. $$$

McCook, IL  |  888-352-1213

Handling Systems International has become a premier leader in the crane manufacturers industry through our hard work and dedication. All of our cranes are built to fit the exact specifications of our customer's needs. We are committed to providing our customers with unbeatable service, high-quality products, and competitive prices.

Request A Quote

Handling Systems International $$$
placeholder image Brehob Corporation Gorbel Inc. Superior Crane Corporation G. W. Becker, Inc. Piedmont Hoist & Crane, Inc. Handling Systems International

overhead hoist

Overhead hoists are vertical lifting mechanisms for lifting heavy materials and equipment. The difference between overhead hoists and cranes is the type of lifting they can do. Cranes can move loads vertically and horizontally. However, overhead hoists simply raise items vertically. Overhead hoists are classified by lifting method, power, and suspension system. There are several forms of overhead hoists, including chain hoists, wire rope hoists, manual hoists, electric hoists, and pneumatic hoists.

Types of Overhead Hoist Lift Leverage Tools

When choosing the right hoist for an application, manufacturers consider lifting capacity, mounting type, length of reach, and lift type. Although the hoist was invented in the middle of the first industrial revolution, it wasn’t popular until it could be powered with electricity. Electric power sources increased the lifting capacity and efficiency of hoists and their efficiency.

  • Chain Hoists – Chain hoists are the most common type of overhead hoist. They use a chain and a pulley for lifting heavy weights and can be manually powered, electrically powered, or pneumatically powered. Electric chain hoists are the most common.
    manual chain hoist operation
  • Wire Rope Hoists use a wire rope for the lifting mechanism. Wire rope offers the strength and stability needed to lift circular drums or boxes without a harness. The majority of wire rope overhead hoists are electrically powered.
    electric wire rope heist
  • Pulley Overhead Hoist – Pulley overhead hoists use wire rope and a lever lock or cleat brake to hold a lifted load in place. The hoisting mechanism for pulley overhead hoists can be gantry-mounted or ceiling mounted for easy movement and flexibility.
pulley overhead hoist

Types of Overhead Hoist Power Supplies

Overhead hoists are powered by pneumatic power, electric power, and manual strength. The type of power determines the lifting strength of an overhead hoist and can vary from simple to powerful designs.

  • Manual Overhead Hoist – Manual overhead hoists are known as ‘chain and block’ hoists, fairy hoists, or hand chain hoists. They are the original form of hoists from the first industrial revolution. They use a chain and pulley mounted on a gantry. They can also be mounted on I-beams attached to columns or on the ceiling. Manual hoists are used for lifting tasks with loads under 1000 lbs. For example, they can lift vehicle motors or 55-gallon drums.
    manual overhead hoist
  • Electric Overhead Hoists – Electric overhead hoists are powered by an electric motor and use a wired or wireless controller to adjust the lifting height. Electric hoists are the most powerful and are capable of lifting several tons. They are used for industrial applications with huge gantries or I-beam ceiling bridges.
    electric hoists
  • Pneumatic Overhead Hoists – Pneumatic overhead hoists, referred to as air hoists, are powered by compressed air pressure provided by a piston or rotary-driven air compressor. They have a lifting capacity of up to 100 tons. They’re often on long duty cycles to operate continuously without the risk of overheating. Pneumatic hoists are used in environments that require explosion-proof equipment.
pneumatic overhead hoist

Overhead Hoist Suspension Systems

Overhead hoists are mounted on a rail system, or I-beams that move them from right to left. Complex mounting systems mount the hoist to an I-beam connected to a track. The track allows the hoist to move beyond a left-right motion. The suspension system connects the overhead hoist to a supporting system. Suspension systems are usually a hook, lug mounting, or clevis.

  • Hook Suspension –In a hook suspension system, a hook is attached to the hoist frame or body. This connects the hoist to a trolley or fixed suspension point, like a boom extended from a wall. Additionally, hook suspensions can be attached to a fixture that is part of a building’s structure.
  • Lug Suspension – Lug suspension systems have a mounting bracket attached or built into the hoist’s frame. Lug suspension overhead hoists can be electric or pneumatic.
    lug mounted overhead hoist suspension system
  • Clevis Suspension – A clevis suspension is a U-shaped metal bracket with holes in the prongs for a clevis pin. The U-shaped metal bracket and clevis pin suspend the hoist. Double clevis brackets have two U shapes connected at the curve of the bracket with pins in each set of prongs.

Overhead hoists are a material-handling tool used in warehouses, factories, manufacturing complexes, and shipyards. They are ubiquitous tools that provide the power and strength to transport heavy loads.

Choosing the Right Overhead Hoist Manufacturer

To ensure you receive the most beneficial outcome when purchasing an overhead hoist from an overhead hoist manufacturer, it is important to compare several companies using our directory of overhead hoist manufacturers. Each overhead hoist manufacturer has a business profile page highlighting their areas of experience and capabilities, along with a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each overhead hoist business website using our patented website previewer for a better idea of what each company specializes in. Then, use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple overhead hoist businesses with the same form.

Electric Hoists Power Pages

Electric Hoist

Electric Hoist

Electric hoists are material handling equipment used for lifting, lowering, and transporting materials and products. They are powered by an electric motor and have a controller to adjust the lifting parameters...

Gantry Crane

Gantry Crane

A gantry crane is an overhead crane that has an overhead beam supported by freestanding legs and moves on wheels, a track, or rail system carrying a bridge, trolley, and hoist. Workshops, warehouses, freight yards, railroads, and shipyards use gantry cranes as their lifting solution as a variation of overhead or bridge cranes...

Jib Cranes

Jib Cranes

A jib crane is a lifting device with an arm or boom that extends off the main body of the crane to provide extra reach and has a lattice design to lower the weight added to a load. The design of jib cranes allows them to work...

Lifting Products
Featured Industries