On 13 Jul 2004 02:01:27 GMT, (MP Toolman) wrote:

Hi,
First a warning, then a question. I recently got ripped off by an ebay seller
going by the name unclemonkeygocom. I would advise staying away from his
auctions. I bought a Yale KEL Series 1/2 ton electric chain hoist. His
description said it looked complete except for the electrical pendant control.
The picture hid the fact that the top hanger hook or bracket, all but a foot or
two of load chain, and the load hook were all missing. His defense is that he
is not familiar with chain hoists. Dah! Even a complete idiot might notice if
there are no hooks on a chain hoist. He did give me what amounted to a 25%
refund, but that is the best he would do.

Now the question. I can solve the top mounting hook/bracket and I can get by
with a non-swivel clevis type load hook if I have to, but the load chain seems
to be a problem. I was able to download a manual from the web (Yale now
apparently belongs to CM.) The specified load chain is 5/16 diameter and the
pitch on the inside of the link is 0.790 inch. Problem is that all of the
general purpose or transportation grade 5/16 inch chain I have been able to
find has longer links. I do not really know for sure, but since the chain has
to match up with what is effectively a square wheel, I doubt if the hoist drive
mechanism is very tolerant of significantly different chain link pitches.
Genuine Yale replacement chain is $15.94 per foot and a generic equivalent from
a place calling itself Hoist Warehouse is $14.35 per foot (plus shipping in
either case.) At this price even a modest 10 foot lift (12 feet of chain) will
be more than double my present investment/loss. Anybody know a source for
something close to the specified size chain at a reasonable price? Anyone have
a dead hoist with serviceable chain? If I decide to cut my losses, does
anybody need any used parts for a Yale KEL series chain hoist?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Mill

Talk to a Yale dealership and see if they have a dead hoist to salvage
the chain off. Or hunt around. I see these occasionally with burnt out
motors. My 2 ton electric Yale has pull chain controls instead of a
pendant, but I got it for less than $100 (labor trade) from a guy who
had me rewire two others and he had a bunch of them. Hummm Ill see
what he has in the dead pile.

Some..some manual lever action chain falls use the same or similar
chain. You might look for one of those also.

other than that..you are ****ed.

Gunner

That rifle hanging on the wall of the working-class flat or labourer's
cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays
there.
- George Orwell