krw wrote:
In article , says...
krw wrote:
...
Ok, that makes some sense, at least. Hoists automatically have
safety locks? What sort of locks?
The ones that don't drop loads on your head... 
Ok. ;-) Is there anything, written in stone, what these locks have
to be? Is there a way of determining what they are for a given
hoist? Specs? Standards?
I'm certain there are many Standards and, of course, in the US, OSHA
rules. What any are, specifically, by number I don't know; not my
field. I don't think there are requirements on the braking mechanisms
themselves, per se, only that they perform the required specified
function in a failsafe mode.
Look at the two links I posted earlier that point at a typical winch and
overhead hoist to get an idea of the difference in equipment (and note
relative costs).
The general definition, however, holds--winches are for pulling and
hoists are for raising.
While there are lots of folks who ignore such rules and many winches do
have brakes and locks that are designed to prevent backsliding, they
aren't intended for overhead lifting and such usage is risky at best.
It's a lesson learned in the electric utility business where lifting is
common, often complex and serious. It's no less serious for an
individual w/ a 50-lb load above them--it'll kill just as readily.
For a home shop kind of thing you mentioned, unless you have budget, I'd
go w/ the manual chain hoist myself rather than the power option.
A good block and tackle works, but isn't nearly as risk-free or convenient.
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