Selecting Hoist Equipment Based on Working Class

Selecting Hoist Equipment Based on Working Class

For hoist equipment dealers worldwide, "helping customers choose the right equipment" is the core of building trust and fostering long-term cooperation. Many customers focus only on the "rated lifting capacity" when selecting equipment, neglecting the more crucial "working class"—which directly determines the equipment's lifespan, safety, stability, and operating costs. This article will start with the definition of working class, combining the characteristics of manual and Electric Hoists, to provide a practical selection method to help you accurately match customer needs.

I. First, understand: What exactly is a hoist's "working class"?

The working level of a hoist (GB/T 3811-2008, corresponding to the international standard ISO 4301) is a classification based on the "actual usage intensity" of the equipment. Two core indicators are considered: Working Time Rate (JC%): This refers to the percentage of time the hoist actually operates within a 10-minute cycle (e.g., JC25 means 2.5 minutes of operation within 10 minutes); Number of Starts (Z): This refers to the number of starts per hour (e.g., Z300 means 300 starts per hour). The final working levels are divided into 7 levels, S3-S9. Each level corresponds to completely different usage scenarios. Distributors need to focus on the following core classifications (these are applicable to both manual and electric hoists, but electric hoists, due to their higher degree of automation, have more precise level requirements):

Note: Manual Hoists rely on manual operation and have a lower number of starts, with common levels concentrated in S3-S5; electric hoists, adapted to automated production lines and heavy-duty operations, cover levels S3-S9, with S6 and above mostly being industrial-grade models.

II. Scenario-Based Selection: Matching Customer Needs to Working Levels

When contacting customers, distributors should first determine the "actual usage intensity" by asking three questions: ① Daily usage time? ② How many times per hour? ③ Continuous or intermittent operation? Further, select the appropriate equipment based on the following scenarios:

1. Light-duty working conditions (Customer needs: occasional use, low frequency)
Corresponding work level: S3-S4
Typical scenarios: small warehouse replenishment, engine hoisting in auto repair shops, temporary transfer in small workshops (daily use ≤2 hours, ≤300 starts per hour)
Equipment recommendations:
Hand chain hoist: Prioritize HSZ series manual hoists (e.g., 2-5 tons, lightweight, low maintenance cost, meets S3-S4 level, suitable for scattered operations);
Electric hoist: If the customer needs to save effort, a mini electric hoist (under 1 ton) can be selected (e.g., PA series, JC25 level, suitable for family workshops and small shops).

2. Medium-sized working conditions (Customer needs: daily use, stable operation)
Corresponding working level: S5-S6
Typical scenarios: Medium-sized factory production lines (such as mechanical assembly, parts handling), daily loading and unloading in logistics warehouses (3-6 hours of use per day, 300-800 starts per hour)
Equipment recommendations:
Hand chain hoists: Select high-strength alloy hand chain hoists (e.g., 3-10 tons, gear hardened, compatible with S5 level, suitable for scenarios without power or mobile operation);
Electric hoists: Core recommendation is the CD1 type electric hoist (standard lifting capacity 1-20 tons, JC40 level, standard overload protection, suitable for most industrial workshops, a "volume seller" for global distributors).

3. Heavy-duty operating conditions (Customer requirements: continuous use, high-frequency heavy load)
Corresponding working levels: S7-S9
Typical scenarios: molten steel hoisting in metallurgical plants, container loading and unloading in ports, large component assembly in heavy machinery plants (daily use ≥8 hours, ≥1000 starts per hour)
Recommended equipment:
Hand chain hoist: Hand chain hoists are not recommended for this condition (manual operation cannot meet high-frequency requirements and is prone to overload);
Electric hoist: MD1 type dual-speed electric hoist or dedicated heavy-duty electric hoist (e.g., 20-50 tons, JC60-JC80 level, equipped with dual braking system, high-temperature resistant motor, compliant with EU CE and US UL certifications, suitable for the global high-end industrial market).

III. Dealer Pitfalls: 3 Common Selection Misconceptions

Misconception 1: "As long as the lifting capacity is sufficient, the working class doesn't matter." A customer purchased a 2-ton electric hoist for their production line (S6 level requirement) but chose an S4 level machine. Three months later, the motor burned out—because the S4 level machine couldn't withstand 6 hours of continuous operation per day. Dealers need to clearly inform customers that lifting capacity is the "maximum load limit," and working class is the "long-term usage intensity matching"—both are indispensable.

Misconception 2: "The higher the electric hoist level, the better." Recommending an S7 level electric hoist to a small warehouse will increase the customer's purchase cost by more than 30%, and the equipment will have redundant functions (such as the high-frequency start function, which will not be used). The correct approach is to choose the level according to "actual needs," avoiding over-recommendation that wastes the customer's resources. Myth 3: "You don't need to consider the working grade of a chain hoist." While chain hoists rely on manual labor, the strength of core components differs significantly between S3 and S5 grades (e.g., the S5 grade hook uses 40Cr alloy steel, while the S3 grade uses Q235 steel). If a customer uses it for 4 hours of workshop operation per day (S5 requirement), choosing an S3 grade chain hoist may lead to hook deformation.

IV. Global Market Adaptation: Certification Considerations for Different Regions

As an export-oriented distributor, it is crucial to pay attention to the certification requirements for work levels in different regions to avoid delivery disruptions due to standard differences:
European Market: Must comply with EN 13157 standards, and the work level label must be consistent with CE certification (e.g., for S6 level, an additional "1000 cycles/hour start-up test report" is required);
North American Market: Must pass UL certification, and the work level must correspond to NEMA standards (e.g., S7 level corresponds to NEMA Level 4 protection);
Southeast Asian Market: Primarily based on GB/T standards, but attention must be paid to the impact of high temperature and humidity environments on equipment (it is recommended that S5 level and above electric hoists be equipped with anti-rust coatings).