Wire-rope hoist
Common for EOT cranes where lift height, speed, capacity and production duty matter.
Good for: longer lift, higher speed, frequent operation, crane integration, better hook travel options.
For procurement teams selecting an EOT crane hoist
EOT Crane Hoist Selection Guide
Choose the hoist package from load, lift, duty, headroom, speed, controls, safety and service support before comparing vendor price. The hoist is where many cheap crane quotes hide lifecycle risk.
Beginner answer
A hoist is the lifting machine on the crane. In an EOT crane quote, it should not be described only as "5 ton hoist." Ask for hoist type, duty class, lift, speed, reeving, motor, brake, gearbox, rope or chain, hook block, limit switches, overload protection, controls, make, model and spare support.
Hoist type selection
Choose the hoist arrangement from the job, not the catalogue
The same SWL can be quoted with very different hoist arrangements. Your RFQ should force every bidder to state the basis clearly.
Electric chain hoist
Useful for lighter loads and compact applications where chain storage, speed and duty are acceptable.
Watch: chain wear, pocket wheel condition, speed limitations, duty, chain container clearance.
Crab unit / trolley hoist
A heavier-duty trolley package, often used with double-girder cranes and higher-capacity applications.
Check: CT wheel loads, trolley rails, maintenance access, platform scope and hook approach.
Selection inputs
Information a vendor needs before quoting the hoist
SWL plus attachmentsInclude lifting beam, magnet, grab, C-hook or special attachment weight below the hook.
Lift and headroomState hook travel, highest hook position, lowest hook position and available building clearance.
Hoisting speedDefine main speed, creep speed, positioning need and whether VFD/dual-speed control is required.
Duty and startsGive cycles per hour, operating hours, load spectrum, shifts per day and criticality of downtime.
Hook approachDefine left/right end approach, side clearances and obstruction limits around machines or walls.
EnvironmentIndoor/outdoor, dust, heat, corrosion, fumes, washdown, hazardous area and maintenance access.
BOM and quotation control
Hoist details that must be visible in the vendor offer
A low crane price often becomes expensive when the hoist package is underspecified. Use this matrix before approving a quotation.
| Hoist item | Ask the supplier to state | Why it matters | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoist make and model | Manufacturer, model/series, country where relevant, rated capacity and duty class. | Confirms whether quoted hoists are actually comparable. | "Standard make" or make listed without model. |
| Motor and brake | Motor kW, duty, insulation class, brake type, brake torque and fail-safe behavior. | Controls heat, stopping, load holding and maintenance risk. | Brake details omitted or not tied to hoisting duty. |
| Gearbox and drum | Gearbox make, service factor, drum groove, rope anchoring and rope lay compatibility. | Affects noise, rope winding, wear and serviceability. | No gearbox make or no drum/reeving information. |
| Rope or chain | Wire-rope construction/diameter or chain grade/size, safety factor, spare availability. | The lifting medium is a safety-critical wear item. | Only "standard rope" or "load chain" stated. |
| Hook block | Hook grade, latch, swivel, sheaves, bearings, markings and inspection access. | Controls safe load attachment and inspection quality. | Hook block details missing from BOM. |
| Limits and overload | Upper/lower limits, overload limiter type, trip setting, calibration and reset method. | Prevents over-hoisting, overload and unsafe operation. | Overload device treated as optional. |
Common mistakes
Hoist buying mistakes that create downtime later
Buying capacity only
Two 5 ton hoists can have very different duty, speed, brake, rope, gearbox and service support.
Ignoring headroom
A cheap hoist can reduce usable lift or fail to fit the building clearance and hook approach needs.
Skipping spare support
Rope, brake linings, contactors, limit switches and hooks must be available when production needs them.
Not defining controls
Single speed, dual speed and VFD control produce different operator experience and positioning accuracy.
Missing duty class
Frequent lifting with a light-duty hoist can overheat motors and accelerate brake, rope and gearbox wear.
Accepting vague BOM
If the vendor does not list the hoist make, motor, brake, rope and safety devices, the quote is not clean.
Related tools and guides
Use these next while preparing the RFQ
Engineering boundary: This guide helps buyers prepare RFQs and compare offers. Final hoist selection, safety factors, inspection and acceptance decisions must be confirmed by competent engineers, manufacturer documents and applicable standards.
Next action
Turn the hoist requirement into a comparable vendor response
Capture the hoist type, duty, lift, speed, headroom, make, safety devices and service requirements before asking suppliers for prices.