BUYERSGUIDE
Chain and Motor Hoists
W
By JustinLang
ho doesn’t need a lift or pick-me-up from time to time? This month we look at that
very problem — not for you, but for whatever you are trying to raise into the air.
Chain and motor hoists are the least-sexiest products in our industry. They get
little recognition, but do all the work. On the other hand, they deserve the most attention.
They are vital to literally getting our shows off the ground. It takes more than just looking at a
product and the simple form that we have here to choose the best product for your lift. There
are a number of factors to consider such as weight limits, height, speed of motion and power
requirements to name a few.
Safety and proper procedures should be the starting point. From there it takes careful design and preparation to layout a lifting plan for any size rig. All of the manufacturers listed here
are more than willing to help you determine the best product to help you achieve what you
are looking to do.
As with any of our Buyers Guides, readers should use this listing as a starting point to get an
idea of what is available and some of the things you want to look for in your next motor or hoist
purchase. Also be sure to take advantage of the increasing array of training alternatives out
there to add to your knowledge of entertainment rigging. Not only will you be more knowledgeable, you’ll probably gain a new appreciation for all of the safety efforts and care that goes
into lifting thousands of pounds of equipment over your head.
Chainmaster BGV-D8
Columbus McKinnon CM-ET Lodestar
Lift Capacities: 1/8 to 3 Metric Tons
Lift Speeds: 5 to 100 FPM
Lift Capacities: 1/4 to 12.5 tons
Lift Capacities: 1/4 Ton
Lift Speeds: 6-64 fpm
Lift Speeds: 4 fpm
Voltage: 20Z/3ph/250V
Voltage: N/A
Chain Size: 1/2T: 4x 12mm; 1T: 7 x 22mm
Chain Size: 7 x 22mm
Chain Bag Included: Yes
Chain Bag Included: Yes
Voltage: 1-phase and 3-phase
Chain Stop Included: Yes
Chain Size: 1/4 in. to 5/16 in.
Pickle Included: No
Chain Bag Included: No
Size: 4.4” x 19” x 15.9”
Chain Stop Included: Yes
Pickle Included: No
Size: Small Frame: 20.74” x 8.68” x 6.62”;
Large Frame: 23.04” x 12.62” x 8.22”
LoadGuard LG10/1/4
Liftket Fixed Speed Series
Chain Stop Included: Yes
Pickle Included: No
Size: 12.6” x 14.5” x 8.5”
Weight: 92.5 lbs.
Weight: 60 lbs.
Retail Price: Price on request
Retail Price: 1/2Ton: $2,200
Comments: Meets all current hoisting stan-
Comments: Jam free plate. Direct or con-
dards. Optional features can be added later
Weight: 48-115 lbs. (without chain)
tactor control. Single or double brakes.
Retail Price: Price on request
Friction Clutch. Lightweight. Quite. Internal
ty standards. Hoists are designed to be quiet,
Comments: CM Lodestar has a 5-pocket
liftwheel with improved chain wear and
smooth lifting and clutch outside gear
train; meets international standards.
or external 2 or 4 channel limit switches.
compact and lightweight.
liftket.de
loadguard.eu
so that the hoists can conform to higher safe-
cm-et.com
Prolyte Group ProLyft PLE-012
Lift Capacities: 250 kg - 5000 kg
Lift Speeds: 2-10 MPM
Cyber Motion CyberHoist
Voltage: N/A
Lift Capacities: 1000kg/2200 lbs.
Lift Capacities: 2,200 lbs.
Lift Speeds: 13 fpm
Lift Speeds: 16FPM
Lift Capacities: 1/8-1 ton
Voltage: 400V/3ph/50Hz or 230V/3ph/60Hz
Voltage: 120-208-3PH
Lift Speeds: 80 fpm max
Chain Size: 7.1 x 20.5mm
Chain Size: 7 x 22mm
Chain Bag Included: Yes
Chain Bag Included: Yes
Chain Size: 4x12, 5.2x15, 7x22,
9x27, 11x31mm
Chain Bag Included: N/A
Chain Stop Included: N/A
Pickle Included: N/A
Size: Varies, multiple sizes
Weight: 15-74 kg (w/o chain)
Retail Price: On request
Comments: Climbing or standard
suspension and direct or contactor
control options. Features include
5-pocket chain wheel, textile chain bag,
DC brake, patented friction clutch.
http://en.chainmaster.de
Voltage: 175V-460V
Chain Size: 7 x 9mm
Chain Bag Included: Yes
Chain Stop Included: Yes
Chain Stop Included: Yes
Pickle Included: No
Size: 30.5” W x 35.7” H x 18.5” D
Weight: 375 lbs. without controller, 420 lbs. with Stagehand
Pro Controller
Weight: 77 lbs.
Weight: 202 lbs.
Retail Price: Price on request
Retail Price: From $7,900
Comments: ProLyft covers a broad spectrum
Comments: Plug-and-play stage automation for mobile or flexible applications.
of lifting, drive and control solutions within the
Comments: Single brake contactor control/
entertainment market. ProLyft has a worldwide
low voltage; small, light, silent.
cyber-motion.com
network of service points, offering mainte-
showdistribution.com
nance and certification services.
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Harrington Hoists TNER
Weight: 112 lbs. with 65’ of Chain
Retail Price: $2,834
Total Structures Pointman
PEH-LG-100-1-32
Stagemaker SR05, SR10
Lift Capacities: 1/2, 1 & 2 ton
Lift Capacities: SR05: 1/2 ton, SR10: 1 or 2 ton
Lift Capacities: 2000 lbs.
Lift Speed: 16 fpm
Lift Speeds: 1/2 ton: 16, 32 & 64 fpm. 1 ton: 16 &
32 fpm
Lift Speeds: 32FPM
Voltage: 208V-230V, 460V 3ph
Chain Size: 8.0 x 1
Chain Bag Included: Yes
Chain Stop Included: Yes
Pickle Included: No
Size: 13.2” x 20.” x 15”
Weight: 73 lbs.
Comments: Spotline is a wire
rope hoist designed for highspeed vertical lifting. With
integrated safety features including a redundant brake,
Spotline can handle big loads
without counterweight assist.
Retail Price: By Request
OCTOBER 2014 • plsn.com
Size: 16” x 10” x 8” (LxWxH)
prolyte.com
Retail Price: $20,000
creativeconners.com
Pickle Included: No
Size: 6.7” x 24.9” x 12.2”
Lift Speeds: 3 ft/second
Chain Bag Included: Yes
Chain Stop Included: Yes
Pickle Included: No
Pickle Included: Yes
Lift Capacities: 500 lbs.
Chain Size: 1/4” Wire Rope
Chain Stop Included: Yes
Size: 18.8” x 8.5” x 11.8”
Creative Conners Spotline
Voltage: 230VAC / 3P
Show Distribution Tour Rig
Comments: Low-headroom, fullfeatured hoists designed for reliable
performance in theaters, concert halls,
arenas and studios.
harringtonhoists.com
Voltage: 230V 3 PH 60Hz
Voltage: 208/3/60 or 400/3/50 or 460/3/60
Chain Size: 7mm
Chain Size: SR05: 5x14, SR10: 7x20
Chain Bag Included: Yes
Chain Bag Included: Yes
Chain Stop Included: Yes
Chain Stop Included: Yes
Pickle Included: No
Pickle Included: No
Size: SR05: 18.6”x11.7” x 6.8” SR10: 20” x 13.2” x 7.1”
Size: 14.5” x 12.7” x 11.2”
Weight: SR05: 65 lbs., SR10: 98 lbs.
Retail Price: SR05: $2,300 w/o chain, SR10: $2,800
w/o chain
Comments: Stagemaker SR hoists provide rear
chain ejection, maintenance free DC brake, easily adjustable slip clutch, adjustable Stromag GLS
without removing covers, plug & play electronics,
maintenance free gearbox, integrated handles &
shock absorbing bumpers
stagemaker.com
Weight: 150 lbs. with 60ft of lift, suspension,
bag and connectors
Stagemaker SR05
Retail Price: $2,653
Comments: Pointman Hoists arrive ready for
use. Standard prep includes handles, external
chain guide, cable strain relief lug and dual
voltage motor windings. All units are ready for
double brake fitment.
pointmanlifting.com
plsn.com • OCTOBER 2014
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