The basic hoist has two important characteristics to define it:

Lifting Medium and Power Type

• The lifting medium is either wire rope, wrapped around a drum, or load-chain, raised by a pulley with a special profile to engage the chain.
• The power type can be either electric motor or air motor.

Both the wire rope hoist and chain hoist have been in common use since the 1800s.

A hoist can be built as one integral-package unit, designed for cost-effective purchasing and moderate use, or it can be built as a built-up custom unit, designed for durability and performance. The built-up hoist will be much more expensive, but will also be easier to repair and more durable. Package units are designed for light to moderate usage, while built-up units are designed for heavy to severe service. A machine shop or fabricating shop will use an integral-package hoist, while a steel mill or foundry would use a built-up unit to meet durability, performance, and reliability requirements.

G.W. Becker, Inc. is a distributor of a full line of quality hoists, as well as, a CMAA custom built-up manufacturer.