chain hoist / chain fall question

[Tom in VA]

I need a 16' chain fall. I was looking at those Chinese ones like Harbor Freight, Grizzly and others. I'd like to hear from someone who ones one of these. Is it a decent unit? Are they problem prone or just plain pieces of junk? Or are reliable lifting devices? It will not be used frequently, just occasionally to move equipment around the shed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Tom

 

[Puddles]

I would derate what ever capacity you get by at least half!
I have a Columbus McKinnon 1-ton electric chain fall I've had for years, and bought it used off eBay, not one problem.

 

[old]

I have 3 chain hoists and all are the cheap brands and only had trouble out of one but it was getting old and used for more then it was made to be used for. If you buy one ad you think a 1 ton will do you buy a 3 ton or if you think 3 ton will do you buy a 6 ton. That way you stand a better chance that it will hold up for what you want to do

 

[KF]

I have one and use it often. They are nothing like the old ones with the large gears. That is why they require a lot of pull on the chain for the gear to raise the load. It may take most of your weight to pull down when it is near capacity. For lighter loads they work okay. Sometimes the older ones come up for sale and may be well worth it if you are lifting heavy loads continuously.

 

[Ron in Nebr]

We bought a 16 ton chinese chain hoist and the I-beam trolley to go with it when we built our shop in 2001. It's lifted countless engines, and so much other stuff, even things much heavier than a regular automotive engine, and have never had a problem with it.

 

[Ken-Pa]

My dad always said , you get what you pay for . Pay a cheap price , you get a cheaply made product . I bought a cheap china made one & it wouldn't work safely enough for me . Internal parts are all stamped out heavy tin which tend to bend or twist under load s. Sent it back & they sent me another brand . It work somewhat better . But oh how quickly they rust in an unheated building , & I do mean rust .If I had to do over , I'd pay more to get a good set .HTH ! God bless

 

[Gun guru]

Your best bet is to buy a piece of H-beam or I-beam and then find an old chain fall on Ebay or Craigslist.

 

[BIG ED]

This isn't an ad,I'm just offering to help if can.
I've got a few extra used USA [COFFING] ect hoist that I'll sell.
Could ship UPS

 

[Anonymous-0]

CM loadstars are top of the line. Dave