We have spent thousands of hours troubleshooting hoists for customers. Below please find a list of common problems and possible solutions. Always remember to consult the operating manual that accompanied your product for specific solutions related to your individual product. This page is provided for reference only and the operating manual that accompanied your hoist should include the specific remedys to fix the individual problems associated with your hoist.
• Hoist load brake locked-up (handle works in "UP" but not "DOWN" direction).
• Hoist load brake slips (hoist will not support loads).
• Hoist load brake drags (handle works hard).
• Hoist erratic operation (chain gags or jumps in lowering direction).
• Electric hoist hook does not respond to the pendant.
• Electric hoist hook moves in wrong direction.
• Electric hoist hook lowers but will not raise.
• Electric hoist hook raises but will not lower.
• Electric hoist hook lowers when hoisting control is operated.
• Electric hoist hook does not stop promptly.
• Electric hoist operates sluggishly.
• Electric hoist motor overheats.
• Electric hoist hook fails to stop at either or both ends of travel.
• Electric hoist hook stopping point varries.
• Electric hoist hook moves in proper direction at one speed, wrong direction at other speed.
Below please find a list of possible causes and possible remedies. This guide is for reference only. Always remember to consult the owners manual that accompanied your hoist for specific instructions related to your product.
Hoist load brake locked-up (handle works in "UP" but not "DOWN" direction).
Possible Cause: Load not lowered after hoist was used for lifting.
Possible Solution: Unlock load brake.
Hoist load brake slips (hoist will not support loads).
Possible Cause: (i) Brake friction surfaces coated with oil or friction washers glazed. (ii) Brake parts damaged or worn. (iii) Load chain installed backwards.
Possible Solution: (i) Remove brake parts and clean surfaces. (ii) Remove and inspect brake parts and replace if necessary.
Hoist load brake drags (handle works hard).
Possible Cause: (i) Dirt inside or internal parts corroded. (ii) Brake friction surfaces scored or load gearing damaged from overloading.
Possible Solution: (i) Disassemble and thoroughly clean. (ii) Remove and inspect load brake parts and load gearing and replace damaged or defective parts.
Hoist erratic operation (chain gags or jumps in lowering direction).
Possible Cause: (i) Load chain installed wrong with welds on links facing sprocket. (ii) Load brake pawl or ratchet teeth worn or damaged.
Possible Solution: (i) Remove load chain and re-install. (ii) Remove load brake parts and inspect pawl and ratchet as outlined in manual.
Possible Cause: (i) Hoist subjected to overloading. (ii) Load chain run through hoist too far, in lowering, causing welded end link to bind against frame. (iii) Hoist subjected to extreme angular or side pulls, causing chain to bind on side of frame. (iv) Hoist dropped or thrown.
Possible Solution: Whenever the frame shows evidence of damage, the hoist should be completely dismantled, all parts inspected and damaged or worn parts replaced as outlined in owners manual.
Possible Cause: Direct inside handle or lack of lubrication.
Possible Solution: Replace handle.
Possible Cause: (i) Hoist improperly operated. (ii) Hand wheel not correctly installed.
Possible Solution: (i) Follow correct operating procedure when using a hoist. (ii) Hoist should be dismantled and thoroughly inspected with and any damaged parts should be replaced.
Possible Cause: Hoist overloaded
Possible Solution: Replace hooks. Hoist should be dismantled and thoroughly inspected for additional damage from overloading.
Below please find a list of probably cases and possible remedies. This guide is for reference only. Always remember to consult the owners manual that accompanied your hoist for specific instructions related to your product.
Electric hoist hook does not respond to the pendant.
Possible Cause: (i) No voltage at hoist main line or branch circuit switch; branch line fuse blown or circuit breaker tripped. (ii) Phase failure, open circuit, grounded or faulty connection in one line of supply system (hoist wiring, reversing contactor, motor leads or windings). (iii) Upper or lower limit switch has opened the control circuit. (iv) Open control circuit or shorted winding in transformer, reversing contactor coil or loose connection or broken wire in circuit. (v) Wrong voltage or frequency. (vi) Low voltage. (vii) Brake not releasing or shorted coil winding or armature binding. (viii) Excessive load.
Possible Solution: (i) Close switch, replace fuse or reset breaker. (ii) Check for electrical continuity and repair or replace defective part. (iii) Confirm that the hoist is being used with the voltage and frequency indicated on hoist identification plate and make sure the connections at the voltage change board are the property voltage as described in the owners manual. (iv) Check electrical continuity and connection. (v) Reduce loading to the capacity limit of the hoist as indicated on the identification plate. (vi) Consult the operating manual for specific remedies for the hoist.
Electric hoist hook moves in wrong direction.
Possible Cause: (i) Wiring connections reversed at either the control station or terminal board. (ii) Failure of the motor reversing switch to effect dynamic braking at time of reversal. (iii) Phase reversal (three phase unit only).
Possible Solution: (i) Check connections with the wiring diagram. (ii) Check connections to switch and replace any damaged or faulty capacitor. (iii) Consult owners manual for specific instructions for hoist..
Electric hoist hook lowers but will not raise.
Possible Cause: (i) Hoist has been loaded with excessive load. (ii) Open hoisting circuit or shorted winding in reversing contactor coil. (iii) Control station contacts not working properly. (iv) Upper limit switch contacts open. (v) Phase failure (three phase unit only).
Possible Solution: (i) Check electrical continuity and repair or replace defective part. (ii) Consult operating manual for specific instructions related to product.
Electric hoist hook raises but will not lower.
Possible Cause: (i) Hoist has been loaded with excessive load. (ii) Open lowering circuit or shorted winding in reversing contactor coil. (iii) Loose connection or broken wire in circuit. (iv) Control station contacts not working properly. (v) Lower limit switch contacts open. (vi) Motor reversing switch not operating (single phase unit only).
Possible Solution: (i) Check electrical continuity and repair or replace defective part. (ii) Check connections to switch and replace a damaged or faulty capacitor. (iii) Review hoist operating manual for specific remedies.
Electric hoist hook lowers when hoisting control is operated.
Possible Cause: (i) Phase failure (three phase unit only). (ii) Phase reveresal (three phase unit only).
Possible Solution: Consult owners manual for specific instructions related to hoist.
Electric hoist hook does not stop promptly.
Possible Cause: (i) Brake slipping. (ii) Excessive load.
Possible Solution: (i) Reduce loading to the capacity limit of the hoist as indicated on the idenification plate. (ii) Check brake adjustment per manual.
Electric hoist operates sluggishly.
Possible Cause: (i) Low voltage. (ii) Excessive load. (iii) Phase failure or unbalanced current in the phases (three phase unit only). (iv) Brake dragging.
Possible Solution: (i) Reduce loading to the capacity limit of the hoist as indicated on the idenification plate. (ii) Correct voltage condition per product manual. (iii) Check for electrical contuinity and repair or replace defective part. (iv) Check brake adjustmentper manual.
Electric hoist motor overheats.
Possible Cause: (i) Low voltage. (ii) Excessive load. (iii) Extreme external heading. (iv) Frequent starting or reversing. (v) Phase failure or unbalanced current in the phase (three phase unit only). (vi) Brake drdagging. (vii) Solid state reverse switch exposed to excessive temperature or the switch is damaged.
Possible Solution: (i) Correct low voltage condition as described in the owners manual. (ii) Reduce loading to the capacity limit of the hoist. (iii) Consult product manual for safe operating conditions of the hoist and special conditions above any temperature requirements in the manual. (iv) Avoid excessive inching, jogging or plugging, which is a type of operation that may shorten the motor and contactor life and may cause excessive brake wear. (v) Check for electrical continuity and repair or replace defective part. (vi) Check brake adjustment. (vii) Consult owners manual for specific solutions related to the electric hoist.
Electric hoist hook fails to stop at either or both ends of travel.
Possible Cause: (i) Limit switches not opening circuits. (ii) Limit switch shaft not rotating. (iii) Traveling nuts not moving along shaft guide with shaft or nut threads damaged.
Possible Solution: (i) Check switch connections, electrical continuity and mechanical operation. (ii) Check for damaged limit switch gears. (iii) Tighten guide plate screws and replace any damaged parts. (iv) Consult owners manual for further instructios specific to the product.
Electric hoist hook stopping point varries.
Possible Cause: (i) Limit switch not holding adjustment. (ii) Brake not holding. (iii) Binding of limit switch shaft is off.
Possible Solution: (i) Check switch connections, electrical continuity and mechanical operation. (ii) Check the switch adjustment as described in the owner manual. (iii) Check the brake adjustment. (iv) Check limit switch bearing for proper seating. (v) Review owners manual for specific items related to the hoist.
Electric hoist hook stopping point varries.
Possible Cause: Phase reversal.
Possible Solution: (i) Reconnect wiring properly. (ii) Interchange two leads of motor winding that is out of phase at the speed selecting relay.