A Harrington CB hand-chain hoist uses a geared drive, load chain and mechanical brake to raise, lower and hold a load. Select a model below to look up its catalog hand pull and number of supporting chain falls, then calculate the hand-chain travel for a chosen hook lift. The result does not select a hoist or approve a lifting arrangement.
Harrington Chain Hoist Interactive Calculator
Select a Harrington CB manual chain-hoist model and desired load lift to look up the manufacturer-rated hand pull, overhaul ratio and load-chain fall count, then calculate required hand-chain travel.
Equation Used
- The selector identifies a catalog model; it does not verify an actual hoist, its available lift or the suitability of a load.
- Catalog values are from CBM3 owner’s manual table 2-1, effective October 24, 2024. Check the manual matching the actual hoist.
- The visualization is a schematic of supporting chain falls and hook motion, not a service or assembly drawing.
- The lookup cannot check the condition or installation of an actual hoist. Apply the manufacturer’s inspection and operating requirements before use.
Catalog lookup for CB005 through CB150 using the October 24, 2024 CBM3 manual. The selected lift is a calculation input, not proof that a particular hoist has that travel. Use the manual and qualified personnel for the actual lifting system.
Hand chain, gearing and load chain
The hand chain turns the input wheel. The CB product description specifies double-reduction gearing, which drives a load-chain sheave. Depending on model, one or more chain falls support the lower hook block.
The mechanical load brake and the overload slip clutch perform different jobs. The brake holds the load; the clutch limits transmitted input when its preset load is exceeded. A slipping brake is not a normal overload-protection function. The presence of a clutch does not authorize exceeding nameplate capacity.
The schematic shows the external relationship between the hoist body, hand chain, supporting falls and hook. Its component dimensions and internal routing are not a model-specific service drawing.
Using the lookup
The tool is useful for comparing hand-chain travel among the listed CB models. A larger travel ratio means pulling more hand chain for the same hook movement. It does not imply that a particular person can sustain the listed effort or that a proposed support and rigging arrangement are adequate.
Identify the actual hoist by its nameplate and documentation. The lift-length control can exceed the travel fitted to an individual hoist; changing it does not change that hardware. Other Harrington series and unlisted CB capacities are not represented.
Travel calculation and catalog values
The ratio is dimensionless. With hook lift entered in feet, hand-chain travel is also in feet. Catalog Rated Pull and Load-Chain Falls are lookups for the selected model. Rated Load converts the selected U.S. ton rating using 2000 lbf per ton.
Increasing desired lift changes travel only. It does not change the selected model’s rating or catalog pull. No actual load, efficiency, support strength or inspection data is entered, so none is assessed.
Example: 3 ft of hook lift
Select CB015 and a 3 ft lift. The catalog entries are a 1½-ton rating, 70 lbf rated pull, a 57:1 overhaul ratio and one supporting load-chain fall. The calculation gives 57 × 3 = 171 ft of hand-chain travel.
For a 6 ft lift on the same selected model, travel becomes 342 ft. The displayed rated pull remains 70 lbf because it is a catalog lookup, not a prediction at an arbitrary load.
The preset CB005 at 3 ft gives 25 × 3 = 75 ft of hand-chain travel. Comparing these distances helps explain the effect of overhaul ratio; it is not a recommendation for a particular lift.
Reading the results correctly
| Output | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rated Load | The selected model’s catalog capacity expressed in lbf, not an assessment of an actual load. |
| Catalog Rated Pull | Published effort at rated load, not a user-specific force prediction. |
| Hand-Chain Travel | Overhaul ratio multiplied by entered hook lift. |
| Load-Chain Falls | The listed number of supporting load-chain lines, not the number of hand-chain loops. |
Never use calculated travel or manageable hand effort to justify overloading. Follow the actual hoist manual, inspection requirements and operating limits; this page cannot approve a lift.
Frequently asked questions
Why does changing lift leave Catalog Rated Pull unchanged?
Pull is a model-specific catalog value. The lift input changes only hand-chain travel.
Can I enter the load I intend to lift?
No. The selector chooses a rated model; this tool does not calculate hand pull for an entered load or verify a lifting plan.
What does a 57:1 overhaul ratio mean?
It means 57 units of hand-chain travel for one unit of hook travel. A 3 ft hook lift therefore corresponds to 171 ft of hand-chain travel.
Does the animation show the exact chain routing?
No. It is an external schematic. Use the model-specific manual for routing and inspection.
Is the brake intended to slip during an overload?
No. Load holding and overload protection are different functions. A hoist that does not hold or otherwise behaves abnormally must not be relied on; follow the manufacturer’s service instructions.
Does selecting a 20 ft lift make any listed hoist suitable?
No. It only multiplies the ratio by 20. The actual hoist must have sufficient configured travel and meet all application requirements.
Does this cover all Harrington hoists?
No. It covers the listed CB005–CB150 catalog entries. It does not represent CF or LB products, CB200, or other unlisted models.
Manufacturer references
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