Follow the motion from a manual hoist's hand chain through its reduction gears to the load chain and hook. Enter a load and mechanical advantage to compare load force with ideal hand pull.
Hand-Chain Hoist Ideal Force-Ratio Calculator
Vary load mass and an explicitly entered overall mechanical advantage. The output is the lossless identity F_in=mg/MA; it is not the rated hand pull, capacity, efficiency, chain travel or brake performance of a real hoist.
Equation Used
- Load is static and vertical in the ideal arithmetic model.
- Mechanical advantage is entered directly and treated as lossless.
- The drawing's tooth counts, chain pitch, hook travel and playback rate are illustrative.
The displayed force is an ideal ratio result only. Hoist rating, published hand pull, chain travel and brake performance remain model-specific manufacturer data.
Hand chain to load chain
Pulling the hand chain turns a pocketed hand wheel. Enclosed reduction gearing turns the load wheel more slowly, moving the calibrated load chain and hook. A load-brake and pawl arrangement provides the holding function. The animation identifies that power path schematically; its tooth counts, chain pitch and travel are not product dimensions.
Harrington documents double-reduction gearing and a double-pawl brake on its CB hand-chain hoist. Other models can use different internal layouts, reeving and published hand pull.
Use only within a rated lifting system
The calculator is an educational force-ratio identity, not a hoist-selection tool. Capacity, lift, number of load-chain falls, hand pull, inspection, supporting structure, attachment and permitted service come from the exact manufacturer's nameplate and manual.
Ideal force-ratio identity
This identity omits friction and efficiency and cannot replace a model's published pull-to-lift value. It does not calculate chain travel, hook speed, brake torque, gear stress or rated capacity.
Arithmetic example
For 1,500 kg and an entered ideal mechanical advantage of 60:1, load force is 14.71 kN and ideal input force is 245 N, or 25 kgf. Those numbers describe only the entered lossless ratio; they do not rate a hoist.
Model boundary
Real behavior depends on the exact gear train, load-chain falls, wheel sizes, bearings, brake, friction, wear, condition and manufacturer limits. The animation does not establish hook travel per hand-chain travel, efficiency, proof load, service class, inspection interval or allowable load.
Hand-chain-hoist questions
Is ideal hand pull the same as the published pull-to-lift value?
No. Published pull belongs to a specific rated hoist and includes its real mechanism.
Can entered MA increase a hoist's capacity?
No. Rated capacity is fixed by the manufacturer and nameplate.
Does the animation specify chain pitch or gear teeth?
No. Those drawing details are schematic.
Manufacturer and industry references
- Harrington CX Owner's Manual: documents hand-chain lifting/lowering directions, model-specific rated pull and inspection requirements.
- Harrington CB Hand Chain Hoist: documents hand-chain operation, double-reduction gearing, load chain, hooks and double-pawl brake.
- HMI recommended practices: states rated-load, chain, hook and inspection limitations and directs users to the manufacturer instructions.
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