A hoist, or electric hoist, is a hoisting-and-transport mechanism designed for lifting and moving loads. The name of the device comes from the ancient Greek language and means "far carry." It is difficult to find a production without a single hoist. These devices most often play an auxiliary role, but without them many technological processes would not be feasible.
Mechanism device
The device of the electric hoist as a whole resembles a winch. The main components of the hoist:
- Lifting electric motor, which provides the movement of the load in a vertical plane.
- A gearbox that converts the rotation of the engine and transfers it to the drum.
- Threaded Drum. A steel rope is wound around it, which raises and lowers the load.
- A casing to which the lift motor and gearbox are mounted outside, and a drum is installed inside.
- The cart of movement with the engine - moves the hoist along the path.
- Electric shield - it houses the hoist control system.
- Hook suspension on which the load is suspended.
- Remote Control.
Areas of use
Telfers are used not only as independent devices, but also as components of other hoisting mechanisms: bridge cranes, freight elevators, etc. Telfers can be mobile or stationary (without a trolley). For example, stationary electric hoists are used as hoists on trolleys of double girder overhead cranes. This makes the cranes more compact, maintainable and simplifies assembly, however, at the same time, as a rule, they have a low lifting speed.
Production history
In the 60s of the twentieth century, the production of electric hoists for the Soviet Union was concentrated in Bulgaria at the hoist machine-building plant “Rise”, since this country was considered the “sixteenth republic” of the USSR. The plant's capacity was more than 100,000 hoists per year.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union due to the beginning of economic difficulties, the plant also fell into decay and fell into several independent producers. However, the stereotype of the “Bulgarian telfer” was firmly entrenched in the mass consciousness of industrial workers of the older generations, although several manufacturers are currently operating in this country, whose products differ in both quality and price.
Hoist manufacturers
Now in Bulgaria there are many factories for the production of electric hoists and components for them. However, among them there are several market leaders:
- EOOD “Balkansko Echo” - the plant produces hoists of type “T” and “MT”. The design of these models is obsolete, but differs in acceptable quality and low price (an average of 50 thousand rubles), due to its large turnover in Russia. The plant has a full production cycle, that is, it independently manufactures all components for its products;
- HELL ELMOT - in the days of the USSR, the plant was exclusively engaged in the production of electric motors for Bulgarian hoists, subsequently it began to produce AT type hoists. The equipment has a more modern and compact design with fewer wearing parts. Thanks to the refined technology for the production of electric motors, AT hoists are durable and resistant to overloads. The cost of equipment is significantly higher than the series "T" and "MT", but this is justified by quality;
- HELL PODEMCRANE - produces hoists of type "M". The equipment is of high quality and at the same time high cost (from 120 thousand rubles). The plant is focused on the European market, so its products are rare in the Russian Federation. Those series of telphers that the company periodically produces specifically for the Russian market are of poor quality due to the desire of the plant to reduce costs.
In addition to the above “big three”, in Bulgaria there are several small factories that produce hoists similar to the T and MT series in small volumes - REMOTEX SYSTEMS, Warehouse Technique, Podem-Gabrovo, Bakankar-Podyem and etc. But these enterprises are not independent - they produce only an enlarged assembly of products. For example, they independently manufacture cases and drums, and they purchase engines, gearboxes, etc. from larger manufacturers.
Spare parts for Bulgarian hoists
Each plant has dealers in Russia. You can contact them on the acquisition of both the hoists themselves and their spare parts. The hoist, like any other complex mechanism, has a list of wearing parts. These include:
- A rope handler is a part responsible for the correct winding and twisting of a rope when lifting and lowering a load.
- Electric motor brakes - are subject to natural wear and tear as well as automobile brake pads.
- Contactors, transformers, etc. - often fail due to power surges or poor contact.
- The drive gear of the trolley is a weak point in the construction of the hoist. Often collapses, as with small sizes it carries a huge load.
Popular models
The characteristics of Bulgarian hoists are approximately the same for all manufacturers, although the products differ in the quality of components and the accuracy of assembly. The most popular hoists with a carrying capacity of 2 to 10 tons with a lifting height of 6 to 12 meters. Such parameters satisfy the needs of most consumers and are most often imported by dealers for a warehouse. However, the range of equipment from Bulgarian manufacturers is much wider - from half-ton babies to double-drum giants with a lifting capacity of 80 tons, installed on powerful bridge cranes.
The reason for the popularity of Bulgarian telphers is the price (on average from 150 to 200 thousand rubles) and quality (compared to cheaper Chinese products). It is the combination of these parameters that is the reason that hoisting mechanisms remain the leading export item from Bulgaria to Russia.
Product Reviews
Bulgarian telphers have earned consumers a reputation for inexpensive, reliable and unpretentious equipment. Operators in various industries who have to work with hoists generally respond positively to them. The management of enterprises, which have to purchase equipment, also treat Bulgarian products well for the following reasons:
- low price;
- acceptable quality;
- the manufacturer provides a guarantee from 1 year to 2 years;
- Spare parts are inexpensive and often available.
The delicate point is that if the hoist plays an important role in any technological process (for example, loading and unloading in a warehouse or in a workshop), it is necessary to purchase a set of wearing parts at the same time as the equipment. Otherwise, at the most inopportune moment, for example, a rope-laying machine may fail, and if the dealer does not have this spare part, then you will have to wait up to several months. And the production will stand. Therefore, care must be taken. Then the Bulgarian telfer will become a faithful assistant for many years.