Chain Blocks—The Way to Go in 2019

06 June 2019

Why put people’s lives at risk if you don’t have to? That’s a question all handymen, construction managers, and site workers should ask themselves.

With so many solutions available in today’s market, your options to safeguard a crew are endless. What is one of the most popular safety features in today’s market? With good reason, you’ll find chain blocks on many work sites.

Yes, this is a device designed to assist in heavy lifting. But we’re mentioning this in relation to safety too: the more pressure modern tools can handle, the less chance there is of workers getting injured.

So, this is how you increase productivity as well as keep your crew safe. Ready to know more?

Contents

1 What is a Chain Block?
- 1.1 How Does it Work?
- 1.2 Specs and Description:
2 Why Use Chain Blocks? Benefits You Need to Know:
- 2.1 Unique Features:
- 2.2 Manual Chain Hoist Advantages:
3 Conclusion:

What is a Chain Block?

Chain blocks (also known as a hand chain hoist) is a mechanism used to lift and lower heavy loads using a chain. When the chain is pulled, it winds around the wheels and begins to lift the item that is attached to the rope or chain via a hook.

How Does it Work?

At the end of the lifting chain is a grab hook. This allows a worker to easily attach and detach a load. Also, most chain hoist lifting mechanisms have ratchets or braking systems that prevent the loads from slipping back. It also allows you to lower a load by pulling the other side of the hand chain.

You can see the increased control a site worker can have in a situation with one of these forms part of the equipment that’s available. Increased control affects productivity and safety.

So what can you expect from the average chain blocks?

Specs and Description:

500kg – 2000kg working load limit
All steel construction
Suitable for industrial environments where dependability is a must
Weatherproof twin pawl brake
The Weston style two pawl brake is designed to hold the load during the operation
Industrial grade powder coating which provides a long-lasting finish designed to suit harsh environments
Zinc plated hand chain for a durable finish
Fully enclosed gearing protects the gears from debris and contamination

Respected suppliers provide chain blocks complete with Grade 80 alloy chain and forged alloy steel hooks. You should also look for quality suppliers who provide a large range of chain blocks to suit your needs. Each construction scenario is unique, so make sure your equipment caters for your needs.

Why Use Chain Blocks? Benefits You Need to Know:

When you purchase the right types, chain hoists can positively affect most aspects of your project:

Cost: A chain hoist will have a lower price point than an electric wire rope hoist. This does mean the capacity won’t be as high, but it will still offer you much more than a manual hoist.
Flexibility: A chain hoist is usually easier to move than a wire rope hoist, meaning it can be transported between sites. This can be a great advantage for construction professionals who work in various locations.
Vertical lifting: You can easily achieve a vertical lift. There is no lateral movement, as the chain is moved over a sprocket.
Diverse application: Chain Hoists can be used with a wide range of lifting equipment, including jib cranes and gantries. They can be used in low headroom areas, allowing you more flexibility with your specifications.

Unique Features:

Understanding this range of equipment is essential to optimize your use of them. Are you benefiting from these features yet?

Chain containers: This is the collection box that collects up excess slack on the chain, preventing the chain from getting damaged and stopping it damaging the load.
Limit switches: An upper and lower limit switch will let you set minimum & maximum hook paths. It protects the load from human error when lifting it or placing it down. This will also protect the hoist itself when lifting a heavy load.

There’s a reason there are many types of chain hoists on the market. Each has its own benefits, so don’t ignore the ones you haven’t tried. Even though manual types may require more effort than electric hoists, they still come with many benefits.

Manual Chain Hoist Advantages:

While manual chain hoists won’t lift quite as fast and effortlessly as electric hoists, there are many advantages:

They don’t require any electricity or power source. This makes them much more portable compared to electric hoists so you can have the benefit of a hoist on remote work sites.
They’re more cost-efficient compared to electric or hydraulic hoists. Not only do electric hoists cost more initially, but they also raise electricity bills.
The simple design of manual hoists makes it easier to repair and maintain. No complex motors, wires, or electrical/hydraulic systems.
Although electric chain hoists can lift heavier loads, manual hoists can still have working load limits (WLL) up to 20 tons. As long as what you’re lifting is below that, there’s no reason not to opt for a manual hoist.

You can pick from two main styles of manual chain hoists: hand hoists and lever hoists.

Conclusion:

Are you up to date with the latest in construction equipment? It’s how you become more efficient and manage a safe work environment.

If you have questions or feedback, please share your comment on our page or tweet about your personal view and experience about chain blocks. Let’s learn from each other.

Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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What To Look For When Buying A Second-Hand Heavy Industrial Equipment

Shopping for quality equipment, especially when they are heavy construction equipment, can be a bit daunting and time-consuming. While you can spend dollars and dollars on new equipment, buying the used one is often a smart decision. Not only it will work with the cash flow, but it will also reduce downtime, and you will get your equipment with ease.Well, you can invest in new equipment, but this would put an additional burden on your company’s financial shoulders. This is where spending on used cranes for sale is a smart decision that reduces downtime, plus you get upgraded equipment always.If you are in the construction market, there are a few things to look for before spending money on purchasing used equipment: Who Is Selling: A seller inspection is one of the most important things to consider when buying used construction equipment. So, always look for a reputed seller. Do your homework before hopping to the market or selling the company. For instance, you are going to buy limited access drill rigs, do thorough research, and then buy. You can go online, look at public records, check out the company’s reviews of complaints, customer testimonials, and more to collect seller’s data. Is The Seller Trusted? The credibility and reliability of the seller are important. Probably this is even more important than the price that is being quoted for the heavy machinery Singapore. If you are buying from trusted and well-established names like JCB Singapore, you can rest assured that you are getting the best products that are well looked after and carry an impeccable service record.When you are shopping from a non-trusted seller, thoroughly check the machine and then spend it. To check whether the machine is stolen or not, have an inquiry into the machine from trusted sources. Write down its PIN number and make verification from the police and other trusted sources.If you are unsure about the quality of the product, or the seller looks questionable, a better idea would get new industrial products. For example, if you are looking to buy the best scales for heavy weight, you can directly get in touch with a reputed brand like Arlyn Scales and request the best prices and services. This will give you the utmost peace of mind regarding the quality of the product. What Is Included In The Offer: Some sellers often sell different pieces of equipment individually, so make sure to check that everything you need for the process is included. Also, check if the seller has accurately represented the current condition of the product in the listing. The trust of buying is built on honesty, so if the seller is not honest about what he is selling, you shouldn’t go with the deal. What Are The Device’s Operating Hours And How Old It Is? Different types of machinery have different lifespans, so if any piece or part of the equipment is near its end, it would need more repair work. Frequent repairs can also hamper your overall budget. For instance, you only need an excavator drill, look for its operating hours and then buy. What Is The Type Of Fluids In The Machine? While inspecting the machine, make sure to look for all fluids that will go in the machine. The engine oil, transmission fluid, coolants, hydraulic fluids, and more. If anything looked messed up or dirty, it means the device has not been maintained. Maintenance Records Of The Equipment: You have to be sure about what you are buying. However, you can't rely on the current status of the machine. Instead, you should also know about the equipment’s history. Recheck, whether it has performed well or it had unusual problems that need frequent repairs. Also, ensure, that the machine has been updated or modified. Look for all concerns closely and every issue that alerts you. Run A Test And Check For The Signs Of Wear: For sure, you would want to test run the machine to ensure it's in working condition. This will help you gauge upon applications of the machine and other things. Since you will see the machine running, you might see some signs of wear. While small nut or bolt damages can be repaired, cracks and rust can lead to serious damage. Don’t Forget The Engine Exhausts: If the equipment has an engine, check the engine exhaust, it will give you important clues about the machinery. If the smoke is black, the machine has serious issues with injectors. However, if there’s white smoke, there might have been a problem with the head gasket or compression.Buying second-hand equipment is quite a complicated process, but if you consider the above tips, you would be able to purchase a good machine.Read Also:Construction Safety – What You Didn’t Know! How To Choose The Best Commercial Restaurant Equipment Which Type Of Forklift Your Industry Need: Have A Look At Them!

How To Deal With A Difficult Landlord

Landlords are a necessary part of renting. Unfortunately, a property that is otherwise perfect might come with a terrible landlord. In the ideal situation, your landlord will be someone you get along well with. But what happens when your landlord is difficult to work with? Fortunately, you can take steps to deal with this. To this end, we have put together a list of ways to deal with a difficult landlord to help you out. Check your lease agreement First things first: look over your lease agreement again. Is the issue you are concerned with covered in the lease? Then you know how to proceed. Of course, this could also work against you, if your landlord’s behavior is covered by the lease.Because of this, before you sign a lease agreement, it is very important to properly read through it. On the flip side, if your landlord’s behavior is directly contradicting the lease, you have a legal way to make them stop. Alternatively, if you can’t landlord’s willing to give you a good lease agreement, it might be time to start considering if you want to continue renting an apartment vs buying a house.Look through your lease agreement before doing anything else, to make sure there isn’t an easy solution to your problem. Research rental lawsThe first step you should take is informing yourself on how you can, legally, deal with a difficult landlord. This will depend on what your exact complaint is. As such, you will want to go to the Residential Tenancy Branch website and learn about your rights as a tenant.There are laws to help you against unreasonable landlords. For example, there is an established law about how much money they can as for a security deposit. There are also laws to protect your privacy, maintenance requests, and anti-discrimination.Related Resource: How Did COVID Change Landlord-Tenant Laws Pick your fightsA tenant is required to ask their landlord about any repairs, from minor to major, before they take action. But, what if your landlord is unresponsive? Well, chances are, if they are already uninterested then asking for every minor repair to be handled will make them more uninterested.So, in this situation, you should only choose high-priority issues to fight over. Legally, a landlord is required to keep their property in livable condition, however, this might mean something different to you than your landlord. So if you have to choose what needs to be fixed, then prioritize fighting over the bigger problems. Alternatively, it might be better to avoid these issues entirely and start hunting for a new apartment.If your landlord is generally unresponsive, try to only argue about important issues when you can. Speak with the other tenants Speaking with the other tenants about your issues is generally a great idea. After all, a group of tenants can more easily deal with a difficult landlord. So, ask around. Are the rest of the tenants experiencing the same issues? Check if there’s a tenant’s association, and file a complaint through them as a group. Generally speaking, groups have more success getting results than individuals filing complaints. Be prepared to leaveUnfortunately, in some cases, it might not be possible to deal with a difficult landlord. Or, dealing with them might not be worth it. In cases like this, you should be ready to move out on short notice. Of course, moving out on short notice isn’t something that’s easy to do, and it shouldn’t be done without a good reason. So, always go through every other option before deciding to do this. But, if this is the only solution, you should be prepared to leave your current apartment in a week or two.Moving out is a solution that should only be considered when there are no other options.Alt-tag: couple carrying moving boxes downstairs Document everything thoroughly If you have proof, then resolving your complaints tends to be much easier. Always make your requests in writing, and keep your landlord’s replies. Do this through email, letters, or texts. If your landlord then visits you in person, make a record of the date and things discussed. Keep copies of payment requests or any agreements whatsoever. If possible, take photo or video evidence with some sort of timestamp on it to help with proving your point. Be respectful No matter how difficult your landlord may be, do your best to stay respectful when interacting with them. After all, by being disrespectful, you are only giving them more reason to be unreasonable. Try to be calm in your communications, and try to work with your landlord. Maybe they will even decide to be nicer to you in the future. If this doesn’t help, it might be time to start planning a move. Experts from vanexpressnj.com note that you should always have your move planned in advance for situations like this. Never miss your payments An easy way to help you deal with a difficult landlord is to never miss your payments, and generally be a good tenant. Follow your lease thoroughly, make sure your payments are on time. Keep the apartment clean and don’t cause trouble for the other tenants. By doing this, you avoid giving your landlord anything to say against you when you file your complaint. Look for additional help If you’ve spoken to your landlord, sent a letter, and filed complaints, but nothing came out of it, then it’s time to search for additional solutions. When you have tried everything and you just can’t reach an agreement with your landlord, then you should consider filing an appeal at the Residential Tenancies Branch. The Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB for short) can mediate between you and your landlord in situations like these. An agreement reached through this is final, binding, and enforceable. Afterword Dealing with a difficult landlord isn’t easy. If they decide to be unreasonable, or unresponsive, there is almost nothing you can do to easily solve the issue. We hope you found this list of ways to deal with a difficult landlord helpful, and you luck in dealing with your issues.Read Also:How to Protect Your Property as a First Time Landlord? What To Look For When Renting A Property In St Albans: Checklist & Advice 5 Ways to Become a Profitable Landlord 6 Expert Tips for Finding The Right Home to Buy 6 Expert Tips for Finding The Right Home to Buy

Buy to Let Mortgage Explained

A buy to let mortgage differs from a regular mortgage since it is for investors or landlords who buy property to rent out to tenants; not for their residential purposes. The essential differences that an investor should be aware of can be provided through professional and experienced advice from mortgage brokers in the UK.Some issues linked to the subject are listed below:Buy to Let mortgage in the UK is available to individuals as well as to corporates and companies. However, a BTL mortgage for a company will have to be through a lender who accepts investment through limited companies. Maximum limit: The amount that can be borrowed is linked to the expected rental income. Lenders usually require the rental income to be 25-30% higher than the mortgage payment. Deposit: A deposit will be required to be paid to the lender; it is usually 25% of the value of the property (though this can escalate to about 40%). Repayments: The two ways of paying back the mortgage are explained below: Interest-only mortgage:is self-explanatory and, every month, only the interest on the loan is paid back. This means lower monthly payments, but the loan will have to be paid at the end of the mortgage period. Repayment mortgage:is when both the interest as well as some portion of the loan itself are paid back. A higher monthly payment will be required, but the advantage is that by the time the mortgage term matures, in all probability, the entire loan would be repaid.Depending on the investor’s capital and budget, advice will be required on the Repayment issue since lenders vary on the repayment requirements. Taxes: Both Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax are payable on buy to let properties. Capital Gains Tax:The rate is payable dependent on the income bracket of the investor. By adjusting property purchase fees (or even losses from another BTL property), this tax can be reduced. Income Tax:Landlords will not be able to deduct the mortgage interest from rental income. Instead, the total mortgage interest payment will receive a 20% tax relief. Fees like council tax or property maintenance charges can be offset if the annual income allowable is exceeded. BTL remortgage: By switching to another deal once the current mortgage is over, a BTL remortgage can sometimes be advantageous as the interest rate can be lower. If a remortgage is required earlier, lenders usually require a minimum time of 6 months after the title deeds are transferred before they will consider this. However, arrangement fees for BTL are high so remortgaging can beexpensive and, since interest rates can fluctuate, the pros and cons will need to be carefully reviewed. Regulation of Buy to let mortgage: Most of these mortgages are not regulated by the FCA as they are treated as business borrowing. However, Consumer BTL mortgages are handled in the same way as residential mortgages by the FCA, protecting the investor from fraud or incorrect advice. This type of mortgage is for “accidental landlords” - it is defined as ‘a buy-to-let mortgage contract which is not entered into by the borrower wholly or predominantly for the purposes of a business carried on, or intended to be carried on, by the borrower.’ For example, if the property is bought for relatives to live in, it would be considered as a Consumer BTL mortgage. Legislation: Investors need a tenancy agreement, outlining the terms and responsibilities of both parties. The rented property should be kept safe with a fire alarm and all gas and electrical equipment maintained in good condition. An energy performance certificate should be provided to the tenant. The tenant’s right to rent should be checked. The deposit should be protected in a Government-backed scheme. Conclusion: As in every critical decision, the pros and cons need to be weighed. In the case of a Buy to Let mortgage, some of them are: Advantages:Demand: With the demand exceeding supply, the rental market is suitable for investors. Capital gain: Although there is a risk with the value of property fluctuating, “brick-and-mortar” has usually survived and increased in value. Income: With the rental trend increasing, the revenue should be an asset.Disadvantages:High fees: Fees, deposits, and admin/legal costs can be increased. Rental voids: There is the risk of having no tenant or a tenant who is problematic with payments. Legal: Keeping in line with the legal requirements can be a big responsibility.Should a BTL mortgage be decided on, just keep in mind that the stamp duty holiday is till 31 March 2021 and so all necessary documentation should be completed well in time if this benefit is to be availed!Read Also:Federal Government and the Subprime Mortgage Crisis They Created 7 Expert Tips In Finding The Best Mortgage Broker In Vancouver Finding the Best Mortgage Lenders to Buy Your Dream House

Chain Blocks—The Way to Go in 2019