A Hoist is a device used for lifting or lowering a load by means of a drum or lift-wheel around which wire rope or chain wraps.
Cranes and Hoists are somewhat interchangeable terminology since the actual lifting mechanism of a crane is commonly referred to as a Hoist.
Hoists may be internal to a crane or mounted in affixed position, permanently or temporarily.
When Hoist is mounted to a trolley on a fixed monorail only two directions of load motion are available: Forward or Reverse & Up or Down. But when the Hoist is mounted on a EOT crane three directions of load motion are available: Right or Left, Forward or Reverse & Up or Down.
There are two basic hoist lifting media available – one is wire rope hoist which is very durable and will provide long term reliable usage and other type is chain hoist.
For the given rated load chain hoists are small, compact and light weight compared to wire rope hoists; but for high speed lifting up to (20m/min+) and longer life span with unmatched durability, wire rope hoists are selected over chain hoists because chain over pocket wheel generates fatigue inducing resonance for long lifting cycles.