Why the Wire Rope Hoist is a Fireman’s Best Friend?

Specialized tools and safety equipment for firefighters are essential to doing these tasks, and countless others. For moving people, gear, debris, and other heavy things on-scene, one of the most versatile types of hoisting equipment available to fire fighters is the pass-through hand-operated wire rope hoist.

Wire Rope Hoists: What They Are & How They Work.

The typical hoist of this type consists of a sturdy housing with a strong, reversible mechanism that can use wire rope of any length, allowing pulling and lifting over great distances and heights. The housing has an easily operated anchor which can be secured to a sturdy, stationary object such as the wheel or a towing hitch of a heavy fire vehicle using a wire rope sling. A wire rope is passed through the housing, then locked into the gears of the hoist mechanism. A telescoping hand lever allows easy operation of the hoist and switching the lever from one armature of the hoist to the other allows for force to be applied in the opposite direction. A swivel hook is affixed to one end of the wire rope, allowing it to be attached to a strap, a backboard, a harness D-ring, or other load-bearing point to pull or lift as needed. 

Fire & Rescue Applications

Built to be durable, powerful, and lightweight, an individual crew member can easily carry a pass-through wire rope hoist to wherever it’s needed on-scene and use it for many important tasks without the need for electricity or extra muscle power.

Hundreds or even thousands of pounds of precise force can be applied easily using wire rope hoists. This can provide major assistance in Rapid Intervention Techniques, tearing down walls or clearing fallen debris to reach victims or fellow firefighters in distress. Attack crews can use a hoist to pull apart heavy roofing and siding when venting a fire. Heavy gear can be lifted up to any height with the right length of wire rope.

In Technical Rescue operations, the hoist serves as an emergency winch. With proper use of pulleys and straps, a wire rope hoist can lower and lift crew members, equipment, and victims into and out of enclosed spaces. Applied with proper equipment and training, multiple hoists can perform precise manipulation and stabilization of overturned vehicles, downed trees, and other heavy objects, particularly in places where fire trucks, dozers, and other large, powered equipment can reach.

The Right Hoists for Your Applications

There are several types of wire rope hoist available for use in the fire & rescue industry. The most obvious difference in these hoists is their maximum lifting capacity, which can range from hundreds of pounds to multiple tons. Wire ropes of the appropriate gauges are also available in a range of present lengths, as well as custom orders. But not every hoist and emergency winch are the same, and there are distinctions and features that you need to consider.

If you will be using your hoists to transport people (firefighters or victims), you must ensure that they are certified for man-riding use. Not all wire rope hoists are safe to use for this emergency winch task, and they generally have a different (lower) weight capacity for man-riding than for general use. Always double-check with the manufacturer if you are uncertain about the capabilities of any particular hoist.

Another factor is whether the hoist can use a power source. In addition to the normal lever-powered operation, some wire rope hoists also use hydraulic power or electricity from special power packs. This can allow the hoist to operate more quickly and/or with superior lifting and pulling force.

Leading manufacturers also produce specific ropes to work optimally in their hoists, in a range of lengths and gauges, pre-fitted with swivel hooks. These brands also offer their products in specialized kits made for the fire & rescue industry. These kits include hoist models ideal for emergency use, as well as the straps, pulleys, and other accessories most frequently needed on site to make the best use on site.

Finally, the overall quality of the brand and product line should be considered. Look for a brand with reputation for reliability and a history of producing safety equipment for firefighters

Wire Rope Hoists at Your Station

If versatile, simple, powerful pass-through wire rope hoists aren’t already one of the types of hoisting equipment in your arsenal, they should be. Making them part of your inventory can be a literal lifesaver. Including them in your training drills gives your crew a set of new options for on-scene operations. 

 As with all equipment, perform routine inspections and maintenance on your hoists. Particularly look for any deformation or wear on the hooks after use. Top-quality hoists will have safety clips on their hooks which include overload indicators. To keep your hoists working safely and effectively, the housing should be disassembled, and the internal gears cleaned and oiled per manufacturer instructions.

Work With a Leader

Every station house has countless pieces of safety equipment for firefighters to rely on, train with, and maintain. No one person and no one company is truly an expert about every tool, vehicle, and device. That’s why choosing a partner with genuine experience and knowledge is so important. Tractel® is an industry leader for manual hoists, harnesses, and other types of hoisting equipment engineered to serve fire crews under the most demanding conditions. Tractel also provides training in the proper use, inspection, and maintenance of all our equipment, including on-site fire & rescue applications.

Contact us today and let us answer all your questions about choosing and using a wire rope hoist for your station.