SWL for a chain block?

[richard at home]

Picked up a big, very heavy, chain block. Alas the SWL number has gone!

The chain in 10mm Grade 80.

It's made by Morris. Kone - who bought Morris don't want to know, when I asked for info.

Given it's size 240mm across and 210mm deep, I am thinking it's a 5 tonner?

[richard at home]

Photo of said chain block.

[richard at home]

rash_decision said:

It looks kind of like a 3 tonner to me, but hard to be exact front the picture.

That said, it’s not good for any weight without the appropriate identification and safety test cert....................

Not meaning to sound arsy, but working in the oil a and gas industry, I have first hand experience of these pieces of kit, be careful and never stand or put yourself under the load. ????

Not standing under any slung load goes without saying!

My estimate of 5t came from looking at the chain and size of a George Taylor chain block. The 3t has 7mm chain and is much smaller. The only one with a 10mm double fall of chain is the 5t model.

[richard at home]

I'm aiming to lift 2 tons so I think it will be fine...

If I had a 3-5 ton weight kicking about, I would try it!

[richard at home]

tapkaJohnD said:

Even a 3-5 ton weight wouldn't answer your question!
Safe Working Load means SAFE. The failing load will be 10 TIMES that, when it was new.
Loading it will tell you that it won't fail (or it will!) at that load, but not by how much it is 'safe'.
John

Well given that I dont want to do a destructive test, If it lifts 5 ton ok, it should be fine with 2. All a bit academic really as I dont have any handy dead weights of any size!

I am sure its a 5 ton hoist. Will it lift 2 ton? Only one way for me to find out. It has to lift a 2 ton engine pack about 2m vertically and then lower it again.

[richard at home]

finishing touch said:

One of the easiest "known weights" for a test lift would be a truck/lorry. As the axle weights would be known a simple strap under the chassis would suffice.

A lesser weight might be a car on a car trailer. My trailer goes 450k. Stick an MX5 on top and you have 1.5 Tonne. (or greater dependant on car)



My main worry would be what you use as a gantry to mount the chain block onto.


Paul G

My Gantry is a monster! (it came with the chain block). I have a 5 ton travelling dolly on it and the cross beam is adjustable in height by big jacking screws built into the uprights.

So far I have lifted 800kg without any hint of strain. There was hardly any difference in the chain block from being unloaded. Yes that's a long way off 2000kg but it's a start!


My initial plan was to use a tele handler but the farmers round here are very money orientated, so I'd be looking at hundreds of quid, assuming the lift went without any hitches (an hour to get it out and an hour to get in back). The gantry and chain block has cost me £400 and I hope to recoup that when I'm done with it. It's also already come in very handy when I had a big machine delivered and the lorry driver wouldn't risk backing into our drive....