Hand chain hoist lubrication parts and maintenance guide

The hand chain hoist (manual chain hoist) is a commonly used lifting device in industry, construction, logistics and other fields, and its performance and service life depend directly on whether or not daily maintenance is in place. Lubrication (oiling) is one of the most critical aspects of maintenance! Wrong lubrication may lead to chain jamming, gear wear or even equipment failure. In this article, we will analyze the parts that need to be refueled in the maintenance of the hand chain hoist, the correct operation steps and common misunderstandings, to help you extend the life of the equipment, to ensure operational safety.

Why does a hand chain hoist need to be refueled regularly?

Hand chain hoist through the human pull chain drive internal gear set, realize the lift of heavy objects. During operation, the chain, gears, bearings and other metal parts are continuously friction, if not lubricated in time will lead to:

✅ Increased friction: laborious operation and reduced efficiency.

✅ Wear and tear of parts: chain stretching and deformation, gear teeth damage.

✅ Safety hazards: increased risk of brake failure and chain breakage.

⏰ Recommended lubrication intervals: 50 times per use or at least 1 time per month for maintenance (shorter intervals are required for high-frequency use).

The 4 key parts of the hand chain hoist that must be refueled for maintenance

1. Chain (lifting chain and hand chain)

Reason for lubrication: The chain is directly subjected to load and has the highest friction frequency. Lack of lubrication is easy to rust and jam.

Oiling method:

Apply lightweight machine oil (ISO VG32) or special chain oil evenly on the surface of the chain with a brush or oil bottle.

Focus on lubricating the joints of the chain to ensure that the oil film covers the metal contact surfaces.

Avoid using grease with too high viscosity (such as grease), which may attract dust and clog the chain joints.

2. Gear set (transmission gear and ratchet wheel)

Reason for lubrication: Gears are the core of power transmission, and long-term friction will lead to tooth flaking and increased noise.

Refueling method:

Remove the shell (refer to the equipment manual) and inject the lithium grease into the gear meshing part with a syringe or a thin oil tube.

Clean the old oil dirt before adding new grease to prevent impurities from mixing to accelerate wear.

3. Bearing and bushing

Reason for lubrication: Bearings support the chain wheel and gear shaft, insufficient lubrication will cause overheating and seizing.

Oiling method:

Use high-temperature resistant grease (e.g., NLGI Grade 2) and apply it to the bearing surface through the oiling hole or directly.

For closed bearings, soak with lubricant and wipe off excess oil.

4. Brakes and Friction Pads

Reason for lubrication: Brakes need to maintain moderate friction, but over-drying can lead to brake failure.

Method of oiling:

Apply grease only in trace amounts to the moving parts of the brake (e.g., pins).

Do not allow grease to come into contact with the surface of the friction pads! Otherwise, it will reduce the braking force and cause safety accidents.

3 Precautions for oiling and maintenance of hand chain hoist

Selection of suitable lubricant

Chain, gear: light oil or special chain oil (good fluidity, strong permeability).

Bearings, bushings: lithium-based grease (high temperature resistance, strong water resistance).

Avoid mixing different brands or models of grease to prevent chemical reaction leading to deterioration.

Lubricate after cleaning

Remove old oil and metal shavings from chains and gears with kerosene or special cleaners.

Stubborn stains can be brushed lightly with a soft bristle brush, and scraping with hard objects such as steel wire balls is strictly prohibited.

Control the amount of oil, avoid overdose

Chain: leave it for 10 minutes after application, wipe off the excess grease (to prevent adsorption of dust).

Gear: grease covering 80% of the tooth surface is sufficient, excessive amount will lead to poor heat dissipation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Q: The chain of the hand chain is rusty, can I solve the problem by directly adding oil?

✅ A: No! Rusty chain needs to be treated with rust remover and sandpapered smooth before lubrication. Seriously rusted chain must be replaced.

❓ Q: After lubrication, the operation of the hand chain becomes heavier instead, what is the reason?

✅ A: A grease of too high viscosity may have been used, or too much oil may have caused impurities to adhere. It needs to be cleaned and re-selected with suitable lubricant.

❓ Q: Do I still need to refuel the hand chain for a long time without using it?

✅ A: It is required! Apply anti-rust oil at least every 3 months to avoid corrosion of parts due to humid environment.

The ultimate advice to extend the life of your hand chain hoist

Purchase high-quality lubricant: Recommended brands such as WD-40 Specialist, 3M, Shell (choose according to the equipment manual).

Create a maintenance record: Record each lubrication time, part and oil type for easy tracking of equipment status.

Regular professional overhaul: At least once a year, have your equipment fully inspected by the manufacturer or a professional technician.