Wire Rope Hoist Cranes

A crane winch is the mechanical hoisting unit—typically a wire rope or chain hoist—mounted on a crane's bridge or trolley that raises, lowers, and moves loads. In wire rope hoist cranes, the winch uses a motor-driven drum to wind and unwind wire rope, providing precise vertical lifting for heavy industrial loads.

American Hoists' wire rope hoists range from 3 to 15 tons, while complete crane kits scale from 1 to 20 tons, covering light-duty fabrication shops through heavy industrial manufacturing lifting applications, with multiple lift heights from 20 to 40 feet available.

Wire rope hoists are available in 230V and 460V configurations, including single-phase and 3-phase options, allowing compatibility with most existing facility power infrastructure without costly electrical upgrades or rewiring.

Ship times vary by model: many wire rope hoists ship next day or within one week, while larger units like the 15-ton Starke SMW require a 10-12 week lead time. Crane kits typically ship within 10 days regardless of capacity.

American Hoists offers underhung, top runner, and top running crane kit configurations, with capacities from 1 to 20 tons and variable speed control, allowing manufacturers to match crane design to facility layout and specific load requirements.

Installation requirements depend on crane kit type—underhung systems mount to existing ceiling structures, while top running and top runner systems require dedicated runway beams. Our specialists provide guidance to ensure proper structural support and code-compliant installation.