Platform hoists are essential in many industries. A platform hoist for construction allows materials and workers to be moved safely and easily from level to level.

In the health care industry, wheelchair platform hoists make transporting patients with limited mobility possible. Commercial platform hoists remove barriers to accessibility for many disabled individuals.

Consider the following when purchasing platform hoists:

1. The weight of the materials your platform hoists must lift.

2. The height that these materials must be lifted.

3. The ease of operation of lifts such as the wheelchair platform hoist and manual platform hoists.

4. The expected continuous use of commercial platform hoists and industrial platform hoists.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine if platform hoists are the right tool for your project

There are industry standards and codes designed to help you determine the appropriate hoist for your needs and if a platform hoist may be the best choice.

I recommend: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) offers codes and standards for a variety of industrial platform hoists. These publications are available for immediate download in PDF format or may be ordered in printed book form. The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) offers a document to help choose the most economical platform hoists for your project. It may also be downloaded for free in PDF format or purchased in book form for a small fee.

Choose the best platform hoists for construction

Finding a skilled platform hoist manufacturer makes all the difference when choosing a platform hoist for construction needs. Many of these companies are also a great source from which to buy platform hoist equipment.

I recommend: Hi-Tech Hoist Corporation manufactures and sells heavy duty platform hoists for materials weighing between 3000 pounds and 4000 lbs. The Reimann & Georger Corporation (RGC) has an excellent line of gas- and electric-powered roofing platform hoists. Renting platform hoists may also be an economical choice. Sunbelt Rentals has a nationwide network of locations that offer roofing platform hoist rental and other lift equipment to meet your needs. Simply enter your zip code to find the office nearest to you.

Choose the right commercial platform hoists

Not all projects require industrial platform hoists. A good platform hoist distributor can help you find the perfect platform hoist for your individual needs.

I recommend: Electric Wheelchairs 101 has a wide selection of platform hoists for personal use such as stair lifts, adjustable beds, lift chairs and bath lifts for the home. Harmar Mobility manufactures a wide range of wheelchair platform hoists and other lifts that may be installed on most cars or vans.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When using platform hoists for construction be sure to have a back up power source available.
• •  When purchasing platform hoists for commercial applications that remove barriers for disabled individuals, be sure any commercial platform hoists you consider come equipped with everything you will need to make the lifts functional in your business setting.
• •  If you install a platform lift on a vehicle or in an outdoor setting to which children may have access, be sure to install a locking system as well.