A winch is a device which consists of a drum and a handle, between the two is gearing which improves the mechanical advantage so that a large load can be moved with minimum effort. In many cases the winch is fitted with wire rope or synthetic ropes but for heavy duty use and extremely large loads, steel chain in Texas is used on the winch. Steel chain is almost always reserved for heavy duty demands, the winch itself is usually powered rather than hand cranked. There are a number of advantages to using steel chain over and above the strength issue; it does not fray so workers hands are protected from wire cuts, it cannot kink like wire rope as it spools and unspools and compared to cable, it is superior in strength as the links are solid steel bar.
A chain winch or chain hoist is available in many capacities. A simple hand operated chain hoist that is frequently seen in automotive garages is on one end of the spectrum, large multiple fall hoists and winches are often powered by electric motors, air or hydraulic motors and can lift many tons. Depending on the particulars of the application and how the winch will be used, steel chain in Texas is often the preferred choice from the point of view of worker safety. As wire rope is constantly subjected to tension and compression of the wire strands, they will often break individually, resulting in very sharp strands that can easily cut the hands of workers. These strands can be so sharp that they can even penetrate leather gloves.
A chain winch or hoist is often preferred because chain cannot kink and rope can. As the cable or rope is subjected to may trips over a sheave, it can begin to curl and twist; this results in kinks or knotting of the rope. This makes it difficult to attach to the load and it does not go smoothly over the sheave which is a point of danger.
Due to the weight and flexibility, a steel load chain will always hang straight down even when free from the load. Because it does not kink, there is no need to design in additional length so that the hook reaches the lowest point of the lift.
If you are involved in the oilfields you will no doubt need steel chain in Texas as it is used extensively as chokers, load chain, etc. Contact Thomas Wire Rope for a complete selection.
