Electric chain hoists
Suitable for capacities from 125 kg to 20 t. Compact headroom, reliable performance in industrial environments. Common as the lift unit on jib cranes, workstation cranes, smaller overhead bridge cranes and gantry cranes. Available in standard, low-headroom, and double-hook configurations. Pendant or radio remote control.
Wire-rope hoists
For higher capacities and longer lift heights. Smooth load control across the lift cycle. Available from 1 t to 250 t. Suitable for higher duty class applications. Supplied with full inspection and certification documentation.
Specifications
- Electric chain hoist: 125 kg to 20 t · lift heights to 30 m standard · pendant or radio control
- Wire-rope hoist: 1 t to 250 t · variable lift heights · variable speed options available
- Compliance: all hoists supplied with test certificates and documentation. Designed to applicable AS/ISO standards.
Specified to the duty cycle, not the catalogue
Hoist failures usually trace back to two things: duty class set too low for actual cycles, or duty group selected against capacity alone, ignoring actual run frequency. We specify hoists against your actual lift volume, lift height and cycle pattern, not just the rated capacity, so they reach their rated life rather than burning out early.
Electric hoists by city
Sorian Cranes supplies electric chain and wire-rope hoists nationally. Each hoist is matched to the supporting structure and the duty cycle it'll see. Replacement hoists, retrofits and full crane packages all carry the same compliance pack.
Electric chain hoists Brisbane: fixed-mount and trolley-mounted electric chain hoists for mining services, food processing and defence across Brisbane metro. Mining maintenance workshops in Acacia Ridge and Wacol typically need 1–5 t three-phase units paired to monorail or jib for component change-outs; Rocklea food processors favour stainless or food-grade variants with washdown-rated controls; Pinkenba defence subcontractors run dual-speed units for precision assembly. Cyclone wind loading (AS 1170.2 Region B) applies to exposed runway designs.
Electric chain hoists Melbourne: fixed-mount and trolley-mounted electric chain hoists for advanced manufacturing, automotive and food across Melbourne metro. Truganina and Laverton manufacturing typically uses 1–3 t single-fall units paired to workstation runways; Dandenong and Campbellfield automotive workshops run dual-speed 2–5 t units for engine handling; Hallam and Truganina food processors favour stainless or food-grade variants. Single-phase 240V units suit smaller workshops; three-phase 415V is standard above 1 t.
Electric chain hoists Sydney: fixed-mount and trolley-mounted electric chain hoists for defence, manufacturing and food across Sydney metro. Bankstown defence and aerospace cells typically need precision 0.5–2 t dual-speed units for assembly; Wetherill Park and Smithfield manufacturing favours 1–3 t three-phase units paired to bridge or monorail; Eastern Creek and Auburn food processors specify stainless variants. Tight Sydney industrial vacancy means most installs are retrofits onto existing runways.
Wire-rope hoists Melbourne: single- and double-girder bridge wire-rope hoists for heavy lifts across the Melbourne industrial belt. Common installations include 5–25 t double-girder units for advanced manufacturing in Truganina and Laverton, 10–25 t single-girder for automotive in Dandenong and Campbellfield, and high-capacity hoists for infrastructure and process facilities. Low-headroom variants suit existing brownfield buildings where vertical clearance is constrained.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an electric chain hoist and a wire rope hoist?
Electric chain hoists are compact, economical, and well suited to capacities up to about 20 t with shorter lift heights — common on jib cranes, workstation cranes and light overhead cranes. Wire rope hoists handle higher capacities (up to 250 t), longer lift heights and higher duty cycles, and offer smoother load control. Most fabrication and maintenance shops up to 5 t use chain; heavy industry and process plants use wire rope.
Can I buy a hoist without a crane?
Yes. We supply electric hoists as standalone units, to replace failed hoists, upgrade existing cranes, or fit to customer-supplied structures. Each standalone hoist comes with test certificates, a compliance pack and installation guidance for the supporting structure.
What capacity hoist do I need?
Specify against the heaviest single lift you expect, with a 25% margin, and against your actual cycle pattern (lifts per hour, average lift height) to set duty class, or duty group. Underspecifying duty class is the single biggest reason hoists fail before their rated life.
Do you supply hoists outside major capitals?
Yes. We supply electric hoists nationally: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Canberra and regional sites across Australia. Freight and commissioning is project-managed from our Melbourne office.
Hoist suppliers by city and category
For city-specific hoist supply, installation and compliance: Electric chain hoists Sydney · Melbourne · Brisbane · Townsville · Mackay · Gold Coast · Toowoomba · Perth · Adelaide · Wire rope hoists Melbourne · Wire rope hoists Brisbane · Townsville · Mackay · Gladstone. See the national chain hoists overview for the full comparison of manual chain blocks, lever hoists and electric chain hoists.