J D Neuhaus offers safety as standard

Germany-based J D Neuhaus will now supply an emergency lowering device as a standard on its Profi Ti air hoist line from 25 to 60 tonnes lift capacity.

Hoists incorporating the emergency lowering device option are equipped with a separate air tank, with two additional buttons also incorporated into the hand controllers. This air reservoir is automatically maintained at the full working air pressure during normal hoist operations. This ensures the availability of a positive emergency braking system when required, says the company.

The device engages when there is a severe reduction or total loss of mains air pressure. The operator then needs to use the two buttons on the hand controllers to avoid unintentional lowering. One button selects between normal hoist operation and emergency lowering. The second control button opens the integrated operational brake to allow controlled lowering of the suspended load under its own deadweight.