Chain Blocks—The Way to Go in 2019

06 June 2019

Why put people’s lives at risk if you don’t have to? That’s a question all handymen, construction managers, and site workers should ask themselves.

With so many solutions available in today’s market, your options to safeguard a crew are endless. What is one of the most popular safety features in today’s market? With good reason, you’ll find chain blocks on many work sites.

Yes, this is a device designed to assist in heavy lifting. But we’re mentioning this in relation to safety too: the more pressure modern tools can handle, the less chance there is of workers getting injured.

So, this is how you increase productivity as well as keep your crew safe. Ready to know more?

What is a Chain Block?

Chain blocks (also known as a hand chain hoist) is a mechanism used to lift and lower heavy loads using a chain. When the chain is pulled, it winds around the wheels and begins to lift the item that is attached to the rope or chain via a hook.

How Does it Work?

At the end of the lifting chain is a grab hook. This allows a worker to easily attach and detach a load. Also, most chain hoist lifting mechanisms have ratchets or braking systems that prevent the loads from slipping back. It also allows you to lower a load by pulling the other side of the hand chain.

You can see the increased control a site worker can have in a situation with one of these forms part of the equipment that’s available. Increased control affects productivity and safety.

So what can you expect from the average chain blocks?

Specs and Description:

500kg – 2000kg working load limit
All steel construction
Suitable for industrial environments where dependability is a must
Weatherproof twin pawl brake
The Weston style two pawl brake is designed to hold the load during the operation
Industrial grade powder coating which provides a long-lasting finish designed to suit harsh environments
Zinc plated hand chain for a durable finish
Fully enclosed gearing protects the gears from debris and contamination

Respected suppliers provide chain blocks complete with Grade 80 alloy chain and forged alloy steel hooks. You should also look for quality suppliers who provide a large range of chain blocks to suit your needs. Each construction scenario is unique, so make sure your equipment caters for your needs.

Why Use Chain Blocks? Benefits You Need to Know:

When you purchase the right types, chain hoists can positively affect most aspects of your project:

Cost: A chain hoist will have a lower price point than an electric wire rope hoist. This does mean the capacity won’t be as high, but it will still offer you much more than a manual hoist.
Flexibility: A chain hoist is usually easier to move than a wire rope hoist, meaning it can be transported between sites. This can be a great advantage for construction professionals who work in various locations.
Vertical lifting: You can easily achieve a vertical lift. There is no lateral movement, as the chain is moved over a sprocket.
Diverse application: Chain Hoists can be used with a wide range of lifting equipment, including jib cranes and gantries. They can be used in low headroom areas, allowing you more flexibility with your specifications.

Unique Features:

Understanding this range of equipment is essential to optimize your use of them. Are you benefiting from these features yet?

Chain containers: This is the collection box that collects up excess slack on the chain, preventing the chain from getting damaged and stopping it damaging the load.
Limit switches: An upper and lower limit switch will let you set minimum & maximum hook paths. It protects the load from human error when lifting it or placing it down. This will also protect the hoist itself when lifting a heavy load.

There’s a reason there are many types of chain hoists on the market. Each has its own benefits, so don’t ignore the ones you haven’t tried. Even though manual types may require more effort than electric hoists, they still come with many benefits.

Manual Chain Hoist Advantages:

While manual chain hoists won’t lift quite as fast and effortlessly as electric hoists, there are many advantages:

They don’t require any electricity or power source. This makes them much more portable compared to electric hoists so you can have the benefit of a hoist on remote work sites.
They’re more cost-efficient compared to electric or hydraulic hoists. Not only do electric hoists cost more initially, but they also raise electricity bills.
The simple design of manual hoists makes it easier to repair and maintain. No complex motors, wires, or electrical/hydraulic systems.
Although electric chain hoists can lift heavier loads, manual hoists can still have working load limits (WLL) up to 20 tons. As long as what you’re lifting is below that, there’s no reason not to opt for a manual hoist.

You can pick from two main styles of manual chain hoists: hand hoists and lever hoists.

Conclusion:

Are you up to date with the latest in construction equipment? It’s how you become more efficient and manage a safe work environment.

If you have questions or feedback, please share your comment on our page or tweet about your personal view and experience about chain blocks. Let’s learn from each other.

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A Comprehensive Guide To Construction Equipment Procurement

Efficient construction equipment procurement is crucial for any construction project's success. Whether you are a construction company owner or a project manager, the process can be complex and overwhelming. Follow this step-by-step guide to streamline the procurement process and ensure you get the best equipment from the construction equipment auction. 1. Assess Your Equipment Needs The first step in the procurement of construction equipment is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of your project's specific requirements. It is essential to consider various factors, including the type of construction project, its size, and its overall scope. Delve into the intricacies of your project to determine the precise equipment necessary to accomplish the tasks at hand. This may include excavators, bulldozers, cranes, and other specialized machinery and tools. By meticulously examining these aspects, you ensure you acquire the right equipment precisely tailored to meet your project's unique demands, ultimately contributing to its successful execution and timely completion. 2. Determine Your Budget Once you understand your equipment needs, it's essential to establish a budget. Begin by thoroughly assessing your financial resources and project requirements. Consider how much you can allocate for equipment procurement without compromising the project's economic health. It's crucial to balance upfront costs and long-term maintenance expenses to ensure that your investment remains sustainable throughout the project's lifecycle. Additionally, factor in any potential contingencies or unexpected expenses to create a comprehensive budget that can adapt to changing circumstances and support the success of your endeavor. 3. Research Equipment Suppliers Identify reputable equipment suppliers who offer the machinery you require. You can search online marketplaces, visit local dealerships, or seek recommendations from industry peers. Evaluate each supplier based on their reputation, product quality, and pricing. 4. Attend Equipment Auctions Equipment auctions can be an excellent way to procure construction machinery at competitive prices. Visit online auction platforms that specialize in construction equipment. Scrutinize the listings and participate in timed auctions to secure the best deals. Additionally, consider setting a budget beforehand to ensure you make informed and cost-effective choices when bidding on the necessary equipment. This strategic approach to equipment auctions can help your construction business acquire the required machinery while optimizing your financial resources for other essential aspects of your operations. 5. Inspect Equipment Listings Before placing bids, thoroughly inspect the equipment listings on the auction platform. Pay close attention to item descriptions, specifications, and photographs. Ensure that the equipment's condition matches your project's requirements. 6. Register And Verify To participate in online equipment auctions, you must register on the platform. Provide accurate information and complete the verification process. This step ensures that only legitimate buyers are allowed to bid. 7. Set A Bidding Strategy Before the auction begins, establish a clear bidding strategy. Establish the highest bid amount you are prepared to place on each item. Stay caught up in the excitement of the auction and overbidding, as it may exceed your budget. 8. Place Bids Strategically During the auction, follow your predetermined bidding strategy. Be patient and bid strategically to secure the equipment at a reasonable price. Keep an eye on competing bids and adjust your plan accordingly. 9. Monitor Auction Progress Stay actively engaged with the auction process. Continuously monitor the progress and consider placing last-minute bids to secure the equipment if necessary. Adhere to your budget and prevent exceeding your allocated spending limit. 10. Winning And Payment Once you have successfully won an auction, follow the platform's payment instructions. Make the payment promptly to secure the equipment. Keep all transaction records and receipts for future reference. 11. Arrange For Transportation After the payment is complete, it's time to arrange to transport the equipment to your construction site. Coordinate with the seller or auction platform to ensure a smooth delivery process. 12. Conduct Final Inspections Conduct a final inspection to verify the equipment's condition upon arrival. Verify that it aligns with the details outlined in the auction listing. Any discrepancies should be addressed immediately with the seller or platform. 13. Maintenance And Support Ensuring routine maintenance is a crucial factor in extending the longevity of your construction equipment. Establish a schedule and consider maintenance contracts with the supplier or a third-party service provider. It's critical to have a reliable support system to address any issues that may arise during the equipment's operation. Common Procurement Problems Procurement is an essential process that dictates several aspects of the construction process. It can streamline the whole process, as well as make it more lengthy. As a result, you need to have a clear idea about what to expect. In this section, we will talk about some of the challenges that you might face while procuring newer materials. This section will aim to educate and provide you with solutions that will enable you to counter it if needed. Let us dive right in without further ado. Ambiguous Specification Ambiguous specifications are very common, and as a contractor, you need to know how to deal with it. The very first step that you need to do is to request a proper RFI in order to gain as much clarity as possible about the market and the bulk of the order. Make sure that the RFI you request is up to the mark and is first-party in nature. Subsequently, the RFI is compliant with the design. Like for example, you will be procuring materials for a plumbing project, make sure the materials that you get are in compliant with the requirement. Do not exceed too much. Submittal Delays Another very important issue that most contractors will run into is a poorly planned submittal delay. A lack of clear communication channels between the client and the mediator can be one of the reasons behind submittal delays. Therefore, keep an open channel of conversation and coordinate at all points. Do not be afraid to call up your client or vice versa if you feel like things are slacking off. Even though submittal delays are easy to fix, if left unchecked, they can wreak havoc on the procurement process. This, in turn, will jeopardize the whole project. Budgetary Issues The construction material market is a dubious space to work in. You can never truly understand the price trajectory. Therefore, it is very important that you have a clear idea about where the price is headed. A sudden spike in the procurement budget can delay the procurement process. As a result, keep buffer funds in place. These funds will enable you to keep the procurement process flowing. Supply Chain Disruptions No project can be sustained without a proper supply chain. Hence, you need to have fair clarity about the proper supply chain. Make sure that you understand and account for every step of the supply chain. For example, several projects require specific components that need to be ordered months in advance. Therefore, identify the wait time and the costs in order to have a proper idea about the supply chain and keep it from disrupting. Payment Delays Most specialty contractors procure materials on credit. The duration of these credits usually varies from 30 to 90 days. As a result, contractors need to pay up during that period of time. Failing to do so can result in supply chain disruptions. Therefore, understand this cycle and adjust your finances accordingly. Try not to stretch too thin. Always keep funds in order to maintain homeostasis. Conclusion Efficient procurement of construction equipment, whether through the construction equipment auction or direct supplier engagement, is critical to any successful construction project. Following this step-by-step guide, you can streamline the process, secure the right equipment at a favorable price, and stay within your budget. Thorough research and careful planning are crucial to making the best decisions for your construction needs, whether for an online construction equipment auction or supplier collaboration. Additional Reading: Construction Safety Systems: Promoting A Safer Industry The Power Of Heavy Machinery In The Construction Industry Is Prefabricated Metal The Future Of Warehouse Construction? After A Construction Accident: Worker’s Rights, Compensation, And Legal Recourse

The Benefits Of Exclusive Listing For Sellers

In real estate, an exclusive listing is a contract between a real estate agent and the owner that grants the agent the exclusive right to sell the property. The realtor will handle the listing for you without submitting it to the multiple listing service. In most cases, the agent will promote the property to prospective buyers and handle everything regarding the sale. The real estate agent will act as the owner’s sole agent. Only one agent will be appointed and expressly authorized to refer the property to potential buyers. On the other hand, in a non-exclusive listing, the owner retains the right to use any number of agents. You can click here to learn more about exclusive vs. non-exclusive listings and the pros and cons of exclusive listing. In this article, we will focus only on the benefits of exclusive listings for sellers and why this might be the best way for you to sell your home. Let’s dive in! Longer-Term Working Relationship With The Agent You are more likely to develop a genuine working relationship with a single real estate agent. Because your agent will be fully responsible for the sale, they will probably be more motivated to close the deal than open listings. In addition, your agent will put in more effort on your behalf: they will develop personalized marketing strategies to help your property stand out. As your relationship develops, your exclusive agent will make strategic recommendations regarding advertising, marketing, and even renovation strategies to attract higher prices. On the other hand, if your home is listed on the MLS, the public will be aware of your initial price and will be notified whenever you change it. However, with an exclusive listing, the agent can control who can access pricing. High-Quality Offers Your agent will work closely with you to ensure that you get the best price for your property. As mentioned, they may even recommend renovations if they are sure that renovating will pay off by increasing the cost of your property. In addition, they will devise powerful advertising strategies for you to attract higher bids. And exclusive listings typically receive more offers since many believe that non-exclusive listings indicate something wrong, even if there is not. And since people have more trust in an exclusive listing, they are more likely to pay more. In addition, your exclusive agent will spend more time choosing the best clients so they can get the best offer. Also, this eliminates the long negotiation processes with many offers, counter-offers, etc. The agent will put effort into structuring worthwhile offers for you. Read Also: What are the Best Real Estate Seller Leads? Exclusive Listings Attract The Right Buyers Open listing is more likely to elicit interest from more buyers, but this does not guarantee that the buyers are competitive or qualified. In non-exclusive listing situations, agencies keep the important property details private and show your home to as many clients as possible. So, the information about the property will usually be insufficient, resulting in your property being presented incorrectly to the wrong prospects. Even if the property is offered to potential buyers, these qualified prospects are given incorrect information. This is a significant benefit for exclusive listing. Because agents will market the property through their brokerage to a pre-chosen group of prospects, the clients will be more qualified, increasing the chances of a faster sale. In addition, an exclusive listing agreement will give agents the authority to approach the qualified buyers—those most likely to buy the property—openly and systematically. Privacy The reasons for selling a property can vary, from happy ones to reasons like someone passing away or a divorce. Some owners do not want their close ones to know they plan to sell their homes. Also, many people do not want the online world to know their address, the listing, or the selling price. When listing exclusively, your property will not be exposed online or to many agents, which is a significant benefit. In addition, you will gain price and privacy control over the listing. You can work with one agent and have more say over who comes to your property, which could benefit sites under construction or undergoing renovations. Wrapping up An exclusive listing is better suited for owners who prefer a more private selling process and want to control who comes into their property during the sale. Also, an exclusive listing is a perfect option for people who want to work with a single agent since that will give them the confidence that they are fully invested in the sale of their home. However, it is critical to work with a reputable and experienced agent to ensure that your property sells faster and attracts higher-quality prospects who will have better offers for your property. Read Also : How To Sell Your House Fast?! Five Must-Know Tips To Move Your Property! 6 Things You Must Know Before Selling Your Home Buying Or Selling A Home In Seattle?

Maintaining A Healthy Relationship with Tenants

It's crucial to maintain a healthy relationship between tenants, landlords, or property managers. Customer satisfaction is an essential component of every business' success. Without customers, tenants, in this case, commercial properties will not get enough profit and fail. What Are Tenants? A tenant is someone who has the right to occupy rental properties under a lease or rental agreement. Following their contract, tenants can live in and use the facilities or feature as long as they follow the conditions of their leases. Importance of An Excellent Tenant Relationship A relationship with your tenants is vital to the success of your rental properties. If you are not in good terms with your tenants, that could lead to possible harm on your reputation and your property's potential to attract more people. Before you look at the many aspects in which you can have a long-standing and beneficial connection with your customers, you must consider these following factors: Your tenants must be more likely to take care of your estate They must provide quick rental payments Less stress when it goes to maintenance and repair requests More efficient and profitable renting How You Can Attain A Healthy Relationship with Tenants At Fairfax, Virginia property management, you need a healthy and productive way of communicating with tenants. Here are some of the ways you can use to form an excellent relationship: Be Open and Transparent from The Beginning Locals won't typically be surprised after signing a lease agreement with you and moving to your estate. You must express your requirements at the outset to be clear with both sides. At Fairfax, Virginia property management, a business relationship starts with a clean slate, so be in best terms with your tenants. Be Fast and Efficient One thing most residents' value above everything else is the rate at which their issues are taken care of. If a tenant has a problem, try to fix the problem as soon as feasible. Try contacting your landlord to help with the issues. If not, think about having a new property manager. In the end, your property and tenants must be protected and looked after. If your landlord has to wait a long time to solve the problems, they will probably get angrier. Respect the privacy of Your Tenant You may have to access your rental estate occasionally. However, one way to erode your relationship with your tenants is to spring these entries at the last minute. The problem should not be your landlord at any moment; this will create them feel uneasy and comfortable. Try to work with the timetable of your tenant when it comes to regular estate transactions. Also, you should always monitor your tenants after entering the premises to make sure they don't encounter anything that could disturb them. Final Words You can't expect your rental properties to do well if you don't take care of your tenants. At all times, you must always prioritize your customers' satisfaction and provide them quality service. By doing so, they will see your right side and can even spread kind words about you and your properties. Read Also: 10 Rights You Have As A Tenant That Your Landlord Won’t Tell You About Investing In Property Is Investing In Your Future

Chain Blocks—The Way to Go in 2019