Becker Mining South Africa – the exclusive distributor of the Kito range of lifting equipment in Southern and sub-Saharan Africa since 1986 – has recently launched Kito Corporation’s new Kito high-speed CB manual chain hoist series.

These hoists, which offer swift lifting and lowering speeds for increased productivity, are designed to safely handle rated loads between 2.5 and 50 tons.

“The Kito high-speed CB series is based on Kito’s original automatic high/low-speed clutch technology and is suitable for heavy-duty applications, where a load is repeatedly positioned and the empty hook is returned,” explains Rick Jacobs, Senior General Manager (SGM) for consumables, Becker Mining South Africa. “Typical applications include heavy-duty lifting and positioning on a continuous basis; plant shutdowns in petrochemical and power generation plants, where speed and time is critical and also in shipbuilding and restorations.

“This versatile hoist encompasses a reliable load-sensing magnetic clutch and high-performance planetary gear system, which switches automatically from normal operation to seven times the lifting and lowering speeds of conventional hoists, when repositioning an unloaded hook – if the load is up to 10% of the Working Load Limit (WLL). A mechanical brake activates instantly and holds the load securely, for greater safety on site.

“When there is no load, or when the load is less than the lifting-switch load, operation of the hand chain moves the load chain in the high-speed mode. When a load reaches the lifting-switch load or greater and is suspended on the hook, the hoist automatically switches from high-speed mode to low-speed mode. Once the load reaches the designated area and the operator stops moving the hand chain, the hoist will automatically return to the high-speed mode.”

The load-sensing mechanism of this advanced hoist provides the user with significant time and cost savings, as well as improved worker productivity and reduced operator fatigue. Other key features of these robust hoists include an impact-resistant housing and a double-pawl with double-spring system. Maintenance-free sealed bearings increase reliability and reduce hand chain pull. Heat-treated gear and load-bearing parts are hardened for dependable performance, minimal maintenance requirements and extended service life.

Highly-abrasion resistant, heat-treated Kito nickel-plated DIN EN 818-7 load chain grade 100 for high uniform strength is supplied in lengths to suit exact requirements.

Becker Mining also supplies a full range of Kito accessories, designed to enhance performance of Kito hoists. These components include universal trolleys, available in plain or hand-geared configurations, to provide smooth, precise and easy traversing and positioning.

The Kito range, which conforms with stringent international quality and safety specifications, includes manual and electric chain hoists and lever blocks. Kito Corporation has SABS accreditation for the full range of manual chain hoists from 0.5 to 50 tons, as well as the full range lever blocks, 0.8 to 9 tons.

Becker Mining South Africa offers a technical advisory, repair, test and back-up service for the Kito range throughout southern and sub-Saharan Africa.