Lifting stage elements, truss, speakers… our industry requires some serious lifting power it order to make our rigs work. Stagemaker hoists have a lineage that dates back decades, to when Verlinde of France launched the first inverted electric powered hoist, the Litachain L104, in 1975. Verlinde then launched the Litachain L5 and L10 range in 1990. In 1998, after the venerable French company (est. 1858) was acquired by Konecranes Plc in 1993, the Stagemaker SM series of hoists came to market.
Last year, these hoists were updated with the ergonomically designed Stagemaker SR Series, with attention finally paid not just to the lifting ability of the hoists themselves but to the crew members tasked with lugging the hoists around.
New Features
Although there are differences are in the lifting capacities, which we’ll explain below, all SR Series hoist models have some features in common. All of the hoist bodies are powder coated black with a 70?m paint designed to hold up to extreme conditions.
The electrical components are also all designed for “plug and play” connectivity. If a board goes bad on a hoist, it can easily be taken out and swapped with a spare. Say the next venue uses a different type of connector to power the hoist, rather than replacing the connector at the hoist, you can swap out the power cable assembly with the correct connectors by simply utilizing their quick disconnect pigtail system.
The new Perfect Push concept is a five-pocket load wheel, fitted with five intermediate teeth. This innovative load wheel design helps distribute the load over more of the chain, reducing chain wear while also helping to ensure a smooth and quiet flow of the chain through the hoist during operation.
The Chainflux design, a rear ejection chain guide system, provides a horizontal flow of the chain from the load wheel. This design, along with the high strength aluminum construction, allows for a more fluid flow of the chain into the chain bag and helps reduce the risk of chain jamming.
The design of the motors in the SR Series of hoists provides consistent speeds when both fully loaded or unloaded. Thus no matter what the hoists are lifting (or not lifting), the hoists will travel at the same speed up and down the chains.
An Ergonomic Design
The SR Series features rubber buffers on either side of the hoist for bump protection. Both ends of the hoists have retractable rubber handgrips to make it easier to handle the hoists. They also stow away easily when not in use. The lifting hooks are also rubber clad for a better gripping surface.
The Sizes
The SR Series of hoist offers a number of different models based on the required load capacity, from ¼ ton, ½ ton, 1 ton and 2 ton models. After choosing which capacity hoist you want, you have an additional option of the speed at which the hoist is able to travel. Depending on the model, the speed ranges from 8 to a blazing fast 64 feet per minute.
Additional options include three types of control, direct voltage, three-phase with low voltage, and Encoder-based. Then of course, come the power supply options — 208V/230V/3Ph/60Hz, 460V/3Ph/60Hz or 415V/3Ph/50Hz. Another specification you’ll want to make is the type of connectors you want: CE-type plugs, 7-Pin, Dual Twist Lock, P14, L14-20 or XLR. If these available options seem a bit overwhelming, have no fear, the factory guys can help you sort through the seemingly endless array of options and steer you toward the hoist that will meet your needs.
Stagemaker SR Series Hoists
Technical Characteristics
- IP 55 rated
- Complies with standards: CE and CSA
- Double brake, BGV-D8+ and BGV-C1hoists available
- Maintenance free, IP 66 rated, DC disk brake
- Easy changeover between body up and body down positions
- Electric limit switch as standard on config B
- Stromag geared limit switch set up to easily accept encoder installation by factory or customer
- Black chain as standard with galvanized chain available
- ChainFlux MKII® specially designed chain guide
- New “Perfect Push®” 5 pocket load wheel with 5 intermediate guide teeth
- Plug and play electronics uses the same card for all SR hoists. One spare covers the entire range of hoists.
- Adjustable torque limiter
- Black painted hoist body (RAL 7021)
- Rotating upper and lower hooks, fixed body hook, or safety latch hooks available
- Retractable, rubber clad handgrips
- Lifting hook with ergonomic, rubber clad, gripping surface
- High capacity, reversible chain bag
