For those of you not acquainted with the HMI’s (Hoist Manufacturers Institute,) duty cycle rating system, HMI is an industry association of member manufacturers that have set down a series of specifications for the hoist industry. The system rates hoists based on a duty cycle based performance with ratings between H1 (lightest duty) to H5 (heaviest duty).

The H3 hoist is considered to be a “standard” duty hoist and the H4 is the beginning of the “heavy” duty hoists. Prior to this time, most manufacturers had a mixed line of offerings including, H2, H3, H4 and H5 hoists, but at this meeting we were being told that this supplier had only H4 and higher hoists from this day forward.

After showing us the new catalog pages with the H4 designations, the conversation went something like this:

Q. How much is the price increase for the new higher rated hoists?

A. No price increase.

Q. Is this a new line of hoists?

A. No, this is the same product line as before.

Q. Larger horsepower motors, better insulation?

A. No, they have the same motors.

Q. Larger ropes?

A. No, same ropes.

Q. Bigger gearboxes, larger contactors….what’s the difference???

A. Quite frankly, the only difference is that the printer changed the catalog pages from H3 to H4. We did some figuring (he probably didn’t use that exact word, but I think it fits here perfectly) and we determined that all our hoists meet the HMI H4 requirements, so we had the catalogs reprinted with every hoist at a minimum of H4…At this point, I’m sure you want to know who would be so unscrupulous. Well let’s put it this way, today I’m afraid you would have an easier time finding a living dinosaur than a H3 hoists in any manufactures catalog! Who’s at fault? Let me give you my list in David Lettermen fashion.

1. The manufacturers who seem to be willing to do anything to make a sale today, regardless of warranty costs later and loss of long term reputation in the market place.
2. The manufacturers association, which are simply a reflection of its members. If they are willing to craft a spec that is so loose, that it no longer means anything, then why have it??? Let me put it this way, when even a lowly chain hoist has a H4 rating (and they ALL do), then the designation is meaningless. Worse yet, they are miss leading, in that they give the impression of being something they are not, thereby deliberately deceiving and misrepresenting.
3. ME AND YOU, the buying public. We have been so taken with marketing hype that we no longer use our head and do our homework. Try buying a small Coke at McDonalds. You can’t, they only have medium, large and extra large. They think that getting a “Super Meal” with a medium drink sounds better than getting a “Super Meal” with a small drink. Even if both of them only have a 12 oz drink?

What can we do? Do your homework, don’t just flip to the back page and read the bottom line, read the whole document. Price should not be the only factor in your decision. If it is, don’t blame the manufacturer for supplying junk, we have all made ourselves into willing participants.

1. Read the whole quote, not just the price
2. Make a comparison matrix. If you don’t don’t know the critical issues, ask each of your bidders. Yes, they will each highlight their own strong suits, but their combined list should be as comprehensive as you can get.
3. Send the new combined matrix back to each of the bidders and have them fill it out. Stipulate that is there are any blanks, they should not bother to re-submit their quote.
4. If you’re not sure of their response, put it into your own words and then use the matrix as part of your contract/purchase order.

Is this air tight, no way. But it’s a lot better than what you probably have now. The old AISE (American Institute of Steel Engineers) had buyer generated specifications as opposed to manufacturers written specs. They had their flaws, but were more effective than the nothing we now have.

Dr. Frazier Crane
PhD in Craneology (Piled High and Deep)