OZ Lifting Products LLC has added a 0.25-ton capacity manual chain hoist and trolley to its ever-growing stainless steel range.

The Winona, Minnesota-based manufacturer has added to the line in a piecemeal fashion, with 0.5-ton capacity versions joining those in 1-ton and 2-ton only last year, while 3-ton and 5-ton hoists and trolleys are expected in the coming months. Discussions about stainless steel lever hoists are ongoing—and the company already stocks a range of stainless steel beam clamps.

The manual hoist remains the centerpiece of the stainless-steel range. Like other products in the line, the new, 0.25-ton version is designed for lifting and pulling. The hoist is lightweight and minimal effort is required to lift loads, but it is durable enough for some of the most demanding marketplaces. The trolleys, meanwhile, fit most common I-, S- and W-beams; end users have different types of beams depending on the construction requirements of the building or structure where the lifting equipment will be installed and employed.

OZ Lifting’s new 0.25-ton capacity stainless steel manual chain hoist.

Steve Napieralski, president at OZ Lifting, said: “We have had a lot of inquiries for the .25 so we decided to add that to the line and, given that most of our sales are for both the manual chain hoist and trolley, it makes sense to continue to expand them together—at both ends of the capacity scale. In most instances, the products are used in lifting versus pulling applications, but the ability to do both remains a selling point.”

There is no specific application for this kind of manual hoist and trolley, beyond the fact that stainless steel is used in corrosive environments, including wastewater treatment plants, saltwater, or wash-down applications.

Napieralski added: “We have a successful carbon steel hoist and trolley range [from 0.25 to 5 tons]—cost and application drive the decision whether that would be sufficient or if the stainless steel alternative is more suitable. Stainless is typically two or even three times the cost of carbon steel, which is significant for certain end users, and carbon is perfectly adequate in numerous scenarios. We have several [new] products on the horizon in both steel types.”

OZ Lifting’s new 0.25-ton capacity stainless steel trolley.

The stainless products require a similar maintenance program as their carbon counterparts, Napieralski explained. He also stressed the importance of adhering to maintenance and inspection programs, especially if the equipment is being operated in a highly corrosive environment. OZ Lifting outlines these requirements in an owner’s manual, included with every shipment, along with test certification. As the documentation states, the product meets a range of standards, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Both the 0.25-ton capacity manual chain hoist and trolley are in stock and ready to ship.

• OZ Lifting will exhibit for the first time outside of the U.S. at the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association’s (LEEA) LiftEx trade show (stand 72), which takes place 5-6 October in Aberdeen, Scotland. OZ will co-exhibit with fellow Americans, The Caldwell Group.