Telfer, or electric hoist - a lifting and transport mechanism designed to lift and move goods. The name of the device comes from the ancient Greek language and means "far away". It is difficult to find a production facility that does not have a single hoist. These devices most often play an auxiliary role, but without them, many technological processes would not be feasible.
Mechanism device
The device of the electric hoist as a whole resembles a winch. The main components of the hoist:
- The lift motor that moves the load in a vertical plane.
- Reducer that converts the rotation of the engine and transmits it to the drum.
- Cutting drum. A steel rope is wound around it, which raises and lowers the load.
- The body to which the lifting motor and gearbox are attached from the outside, and the drum is installed inside.
- Movement trolley with engine - moves the hoist along the path.
- Electric panel - it houses the hoist control system.
- Hooksuspension on which the load is suspended.
- Control panel.
Uses
Telphers are used not only as independent devices, but also as components of other lifting mechanisms: overhead cranes, cargo hoists, etc. Telphers are mobile or stationary (without a travel trolley). For example, stationary electric hoists are used as hoists on trolleys of double-girder overhead cranes. This makes the cranes more compact, maintainable and easier to assemble, but they tend to have slow lifting speeds.
Production history
In the 60s of the 20th century, the production of electric hoists for the Soviet Union was concentrated in Bulgaria at the Podyem hoist plant, since this country was considered the "sixteenth republic" of the USSR. The plant's capacity was over 100,000 hoists a year.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, due to the beginning of economic difficulties, the plant also fell into decay and broke up into several independent producers. However, the “Bulgarian hoist” stereotype has become firmly entrenched in the mass consciousness of industrial workers of older generations, although there are now several manufacturers operating in this country, whose products differ both in quality and in price.
Hoist manufacturers
Now in Bulgaria there are many factories for the production of electric hoists and accessories for them. However, there are several market leaders among them:
- EOOD "Balkansko Eho" - the plant produces hoists of the "T" and "MT" types. The design of these models is obsolete, but it is of acceptable quality and low price (on average from 50 thousand rubles), due to it has a large turnover in Russia. The plant has a full production cycle, i.e. it independently manufactures all components for its products;
- AD ELMOT - in Soviet times, the plant was exclusively engaged in the production of electric motors for Bulgarian hoists, later it began to produce AT-type hoists. The equipment has a more modern and compact design with fewer wear parts. Thanks to sophisticated motor technology, AT hoists are durable and resistant to overload. The cost of equipment is significantly higher than the "T" and "MT" series, but this is justified by the quality;
- AD PODEMCRANE - produces hoists type "M". The equipment is of high quality and at the same time expensive (from 120 thousand rubles). The plant is focused on the European market, so its products are rare in the Russian Federation. Those series of hoists that the company periodically produces specifically for the Russian market are of low quality due to the plant's desire to reduce costs.
In addition to the listed "big three", there are several small factories in Bulgaria that produce hoists similar to the "T" and "MT" series in small volumes - REMOTEX SYSTEMS, "Skladova Tekhnika","Podem-Gabrovo", "Bakankar-Rise", etc. But these enterprises are not independent - they produce only an enlarged assembly of products. For example, they make their own cases and drums, and purchase motors, gearboxes, etc. from larger manufacturers.
Spare parts for Bulgarian hoists
Each plant has dealers in Russia. They can be contacted on the purchase of both the hoists themselves and spare parts for them. The hoist, like any other complex mechanism, has a list of wear parts. These include:
- Ropelayer - a part responsible for the correct winding and laying of the rope when lifting and lowering the load.
- Electric motor brakes are subject to natural wear just like car brake pads.
- Contactors, transformers, etc. - often fail due to voltage drops or poor contact.
- The drive gear of the travel trolley is a weak point in the design of the hoist. It often collapses, as it bears a huge load in small sizes.
Popular models
The characteristics of Bulgarian telphers are approximately the same for all manufacturers, although the products differ in the quality of components and accuracy of assembly. The most popular are hoists with a lifting capacity of 2 to 10 tons with a lifting height of 6 to 12 meters. Such parameters meet the needs of most consumers and are most often imported by dealers for storage. HoweverThe range of equipment from Bulgarian manufacturers is much wider - from half-ton babies to two-drum giants with a lifting capacity of 80 tons, installed on powerful overhead cranes.
The reason for the popularity of Bulgarian hoists is the price (on average from 150 to 200 thousand rubles) and quality (compared to cheaper Chinese products). It is the combination of these parameters that is the reason why lifting equipment remains the leading export item from Bulgaria to Russia.
Product reviews
Bulgarian telphers have earned consumers a reputation for inexpensive, reliable and unpretentious equipment. Operators in various industries who have to work with hoists, in general, speak positively about them. The management of enterprises that have to purchase equipment also treat Bulgarian products well for the following reasons:
- low price;
- acceptable quality;
- manufacturer provides warranty from 1 to 2 years;
- parts are inexpensive and often in stock.
The ticklish moment is that if the hoist plays an important role in any technological process (for example, loading and unloading in a warehouse or workshop), then it is necessary to purchase a set of wearing parts along with the equipment. Otherwise, at the most inopportune moment, for example, a rope layer may fail, and if the dealer does not have this spare part in stock, then you will have to wait up to several months. And production will stop. Therefore, foresight must be exercised. Thenthe Bulgarian hoist will become a faithful assistant for many years.
