Determining duty cycle
The duty cycle of a winch or hoist is determined by three things:
| Factor | What it means |
|---|---|
| Load | The weight moved, as a percentage of the unit’s rated capacity |
| Frequency | How often it runs: the number of starts and stops in a given period |
| Duration | How long the unit runs with a load on it |
Appropriate consideration of duty cycle helps ensure an appropriately sized and rated product is selected for the application.
Other factors. Altitude, ambient temperature, air quality, fluctuations in voltage, motor cleanliness and the frequency of start/stop cycles all affect the duty cycle.
What to tell us
- The load on each lift or pull, and how it compares to the heaviest load
- Number of cycles (starts and stops) per hour and per shift
- Run time per cycle under load
- Operating conditions: altitude, temperature, air quality, power supply
The selector estimates allowable run time from the unit’s rating and your load. For continuous or high-cycle work, call us at (503) 626-0654.