What Is the CM BatteryStar™ Battery-Powered Chain Hoist?
Investing in a battery-operated hoist is also an investment in your workers’ safety. Columbus McKinnon's new BatteryStar™ Electric Chain Hoist is the first battery-powered hoist from a US-based manufacturer. The BatteryStar™ offers riggers the ergonomics and ease of use of an electric hoist combined with the portability of a manual hand chain hoist. Read our article to learn more about the BatteryStar's best applications, benefits, safety features, and inspection criteria.
Transcript
Intro
– How can a battery-operated hoist make your lifting jobs easier? Today we’re looking at CM’s new battery-powered chain hoist, the BatteryStar. We’re going to find out how it can improve your lifting operations.
– My name’s Henry Brozyna. I work for Columbus McKinnon as the Industrial Product Trainer.
What Is Columbus McKinnon’s BatteryStar?
The BatteryStar is CM’s first battery-powered hoist. It has a Milwaukee battery for a power source. What’s unique about this hoist, it does go up to a one tonne capacity. It’ll have up to 60 feet of lift. It is totally remote control with no wires whatsoever, obviously none for the power, but also none for the controller as well. It is also infinitely variable speed, so as you can see as I’ll demonstrate, I can go really, really slow, or I can go a little bit faster, and that’s in the up and down position as well.
Who Is the CM BatteryStar For?
BatteryStar is practically for almost anyone. This hoist, because of the one ton capacity, allows it to be moved around very easily. It weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of about 43 to 45 pounds. That’s going to vary a little bit depending on how much chain comes with it.
How Long Does the BatterStar Battery Last?
Obviously, if you’re lifting closer to the one-tonne mark, then yes, that battery’s going to get used up in a shorter amount of time. If you’re lifting 250 pounds to 500 pounds, I’m going to say it’s probably going to last you almost all day. An eight hour shift, basically.
Versatile Operation: Use Inverted or Typical Mounting Orientation
Because I can bring it down to my level, I can go here, open up the hatch, and I can get to the battery easily. Versus if I hung it conventionally, which would be hanging it from this hook here, then the battery is always up high. I would require either a lift or at least a ladder to get to it.
How To Monitor the Battery Life of Your Hoist
On this controller here where you see this black bar going across, it’s actually a window. There’s actually four LED lights in there. One of those LED lights tells you whether or not this unit is starting to run low on energy. That should tell the operator, okay, I got to take the battery out, put a new battery in.
What if the BatteryStar’s Battery Runs Out Mid-Lift?
There’s four screws that hold this cover in place. You remove this cover, you’re going to see basically almost like a one inch to maybe an inch and a quarter diameter hole, and inside that hole, there is a hexagonal shaped shaft for a socket, and you can literally lower or raise this hoist manually if for whatever reason the unit runs out of energy mid-lift.
How To Use the CM BatteryStar Hoist
First of all, once you get a BatteryStar, obviously put the chain bucket on it, hang it properly. There’s usually a couple of threaded C clips that go on there to make sure that the bucket stays secure. And of course the chain goes into the bucket.
I would take out, make sure there’s enough chain that’s out so you can take what would traditionally be the lower hook. We’re going to use that on our upper station. Just take and hook it in. So now the hoist is attached.
I’m going to take the pendant control, take the E-stop button, turn it slightly clockwise. It’ll pop up because it will be depressed. There is a button here that looks like a one. It’s just like a dash line going vertically. What you’re going to do is you’re going to press that button. You see the green light? You hear the tone? That means this controller is pairing with this hoist.
Now you can just operate it like it normally would, up, down, so in this case it’s going to go up. And then it would be just a matter of stopping where you need it to stop.
On the back of the hoist, you can see this little panel, that contains one of those little watch batteries. I think it’s about as big as a nickel. That’s going to pick up the signal coming from the controller, and as long as the light is on, this is active, the hoist is active.
Can Multiple BatteryStars Be Controlled Simultaneously From One Source?
As far as hooking these units up to a computer and trying to run multiple units up and down from one master computer, no, you cannot do that. They need to be paired to an individual pendant control.
What Safety Features Are Built Into the BatteryStar?
As far as the safety features go for a BatteryStar, if you have more than one tonne on this unit, the little light will light up and tell you, “Hey, you got an overload.” Also, there is a mechanical slip clutch in here that will stop the hoist from physically picking that much load up as well.
The other thing as far as safety goes is there is a mechanical load brake in here, not an electronic one like there is in say a LoadStar or any other electric hoist. This one has a mechanical brake, which is very similar to the brakes that you’ll find in manual units.
The other thing is this does have limit switches. There’s a little green and black button here, that is the upper limit, and then there’s the exact same color button down here, that’s the lower limit. When the hoist comes in contact with this hook up here, it activates that button and it opens up the circuit and the hoist stops in that direction. The same holds true with the lowering of the hoist.
What ASME Standards Does the BatteryStar Fall Under?
The BatteryStar satisfies the standards for ASME B30.16, which is Powered Units. The hooks will fall into ASME B30.10.
What Inspections and Maintenance Are Required for the BatteryStar?
You can see this screw right here, this one, you can take that screw out. There’s another one up here on top. If you take those off, there’s a window. That window, you can look inside and you can actually see the brake discs. So when the brake discs are starting to get low, that allows you to inspect them, remove those discs, and put new discs in.
To ensure the reliability of any hoist, a inspection program needs to be set up. Depending on how the hoist is being used and how often the hoist is being used, dictate as far as do I inspect it once a year, do I inspect it twice a year, or do I inspect it three or four times a year? That’s going to have to be determined by the customer.
What Warranties Are Provided With the BatteryStar?
CM offers a five-year warranty on the hoist and the hoisting components. There is a three year warranty from Milwaukee on the battery components.
CM BatteryStar vs. Milwaukee M18 Battery Powered Hoists: What’s the Difference?
As far as the relationship between Milwaukee and Columbus McKinnon is they partnered to create this hoist that is actually a Columbus McKinnon unit. We manufacture these down in our Damascus plant in Virginia.
These units will come basically in two different colors. One is black, one is going to be red. The black ones will have the CM markings on them. The red ones are labeled for Milwaukee.
Columbus McKinnon units will be available up to 60 feet. Milwaukee’s will stop at 20 foot.
What Applications or Industries Should Consider the BatteryStar?
Some of the places where a BatteryStar would be beneficial for customers is they only need a hoist for maybe a day or two. So getting a battery-powered unit is much more easily installed and used and then removed when you don’t need it.
This is a fairly light unit, so it stays under that 50-pound mark, which is what most companies are looking for simply because they don’t want their employees picking up any more than 50 pounds.
How To Find Out More Information About CM’s BatteryStar
The BatteryStar will be available at a number of distributors as well as Mazzella. You can contact any Mazzella rep for information on availability, pricing, they could also probably help you out with your application issues.
I’m actually kind of excited as far as the battery hoist goes. We’ve already got people that have been calling about this. We’ve gotten a lot of good information, a lot of good feedback from people.
– A versatile, portable, easy to install hoist that can speed up your operations and unload some of the burden and strenuous activities for your operators and riggers. Let us know what you think.
Whether you’re looking to hoist 100 pounds or 100 tons, at Mazzella, we have the hoist for your needs. Not to mention we can supply you with your rigging, wire rope, overhead crane, below-the-hook lifting device, service, training, and inspections.
If you found this video useful or informative or you just feel like being friendly, then hit that like button so we can get this information out to everyone who needs it. Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss video. If you have a question, drop it in the comments so we can get you an answer. Remember, safe rigging is smart rigging. My name’s Ben. Stay safe out there.
Is it worth it to invest in a battery-operated chain hoist?
While manual and powered chain hoists have been a staple at job sites for decades, there are multiple applications where a battery-operated system could improve your processes.
Do you need the ergonomics and ease of use of an electric hoist combined with the portability of a manual hand chain hoist? Thankfully, our partners at Columbus McKinnon have just released the BatteryStar™ Hoist, the first battery-powered hoist from a US-based manufacturer.
The BatteryStar ™ gives workers in multiple industries a convenient and portable tool to speed up efficiencies and reduce manual labor.
We understand that you may be hesitant to purchase a brand-new product. You may be comfortable with the hoist you already have. You may have trouble convincing your manager to invest in more equipment for your job site. Our article, with the help of our partners at Columbus McKinnon, will break down everything you need to know about the BatteryStar, including:
What is the BatteryStar™ Hoist?
The BatteryStar ™ Electric Chain Hoist is Columbus McKinnon’s first battery-powered hoist. Manufactured at their plant in Damascus, Virginia, it is also the first US-based hoist manufacturer to put a battery-operated hoist on the market.
With a 1-tonne lifting capacity, this battery-powered system allows riggers and operators to lift or lower heavy loads without having to worry about pesky wires or strain from manual labor. It weighs around 45 lbs., making it easy for workers to carry around a job site.
The standard BatteryStar offering includes:
- A standard chain bag
- A remote control
- Type T per EN818-7 lifting chain
CM™ manufactures all their hoist chains, and they have a lift configurable ranging from 5-60 “.
Like other battery-powered tools, it’s easy to replace and charge the batteries as you work using sets of spares. But, if it runs out of power, you can manually lower the load with a power drill. Plus, having a remote removes worry about pendant cable length and allows you to use the hoist from any height up to 60″.
What Is the Relationship Between Columbus McKinnon and Milwaukee Tool®?
The strong relationship between Columbus McKinnon and Milwaukee is shown in their collaboration on the BatteryStar™ Hoist. Columbus McKinnon designed and manufactured the BatteryStar™ while working with Milwaukee to integrate their battery into it.
You will notice that the hoist comes in two colors: the black one has the CM™ logo, while the red model will have the Milwaukee Tool® logo.
Outside of branding, the only major difference between the two models is the Columbus McKinnon unit will be available up to 60′, while the Milwaukee unit will stop at 20′. The swivel hoist is also not available on the Milwaukee model.
Anyone who purchases the BatteryStar™ can connect it to Milwaukee Tools’ ONE-KEY™ app, which allows users to connect the hoist for:
- Easier tracking and asset management
- Easy access to important equipment information from your computer or smartphone
- Setting reminders on upcoming hoist inspections
- Storage of previous inspection records and other important documents
- Milwaukee Battery
The BatteryStar™ is powered with the M18™ REDLITHIUM™ Battery from Milwaukee Tool®, which is also compatible with over 250 Milwaukee Tool® products. There’s a high chance you already have cordless Milwaukee tools on your job site, battery at your facility or job site.
The battery’s lifespan depends entirely on the weight of your load. The battery’s runtime will depend greatly on the weight of your load, among other factors.
The BatteryStar™ was designed to last hours without charging in typical 500 lbs. applications with a new battery. If you’re lifting loads closer to 1-tonne, you can expect the battery to drain quicker. If you’re lifting loads closer to 1-tonne, you can expect the battery to drain quicker.
What are the BatteryStar’s Best Applications?
The BatteryStar™ will thrive in any application where high efficiency and power is needed, but no power source is readily available. Consequently, they can be used in various industries and applications. Some of them include:
- Construction and excavation companies
- Low-volume fabrication / production / assembly lines
- Mechanics replacing heavy components, such as engines or motors
- Fire and rescue teams
- Entertainment professionals to lift banners, speakers, and theatrical rigging
They can also be used alongside gantry and davit cranes. The easy installation and use make it ideal for temporary projects, too.
The hoist will also come with a 12.0Ah battery to help with uptime. While you can use smaller Ah batteries, the runtime will be lower.
Are BatteryStars Easy to Operate?
One of the greatest benefits of a BatteryStar™ is how easy they are to operate.
Unlike levers or hand hoists, BatteryStars are controlled by a wireless remote. This is because many of the BatteryStar’s applications are temporary projects or projects where the hoist moves frequently.
The remote provides riggers with variable speed control and keeps them away from the loads path of travel.
Before operating, you want to ensure the hoist has a chain bag connected to it. From there, hook the hoist to a lifting point and turn on the control. You will want to press down on the power button in the top-right corner. A flashing green light will appear, which means it’s pairing with the BatteryStar™. (The BatteryStar™ is active as long as the green light stays on.) Once connected, you can operate the hoist from as far as 60′ away.
Can You Operate BatteryStars With a Computer?
As of now, multiple BatteryStars cannot be hooked up and operated simultaneously through a computer. BatteryStars can only be paired with an individual remote control.
What are the BatteryStar’s Safety Features?
The BatteryStar™ has multiple safety features built into it that wouldn’t be possible with a manual hoist. Some of them include:
Low Battery, Overload, and Operator Indicators
The BatteryStar’s remote has several safety icons. One of them is a low battery indicator, which emits a flashing red light once the battery is below 25%. If the battery is dead, a solid red light will appear.
If the hoist load is over 1-tonne, a red weight icon will pop up and the hoist will emit a buzzer sound. If overloaded, the hoist will only operate in a downward direction.
There are also several operator warnings if the hoist is below or above safe operating temperatures (0-104°F). It will also warn you if the hoist’s electronics stop working—this scenario will trigger a complete shutdown of the system.
Less Operator Effort and Fatigue
The remote-control system allows operators to safely operate the hoist and move the load from over 60′ away. This allows operators and riggers to control the load from a safe location.
Plus, the BatteryStar’s inverted system removes workers from carrying the weight of the hoist up to the anchor point—removing them from hard manual labor.
Added Load and Hoist Security
BatteryStars come with a built-in electronic and secondary mechanical clutch that provides added protection from hoist overload.
The hoist is designed to withstand prolonged weather exposure and harsh environments.
It also has a brake inspection window on the top and bottom of the hoist to allow operators to better implement preventative maintenance measures.
What Industry Standards Impact a BatteryStar™?
BatteryStars abide by ASME B30.16 Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists standards.
Meanwhile, the hooks will fall under ASME B30.10 Cableways, Cranes, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks, and Slings.
How Often Should You Inspect BatteryStars?
Like all chain hoists—battery or manual—BatteryStars should have a consistent inspection schedule to ensure reliable operations.
Your inspection cadence will depend on how much the hoist is used. You should never go a full year without a periodic inspection of a BatteryStar™. But, if you find yourself using it daily on heavier loads, you should consider inspecting it two, three, or four times a year.
This is what ASME B30.16 Overhead Underhung and Stationary Hoists standards say regarding inspections.
Section 16-2.1: Inspection
“(b) There are five types of inspections required, each directed toward a different set of circumstances. They are the following:
(1) ) initial inspection
(2) ) preoperation inspection
(3) frequent inspection
(4) periodic inspection
(5) inspection of hoists not in regular use”
While you as the owner of the hoist are responsible for inspecting your hoists and other rigging equipment pre-shift, or before each lift, a Mazzella or Columbus McKinnon representative can offer advice on frequent and periodic inspection frequencies based on your application.
Do BatteryStars Have a Warranty?
Yes. Columbus McKinnon offers a five-year warranty for all BatteryStars and their parts. There is also a three-year warranty on the Milwaukee M18™ Red Lithium Battery.
It’s also worth noting that common service parts are available for replacement.
Is the BatteryStar™ Right for You?
Investing in a battery-operated hoist is also an investment in your workers’ safety.
A BatteryStar provides riggers the best of both worlds. Not only do you get the strength and speed of an electric chain hoist, but you also get the convenience of a cord-free operation that provides the portability and ease of use of manual hoists.
They’re simple to use and built with safety in mind. Whether you’re an EHS Manager, an Operations Manager, or a Plant Engineer, the BatteryStar™ is a must-have tool for any company looking to improve their lifting operations and better employee safety.
The BatteryStar™ Hoist can be purchased through any Columbus McKinnon distributor in the United States, including Mazzella, who has been a proud distributor of Columbus McKinnon products for decades.
Contact our team to learn more about the BatteryStar™ and how to purchase one for your business. Our specialists can answer questions regarding pricing, availability, and application issues.
Make sure to watch our video with Columbus McKinnon to learn even more about this amazing new product.
Copyright 2024. Mazzella.