Mine hoists can be classified in various ways to help users select the most suitable type for their specific working conditions.
By Application: Main shaft hoists are used for hoisting ore from the main shaft; auxiliary shaft hoists are used for lifting personnel, materials, and waste rock in the auxiliary shaft.
By Drive Type: Hoists are divided into electric motor drive and hydraulic motor drive, with electric motor drive being the mainstream choice in China.
By Wire Rope Working Mode (the most critical classification): Hoists are divided into drum winders and friction hoists.
Drum winders are further classified by drum structure into single-drum, double-drum, separable single-drum, and winder wheel types.
Friction hoists are divided into tower-mounted and ground-mounted types based on installation method.
Currently, the hoists manufactured and used in China fall into two main categories: single-rope drum winders and multi-rope friction hoists.
Single-rope drum winders emerged earlier and have a simple working principle: one end of the wire rope is fixed and wound around the drum, while the other end passes over the head sheave to suspend the conveyance. By rotating the drum forward or in reverse, the rope is wound or paid out to complete hoisting or lowering. These hoists account for a large proportion of China's mines and are widely used. Based on drum structure, they are divided into single-drum, double-drum, separable single-drum, and winder wheel types.
Multi-rope friction hoists use friction to transmit power, similar to the drive principle of belt conveyors. They achieve hoisting through the friction between the drive sheave and wire ropes. Their features include compact size, light weight, and high hoisting capacity, making them suitable for medium-depth and relatively deep shafts. Based on installation method, they are divided into tower-mounted and ground-mounted types. Tower-mounted hoists are installed at the top of the headframe, saving ground space; ground-mounted hoists are installed on the ground, offering advantages in seismic resistance and maintenance convenience.
Application Range and Selection Considerations
Single-rope drum winders are limited in deep shaft applications: as shaft depth increases, the wire rope diameter must increase, making manufacturing and use inconvenient, which restricts their application in deep shafts.
Multi-rope friction hoists use multiple wire ropes to share the load, solving some deep-shaft challenges. However, friction hoists require a tail rope for balance, and the load on the rope cross-section varies with the conveyance position, with the shaft depth limit approximately around 1,700 meters.
For ultra-deep shafts (over 2,000 meters), multi-rope drum winders (Blair winders) have been adopted internationally, which do not require a balancing tail rope and are suitable for shaft depths exceeding 1,400 meters. As deep-shaft requirements continue to grow in China, domestic development of Blair winders is also progressing.
Hebi Wanfeng specializes in the production of JK series mine hoists, JTP series hoisting winches, and JKMD series multi-rope friction hoists, covering both main categories. Customized solutions are available based on shaft depth, load capacity, and specific working conditions. All products hold MA/KA mine safety certifications and EU CE certification.
Wynne Wang
Foreign Trade Manager
Hebi Wanfeng Mining Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Tel:+86 13839216889
Email: wynne@wf-cn.com
Website: www.mininghoist.com
