What safety device should a lifting hook have to prevent unhooking?
2 Answers
A lifting hook should be equipped with a safety device to prevent unhooking. Hooks are divided into single hooks and double hooks. Single hooks are easier to manufacture and use, suitable for smaller lifting capacities; when the lifting capacity is large, double hooks are often used to avoid excessive weight. The cross-sectional shapes of the hook body (the curved part) include circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, and T-shaped, among others. The key inspection points for various hooks include checking for broken hooks, inspecting plate hooks, and conducting load tests. More details about hooks are as follows: 1. Laminated hooks: Made by riveting several shaped steel plates, if individual plates develop cracks, the entire hook will not fail, offering better safety but with greater self-weight, mostly used in cranes with large lifting capacities or for lifting steel ladles. Hooks are often subjected to impact during operation, so they must be made of high-quality carbon steel with good toughness. 2. Single hooks: Simple to manufacture and easy to use, but they have poor stress distribution, mostly used in working conditions with lifting capacities below 80 tons; for larger lifting capacities, double hooks with symmetrical stress distribution are often used.
I've been in the auto repair industry for twenty years, and a lifting hook must always be equipped with an anti-slip device, commonly known as a spring safety latch. It's just a small metal clip that automatically locks tight after the hook is loaded, preventing accidental slippage. Why is it so important? In our repair shop, we often need to lift engines or transmissions. If this device fails, not only can the dropped load damage expensive components, but it can also injure people. I once witnessed a minor accident: a tire fell and nearly hit an apprentice because the latch wasn't properly secured. That's why I always check the latch before each use to ensure it's flexible, free from rust or deformation; during maintenance, I add some lubricating oil. This little device may seem simple, but it plays a huge role in auto repair—without it, safety risks multiply. I recommend regularly replacing the latch components and making safety habits a priority, as it's a matter of taking responsibility for your own life.
