Define the upward movement
Set the vertical travel distance and the lifting speed that will actually be used for that movement.
BUYING & LAYOUT / TOOL 03
Hoist Lifting Time Calculator
Use this to compare proposed hoist speeds with the vertical movement required by your process. It separates travel time from slinging, positioning and other handling time.
Before you start: required inputs
- Measure the actual vertical hook movement for each part of the cycle, rather than using the building height.
- Read the applicable lifting and lowering speeds from the proposed hoist specification. Record measured handling time if you want to include it.
Calculation diagram
A PRACTICAL WALKTHROUGH
How to use this calculator
Build the entered cycle
Include lowering if required, using its own distance and speed. Add the measured time for other operations in seconds.
Compare like-for-like cycles
Read the travel-time breakdown. When comparing hoists, retain the same distances and handling assumptions.
Lift through 6 m at 8 m/min
THE INPUTS
Lifting distance 6 m; lifting speed 8 m/min; lowering not included; other time 0 seconds.
THE RESULT
The upward travel takes 0.75 minutes, or 45 seconds. Adding a 6 m descent at 8 m/min and 30 seconds of other time gives 120 seconds.
What does the result mean?
01
The default 45 seconds is travel time at constant speed, not a complete production cycle.
02
When lowering is included, its time is calculated independently and then added to upward travel and other entered time.
03
A cycle-time estimate does not establish duty classification, motor suitability or guaranteed hourly throughput.
Watch for this
Applying the hoist’s fast speed to the entire lift even though final positioning uses creep speed. Calculate the fast and creep distances separately, then add those times.
Formula & model conditions +
Travel time = travel distance ÷ travel speed
Total entered cycle time = upward time + optional downward time + other entered time
- Constant-speed movement. Acceleration and braking are excluded unless included in other time.
- For a dual-speed hoist, calculate fast and creep portions separately and add them.
- No mechanism duty class or guaranteed production rate is inferred.
Common questions
Does the result include acceleration and braking?
The distance ÷ speed calculation assumes constant speed. Add a measured allowance to other time if it belongs in your comparison.
Can I use the result to specify the crane duty class?
Not by itself. Duty classification also depends on load spectrum, running time, starts and the applicable classification method.