Purchasing brand new industrial equipment like winch is always a sizable investment. However, it’s a task that needs to be done and should be the perfect fit. Are there easy ways to ensure that you’re taking the right step? New or smaller companies often have to think about this because they usually have tighter cash flows. Yet, it’s a necessary expense that could reduce the overall bottom line extensively.
While taking on the bigger cost of buying a winch is unavoidable, there are ways you can ensure that the investment is well spent. The alternative approach is to search for industry-leading services that can give you the best quality when it comes to lifting equipment.
The idea is that an industry leader like LOADMATE could help you with the right expertise, better solutions for your needs, follow-up services or maintenance, and even offer you slower, easier payment options. Of course, that option is always up to you. If you are still apprehensive about the best way to purchase your winch, start with these thoughts:
- Frequency of use: How often you plan on using the winch is your first consideration. Many companies use heavy lifting equipment almost daily. As those in the manufacturing or construction fields, other industries will use a winch and hoist sporadically. So, if your company is in that type of work, it might not be financially sound to purchase a winch, especially when you add to the costs for storing and maintaining one. So, if you won’t be using lifting equipment regularly, consider renting one out each time it is required.
- Training invested in handling a winch: Then, consider if your operator or the employees that will be handling the winch have the skillset for operating it. A winch is a potential danger if it is not used in an intended way. Most of the industrial winch-related products that you can buy today are designed to handle tonnes of weight at a time. So, it’s easy to see how operational errors could happen when you’re running these high-powered machines. If you are investing in a winch, ensure that you factor in the costs of training your staff or hiring qualified personnel.
- Buying a used winch: If cost is a huge constraint, consider buying a second-hand winch. A second-hand winch could help offset costs for you. This option could work if your company is small-scale and the winch is required for handling less weight. Several top-quality lifting products have been engineered to last a very long time. With the right amount of maintenance, they could even last for years. So, a second-hand purchase could be a smart, cost-effective way to buy a winch. However, you do need to research sellers a lot and evaluate the winch yourself before buying it. Certain sellers specialize in refurbished and used winches.
- Pay attention to load limits: The load limit is a specification that all winches have, either printed on the winch body, the box, or the operational manual. If you can’t find this information anywhere, then ask the seller about it. Once you know the load limit for a specific model, see how it can address your needs. Also, think about how it will fit your needs in the future, so the machine has future use. It is essential to stick to the specified load capacity and never exceed it. If you think that the loads you need to move to vary a lot, consider going with a higher load limit.
- Ask for a user manual: The manual tells you how to use the machine the right way. You could ignore it, but know that all hoists and winches have a different mechanism to suit varying needs. This applies even when you have used winches before; referring to the manual helps you use the winch correctly and aid training too. The manual also lists the instructions and things to avoid.
- Trial run: It’s easier to see winches online, but you have to assess how they work once they've been installed. This trial run ensures that the winch isn’t defective in any way. It can also manage the mentioned load safely. This practice lets you know if you’ve made the right purchase decision. You would also have a better idea of what to do next: whether you need to return the winch if you’ve spotted a defect or upgrade the load limit on the one that’s you’re testing out. If you have switched up an electrical model to save time, this test run will give everyone a visual of how to operate it.
- Repair and maintenance services: If you have purchased a brand-new winch, then ask the seller about the after-sales services they provide and what it covers. This part is tedious but necessary as it ensures overall operability, performance quality, and durability. Manual winches require easier maintenance and repairs when compared with their electrical counterparts. Electric winches have more parts that increase the risk of breakage and, therefore, more repairs. In some cases, this servicing cost could impact your expenses and must be thought of before buying a winch.
