A hoist could be considered the most important component of an overhead crane system because it's the device that actually performs the lifting and lowering of a load. However, when looking at the complete picture, you also need to consider the method of delivering power to a crane's bridge, trolley, and hoist—as well as how the operator will control the crane's motion, hoist positioning, and hoist lifting motions. In this lesson, we'll explore:

• The different methods of providing power to a crane's bridge, trolley, and hoist


• The different types of hoists that are available for an overhead crane system


• Pendants and radios used by the operator to control the motion of the crane and hoist