Learn exactly how each measurement impacts real-world patient transfers and how mastering these details will elevate your clinical outcomes and client satisfaction.
By following this guide, OTs will gain practical insights and actionable steps to ensure safe, efficient, and confident hoist selection in any care setting.
How to Measure Key Hoist Dimensions and Their Clinical Impact
Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand that each measurement not only affects usability but also directly influences clinical safety and efficiency.
1. Lifting Height Range
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How to Measure:
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Minimum Height: Measure from the floor to the lowest sling bar position.
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Maximum Height: Measure from the floor to the highest sling bar position.
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Clinical Impact: A proper height range ensures safe transfers from floor level to high surfaces without excessive manual strain or patient discomfort.
2. Lifting Depth (Boom Reach)
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How to Measure: The maximum distance from the mast to the sling bar attachment point.
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Clinical Impact: Greater boom reach enables better positioning and prevents involuntary contact with the hoist, supporting smoother and safer lifts.
3. Chassis Width & Turning Radius
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How to Measure:
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External chassis width: Measure the widest part of the base (typically the outer edges of the legs).
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Turning Radius: Slowly rotate the hoist in a full 360° circle on the spot, without reversing. Observe or trace the path made by the outermost point of the hoist (usually the end of the hoist legs). Measure the widest distance across this circular path, this is the turning circle diameter. For reference, the turning radius is half of this distance, measured from the central pivot point to the outer edge of the turning path.
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Clinical Impact: Proper chassis width and turn radius ensure easy manoeuvrability in tight spaces without compromising stability.
4. Leg Spread Width & Design: Swan neck vs Straight leg spread
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How to Measure:
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Width with Legs Fully Open (Internal & External): Measure the distance between the inside edges (internal) and outside edges (external) at the ends of the legs.
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Width of Legs closer to the Mast (e.g., 600mm & 700mm depth from end of legs): Measure the leg width at intervals closer to the centre.
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Width with Legs Fully Closed: Measure both the internal and external widths when the legs are fully closed.
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Leg spread design:
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Swan Neck Design: These legs maintain a consistent width further along their length, allowing better access around furniture and positioning the sling bar closer to the client.
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Straight Leg Spread: These legs taper in quickly from a wide point at the front, limiting how close the hoist can get to the client.
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Clinical Impact: Leg design impacts how well the hoist fits around furniture and how close it can position to the patient for safe sling application.
5. Leg Height & Ground Clearance
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How to Measure:
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Leg height: from top of the leg to the ground.
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Ground clearance: from the lowest point of the leg to the ground and from the lowest part of the base to the ground.
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Clinical Impact: Adequate clearance allows the hoist to slide under furniture easily and navigate over obstacles.
6. Castor Size & Manoeuvrability
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How to Measure: Measure the wheel size diameter of the rear castors.
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Clinical Impact: Larger castors reduce caregiver effort on soft or uneven surfaces and enhance manoeuvrability.
7. Hoist Weight (Excluding Battery)
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How to Measure: Check manufacturer specifications or weigh the hoist without the battery.
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Clinical Impact: Lighter hoists improve portability and reduce strain for caregivers but must be balanced with stability considerations.
8. Safe Working Load (SWL)
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How to Measure: This is the maximum weight the hoist can safety lift and should be clearly marked on the hoist itself.
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Clinical Impact: Ensuring the SWL matches client needs is vital for safety and avoiding equipment failure.
Conclusion
By learning how to measure and understand key hoist dimensions and their clinical impact, OTs can make informed decisions that enhance client safety, reduce caregiver strain, and improve daily transfer routines.
