Preventative Maintenance

Maintenance should be completed by an approved service engineer every 6 months to ensure the products required standard is maintained. The service history of the product should be documented each service. This is documented in the service log, found in the back pages of the user manual.

When recording the service in the service log, ensure that the serial number of the ceiling hoist and user manual align. Each ceiling hoist is provided with its own user manual.

The below sub-sections provide detailed instructions on what must be inspected/tested for each component on the ceiling hoist every service. Follow the guidelines below for a successful ceiling hoist service.

4 . 1 Covers

• Visual inspection of the cover integrity, including cracks, burns or any impact damage.
• Ensure that the covers are fitted correctly, check that the screws are tight.
• Inspect the label integrity, ensure that they are legible and aren’t peeling of the covers
• Ensure the serial number is legible.

4 . 2 Carry Bar

• Inspect the carry bar for damage such as deformation, cracks and large dents which may affect the function and safety of the component.
• Ensure that the carry bar spring clips remain functional.
• Check that the carry bar hooks and springs remain smooth, as sharp edges may cause damage to the slings.
• Ensure that the carry bar is fitted to the QRS Hook properly. See user manual for correct attachment. (Only applicable to QRS versions of ceiling hoist)

4 . 3 Handset

• Inspect and test handset buttons are all functional.
• Ensure handset labels remain legible.
• Ensure the handset is connected to the hoist ceiling correctly

4 . 4 Wheels

• Examine the wheels for damage such as cracking and general wear
• Ensure that the wheels are running smoothly in the track (track may have debris inside)
• Ensure that the ceiling hoist traverses with handset command smoothly. (powered traverse hoists only)

4 . 5 Toggle Switch and Pull Cord

• Ensure that the three-phase switch is fully operational.
• The ceiling hoist should operate as normal when the switch is pushed into the top position.
• Power to the ceiling hoist should be removed when the toggle switch is in its middle position.
• The ceiling hoist should e-lower when the toggle switch is held in its bottom position
• Inspect the condition of the pull cord, ensure that the cord has not been modified (cut to length)
• Ensure that the pull cord label remains legible.

4 . 6 Batteries 

• Ensure that the battery leads are attached properly between the battery terminals and the PCB
• General examination of batteries for burns at terminals and cuts/exposed wiring along the leads.
• Perform battery test to determine the condition of the batteries.

4 . 7 Lift Motor 

• Visual inspection on the component for any abnormalities.
• Inspect the motor gear shaft for wear. Excess wear should be cleaned and an inspection on the gearing
condition should be done after. If the gear shaft is badly warn it must be replaced.
• Ensure that the motor gear shaft is meshing correctly with the hub.
• Re-grease the motor gear shaft.
• Perform lift/lower test to ensure the lift motor is functioning correctly, this should be done with and without load. Ensure to listen for any unusual sounds and rattling coming from the motor.

4 . 8 Lift Tape Hub (Spool)

• Inspect the hub teeth for wear. Excess wear should be cleaned and an inspection on the gearing
condition should be done after. If the hub is badly warn it must be replaced.
• Ensure that the hub teeth are meshing correctly with the lift motor gear shaft.
• Re-grease the hub.
• Test the function of the over-speed cam. Ensure that it returns to position after displacement.

4 . 9 Lift Tape

• Inspect the full length of the lift tape for any fraying or damage to the materials integrity.
• Ensure that the stitching remains in good condition, there should be no sign of any loose threads or
fraying by the bindings, this should be checked at both ends of the lift tape.
• Ensure that the lift tape label remains legible.

4 . 10 Limit Switches

• Ensure that the limit switches remain functional.
• Test the bottom limit switch activates by fully lowering the lift tape out of the hub during normal use.
• Test that the bottom limit switch activates when the carry bar is removed from the ceiling hoist.
• Test the upper limit switch activates by raising the lift tape all the way up to the top limit.
• Inspect the limit switch wires and solder points for any damage and exposed wire. Make sure to check inside the chassis as the cable runs inside.

4 . 11 Powered Traverse (Drive Motor)

• Visual inspection on the component for any abnormalities.
• Inspect the motor gearing is functional, between the motor, the motor shaft, the large idle gear, small idle gear and wheel gear pattern. Any warn or damaged part must be replaced.
• Perform left/right traverse test to ensure the drive motor is functioning correctly, this should be done with and without load. Ensure to listen for any unusual sounds and rattling coming from the motor.
• Ensure that the powered traverse function allows the ceiling hoist to dock into the charging dock correctly. (without assistance)
• Ensure that the ceiling hoist traverses in the correct direction. (Directional colours match between the handset and labels on underside of the ceiling hoist).

4 . 12 PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 

• Inspect the PCB for any damage such as cracks and electrical burns.
• Ensure that all the relevant components are plugged into the board correctly.
• Inspect the wiring for each component that plugs into the PCB. Ensure there are no exposed wiring.

4 . 13 Air Tubes and Grommet
• Ensure that the air grommet is undamaged and remains in the correct orientation where located on the underside of the chassis.
• Inspect the full length of the air tubes and that each colour coded tube is connected to the correct air switch and brass insert on the grommet.

4 . 14 LED Indicator
• Ensure that the LED casing is not cracked.
• Test LED is functioning correctly, ensure that the LED is indicating the correct light for each scenario (where applicable)

4 . 15 LCD Indicator
• Ensure that the LCD screen is not cracked
• Ensure that the LCD green backlight is functioning, to allow the messages to be visible.
• Test the LCD is functioning correctly, ensure that the correct messages are displayed for each scenario.

4 . 16 Charging
• Inspect the condition of the charging unit, ensure that the casing remains intact and there is no cuts or exposed wires.
• Inspect the condition of the charging dock, ensure it is fixed in place at the end of the track system and there is no exposed wiring or damage to the leaf springs.
• Inspect the condition of the charging beak, ensure the beak is intact from any damage and exposed wiring.
• Ensure that the ceiling hoist docks correctly between the beak and dock and that it begins charging. (powered traverse ceiling hoists should dock through handset command without assistance). Docking should be tested with and without load.

4 . 17 Auxiliary Beak (Powered Turntables)
• Inspect the condition of the auxiliary beak, ensure the beak is intact from any damage or exposed wiring.
• Ensure that the beak docks correctly with the turntable and handset commands function as intended.

4 . 18 Quick Release Trolley (QRT)
• Ensure that the QRT system functions, that the ceiling hoist is positioned on the trolley hooks and is secure.
• Ensure that the QRT pin is intact and can be used to lock the trolley in place in the track.
• Check that the QRT can traverse along the track smoothly. (There may be debris in the track that needs clearing).

4 . 19 Return to Charge
• Test the return to charge function is working correctly and that the ceiling hoist raises the carry bar to the set height and traverses the ceiling hoist into the charging dock and begins charging.

4 . 20 Fixings
• Inspect all the main nuts, bolts, screws and other fixings are secure and tight, if any fixings are loose, make sure to tighten them accordingly.

4 . 21 Ceiling Track
• Ensure that the track profile matches the profile of the ceiling hoist trolley.
• Inspect the integrity of the track system. Ensure that the track is not damaged and/or deformed.
• Inspect the condition of the track brackets, ensure that the brackets and track are secured in place with the track wedges. The track wedges should be locked in place with the M3 screws on either side.
• Ensure that the alignment between two track sections align, and that there is no gap between two aligning tracks. Test the traversing of the ceiling hoist between the track sections is smooth and allows transfer.
• Ensure that the end stops, safety bolt and end caps are all secured correctly to the track system.
• Clear out the internal of the track profile from any debris.

4 . 22 Slings
• Inspect the sling for cuts, frays, tears and burns along its full profile of the sling and straps.
• Inspect the slings stitching for any tears, stretching and loose threads along the full profile of the sling and straps.
• Ensure that the label remains secure and legible.

If there is a problem discovered with the sling, it should be noted on the service sheet and be brought to the attention of the person(s) who requested the service to be carried out. In addition, notify the customer on-site or the manager if it is a care facility. The serial number, type of sling, and condition should be noted on the service sheet. Mark the date of inspection on the sling service label.