Vulcan-Hart NPU0.25T User manual

USER MANUAL
NOVA RATCHET LEVER HOIST AND
PULLER
¼ to 6 Tonnes
NPU0.25T to NPU06T
Manuel en français de l’autre côté
KEEP THIS MANUAL
DO NOT INSTALL, OPERATE, OR PERFORM MAINTENANCE ON THIS EQUIPMENT BEFORE READING AND
UNDERSTANDING THIS MANUAL IN ITS ENTIRETY. FAILURE TO READ AND COMPLY WITH THE
CONTENTS OF THIS MANUAL COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH AND / OR
PROPERTY DAMAGE.

The Vulcan Hoist Company Ltd.
3435, Cremazie East, Montreal (Quebec) H1Z 2J2
514 728-4527 | vulcanhoist.com

Important Information, Warnings and Safety
This manual contains important safety, installation, operation, and maintenance information. Make this manual
available to every person designated for the operation, installation, and maintenance of these products. Unless
otherwise noted, tons in this manual are metric tonnes (1000kg, 2204 lbs, or 1.102 US short ton). Nova products
are metric. Equivalent imperial (inches, pounds) measurements are provided for informational purposes only.
Danger, Warning, Caution and Notice
Throughout this manual, there are procedures which, if not followed, may result in injury, death, or substantial
property damage.
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or
serious injury.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or
moderate injury or property damage.
Indicates information or company policy which relates directly or indirectly to the safety
of personnel or property.
Safety Framework and General Rules
This manual cannot cover every possible installation, operation, maintenance, circumstance and situation.
You, the owner or operator of the equipment covered in this manual, are responsible for the safe and proper
installation, operation, inspection, and maintenance of this equipment in accordance with ASME B30.21 and
all applicable laws, regulations and codes.
Anybody interacting with the ratchet puller must have read and understood the instructions laid out in this
manual.
Vulcan Hoist will not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, death or compensation if caused, even if partially,
by disregarding or misinterpreting an instruction from this manual.
Repairs must only be done with original equipment manufacturer parts by a qualified person. Any
modification, including re-rating the ratchet puller, must be authorised by the original equipment
manufacturer.
Every safety and identification label and plate that came with the ratchet puller, including the nameplate
which displays the ratchet puller’s serial number, capacity, and manufacturer, must be securely fastened and
legible. If any safety or identification label or plate is missing or no longer legible, contact Vulcan Hoist for a
replacement.
This manual covers a wide range of ratchet pullers with different capacities and options, and as such not all
instructions in this manual apply to every ratchet puller. Disregard instructions that do not apply.

Safety Rules Before Operation
Do not ever extend the lever.
Do not use this ratchet puller if you notice deep nicks, gouges, bends or significant stretching in the hooks,
load chain, or other load bearing parts.
Ensure that you have read and understood this manual in its entirety.
Ensure that the nameplate and safety warning labels and plates are present, securely fastened and legible.
Perform the daily inspection described in the Daily Inspection section of this manual if it is the ratchet
puller’s first use of the shift.
Be certain that the weight of the load to be lifted is lower or equal to the ratchet puller’s rated capacity.
Estimate how much you plan to move the hook. Make sure that the chain is long enough to reach the furthest
point without the ring in the last chain link entering the ratchet puller’s body and distance Hmin (see section
Technical Specifications) is short enough for the hook to reach the closest point.
Make sure that the planned lift or pull won’t interfere with other operations going on and won’t go over
people.
Make sure that the load’s centre of gravity and attachment point are aligned with the ratchet puller.
Make sure that you have somewhere to safely lower the load before you lift it. Don’t leave a raised load
unattended.
NEVER use a puller for lifting,
supporting or transporting people.
NEVER apply pressure on a
puller.
NEVER use two or more pullers
together to lift beyond a puller’s
rated capacity.
NEVER lift a load heavier than a
puller’s rated capacity.
NEVER lift or move a load over or
near people.
NEVER use the 0.25 and
0.5 t models (NPU0.25T
and NPU0.5T) for lifting.
These two models are for
pulling only.

Safety Rules During Operation
Safety Rules After Operation
Make sure that the load’s attachment point sits in the hook’s bowl and that the latch is closed.
Start lifting or pulling the load. When the load chain is under tension, check that the lever is still turning
smoothly and that the load does not fall or pull away on its own.
NEVER use a damaged ratchet puller or a ratchet puller that is not working properly or requires excessive
force to work.
NEVER use a ratchet puller if it makes excessive or unusual noise.
NEVER use a ratchet puller with a chain that makes harsh, jerking moves.
NEVER swing a suspended load.
NEVER use the ratchet puller as a welding electrode.
NEVER move the hook so far that it collides with the ratchet puller or that the lifting ring at the free end of
the chain pulls on the ratchet puller’s body.
NEVER allow your attention to be diverted from operating the ratchet puller.
Land the load and unload the chain slowly and safely.
NEVER suspend a load for an extended period of time.
NEVER use a twisted, kinked,
damaged or stretched load
chain.
NEVER use the chain as a sling
NEVER support or use the
ratchet puller as a support
NEVER support a load on the
tip of the hook
NEVER run the load chain
over a sharp edge
NEVER weld or cut a load
suspended by a ratchet puller

Operation – 0.25 and 0.5 t Models
Selector
Action
Result
N
Pull on either end of the unloaded
chain
The chain will move quickly in the direction it is pulled
Move the lever
The lever will move freely and the chain won’t move
In
Pull on the dead end of the chain
The hook will move quickly towards the ratchet puller
Turn the lever clockwise with no or
little load on the hook
The hook may not move if it is not preloaded
Turn the lever clockwise while the hook
is loaded
The load will be pulled towards the ratchet puller
Out
Turn the lever counterclockwise with
no or little load on the hook
The hook may not move if it is not preloaded
Turn the lever counterclockwise while
the hook is loaded*
The load will be pulled away from the ratchet puller
Note: 0.25 t models do not have a handwheel.
Operation – 0.75 to 6 t Models
Selector
Action
Result
N
Pull on either end of the unloaded chain
The chain will move quickly in the direction it is pulled
Turn the handwheel in either direction
The chain will move slowly in the same direction than
the hand wheel
Move the lever
The lever will move freely, and the chain won’t move
In/Up
Pull on the dead end of the chain
The hook will move quickly towards the ratchet puller
Turn the handwheel clockwise
The hook will move slowly towards the ratchet puller
Turn the lever clockwise with no or little
load on the hook
The hook may not move if it is not preloaded
Turn the lever clockwise while the hook
is loaded
The load will be pulled/hoisted towards the ratchet
puller
Out/Down
Pull on the unloaded hook (not
recommended)
The hook may move away from the ratchet puller but
will be working against the disengaged brake
Turn the handwheel counterclockwise
The hook will move slowly away from the ratchet puller
Turn the lever counterclockwise with no
or little load on the hook
The hook may not move if it is not preloaded
Turn the lever counterclockwise while
the hook is loaded
The load will be pulled/lowered away from the ratchet
puller
Flipping the selector switch while the hook is loaded will not cause any movement of the chain or the load to
drop.
*On 0.25 and 0.5 t models, do not move a loaded hook out if a sudden loss of braking may cause damage or
injury.
Do not leave a loaded 0.25 or 0.5 t model unsupervised.
On 0.25 and 0.5 t models, pulling on the free end of the chain while the selector switch in the Out position
will cause the lever to turn rapidly and may cause an injury.
0.25 and 0.5 t models are for pulling only.
Do not use 0.25 and 0.5 t models for lifting applications or any
application where the loss of braking may cause damage or injury.

Overload Protection Devices
The overload protection device is an option. Check your ratchet puller’s nameplate to see if it has this option.
Overload protection devices have been adjusted in factory between 1.3 to 1.8 times the rated load. When lifting
or pulling a load which triggers the overload protection device, the lever will turn if a considerable force exerted
on it, but the hook will not move, and you won’t hear the clicking of the ratcheting mechanism.
26-1 Shift fork
26-2 Friction disc
26-3 Change over gear
26-4 Disc spring
26-5 Pressing block
26-6 Key
26-7 Self-locking nut
Inspection
There are two types of inspection: daily and periodic. A daily inspection must be done by the ratchet puller’s
operator, or a person qualified to do so at the beginning of each working shift or the first time the ratchet puller
is used in a shift. A periodic inspection must be done by a qualified person at intervals determined by the
ratchet puller’s service severity.
Service Severity and Periodic Inspection Frequency
Service
Description
Periodic Inspection
Frequency
Normal Service
Randomly distributed loads within the rated load limit, or uniform
loads less than 65% of rated load for no more than 15% of the time
monthly to yearly
Heavy Service
Within the rated load limit but exceeds normal service
weekly to monthly
Severe Service
Normal or heavy service with abnormal operating conditions (high
humidity, extreme temperatures, salty air, etc.)
daily to weekly
A load could be over the rated capacity even if the overload protection device does not trigger.
If a ratchet puller fails any one of the following inspection items, do not use it and remove it from service
immediately. Do not put it back into service until every issue has been resolved.
Failure to inspect the ratchet puller as instructed may result in damage, injury, or death.
Contact Vulcan Hoist for spare parts. Do not use non-OEM parts.
These instructions are based on ASME B30.21. Also observe any other regulation that may apply.

Daily Inspection
Periodic Inspection
Item
Discard Criteria
Hooks (lower and upper)
Hook stretch
and wear
*These values are nominal.
The A dimension must be measured when the hook is new.
The hook must be discarded when the A dimension is 1.05 times greater than when
new
. Top and bottom hooks have the same dimensions.
Capacity
(t)
A* mm [in]
B, mm [in]
C, mm [in]
Normal
Standard
Discard
Standard
Discard
0.25
23.0 [0.91]*
10.0 [0.394]
≤9.5 [0.374]
16.6 [0.654]
≤15.7 [0.619]
0.5
28.0 [1.10]*
13.0 [0.512]
≤12.3 [0.485]
19.2 [0.756]
≤18.2 [0.717]
0.75
30.0 [1.81]*
13.0 [0.512]
≤12.4 [0.489]
21.5 [0.846]
≤20.3 [0.800]
1.5
36.0
[1.42]
*
17.0
[0.669]
≤16.2
[0.638]
28.8
[1.134]
≤27.3
[1.075]
3
40.0
[1.58]
*
25.0
[0.984]
≤23.8
[0.937]
43.8
[1.724]
≤41.6
[1.638]
6
50.0 [1.97]*
32.0 [1.260]
≤30.4 [1.197]
52.5 [2.067]
≤49.9 [1.965]
Flaws and wear
Must be free from significant rust, welds, weld splatter, deep nicks, and gouges
Rotation
Must rotate freely without rough spots
Hook yokes
Must not miss rivets or bolts. Must have no slack between yoke halves
Latches
Latches must be present and stay closed when not forced open
Part
Items to Inspect
Tags, labels,
nameplate
-Warning labels and tags must be present, securely fastened and legible
-The nameplate and the ratchet puller’s capacity tags must be securely fastened and legible
Hook latches
Hook latches must be present on both hooks and close on their own
Load chain
-The load chain must be lubricated. Apply oil if it appears dry
-Especially for ratchet pullers with multiple chain falls (6 t), make sure that the load chain is
not twisted. Make sure that it will enter the ratchet puller straight in both directions
-Eliminate kinks and twists. Do not use the ratchet puller if they keep reoccurring
-Look for excessive wear. Do not use the ratchet puller even if a single chain link appears
worn
Normal Twisted Kinked Worn out .
Hooks and load
chain
-The hooks and load chain must be free of deep nicks, gouges, bends, kinks or significant
stretching
Hooks
Both hooks must swivel freely
Function
The handwheel (0.5 t and more models) and the lever must turn smoothly
Lever
-The lever must not be bent or damaged
-The lever must not have been extended longer than its original length
Chain ring
-The chain ring or handle must be present in the last free chain link and in good condition
Overall
-There must not be any missing nut, bolt, or pin
-There must not be any sign of major damage such as bumps or burns
Selector switch
Must move smoothly and hold still in each of the three positions (in, neutral, out)

Item
Discard Criteria
Load Chain
Wear and
stretch
Capacity
(t)
L, mm [in]
D, mm [in]
Standard
Discard
Standard
Discard
0.25
60.0 [2.362]
≥61.2 [2.410]
4.0 [0.157]
≤3.6 [0.142]
0.5
75.0
[2.953]
≥76.5
[3.012]
5.0
[0.197]
≤4.5
[0.178]
0.75
90.0
[3.543]
≥92.5
[3.642]
6.0
[0.236]
≤5.4
[0.213]
1.5
120.0
[4.724]
≥123.3
[4.855]
8.0
[0.315]
≤7.2
[0.284]
3, 6
150.0 [5.906]
≥154.0 [6.063]
10.0 [0.394]
≤9.0 [0.355]
Measure the pitch of 5 chain links at different places on the load chain
Flaws
Must be free from welds, weld splatter, nicks and gouges
Rust
Only surface rust is acceptable. No pitting from rust, rust flakes or rust bubbles
Lubrification
Must be oiled
Hook Pins
Bottom hook pin
wear and
deformation
-Discard the hook pin if there is obvious bend
or deformation
-Screw thread must be in good condition
Capacity
(t)
d, mm [in]
Standard
Discard
0.25
5.0 [0.197]
≤4.8 [0.189]
0.5
6.0 [0.236]
≤5.7 [0.225]
0.75
7.5
[0.295]
≤7.1
[0.280]
1.5
10.0
[0.394]
≤9.5
[0.374]
3, 6
14.5
[0.571]
≤13.8
[0.544]
Top hook pin
wear and
deformation
Discard the hook pin if there is obvious bend
or deformation
Capacity (t)
D Discard, mm [in]
0.25
≤6.5 [0.256]
0.5
≤8.5 [0.335]
0.75
≤9.5
[0.374]
1.5
≤12.4
[0.489]
3, 6
≤16.1
[0.634]
Top hook pin
holes in the side
plates
Measure the holes’ maximum diameter
Capacity (t)
D Discard, mm [in
0.25
≥8.5 [0.334]
0.5
≥10.5 [0.413]
0.75
≥10.7
[0.421]
1.5
≥13.7
[0.539]
3, 6
≥17.7 [0.697]
Top and bottom
hook pin holes
*Measure the holes’
maximum diameter
Capacity
(t)
Bottom Hook Pin
Diameter, mm [in]
Top Hook Pin
Diameter (mm)
Standard
Discard*
Standard
Discard*
0.25
5.5 [0.216]
≥6.0 [0.236]
8.0 [0.315]
≥8.4 [0.330]
0.5
6.5 [0.256]
≥7.0 [0.276]
10.5 [0.413]
≥11.0 [0.433]
0.75
7.5
[0.295]
≥8.0
[0.315]
12.5
[0.492]
≥13.1
[0.516]
1.5
10.5
[0.413]
≥11.0
[0.433]
14.5
[0.571]
≥15.2
[0.598]
3, 6
15.0
[0.591]
≥15.7
[0.618]
18.0
[0.709]
≥18.9
[0.744]
Braking System
Rust
All parts should be rust-free

Item
Discard Criteria
Pawls
-Pawls must have no surface wear
-Pawl springs must push the pawl into the ratchet
Friction disc
The friction disc must have the same thickness
throughout. Its surfaces must be clean, flat and free
from cracks and gouges.
Friction Disc Thickness, mm [in]
Standard
Discard
3.0 [0.118]
≤2.5 [0.098]
Ratchet
Capacity
(t)
External Diameter A, mm [in]
Standard
Discard
0.25
42.0 [1.65]
≤40.0 [1.58]
0.5
55.0 [2.16]
≤53.0 [2.09]
0.75
74.5
[2.93]
≤71.5
[2.81]
1.5
85.0
[3.35]
≤83.0
[3.27]
3, 6
94.0
[3.70]
≤91.0
[3.58]
Free spring
Capacity (t)
Length L Discard, mm [in]
0.25
≤12.5 [0.50]
0.5
≤12 [0.48]
0.75
≤27
[1.07]
1.5
≤22.5
[0.89]
3, 6
≤27
[1.07]
Pulling System and Body
Load Chain
Sprocket
Must not show significant wear or deformation
Gears
-Must not show significant wear or deformation especially on teeth and bearing surface
-Must be greased
Gearcase
Must not show deformation. Must not show significant wear on bearing surface
Side plates
Must be straight. See Hook Pins for the side plates’ top hook pin hole dimensions
Lever Handle System
Ratchet spring
Capacity (t)
Length L Discard, mm [in]
0.25
≤12
[0.48]
0.5, 0.75
≤37 [1.46]
1.5 to 6
≤39 [1.54]
Function
Pulling and
slackening
No difficulty, abnormality, roughness in pulling and slackening with loads
Brake
No braking resistance when lifting or pulling. Loads must not slip down slowly when
suspended. Loads must not slip after the lever is jerked suddenly in the lowering direction
Maintenance
It is recommended to perform maintenance at the same frequency as periodic inspections. Only qualified
personnel must perform maintenance. Vulcan Hoist offers inspection, maintenance, and repair services.
1. Clean the ratchet puller and load chain without getting water inside the gearcase and the braking
mechanism.
After performing maintenance, test the ratchet puller and perform a daily inspection.
NEVER perform maintenance while the ratchet puller is being used or supporting a load.
NEVER grease or oil the braking mechanism.
Failure to perform maintenance as instructed may result in damage, injury, or death.