General

Friction hoists, commonly referred to as "Koepe" hoists, provide an economical solution to many hoisting applications. These hoists typically have lower capital costs when compared to drum hoists due to characteristic lighter, single-drum constructions and lower installed power requirements. Koepe drums are subjected to high cyclic fatigue loads, typically reversed during every drum revolution. Design is of necessity for infinite fatigue life.

Drum hoists, both single drum and double drum, are the most frequently used type of hoisting system in South Africa. With multi-layer coiling, the double drum hoist is frequently used for lengths of wind to 2500 m., but can be used for depths of wind greater than 3000m.
Although normally winding in balance, the range of brake torque required during emergency braking requires some form of brake control system to provide acceptable retardation levels under all winding conditions. The control of emergency braking retardation for single drum hoists is particularly problematic due to the high out of balance loads and great variation in the natural rates of retardation for different hoisting conditions. FLSmidth has extensive experience in the design of suitable brake control systems.