Back to Lifting Equipment

Wire rope hoists

Wire rope hoists, often referred to as Tirfors, are a robust and versatile solution for lifting, pulling and tensioning tasks across a wide range of industrial environments. The Tirfor principle was developed by Tractel and is still widely recognised today for its reliability and versatility.

These manually operated wire rope hoists are designed for professional use and allow loads to be positioned safely and accurately in any direction and over long distances, without limitation on cable length.

Thanks to their compact and portable design, wire rope hoists are ideal for use on construction sites, in warehouses, in mechanical and steel construction, as well as in maintenance and renovation projects. Their simple operation and strong steel wire rope make it possible to pull, lift or tension heavy loads in a controlled manner, even in demanding conditions. 

About wire rope hoists


Looking for a lifting and pulling solution that combines power, flexibility and durability? Wire rope hoists offer exactly that. Their unique mechanism pulls the wire rope in a straight line, ensuring highly precise control of the load. This level of accuracy is a major advantage in hard-to-reach or complex lifting situations.

Our wire rope hoists are suitable for a wide range of applications, from lifting heavy components to pulling or tensioning loads on site. Thanks to their unlimited cable length and the option to increase capacity using sheave blocks or pulley systems, Tirfor hoists are a flexible choice for both occasional and daily use in professional environments.

Tirfor TU – Wire Rope Hoist

The Tirfor TU wire rope hoist from Tractel is a mechanical through-wire hoist designed for lifting, pulling and positioning loads. Unlike traditional hoists, the Tirfor operates with a continuous wire rope, allowing for virtually unlimited lifting heights or pulling distances. The range is available in the TU8, TU16 and TU32 models, with working load capacities ranging from 800 kg to 3200 kg. 

Thanks to its robust mechanism and precise control, operators can move loads safely and accurately, even in demanding conditions. The Tirfor TU is known worldwide for its reliability and is widely used in industry, construction and maintenance applications. The range is certified according to EN 13157 and the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

Typical applications:

  • Pulling or moving heavy loads
  • Positioning structures
  • Assembly and maintenance work
  • Work on sites without electricity

Tirfor T500 – Wire Rope Hoist

The Tirfor T500 Series consists of portable manually operated hoists for lifting, pulling and tensioning applications across a wide range of industries. Operation is performed using a telescopic lever and a wire rope fed through the device, allowing unlimited rope length and consistent control in both forward and reverse movement.

This range includes models such as the T508D, T516D and T532D, all equipped with safety shear pins and robust operating levers. These units offer high working capacities of up to 3200 daN and deliver excellent performance for both lifting and tensioning operations. Thanks to their rugged design, they can be used in any position and over long distances.

Tirfor T500 hoists are widely used in civil engineering, utilities, railway infrastructure and maintenance sectors. Their mechanical simplicity, easy maintenance and independent operation make them ideal for remote locations or environments without access to power sources.

Suitable wire ropes and replacement safety shear pins are available to ensure long-term safety and performance.

Typical applications:

  • Heavy pulling and tensioning work
  • Railway infrastructure
  • Construction and civil engineering
  • Maintenance work in remote locations

Tirak – Electric Wire Rope Hoist

The Tirak wire rope hoist from Tractel is an electrically powered through-wire hoist designed for vertical lifting applications. The wire rope passes through the device instead of being stored on a drum, allowing for virtually unlimited lifting heights.

This system provides constant lifting speed and pulling force, regardless of rope length. The hoist can also be positioned in different orientations and is available in capacities ranging from approximately 300 kg to 3000 kg, depending on the model.

The Tirak is compact, mobile and highly reliable, making it a popular choice for suspended platforms, façade access systems and maintenance installations for buildings and industrial facilities.

Typical applications:

  • Façade maintenance and suspended platforms
  • Elevated work platforms
  • Industrial installations
  • Lifting operations with large lifting heights

Minifor – Electric Wire Rope Hoist

The Minifor wire rope hoist from Tractel is a compact and portable electric through-wire hoist developed for light to medium-duty lifting applications. Like the Tirak, the wire rope passes through the device, meaning the lifting height is limited only by the rope length.

The Minifor combines low self-weight with high reliability, making it particularly suitable for mobile applications. Thanks to its simple operation and quick installation, the device can be deployed rapidly across different worksites.

The Minifor is available in several versions, including the TR series and SY series, designed for different applications and lifting capacities.

Typical applications:

  • Installation of machinery and equipment
  • Maintenance work
  • Lifting operations in hard-to-reach areas
  • Mobile applications in industry and construction

These companies chose
SKP with confidence

Every project at SKP starts from a unique safety situation.
Explore a number of interesting customer cases.

Aertssen Lifting

Aertssen Lifting

Discover how Aertssen Lifting has relied on SKP for high-quality lifting equipment, fall protection and maximum responsiveness for almost 15 years. From wind turbines to petrochemical projects: safety, flexibility and top quality always come first.

Read more »
Veldeman Group

Veldeman Group

Veldeman Group designs and builds impressive demountable fabric structures worldwide for festivals, industrial applications and military projects, with crucial steel wire rope solutions from SKP ensuring maximum stability.

Read more »

Questions about our wire rope hoists?

Speak to a member of our team

Protect to benefit 

When business processes come under pressure, safety is often the first thing to suffer. The result: investments are postponed. But that’s when things really become risky. For your employees and for the growth of your business. Taking risks costs money, and it always will. We firmly believe that investing smartly in safety delivers direct returns in multiple ways.  

Higher 
productivity 
 
Higher
productivity

Investing in high-quality safety solutions and support reduces the risk of operational inefficiencies. Your output, productivity and ultimately your revenue will increase. 

 
A boost in
employee wellbeing 

A safe workplace also has a positive impact on how your employees feel. It shows that you support them and invest in their wellbeing.  

 
Less
staff turnover

Finding a suitable replacement after a workplace accident isn't something that can be done overnight. The more risks you eliminate, the better you can make use of the talent available in your workplace.  

 
A strong reputation 

Avoiding workplace accidents or employee dissatisfaction is invaluable. The cost of a damaged reputation simply cannot be measured in euros.  

 
Minimum TCO 

Looking to invest in safety with the lowest possible total cost of ownership? From dedicated support and digital administration to official inspections and tailored training, we cover every step and actively contribute to sustainable business growth. 

What deserves our attention?  

Do you have questions about our approach or are you curious about what more is possible for your business? Don't hesitate – get in touch. 

Contact us

How else can we help you? 

 
Custom engineering

Alongside a wide range of standard solutions in stock, we also design and manufacture bespoke solutions for highly specific or niche requirements – developed by our expert engineering team.

Read more

 
Maintenance and repair 

At SKP, we maintain and repair components from both our own manufacturers and others. We also test repaired items to ensure they can withstand the required loads and meet all safety standards.  

Read more