September 13, 2024 | Terry Smith

Straight track vs H-track ceiling hoists – what’s the difference?

If you’re looking at getting a ceiling hoist installed in your home or facility, you may be wondering what the difference is between straight and H-track systems, and which system is best suited for you.

In this article, we will compare straight-track hoist systems with H-track systems, also known as XY ceiling hoists or H-frame hoists.

Firstly, what is a ceiling hoist used for?

Ceiling track hoists are usually installed and used in homes and medical facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living establishments, and rehabilitation centres.

A ceiling track hoist, sometimes referred to as an overhead hoist, is a mechanical device mounted on the ceiling designed to assist individuals with limited mobility in transferring between various positions in a room. Some of the transfers a ceiling hoist facilitates include transfers such as moving a person from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to a bath or shower chair.

What is a straight-track ceiling hoist?

As the name suggests, a straight ceiling hoist is a simple system where only one piece of track is installed on the ceiling, facilitating a single transfer in a set place.

Straight-track hoists can be used to facilitate single transfers such as moving a person from their chair to a bed, or from a toilet to the bath.

It’s worth noting that straight-track hoist systems don’t have to be straight in the literal sense; the track may incorporate some bends if necessary.

What is an H-track/XY ceiling hoist?

An H-track overhead hoist system facilitates multiple transfers in one or more rooms.

Taking a cue from the name, H-track hoists consist of 2 fixed rails with one running rail below, meaning the hoist motor can be positioned anywhere between the two fixed rails.

H-track hoists are ideal for spaces such as changing places, where there are multiple facilities in one room that a person can be hoisted to.

Below is an example of an H-track system fitted in a changing places.