Choosing the right COREAT hoist requires matching four key variables to your project requirements: load capacity, speed type, chain length, and controller. Get these right and you’ll have a system that performs reliably for years. Get them wrong and you’ll either underspec the load or overpay for capability you don’t need.
This guide walks through each decision in order.
Step 1: Determine Your Load Capacity Requirement
The load capacity of your hoist must exceed the maximum weight you intend to lift — not just the load itself, but every piece of rigging hardware between the hoist and the load (shackles, slings, spreader bars, truss sections, and so on).
A safe working practice is to calculate the total suspended weight and then select the next hoist model up. The COREAT hoist range covers:
- 250 kg — C20, V02/V02 PLUS (mid-weight lighting arrays, smaller LED panels, curtain tracks)
- 500 kg — V05/V05 PLUS (heavy lighting trusses, large LED walls, mid-scale scenic structures)
- 1,000 kg — V10/V10 PLUS, C10(major fly system elements, heavy trusses, large theatrical loads)
- 2,000 kg — V20 PLUS (industrial-scale stage equipment, permanent heavy rigging installations)
Never size a hoist at exactly the load limit. A safety factor of at least 10% headroom above maximum anticipated load is standard practice.
Step 2: Fixed or Variable Speed?
This is the most important operational decision. Ask yourself: will the hoist ever need to move during a live performance, recording session, or when an audience is present?
Choose single-speed (C series) if: the hoist is used to pre-rig loads before shows, the movement speed doesn’t matter, and the hoist will not be operated during a performance. Single-speed models are simpler, more economical, and entirely appropriate for fixed installation scenarios.
Choose variable speed (V series) if: you need real-time speed adjustment during shows, creative control over lifting dynamics, or the ability to execute slow dramatic movements or fast scene changes. Variable-speed hoists are standard specification for concert touring, theatrical productions, and any live performance environment.
Choose the Intelligent CNC Hoist if: you need pre-programmed sequences, synchronized multi-unit movement, position feedback, or any form of automation. This is the specification for kinetic installations, automated fly systems, and immersive entertainment applications.
Step 3: Calculate the Chain Length You Need
The standard chain length on COREAT hoists is 3 meters (C-series) or 6 meters (V-series). This is adequate for most venues with standard ceiling heights. However, for venues with high ceilings, balcony-level rigging points, or any installation where the hoist is mounted significantly above the load’s lowest position, a custom chain length is required.
To calculate the chain length you need: measure the distance from the rigging point (where the hoist top hook attaches) to the lowest point the load will travel, then add at least 500 mm for safety margins and hardware clearance. Specify this figure when placing your order — Coreat supplies custom chain lengths at no additional lead time penalty.
Step 4: Select the Right Controller
Every COREAT hoist requires a controller. The controller you need is determined by the hoist series you’ve selected:
- C-series or E-series → Pendant Controller (included): standard push-button up/down operation
- V-series → Variable Speed Console: real-time adjustable speed control for live show use
- Intelligent CNC Hoist → CNC Multi-Unit Controller: Coreat’s proprietary CNC console for programmable, synchronized multi-hoist operation
If you’re running multiple V-series hoists and want to synchronize them — for example, lifting a truss evenly across four hoisting points — ask our team about multi-hoist variable-speed console configurations. Coreat can advise on the right control architecture for your rig.
Step 5: Consider Voltage and Power Supply
COREAT hoists are available in multiple voltage configurations to suit different markets. Standard options include 110V (single-phase), 220V (single-phase or three-phase), 380V (three-phase, standard for China and much of Asia/Europe), and 480V (three-phase, North America). Specify your local power supply when ordering to ensure the correct motor configuration is supplied.
For touring applications where the hoist will be used in multiple countries with different power standards, discuss your requirements with the Coreat sales team before ordering.
Step 6: OEM and Custom Specifications
If none of the standard COREAT hoist configurations precisely matches your project requirements, OEM and custom specifications are available. Coreat can produce hoists with non-standard load capacities, unusual chain lengths, custom housing colors, specific mounting configurations, or modified control interfaces. Lead times for custom orders are typically 4–8 weeks depending on specification complexity.
Quick Reference: COREAT Hoist Selection Matrix
| Model | Capacity | Speed | Controller | Best For |
| C10 | 1000 kg | Single | Pendant | Fixed theatrical install |
| C20 | 2000 kg | Single | Pendant | Mid-size fixed install |
| V02/V02 PLUS | 250 kg | Variable | Speed Console | Live events, nightclubs |
| V05/V05 PLUS | 500 kg | Variable | Speed Console | Concert touring, large rigs |
| V10/V10 PLUS | 1,000 kg | Variable | Speed Console | Opera, arena fly systems |
| V20 PLUS | 2,000 kg | Variable | Speed Console | Heavy-duty permanent |
| CNC Hoist | Custom | CNC Programmable | CNC Controller | Kinetic, immersive, automated |