The Past Meets the Present!

Published Date: 16th October 2024

Ok, so it’s not a patient hoist as such but its origins trace back to the first mechanical Oxford patient hoists introduced into healthcare in the 1950s. This hoist was manufactured by F.J. Payne, an engineering company founded in 1917, who later commercialised and launched the very first Oxford patient hoist in 1955. Find out more about the origins of Oxford Hoist here.

A Vintage Hoist with a Rich History

A gentleman in Ipswich acquired this Cowley Crane Hydraulic Engine Hoist more than 50 years ago, and it wasn’t brand new at the time! It’s difficult to pinpoint its exact age given there is no date stamp on the unit but suffice to say we are taking a good leap back in time when it was first put into service!

Engine removals and installations in motor vehicles are made easier with this mechanical hoist, designed with a robust safe working load of up to 250kg. Its owner has been using it for this purpose – and continues to do so to this day!

In fact, after contacting F.J. Payne directly for support (Yes, they are still going), he got in touch with Joerns, searching for some replacement hydraulic fluid after a small leak ensued, resulting in a compromised lift height. Consequentially, it was no longer able to lift high enough to hoist an engine out of the back of his Morris Traveller!

Joerns Healthcare Technical Support: Helping a Classic Lift Return to Full Power

After some dialogue with Joerns Technical Support, and a discussion around suitable, replacement oil for the hydraulic ram with a view to restoring full function to the hoist, we managed to source and ship him a complimentary supply of oil as well as some advice around its replacement. This was gratefully received!

It quickly became apparent that the owner of this lift is a very resourceful guy; on taking apart the hydraulic ram there was a damaged gasket seal which he duly replaced by cutting himself a replacement from a plastic peanut butter tub! After filling the repaired ram with new fluid and a subsequent top up to ensure the required lift height was achievable, the hoist is now back to full working order, with no leaks!

Take a look at the pictures and see for yourself … It’s not clear whether it would pass a 6-monthly LOLER inspection, and the paint could need some touching up in a few areas, but nonetheless, what a workhorse – it has certainly served him very well for over half a century!

 

Editor’s Note: This article refers to the organisation under its name at the time of publication.

Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Oxford Healthcare provides access to our library of current and archived content. Please note the date of publication, last review or update on all articles as they may not reflect revised requirements, restrictions and/or content. NO CONTENT ON THIS SITE, REGARDLESS OF DATE OR CONTRIBUTORS CREDENTIALS, SHOULD EVER BE PERCEIVED AS MEDICAL ADVICE OR USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR DIRECT MEDICAL ADVICE FROM YOUR DOCTOR OR OTHER QUALIFIED CLINICIAN. The materials, comments and other information offered herein are intended to provide general information and are not medical or other advice. Oxford Healthcare does not guarantee any outcome whatsoever.