Power in Motion: Bison Motorized Trolleys for Electric Chain Hoists

In many lifting applications, you don’t want just vertical movement — you want horizontal traverse, too: the ability to move a load along a beam. That’s where motorized trolleys come in. Bison Lifting Equipment offers motorized trolleys that integrate with their electric chain hoists to give controlled, powered travel on beam spans, combining vertical lift and horizontal motion in one compact system.

Why use a motorized trolley?

• Precise positioning — Move heavy loads exactly where you need them, not just up/down.

• Improved productivity — Rather than pushing or pulling manually, you automate the traverse motion.

• Better safety & control — Eliminates jerkiness or misalignment from manual pushing under load.

• Streamlined control — The trolley and hoist can be controlled from the same pendant (if the hoist is a 24 V-control model).

Bison’s motorized trolleys are engineered to hook directly to a compatible hoist. The trolley includes its own power, controls, and drive mechanism, and the hoist connects into it. This reduces extra cabling and simplifies the setup. (bisonlifting.com)

Key Features & Specs (General)

Here are some of the salient features found across Bison’s motorized trolley offerings:

• Designed for single-phase voltages, typically 115 V / 230 V operation. (bisonlifting.com)

• Control voltage is 24 V for the pendant and internal control logic. (bisonlifting.com)

• Comes with power and control wiring such that the hoist can “plug into” the trolley, allowing control of both hoist and traverse from the same pendant (if the hoist supports 24 V control). (bisonlifting.com)

• Speed: Many of the single-phase motorized trolleys travel at 33 ft/min (i.e., 33 feet per minute) in traverse mode. (bisonlifting.com)

• Beam compatibility: The beam flange width ranges typically from about 2.95″ to 7.09″ for many models. (bisonlifting.com)

• Duty cycle: Some models are rated at 25% ED (i.e. suitable for intermittent use). (bisonlifting.com)

• Safety and compliance: Electromagnetic load brake, pendant controllers with emergency stop, and compliance with ASME B30.16 standards. (bisonlifting.com)

• Pendant & power wiring: Standard configurations include ~15 ft. power cord, ~17 ft. pendant cord, with custom lengths available. (bisonlifting.com)

Available Tonnage Options & Their Details

Below is a summary of known Bison motorized trolley models by capacity (ton rating) and relevant specs based on available documentation.

These tonnage options let customers pair the right trolley with their hoist, matching the capacity needs of the job.

For example, a ½-ton trolley is ideal for light fabrication shops or maintenance bays moving lighter gear, whereas a 5-ton trolley would serve heavier workshops or industrial plants moving large machinery components.

Use-Cases, Tips & Selection Advice

Typical Use-Cases

• Assembly lines where parts must be shifted along a beam.

• Maintenance bays where hoists need to traverse along the length of equipment.

• Warehouses or staging areas where heavy loads need to be carried across beams.

• Retrofit installations where adding motorized movement is more cost-effective than replacing hoist systems.

Tips & Considerations

1. Match the capacity accurately — Don’t overspec lightly, but make sure the trolley’s rating exceeds the hoist and load requirements for safety.

2. Verify beam compatibility — Ensure your I-beam or girder flange width falls within the trolley’s adjustable range.

3. Consider duty cycle — If traverse motion is frequent, check if the 25% ED is adequate or if a more robust rating is needed.

4. Ensure control compatibility — The hoist should support 24 V control so that both hoist + trolley can share one pendant.

5. Pendant & wiring length — Order custom lengths if your application requires more distance.

6. Adhere to safety standards — Use limit stops, end stops, regular inspections, and follow ASME standards per Bison’s design guidelines.