Choosing Between a 1, 2 and 5 Tonne Winch
The right winch depends on the heaviest load it will lift, how deep the shaft is and whether it serves a temporary job or permanent production hoisting. Rated line pull is quoted on the first rope layer. As rope builds up on the drum, the available pull falls, so a winch working near its rating on a deep shaft can struggle when the drum is nearly full. The table compares the three sizes we describe, using the figures on each product page.
| 1 tonne | 2 tonne | 5 tonne | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rated line pull (first layer) | 1,000 kg | 2,000 kg | 5,000 kg |
| Typical shaft depth | Up to about 60 m | About 60–120 m | About 120–300 m |
| Wire rope diameter | 8–11 mm | 11–14 mm | 16–20 mm |
| Drum rope capacity | 30–120 m | 60–200 m | 150–400 m |
| Line speed | 8–15 m/min | 7–12 m/min | 15–45 m/min |
| Motor | 1.5–3.0 kW | 3.0–5.5 kW | 7.5–15 kW |
| Machine mass | 60–130 kg | 180–350 kg | 900–2,500 kg |
| Typical role | Ore buckets on shallow shafts, hauling and positioning | Deeper shafts, larger buckets, skips on inclines | Permanent production hoisting with skips or kibbles |
To choose, add up everything hanging on the rope at its heaviest moment: the bucket or kibble, the ore inside it and the rope itself between the drum and the bottom of the shaft. The rope supplier gives its mass per metre, and on a deep shaft that weight is significant. Then allow a margin so the winch is not working at its limit on every lift.
As a worked assumption, suppose a kibble weighs 250 kg empty and carries 600 kg of ore. That is 850 kg before the rope is counted. A 1 tonne winch would leave very little margin once the rope is added, especially with the drum nearly full, so a 2 tonne winch is the safer choice for that duty. Replace these figures with your actual bucket weight, fill and shaft depth.
Depth also matters beyond load. A deeper shaft needs more rope on the drum, and a production shaft that hoists all day needs the line speed, braking and inspection regime of a permanent installation rather than a portable winch. Any winch that carries people must be designed, certified and inspected for that purpose, with a much higher rope safety factor than goods hoisting. Confirm the current requirements for your licence with the Mining Commission and OSHA Tanzania before commissioning. For a quotation, send us the shaft depth, the heaviest load including the bucket, how many hours a day it will run and your power supply.
5 Tonne Mine Winch Specifications
The figures below describe typical industry specifications for this class of equipment rather than a single fixed model. Use them to scope a requirement, then confirm exact figures against the supplied unit before purchase.
| Specification | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Rated line pull (first layer) | 5,000 kg (5 tonnes) |
| Wire rope diameter | 16–20 mm, 6×36 IWRC |
| Drum rope capacity | 150–400 m |
| Line speed | 15–45 m/min depending on drive |
| Motor rating | 7.5–15 kW, often VFD driven |
| Power supply | 400 V 3-phase 50 Hz |
| Braking | Dual independent: service disc plus fail-safe emergency |
| Drum configuration | Single or double drum |
| Overwind protection | Limit switches plus mechanical overwind device |
| Depth indication | Mechanical or encoder-driven |
| Machine mass | 900–2,500 kg |
| Inspection regime | Statutory periodic examination as permanent hoisting plant |
5 Tonne Mine Winch: Uses and Applications
- Production ore hoisting on shafts 120–300 m
- Skip and kibble haulage
- Shaft sinking and development
- Material and equipment handling underground
- Emergency egress systems where certified for personnel
Maintenance Schedule
Most premature failures in this equipment class trace back to a missed routine check rather than a design fault. The intervals below are a practical starting schedule; adjust them to your duty cycle and the manufacturer manual.
| Interval | Task |
|---|---|
| Every shift | Rope and attachment inspection; test both braking systems independently; confirm overwind trips. |
| Weekly | Full-length rope lubrication; sheave groove wear gauge check; drum lagging inspection. |
| Monthly | Gearbox oil sample; bearing temperature and vibration survey; brake response time measurement. |
| Six-monthly | Non-destructive testing of rope by magnetic rope testing (MRT) where available. |
| Annually | Statutory examination by a competent person, full load test and certification of the complete hoisting installation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a 5 ton mine winch need statutory inspection in Tanzania?
Permanent hoisting installations fall under occupational safety regulation and require periodic examination by a competent person, with records retained. Requirements are enforced by the Mining Commission and OSHA Tanzania, and specifics depend on whether the installation carries personnel. Confirm the current obligations for your licence type before commissioning.
Why do 5 tonne winches need two braking systems?
Because a single brake failure on a loaded shaft hoist is unsurvivable for anything below. Convention is a service brake used for normal stopping plus an independent fail-safe emergency brake that applies on power loss, overspeed or overwind, each independently capable of holding the full load.
Single drum or double drum?
Single drum is simpler and cheaper and suits a single conveyance with a counterweight or none. Double drum allows two conveyances in balance, roughly halving energy per tonne hoisted and doubling cycle throughput, at higher capital cost and more complex control. Below about 150 m and 100 t/day, single drum usually wins.
What rope safety factor applies to a 5 ton mine winch?
Goods hoisting is commonly designed to 5:1 minimum against rope minimum breaking load. Personnel hoisting requires substantially higher, typically 8:1 or more, with the exact figure set by the applicable mining regulation. Rope must then be discarded on ISO 4309 criteria regardless of remaining calculated margin.
Supply and Delivery Across Tanzania
Bart Mining supplies 5 tonne mine winch and related equipment to mining operations throughout Tanzania, with primary coverage of the Lake Victoria Goldfields (Mwanza, Kahama, Geita, Shinyanga and Bukombe), alongside the Lupa Goldfields around Chunya and Mbeya, and delivery nationwide from Dar es Salaam.
Commonly supplied to: Kahama, Mererani.
Manufacturer or supplier of this equipment? Bart Mining sells machinery like the 5 tonne mine winch to buyers across Tanzania through its local market partnership.