Custom Hoist SolutionsSafe,preciseliftingsystems.
HOIST SYSTEMS
At ITE, we specialise in designing, supplying and installing high-quality hoist systems for performing arts venues, sports facilities, and multi-purpose spaces across Australia. Our hoists are engineered for safety, reliability, and precise movement, allowing stage crews and facility operators to fly lighting bars, scenery, curtains, screens, basketball rings, multi-purpose nets, battens, and other suspended elements with confidence.
From small community theatres to large performing arts centres and sports arenas, ITE delivers systems that are custom-designed to meet your space, load, and operational requirements, whether for everyday use or professional-level productions.
Hoist Types
ITE provides a full range of hoist solutions for different applications:
Explore our line of specialised hoist and winch configurations designed for theatrical and architectural lifting needs:
ITE Pile Wind Hoists
➔high-capacity, versatile hoists for lifting heavy scenery, battens, and stage platforms. Ideal for theatre applications where reliability under frequent use is critical.
ITE Zero Fleet Angle Hoists
➔designed to operate with minimal rope wear and optimal alignment, these hoists are ideal for high load, fast-speed flying of lighting bars, curtains, or delicate scenery elements.
ITE Drum Hoists
➔compact and reliable, suitable for moderate loads and applications requiring precise positioning over short or medium travel.
Chain Hoists
➔robust motorised chain hoists for lifting lighting bars & trusses, nets, or scenery battens
Other Hoist Options
➔ITE can also supply motorised wire rope hoists, winches, and bespoke lifting solutions for specialised applications, including sports arenas, multi-purpose stages, or suspended audiovisual elements.
Applications
ITE hoists are used for a wide variety of functions, including:
Lighting Bars & Trusses
➔Flying lighting bars and rigging trusses
Scenery & Stage Elements
➔Raising and lowering scenery and stage elements
Curtains & Screens
➔Operating curtain and screen systems
Sports & Multi-Purpose Equipment
➔Adjusting basketball rings, multi-purpose nets, or gym equipment
Rehearsal & Performance Rigging
➔Positioning battens or stage rigging components for rehearsal or performance
Why Choose ITE Hoists?
ITE combines mechanical engineering, motor control, manufacturing and installation to deliver hoist systems suited to your venue.
Selected for your application - Hoist selection considers the suspended load, lifting points, travel distance, operating speed, available space and intended use.
Coordinated machinery and controls-Hoists and control systems are specified together to provide the movement and operating features your venue requires.
Engineered for the installation- Mounting arrangements, support steelwork, rope paths and associated rigging are designed around the building and equipment.
Installation and commissioning-ITE provides installation, testing, commissioning and operator training.
Ongoing support- Scheduled inspections, preventative maintenance, repairs and upgrades help keep your equipment operating reliably.
ITE Pile Wind Hoists (Elevate-2)
The ITE Pile Wind Hoist is a high-capacity, versatile hoist designed for lifting heavy scenery, stage platforms, lighting trusses, battens, and other theatre or performance elements. These hoists are engineered for frequent use, smooth operation, and long-term reliability, making them ideal for professional performing arts venues. The Pile Wind Hoist is the most common found hoist in theatre environments and have been the industry staple for 30+ years.
Features
High Load & Speed Capacity – capable of lifting heavy loads at reasonable speeds, ensuring safely and consistently.
Versatile Operation – suitable for lifting battens, scenery, curtains, and other stage elements.
Smooth Motion Control – precise vertical movement for quiet, controlled operation
Durable Construction – built for repeated use with high-quality materials and long service life
Redundant Safety Systems – emergency stop, limit switches, and mechanical safeguards integrated for operator safety.
Applications
Flying large lighting bars or trusses
Raising and lowering heavy scenery elements or stage platforms
Moving curtain systems or screens on and off stage
Multi-purpose lifting in rehearsal or performance environments
ITE Zero Fleet Angle Hoists (Infinity)
The ITE Zero Fleet Angle Hoist is a precision hoist engineered to minimise rope wear and maximise alignment efficiency. It is ideal for lifting very heavy and delicate scenery, lighting bars, or curtain systems safely, smoothly, and repeatedly. These hoists are designed for frequent use and precise operation, making them perfect for professional theatres and performance venues. Zero Fleet Hoists operate similarly to a pile wind hoist, however they are generally more suitable in very high load (up to 1.5T) and fast-speed (up to 1m/sec) applications where a Pile Wind Hoist cannot meet the performance requirements.
Features
Zero Fleet Angle Design – eliminates lateral rope stress, reducing wear and increasing ability to operate at high speed.
High Load & Speed Capacity – lifts heavy loads safely and efficiently with precise control.
Smooth Motion Control – quiet, controlled vertical movement ideal for performance settings.
Durable Construction – high-quality components built for repeated use over long service life.
Redundant Safety Systems – emergency stop, limit switches, and mechanical safeguards integrated for operator safety.
Flying lighting bars or adjustable lighting trusses at high speed
Flying a house curtain in and out at fast speed
multi-purpose stage operations where precision and alignment are critical
ITE Drum Hoist
The ITE Drum Hoist is a compact, reliable hoist designed for lifting moderate loads with precise control. Its durable drum mechanism allows for smooth operation and accurate positioning of stage elements, making it ideal for theatres, schools, and multi-purpose venues. Although historically common place in theatres, drum hoists have mostly been replaced by either Pile Wind hoists or Zero Fleet Angle Hoists and are rarely found in new constructions.
Features
High Precision Operation – drum mechanism ensures accurate and repeatable vertical movement.
Moderate Load Capacity – suitable for lifting medium-weight scenery, lighting bars, and equipment.
Smooth Motion Control – quiet operation ideal for live performances and rehearsals.
Durable Construction – built with long-lasting materials for frequent use.
Integrated Safety Systems – includes emergency stop, limit switches, and mechanical safeguards.
Applications
Flying medium-weight lighting bars or trusses
Raising and lowering scenery or stage platforms
Moving curtains, screens, or projection equipment
Multi-purpose lifting in rehearsal or performance settings
Entertainment Chain Hoists
Chain Hoists are a versatile lifting solution for applications requiring simple, robust operation. Available from a range of manufacturers such as MODE and GIS, entertainment chain hoists are the workhorse of theatre environments due to their flexibility and high loading capabilities ranging from 250kg to 5T. Standard chain hoists can also be upgraded to include positioning, slow start and stop, load monitoring and other integrations. Note that it is critical to understand the different types and features of chain hoists to ensure the appropriate type is used for a specific application.
Features
Compact & Robust – suitable for tight installation spaces..
Cost effectiveness – chain hoists are the most cost effective form of motorising elements such as lighting bars.
Precise Positioning – easy control to lift and lower loads such as trusses.
Durable Construction – designed for frequent use with long service life.
Safety Integration – includes limit stops and emergency stop options.
Applications
Raising and lowering lighting bars, scenery bars, trusses and truss grids
Raising and lowering chandeliers or other elements
Materials handling
Maintenance and stage setup applications
ITE’s Engineering & Integration Role in Hoist Systems
Beyond supplying hardware, Installation Theatrical Engineering (ITE) acts as a complete solution engineering partner. ITE specifies, custom-integrates, and certifies stage hoist machinery—including chain hoists, pile wind hoists, zero-fleet hoists, and line shaft systems—to meet stringent Australian venue requirements and safety standards.
Engineering Capabilities & Responsibilities
Custom System Specification & Selection – Analyzing structural constraints, travel distance, and duty cycles to select or manufacture the ideal hoist technology (Chain, Pile Wind, Zero-Fleet, or Line Shaft).
Advanced Control & Automation Integration – Upgrading standard hoists with variable speed drives (VFD), soft start/stop, precise encoder positioning, and programmable group movement.
Safety & Monitoring Logic – Integrating dual mechanical brakes, slack-line detection, overload limit switches, and continuous load monitoring systems.
Structural Fabrication & Mounting – Designing custom head blocks, loft blocks, diverter pulleys, and support steelwork tailored to each venue's unique architecture.
Turnkey Installation & Certification – Full Australian Standards compliance, site installation, load testing, statutory sign-off, and lifecycle maintenance support.
Core Engineering Scope Across Venue Types
Custom Hoist System Design – Engineering specialised zero-fleet and pile-wind motorized machinery for high-capacity venue applications.
PLC & Motion Control Integration – Integrating automated touch-screen control consoles and SIL-3 rated safety stop protocols.
Australian Compliance & Testing – Load testing, mechanical certification, and structural verification for venue operators.
Lifecycle Maintenance & Upgrades – Retrofitting legacy hoist hardware with modern drive technology and conducting periodic safety audits.
Hoist Systems Comparison
Compare our professional theatrical hoist solutions to determine the optimal engineering choice for your venue’s load, speed, travel, and spatial parameters.
| Hoist System | Best Use | Load Range | Speed | Travel | Space Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pile-Wind Hoist | Multi-line rigging, counterweight replacement, and dedicated lighting bar suspension. | 250 kg – 1,000 kg | 0.1 m/s – 0.3 m/s | Up to 15 – 20 meters | Compact footprint; requires vertical drum storage space above grid. |
| Zero-Fleet Hoist | Spot hoisting, lighting trusses, and applications requiring zero lateral cable deviation. | 100 kg – 1,500 kg | Up to 1m/sec | Up to 25+ meters | Minimal lateral clearance; streamlined inline configuration. |
| Drum Hoist | Traditional fly tower line sets, heavy scenery automation, and high-capacity drops. | 500 kg – 3,000+ kg | 0.1 m/s – 0.5 m/s | Full fly tower height (20m – 30m+) | Requires dedicated gallery or grid space for drum and motor housing. |
| Line-Shaft Hoist | School auditoriums and multi-purpose venues utilizing a single motor to drive multiple lines. | 250 kg – 750 kg total | Standard theatrical (0.1 m/s – 0.2 m/s) | 10 meters – 15 meters | Spans across the stage width above the grid; requires structural loft mounting. |
| Chain-Hoist Solution | Touring shows, temporary rigging points, arena grids, and industrial motor points. | 250 kg – 2,000 kg per point | Fixed or variable (4m/min to 16m/min) | Dependent on chain bag capacity (12m – 24m+) | Extremely compact overhead footprint; requires vertical chain bag clearance. |
Other Hoist Options
ITE can design and manufacture any type of hoist to meet specific project requirements. Whether it’s a bespoke motorised wire rope hoist, winch, or specialised lifting solution, we tailor the system to your venue’s load, travel, and operational needs while ensuring reliability, precision, and safety.
Bespoke Design
Operational Needs
Uncompromised Standard
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our Australian-designed, load-rated motorized hoist systems and custom stage installation services.
Need specialised advice or custom engineering specs for your venue?
A theatre hoist is a motorised lifting device designed to raise, lower, or fly stage elements such as lighting bars, scenery, curtains, screens, multi-purpose nets, and battens. Hoists provide controlled, reliable vertical movement to enable smooth scene changes, safe handling of equipment, and flexibility in stage configurations.