Chain Hoists & Controllers

Discover our range of chain hoists and controllers for live events, built around CM Lodestar, Prostar and BatteryStar. This category brings together CM chain motors, stage hoist controllers such as pendant control stations, motor cables, load chain and the accessories that complete a rig, from intimate theater setups to arena-scale productions.

Browse Chain Hoists, Chain Hoist Accessories and Hoist Power & Control, or explore CM spare parts and rigging hardware to complete your rig. Need maintenance for your current fleet? Minimize downtime with the MTN Mobile Hoist Service, providing on-site chain hoist servicing and repairs by certified experts.

CM entertainment chain hoist and motor controller for professional live event and stage rigging
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Chain Hoists & Controllers – Product list

How a chain hoist rig fits together

A working hoist setup is more than the motor. A typical rig combines a CM chain motor, a motor cable that carries power and control, a control station for local up and down operation, chain management for the loose end of the load chain, and the beam clamps or trolleys that attach everything to the structure. Buying these pieces from one category avoids the most common ordering mistake: parts that look right but don't share a connector, phase or chain size. Start with the hoist, then match everything else to it, using Chain Hoists, Hoist Power & Control and Chain Hoist Accessories as your checklist.

Choosing between CM Lodestar, Prostar and BatteryStar

Capacity and duty decide this. The CM Lodestar Next Gen and RRS 2 Ton are the choice for truss, line arrays and video, where a 1/2 ton to 2 ton chain motor gives headroom. The CM Prostar 500 lb fits lighter loads such as banners, small lighting bars and scenic pieces, where a bigger motor adds weight without adding value. The CM BatteryStar solves a different problem: lift points where running mains power and control cable is impractical. Add up the full load, including truss, fixtures, cabling and rigging hardware, and choose a hoist with rated capacity to spare.

Matching connector, phase and cable length

CM entertainment hoists are offered with Dual Twist, C7 or P-14 connectors, and the motor cable must match the one on your hoist. Motor cables come in single phase (Dual Twist 14/3 & 16/4) and three phase (Dual Twist 16/7, C7 16/7, P-14 16/7), so check your hoist's voltage and phase before you order. For length, measure the run from your power source to the hoist and add slack for routing and trim adjustments, rather than buying the shortest cable that reaches. Cable tails cover repairs and custom builds without replacing a whole cable.

Chain hoist controllers: what a pendant does and doesn't do

A chain hoist controller in this range is a pendant control station, or pickle, that gives up and down control of one hoist, such as the CM Ergonomic Pendant Control Station or the MTN Hubbell Control Station. Choose assembled units with an L14-20 or XLR connector for plug-and-play use, or unassembled units when you need a custom pinout. Moving several hoists together or running programmed cues needs a multi-channel motor control system rather than individual pendants, so contact our team early if your show needs that.

Sizing load chain and chain containers

The loose end of the chain has to go somewhere, and the container or bag must match your lift height and chain size. Genuine CM load chain in 1/4" and 5/16" is available in multiple lengths, so measure your full lift plus the working chain before ordering replacement or re-chaining lengths. BatteryStar hoists use dedicated 11" and 23" fabric chain containers, and weather covers protect hoists that stay rigged outdoors.

Attaching the hoist to the structure

The hoist is only as secure as what it hangs from. OZ Lifting beam clamps (1 ton to 10 ton) and beam trolleys attach a hoist to I-beams, while entertainment-specific clamps are in our Beam Clamps collection. Always match the clamp's rated capacity to the hoist plus the load, and confirm the flange width suits your beam.

Standards, inspection and keeping a fleet in service

Powered hoist systems in entertainment fall under ANSI E1.6-1, and manufacturers publish rated loads and inspection intervals for each model. Inspect before each use, replace worn chain and components with genuine parts from our CM hoist spare parts range, and use the MTN Mobile Hoist Service for on-site inspection and repair. Combining hoists with load monitoring gives you real-time load data during a show.

Ordering and pricing

Chain hoists are priced by configuration, meaning model, capacity, lift height and connector, so request a quote and our team will confirm specifications, stock and lead time. Cables, control stations and accessories list their prices online. All CM hoists sold here are genuine stock, shipped fast across the US with straightforward returns on unused stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

A chain hoist controller is the pendant control station, often called a pickle, that gives up and down control of a hoist. This range includes CM control stations, CM ergonomic pendants and the MTN Hubbell control station, in L14-20 or XLR versions.
A pendant control station operates a single hoist. Running several hoists together or programming linked movements needs a multi-channel motor control system, so contact our team to discuss your requirements.
The Lodestar Next Gen is offered in higher capacities (1/2 ton, 1 ton and 2 ton here) for heavier truss and audio loads. The CM Prostar 500 lb suits lighter loads and smaller venues, with the same Dual Twist, C7 or P-14 connector choices.
Match the cable to your motor's connector: C7, Dual Twist (3-phase 16/7 or single phase 14/3 and 16/4) or P-14. Motor cables are available from 5' to 200', and cable tails are available for C7 and P-14 repairs.
Price depends on model, capacity, lift height and connector type, so chain hoists are quoted individually. Request a quote and our team will confirm pricing, stock and lead time, while cables, control stations and accessories show their prices online.

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