All SATURN hoists utilize High-Ratio Worm Gear Drives which are inherently self-locking and typically cannot be back-driven. The worm gears provide a safe secondary mechanical braking means to hold and control the load which is well-recognized as such by the industry. Hoist Worm Gear Drives can hold a load for infinite periods of time as well as handle long lifts without problems unlike a common hoist with load brake which can heat up, lock up and wear out. Hoist Worm Gear Drives, with less moving parts and no required adjustment, have proven to be lower in maintenance in contrast with alternative hoist drives which generally involve multiple gear sets in addition to a mechanical load brake.
Trolley Non-Coast / Worm Gear Drives can stop a trolley motion within acceptable industry limits. For this reason, most SATURN hoist trolleys, tractor drives and bridge crane end trucks are not supplied with motor brakes as standard. This eliminates the cost of a trolley brake upfront as well as maintenance costs later on.