Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
A Hoyer-style patient lift is built from a small set of named parts: a base with legs and casters, a mast, a boom, a spreader bar or cradle that carries the sling, a lifting mechanism (electric actuator or hydraulic unit), and, on powered models, a control box, handset and battery. This guide names each part, says what the manufacturer’s own manual checks on it, and shows how patient lifts are classified in US device regulation. Part names vary by model, so the labelled examples come from two Joerns Hoyer documents: the Hoyer Advance user manual and the Hoyer Stature parts list.
Who uses it: nursing and care staff who move patients, clinic and facility buyers who need the right vocabulary for a parts or service request, and students learning patient-handling equipment.
What a Hoyer lift is made of
US federal regulations describe a patient lift as a device, either fixed or mobile, used to lift and transport a patient from one place to another, for example from a bed to a bath. Both regulations say the device includes straps and a sling (21 CFR 880.5500 for AC-powered lifts, 21 CFR 880.5510 for non-AC-powered lifts). In the regulatory sense the sling is part of the lift system. For the wider device category, see what a patient lift is.
Hoyer lift parts diagram (labelled list)
The Hoyer Advance manual labels its lift figure with these parts:
- Cradle / spreader bar, with the spreader bar retaining cradle that holds it when stored
- Boom
- Battery / control pack
- Push handle
- Electric actuator
- Mast tightening knob
- Push pad
- Base casting
- Leg extrusion
- Braked caster
- Leg restraining cord
No single universal diagram exists, because each model names and arranges parts differently. The Hoyer Stature parts list (revision E, copyright 2025) adds items such as the mast extrusion, boom carrier, lift strap and pin, motor gear box and brake, straight-line steering device, user handset, and charger and stand. Use the manual for the exact model in front of you.
Parts, functions and the manufacturer’s checks
| Part | What it does | Manufacturer’s check (Hoyer Advance manual) |
|---|---|---|
| Spreader bar | Carries the hooks that the sling attaches to. The Advance has a 6-point bar used with the Hoyer range of slings. | Free to rotate and swing, firmly attached to the boom; check wear on the central pivot. |
| Sling hooks and side suspenders | Connect the sling to the spreader bar. | Examine for excessive wear. “If in doubt – do not use.” |
| Boom | Arm that the spreader bar is attached to; raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism. | Check its attachment to the mast, minimal side movement, and free rotation on the boom bearing. |
| Mast | Upright that joins boom and base; secured by a locking device and a tightening knob. | Mast fully engaged in its slot and the locking device securely tightened. |
| Legs | Open and close to change the width of the base. | Legs open and close correctly. Never lift with the legs in the closed/transport position. |
| Casters | Wheels. The Advance has two braked casters for parking. | Lift moves freely on its casters. Do not lift a patient with the brakes on. |
| Electric actuator or hydraulic unit | Raises and lowers the boom. The manual covers an electric and a hydraulic version. | Hand control or hydraulic unit raises and lowers the boom. Hydraulic: check for fluid leakage; a leaking lift is not used until repaired. |
| Control box and emergency stop (electric) | Hand control, emergency stop and emergency lower/raise buttons. | Check emergency stop operation and the hand control socket and function. |
| Battery / control pack (electric) | Powers the actuator. | No low-battery alarm when the hand control is operated; if it sounds, do not use and put on charge. |
| Sling | Supports the patient; attached to the spreader bar hooks. | Check for fraying or damage before use; do not use a worn or damaged sling. |
What is another name for a Hoyer lift?
The generic names are patient lift, mechanical lift and passive lift. Joerns, the manufacturer, says “Hoyer lift” is often used interchangeably to mean a passive lift, and states that not all passive lifts are Hoyer lifts. Joerns describes a passive lift as typically consisting of a sling and a mechanical lift that can raise the sling. The US regulations use the term “patient lift”. (Joerns, checked 2026-10-30.)
What kinds of Hoyer lifts are there?
Joerns lists hydraulic, electric, stand-up, bariatric and ceiling lifts. The Hoyer Advance manual covers two versions, hydraulically operated and electrically operated, and their parts differ: the electric version has an actuator, control box and battery, while the hydraulic version has a hydraulic unit with a release valve. In US regulation the split is by power source:
| Regulation | Device | Class |
|---|---|---|
| 21 CFR 880.5500 | AC-powered patient lift | Class II (special controls), exempt from 510(k) subject to 21 CFR 880.9 |
| 21 CFR 880.5510 | Non-AC-powered patient lift (hydraulic, battery or mechanically powered) | Class I (general controls), exempt from 510(k) subject to 21 CFR 880.9 |
Specifications worth knowing (one model)
These figures are for the Hoyer Advance only and are not typical of all lifts. Safe working load is 341 lb (155 kg) for both the electric and hydraulic versions. The manual states a minimum service life of ten years, subject to the use and maintenance procedures in the manual. Its maintenance table gives a six-month service interval for North America. Inspection frequency varies by locality, so the manual tells users to check with the dealer or local authority.
Genuine parts and slings
The manual warns that Hoyer recommends genuine Hoyer parts, that Hoyer slings and lifters are not designed to be interchangeable with other manufacturers’ products, and that using other manufacturers’ products on Hoyer products is potentially unsafe and could result in serious injury to patient or caregiver. It also says sling capacity is limited by the maximum weight capacity of the lift. Maintenance, inspection and certified testing are recommended to be done by authorized service agents or dealers.
Safe use and handling basics
- Run the manufacturer’s daily checks (the right-hand column of the parts table above) before use, every day.
- Keep the legs open during a lift; closed is for storage and transport.
- Leave caster brakes off during a lift so the lift can find its centre; the brakes are for parking.
- Do not exceed the lift’s safe working load.
- Do not use a lift with a low-battery alarm (until charged), hydraulic leakage, or a damaged sling.
For the surrounding care environment, see what a hospital bed is and what a wheelchair is; for equipment coverage terms, see Medicare durable medical equipment coverage.
Common mistakes
- Treating “Hoyer” as the name of every patient lift; it is a Joerns brand name.
- Pairing a sling from another manufacturer with a Hoyer lift.
- Braking the casters during a lift; the manual says the patient may swing to the centre of gravity.
- Skipping the daily check on hooks and slings because the lift looks fine.
FAQ
What are the main parts of a Hoyer lift?
Base with legs and casters, mast, boom, spreader bar (or cradle), a lifting mechanism, and on electric models a control box, handset and battery. Slings attach to the spreader bar hooks.
What is another name for a Hoyer lift?
Patient lift, mechanical lift or passive lift. Hoyer is a brand of Joerns Healthcare.
What kinds of Hoyer lifts are there?
Joerns lists hydraulic, electric, stand-up, bariatric and ceiling lifts. The Hoyer Advance manual covers hydraulic and electric versions.
Can I use another brand’s sling on a Hoyer lift?
The Hoyer Advance manual says Hoyer slings and lifters are not designed to be interchangeable with other manufacturers’ products and that doing so could cause serious injury.
Sources
- Joerns Healthcare, Hoyer Advance User Manual (PDF), https://joerns.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Hoyer_Advance_User_Manual.pdf, checked 2026-10-30.
- Joerns Healthcare, Hoyer Stature Parts List 6130093 Rev E (PDF), https://joerns.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/JHC_Hoyer-Stature_Parts-List_6130093RevE.pdf, checked 2026-10-30.
- Joerns, Transfer patients: Hoyer lifts, https://www.joerns.com/safe-patient-handling/transfer-patients-hoyer-lifts/, checked 2026-10-30.
- 21 CFR 880.5500 AC-powered patient lift, https://law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/880.5500, checked 2026-10-30.
- 21 CFR 880.5510 Non-AC-powered patient lift, https://law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/880.5510, checked 2026-10-30.
